Offensive Line for Dummies

[SmootSmack]

Originally Posted by Dirtbag359

Looks like Smootsmack was on to something with Tony Hills. Personally I was under the impression that he wasn't a good run blocker due to lack of a mean streak but after reading multiple scouting reports it looks like I was wrong. Anyway look for this guy to go with one of our 3rd round picks. Right now he's projected to go in the 4th round. The good news for us is that theres a good chance that out of Hills, McGlynn, and Schuening at least one or two will probably end up falling to us at 3-21.

It's also important to note that a big factor in Hill's passing the Texans in the third is if the Texans take Albert 18th overall. Apparently the Texans, Bears, and Redskins have the most interest in vying for Hill's services.
Q&A : Texas OT Tony Hills -Redskins Discussed


OT Tony Hill (AP Photo/Harry Cabluck)

By Ed Thompson
Senior NFL Analyst
Date: Mar 27, 2008

The Redskins appear to be interested in OT Tony Hills, as they have talked to him more than once. See what all he had to say in this exclusive interview.

Tony Hills
OT | (6'5", 309, 5.25) | TEXAS

Scouts Grade: 71 (Note: Dockery graded out at 68 when he came out)

Flags: (I: INJURY) Coming off injury that may affect playView by: Player | NCAA School | Position | NFL Team | Flag | All Ranked Players | NFL Draft History You are signed into Insider and have access to the exclusive draft content below.
Strengths: Possesses outstanding height and wingspan. Continues to add bulk to frame and still has room left to get bigger. He displays good feet and balance. A natural knee-bender with good mirror-and-slide skills in pass pro. He's big enough to engulf smaller defenders at the point of attack. Has quick hands and does a good job of keeping pass rushers in front of him. Very impressive mobility when asked to pull or block downfield on runs and screens. Fires out quickly in the run game and takes solid angles.

Weaknesses: Needs to do a better job of sustaining once locked on. Seems to lack a mean streak and must become more physical in order to elevate his game to the next level. Hands are quick but he lacks explosive power behind his punch. Rarely jars defenders with his punch. Must continue to improve overall strength. He will struggle at times versus powerful bull rushers that stand him up and get him off-balance. Sustained a potentially career-ending knee injury during senior season in high school and a broken left fibula ended his 2007 season in mid-November so durability is clearly a concern.

Overall: Hills signed with Texas in 2003 and redshirted the year. He was moved from tight end to offensive tackle, and in his first three seasons (2004-06) appeared in 31 games, including starts at left tackle in all 13 games his junior year. He started the Longhorns' first 11 games of 2007, but suffered a fractured left fibula that cost him the last two games. Hills was forced to redshirt and sit out the '03 season after reconstructive surgery on his left knee, following a career-threatening injury (nerve damage). Hills is coming off a season-ending leg injury and he needs to get stronger at the point of attack. However, he's still a good value early on Day 2 of the draft. The reason is he is quick, he moves very well for his size and he has the frame to bulk up without losing much if any of that agility.

NFL Events: Draft Player Profiles - Tony Hills
" He lacks the loose hips and strength to shock and jolt vs. the bull rush, but does a good job of widening the rush lanes, thanks to good hand placement and long arms"

"Like the player he replaced in the Texas starting lineup, Hills is very effective blocking in-line, and if he can show more urgency on the pulls and traps he might be a better fit at guard than at tackle. "

Here's another name to think about, Chad Rinehart

[Dirtbag59]

Originally Posted by SmootSmack

Here's another name to think about, Chad Rinehart

Looks good. Versitle Guard/Tackle prospect with the ability to open lanes in the running game. Also looks like he has great size at 6'5 320. I'm a little worried about his grade, as I would like to take someone with our 3rd round pick like Tony Hills who grades out at 71, but this guy still looks good and if I remember right Montgomery graded out at 39.

