D.J. Fluker, OT, Alabama - Page 4

regoob2 · 01-23-2013, 10:55 AM

He really seems to be a Carl Nicks clone.

JohnCandy · 01-23-2013, 11:22 AM

To me what really makes him stand apart from other big men is that he is just mean.

Every peice of film that I watch of him he is trying to pancake guys and it trying to destory them. He works to the whistle which is rare for guys who are 350lbs.

He reminds me of Orlando Franklin who has been very goot at RT for the Broncos.

FUNBUNCHER · 01-23-2013, 11:34 AM

I wonder if Fluker's quickness would improve if he lost 20#???
When you're 355#, you can lose some poundage and still be a massive specimen.

I think FLuker at 330# would be more than adequate in pass pro, probably better than that.

I can't remember the last time I saw an OT with that bodytype. He looks like a small Hulk.

energizerbunny · 01-23-2013, 11:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JohnCandy

To me what really makes him stand apart from other big men is that he is just mean.

Every peice of film that I watch of him he is trying to pancake guys and it trying to destory them. He works to the whistle which is rare for guys who are 350lbs.

He reminds me of Orlando Franklin who has been very goot at RT for the Broncos.

You hit the nail on the head, rarely if ever do you see a guy that big play that nasty.

Typically the bigger bodies are more teddy-bear like in their demeanor.

Thats the main reason I can see him being extremely good in the pros.

regoob2 · 01-23-2013, 12:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by energizerbunny

You hit the nail on the head, rarely if ever do you see a guy that big play that nasty.

Typically the bigger bodies are more teddy-bear like in their demeanor.

Thats the main reason I can see him being extremely good in the pros.

Herman Johnson was the poster child for that.

D-Unit · 01-23-2013, 12:57 PM

Do you really think some team will draft him as a Guard? I have a hard time seeing that. I think he would make one hell of a Guard, but I think more that teams would want him at tackle.

AntoinCD · 01-23-2013, 01:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by D-Unit

Do you really think some team will draft him as a Guard? I have a hard time seeing that. I think he would make one hell of a Guard, but I think more that teams would want him at tackle.

Yeah he isn't being drafted as a OG. He will be taken to play OT, in fact some team may even draft him hoping he can be their LT.

If he plays LT and fails he will be a RT. OG is probably worst case scenario for the team that drafts Fluker

Babylon · 01-23-2013, 01:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by D-Unit

Do you really think some team will draft him as a Guard? I have a hard time seeing that. I think he would make one hell of a Guard, but I think more that teams would want him at tackle.

I think in the first you're drafting him as a tackle. If it doesn't work out you kick him inside like a James Carpenter or ever an Alex Boone. For me you don't draft a guy round 1 to switch to another position.

AntoinCD · 01-23-2013, 01:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Babylon

I think in the first you're drafting him as a tackle. If it doesn't work out you kick him inside like a James Carpenter or ever an Alex Boone. For me you don't draft a guy round 1 to switch to another position.

I don't even think it's just about draft position although I agree with what you are saying.

NFL teams are full of egomaniacs. I would bet money that some coach sees Fluker and thinks "hey I bet I could coach this monster of a man up to be a great LT. he has the size, the bulk, the long arms and the nastiness. A little technique on his footwork and he will be a stud".

Now whether or not Fluker can do that is all in the future, but NFL decision makers don't tend to me meek or lacking confidence. I don't think too many guys will go in with the opinion that they can't mould a 6'5 355lb guy who played in the SEC and dominated into a good OT

JohnCandy · 01-23-2013, 01:14 PM

It is becoming more and more common to draft OTs and play them at OG.

Now granted in the 1st round it does not happen as often, but I could see a team thinking he can be Carl Nicks.

For the Saints and I am assuming the Bears now the LG position is more important than RT.

I think you draft him to fill the more important position on your team. But versatility is not a bad thing.

JohnCandy · 01-23-2013, 01:15 PM

I do have concerns about Fluker at OT, either for that matter, because he gets beat inside by speed a lot.

Now that might be a coaching issue, but I think he struggles to redirect inside.

This will not be as big a problem against bigger DTs.

Babylon · 01-23-2013, 01:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JohnCandy

I do have concerns about Fluker at OT, either for that matter, because he gets beat inside by speed a lot.

Now that might be a coaching issue, but I think he struggles to redirect inside.

This will not be as big a problem against bigger DTs.

