Phil Loadholt anyone???

What do you guys think about the Rams drafting Phil Loadholt, that big offensive tackle from Oklahoma? Loadholt is hands down the biggest player in the draft. At 6'8 337 hes a big body, powerful agressive lineman that we could use. He's a bit on the slow side, running a 5.3 40 yard dash but I would like to see the Rams pick him up in the third round. A big body like him would look good in a Rams uniform. Got a couple of pros and cons courtesy of Walter Football.

Strengths: Mammoth frame and strength with a relatively low body fat considering his position ... Extremely long wingspan ... An absolutely powerful, tenacious run blocker ... Finishes the play and buries his opponent ... Very strong hands ... Gets a push at the line of scrimmage ... Has improved penalty rate since junior season ... Good stamina and plays just as hard in the fourth quarter as he does in the first quarter.

Weaknesses: Guaranteed to struggle with speed at the next level ... More of a waist bender and not a natural knee bender ... Must improve technique to gain more leverage against more powerful defensive ends ... Sluggish feet ... Does not have the hips to recover when beat on the edge ... Struggles with pass rushing double moves ... Not versatile at all; will be relegated to right tackle ... Not going to fit every scheme.

I doubt he will be avaliable in the 3rd round, but if he is I wouldn't mind taking him.

Sounds like a third round prospect of Andre Smith. They both aren't very good at blocking next level pass rushers. This is what concerns me.



As for being the biggest guy in the draft, I believe that's Herman Johnson.;)

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Originally Posted by RockinRam

As for being the biggest guy in the draft, I believe that's Herman Johnson.;)

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Actually Loadholt is bigger than Herman Johnson

Johnson weighed 380+ @ the senior bowl.

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Originally Posted by RockinRam

As for being the biggest guy in the draft, I believe that's Herman Johnson.;)

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Agreed. Weighed 15 pounds and 14 ounces at birth, now that's crazy.

Biggest baby born in the state of Louisiana.

I think if we're going to draft an OT, it should be one that we feel confident can play on the left side when Pace retires. IMO, Loadholt's NFL future is at right tackle.

That said, if we go LT in either of the first two rounds and Loadholt is there in the third on the start of the second day, he might be tough to pass on even after using one pick on an OT.

Nick. Do you think that Herman Johnson would be a possibility for drafting? There is all this talk in the front office about bulking up, so what better to bulk up the line then to draft the biggest lineman in the draft?

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Originally Posted by Dr. Defense

Nick. Do you think that Herman Johnson would be a possibility for drafting? There is all this talk in the front office about bulking up, so what better to bulk up the line then to draft the biggest lineman in the draft?

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I'm sure he's a possibility, but when is the question. Supposedly he looked horrible at the Senior Bowl trying to play right tackle at that weight. His showing suggests a lack of versatility that probably has caused him to slip to the second day. I think we're solid enough at guard where we could probably avoid it unless we feel we're getting ridiculous value in the later rounds.