From a Giants writer
Giants NFL Draft: OL Zack Martin works way into Top 15 mix?
http://www.nj.com/giants/index.ssf/...ol_zach_martin_works_way_into_top_15_mix.html
By Jordan Raanan/NJ.com
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on January 23, 2014 at 7:30 AM, updated January 23, 2014 at 4:00 PM
MOBILE, Ala. -- Offensive linemen, offensive linemen, offensive linemen. That's all you seem to want for the Giants in the NFL Draft.
Can't blame you. The Giants only have one lineman that can be penciled in as a starter for next season.
So, not surprisingly, you sent me back for more. Over 71 percent of your votes were for me to watch the two offensive lineman choices closely during Wednesday’s Senior Bowl practice.
But the winner in the voting and with his play on the field was Notre Dame offensive tackle Zack Martin. He had his third straight strong day of work in Mobile.
Calling Martin an offensive tackle may be a misrepresentation when all is said and done. The 6-foot-4, 305-pound lineman rotated between left tackle and left guard on Wednesday. He looked fluid at both positions.
Here's what I saw:
Pros: Excellent technique and good footwork. Always seems to be balanced and with a strong base. Not a mauler but has sufficient power. Light on his feet and able to handle some speed around the edge. Plays low and uses his hands well to fight off pass rushers both on the outside and inside.
Cons: Not a premium athlete for a left tackle. Could struggle with top athletes on the professional level. Sufficient but not excellent strength. Could be susceptible to bull rushes. Short arms.
Short arms? Sound familiar? The Giants already have a tackle whose Pros and Cons probably looked similar to Martin's at this time last year.
The thinking on Justin Pugh, who started all 16 games at right tackle for the Giants this past season, was that he would move inside to guard in the NFL because of his short arms. Pugh has 32-inch arms.
Martin has 32.25-inch arms. It wasn’t much of a problem at Notre Dame and didn’t look like a problem this week at the Senior Bowl when he was playing left tackle. Martin was among the two most impressive offensive linemen in my eyes at the Senior Bowl. (Check back later for my Senior Bowl winners and losers later Thursday.)
Martin dominated Stanford defensive end Trent Murphy the first three days of practice. He got the better of Missouri’s Michael Sam when they were matched opposite each other on Wednesday. It was clear that Martin was one of the more refined and dominant players at the Senior Bowl this week.
“Zach Martin is definitely the best college offensive lineman I’ve gone against,” said Murphy, who led the nation in sacks this season. “He’s a phenomenal player and a phenomenal athlete. He can play both tackle and guard. We matched up Monday and he might have got the best of me that day.”
Martin received rave reviews from the scouts and draft experts I spoke with in Mobile. He likely solidified a spot in the first round with his play.
"He was very good," one scout said. "He was probably the best offensive lineman here."
NFL Network and Notre Dame analyst Mike Mayock was equally impressed. He raved on-air about one of the draft’s top linemen.
"Worst-case scenario, you move him inside and he's an All-Pro guard," Mayock said.
NFLDraftScout.com's Dane Brugler came away with the impression that it didn't matter whether Martin was a guard or tackle. He'd have success either way.
"Regardless, he projects as a 10-year NFL starter," Brugler wrote.
Based on what I saw, All-Pro guard as the worst-case scenario might be a bit of an exaggeration. This is the NFL Draft. There is too much uncertainty to go along with that statement.
A 10-year NFL starter sounds more realistic. I didn't see the mauler in him to predict greatness, although there were enough positives to envision success at the next level.
Regardless, Martin looked like a surefire early-round draft pick with a bright future.
Giants NFL Draft: OL Zack Martin works way into Top 15 mix?
http://www.nj.com/giants/index.ssf/...ol_zach_martin_works_way_into_top_15_mix.html
By Jordan Raanan/NJ.com
Follow on Twitter
on January 23, 2014 at 7:30 AM, updated January 23, 2014 at 4:00 PM
MOBILE, Ala. -- Offensive linemen, offensive linemen, offensive linemen. That's all you seem to want for the Giants in the NFL Draft.
Can't blame you. The Giants only have one lineman that can be penciled in as a starter for next season.
So, not surprisingly, you sent me back for more. Over 71 percent of your votes were for me to watch the two offensive lineman choices closely during Wednesday’s Senior Bowl practice.
But the winner in the voting and with his play on the field was Notre Dame offensive tackle Zack Martin. He had his third straight strong day of work in Mobile.
Calling Martin an offensive tackle may be a misrepresentation when all is said and done. The 6-foot-4, 305-pound lineman rotated between left tackle and left guard on Wednesday. He looked fluid at both positions.
Here's what I saw:
Pros: Excellent technique and good footwork. Always seems to be balanced and with a strong base. Not a mauler but has sufficient power. Light on his feet and able to handle some speed around the edge. Plays low and uses his hands well to fight off pass rushers both on the outside and inside.
Cons: Not a premium athlete for a left tackle. Could struggle with top athletes on the professional level. Sufficient but not excellent strength. Could be susceptible to bull rushes. Short arms.
Short arms? Sound familiar? The Giants already have a tackle whose Pros and Cons probably looked similar to Martin's at this time last year.
The thinking on Justin Pugh, who started all 16 games at right tackle for the Giants this past season, was that he would move inside to guard in the NFL because of his short arms. Pugh has 32-inch arms.
Martin has 32.25-inch arms. It wasn’t much of a problem at Notre Dame and didn’t look like a problem this week at the Senior Bowl when he was playing left tackle. Martin was among the two most impressive offensive linemen in my eyes at the Senior Bowl. (Check back later for my Senior Bowl winners and losers later Thursday.)
Martin dominated Stanford defensive end Trent Murphy the first three days of practice. He got the better of Missouri’s Michael Sam when they were matched opposite each other on Wednesday. It was clear that Martin was one of the more refined and dominant players at the Senior Bowl this week.
“Zach Martin is definitely the best college offensive lineman I’ve gone against,” said Murphy, who led the nation in sacks this season. “He’s a phenomenal player and a phenomenal athlete. He can play both tackle and guard. We matched up Monday and he might have got the best of me that day.”
Martin received rave reviews from the scouts and draft experts I spoke with in Mobile. He likely solidified a spot in the first round with his play.
"He was very good," one scout said. "He was probably the best offensive lineman here."
NFL Network and Notre Dame analyst Mike Mayock was equally impressed. He raved on-air about one of the draft’s top linemen.
"Worst-case scenario, you move him inside and he's an All-Pro guard," Mayock said.
NFLDraftScout.com's Dane Brugler came away with the impression that it didn't matter whether Martin was a guard or tackle. He'd have success either way.
"Regardless, he projects as a 10-year NFL starter," Brugler wrote.
Based on what I saw, All-Pro guard as the worst-case scenario might be a bit of an exaggeration. This is the NFL Draft. There is too much uncertainty to go along with that statement.
A 10-year NFL starter sounds more realistic. I didn't see the mauler in him to predict greatness, although there were enough positives to envision success at the next level.
Regardless, Martin looked like a surefire early-round draft pick with a bright future.
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