However if you don't mind my asking how did you come across this guy? Is this like Hills where you knew the Skins were looking at him or is he one of your personal favorites? I've been looking at him to but as far as Rineharts been concerned I've gone back and fourth especially when thinking about a few of the other guys that could fall to us. Ironically though I bet that the team would take Rinehart over Schuening if thats what it came down to, mainly due to the versitility.

Chad Rinehart
OG | (6'5", 320, 5.49) | NORTHERN IOWA

Scouts Grade: 57View by: Player | NCAA School | Position | NFL Team | Flag | All Ranked Players | NFL Draft History You are signed into Insider and have access to the exclusive draft content below.
Strengths: Has above-average initial quickness for a guard and can get into position when technique is sound. Plays with a mean streak, delivers a violent punch and can jar defenders at the point of contact. Works from the snap until the whistle and can sustain blocks once locked on. Has adequate lower body strength and flashes the ability to drive defenders. Takes sound angles to downfield blocks and can get into position at the second level. Keeps head up and generally does a good job of sliding off combo blocks to pick up linebackers. Shows good awareness in pass protection and can adjust to line stunts and blitzes. Though bends at the waist rather than the knees, has good size and can hold ground against bull rushers. Lined up at tackle in college and is somewhat versatile. While missed three games after undergoing an appendectomy in 2004 started the last 39 games of his collegiate career and is durable.

Weaknesses: Doesn't always get hands inside the defender's frame and slides off too many blocks. Takes too many false steps and has some problems preventing penetration despite quickness as a result. Plays too high and is going to have problems driving two-gap defensive tackles off the ball. Quicker than fast and while can effectively trap is going to have problems turning the corner when asked to pull. Takes to long to get set, can struggle to slide with defenders and would likely struggle if left on an island at tackle in the NFL so should move to guard. Played at a small school and there is some concern about ability to adjust to the speed at the NFL game level.

Overall: Rinehart redshirted his first season at Northern Iowa (2003). He started the first five games of his freshman season (2004) and played as a reserve in the Panthers' final three. He played a total of 47 games (44 starts) at left tackle in his four seasons ('04-'07), starting in a consecutive 39 games to close out his career. He was named a first-team All-America selection in 2007. Rinehart missed three games in '04 after undergoing laparoscopic appendectomy. Rinehart is a small-school prospect that dominated at the Division I-AA level and has the skill set to develop into an effective starting NFL guard. However, there are still concerns about his ability to make the substantial jump to the NFL and he needs to improve his footwork as well as his hand placement so he projects as a late fourth round pick or early fifth round pick.

* Player biographies are provided by Scouts Inc.

"has the skill set to develop into an effective starting NFL guard."
Just so you guys know they usually don't mention this when it comes to guys with the same grade as Rinehart. Most of the time they designate late round Guards as 'a guy that can be a solid backup.'

[SmootSmack]

I didn't really know the Redskins were looking at Hills, just suspected they might. Same with Rinehart.

The only OL's that I know the Redskins have expressed some interest in are Nicks and Cherilus.

[Dirtbag59]

Originally Posted by SmootSmack

I didn't really know the Redskins were looking at Hills, just suspected they might. Same with Rinehart.

The only OL's that I know the Redskins have expressed some interest in are Nicks and Cherilus.

Alright, because during this whole offseason I'll see you mention prospects on a whim and then BAM...."Redskins meet with (guy Smootsmack mention)." Kind of sad, I use to count on JLC for that type of info.

Also should I add Nicks and Cherilus to the "Confirmed Pre-Draft Visits" thread?

[SmootSmack]

Originally Posted by Dirtbag359

Alright, because during this whole offseason I'll see you mention prospects on a whim and then BAM...."Redskins meet with (guy Smootsmack mention)." Kind of sad, I use to count on JLC for that type of info.

Also should I add Nicks and Cherilus to the "Confirmed Pre-Draft Visits" thread?

Hahaha, well I wouldnt add Nicks and Cherilus to the thread quite yet. This info is a couple of months old. They may not be interested anymore.