who is the best offensive tackle in the 2009 draft

[general counsel]

who is the best offensive tackle prospect in the 2009 draft.

ramming speed to all

general counsel

[RAMarkable]

Originally Posted by general counsel

who is the best offensive tackle prospect in the 2009 draft.

ramming speed to all

general counsel

According to Scott Wright it is very close between Michael Oher and Eugene Monroe of Virginia. However, I would invite you to comment on a post I just made on Hub's thread "You heard it here first." where I question the wisdom of taking O-lineman in the top 5 of the draft. I'd appreciate your comments.

WHAT SAY YE?

[Nick]

According to Scott Wright (NFLDC), NFL Draft Scout, Great Blue North, and Sporting News, the top senior offensive tackle is Michael Oher from Ole Miss. Here's a bio of him from Sporting News:

War Room analysis
Strengths: Is an elite athlete with quick footwork and speed to block in the open field as well as in-line. Shows the knee and hip flexibility to block with leverage, and slides and shuffles side to side with ease. Slides outside to stop explosive pass rushers, and redirects quickly back inside to cut off pass-rush moves underneath. Shows the natural strength to lift defensive linemen off the ground once locked up. Reaches the second level easily and is a dominant blocker in the open field. Is a good positional run blocker because of elite size and strength.

Weaknesses: Shows inconsistent hand technique; tends to keep them low and grab defensive ends� shoulders. Struggles to pick up complex blocking schemes. Lacks quickness getting into position, and has trouble with reach blocks, a concern against elite NFL edge rushers. Will stop feet rather than slide to adjust and maintain blocks.

Bottom line: Oher has the size, strength and athleticism to start at left tackle right now in the NFL but was smart to stay for his senior season. He still needs technique help. The book �Blindside� gave him a tremendous amount of positive publicity, but details about his learning struggles could hurt his draft stock because NFL teams will question his ability to handle the mental side of the game. Despite being an elite offensive tackle, some less-gifted prospect will be drafted ahead of Oher because of those concerns.

Virginia's Eugene Monroe is pretty highly regarded as well.

[Ramblin` Ram]

after reading "the blindside" book,tho its a great "rags to riches" type story, his learning difficulties have been the one thing that has concerned me about us possibly drafting him in the future.

i think he will make it in the NFL but perhaps in a more simplistic offense than ours.

[shower beers]

I would have to Oher right now, although I'd still like to see the college year, or even week 1 played out before I make a pick.

[eldfan]

Andre Smith of Alabama

[Milan]

I'd give it to Michael Oher out of Ole Miss with Eugene Monroe from Virginia coming in a very close second.