I like near everything about but like you i have concerns about the footwork to play tackle. If it's apparent that Joeckel, Fisher and Johnson are the first 3 tackles taken then Fluker might drop some and then a team can play around with him a little more. If he plays tackle look for him to lead the league in penalties/personal fouls.

AntoinCD · 01-23-2013, 01:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Babylon

I like near everything about but like you i have concerns about the footwork to play tackle. If it's apparent that Joeckel, Fisher and Johnson are the first 3 tackles taken then Fluker might drop some and then a team can play around with him a little more. If he plays tackle look for him to lead the league in penalties/personal fouls.

I think it all depends. Joeckel is a likely top 5 pick and Fisher could be making himself a lot of money right now at the Senior Bowl, a lot of people now projecting him in the top 10. Then when you see teams Tennessee, San Diego, St Louis, Carolina, Chicago, Indy etc all in need of offensive linemen I wouldn't be surprised to see him go in the top 25 picks

PossibleCabbage · 01-23-2013, 01:33 PM

In the NFL I think he can be a really good right tackle, honestly.

There's really two ways to be a 10 year starter at RT in the NFL:

1) You don't commit penalties, you never miss assignments, and you don't get beat.
2) About 10% of the time you make a mistake and get beat, but the rest of the time you blow the doors off the guy who you want to block.

Fluker has a real shot at category #2. If you live with the fact that he's not going to win (or draw) every rep, and you mitigate this you can have a darn good RT.

JohnCandy · 01-23-2013, 01:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Babylon

I like near everything about but like you i have concerns about the footwork to play tackle. If it's apparent that Joeckel, Fisher and Johnson are the first 3 tackles taken then Fluker might drop some and then a team can play around with him a little more. If he plays tackle look for him to lead the league in penalties/personal fouls.

Things we Know

He is as physically powerful as anyone in the draft in recent memory.

He had every physical trait that we want.

He is a big mean man.

He sturggles to redirect quickly in space.

I do not know why anyone would even waste their time trying him at RT. From what I have described I have drawn up the perfect OG.

Can Fluker play RT and start, sure.

Can Fluker be a dominant OG in the mold of Carl Nicks, yes.

Give me a Pro Bowl OG over a good RT any day of the week and twice on Sunday.

killxswitch · 01-23-2013, 01:38 PM

Phil Loadholt had a lot of the same questions and concerns as a prospect and he's been the Vikings starting RT since he was drafted. I don't think it's a waste of time to see if he can handle tackle before moving him to guard. Especially if the team that takes him thinks he's the BPA and doesn't need a guard.

JohnCandy · 01-23-2013, 01:43 PM

People act like RT is a more important position than OG.

Look at the increased importance placed on OGs in the league and in the draft.

I think it is a waste of Fluker's talents to force feed him at RT.

He was born to play OG.

Don Vito · 01-23-2013, 01:46 PM

I think some people are underestimating how much of a freak Fluker is. The guy carries his weight waaaay better than most people his size, and he can really move around. He is not a finished product fundamentally but he has every tool you could ask to work with in a lineman and, I know it is cliche, but he has been playing and practicing against the best college football has to offer since his freshman year. People may doubt his best fit at the next level, he has the ability to play LT no question but I think he will at least start out at RT. The dude is a freak of nature though.

FUNBUNCHER · 01-23-2013, 01:52 PM

I just think Fluker is a little heavy to have really good lateral quickness for OT.
Great physique as is, but he could stand to lose some weight and improve his mobility.

JohnCandy · 01-23-2013, 01:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FUNBUNCHER

I just think Fluker is a little heavy to have really good lateral quickness for OT.
Great physique as is, but he could stand to lose some weight and improve his mobility.

I don't know if he is too heavy.

I think he just has heavy feet and that is who he is. He does not move laterally really well and and he does not re-direct against speed really well.

Cordy Glenn is another 350lbs. man, but he moved so much better and rarely was beaten clean inside. Put on the Michigan tape and you will see Fluker get beat inside a couple of times by DEs that we are not talking about in a draft forum.

He was built to play OG.

y.f.s. · 01-23-2013, 02:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PossibleCabbage

In the NFL I think he can be a really good right tackle, honestly.

There's really two ways to be a 10 year starter at RT in the NFL:

1) You don't commit penalties, you never miss assignments, and you don't get beat.
2) About 10% of the time you make a mistake and get beat, but the rest of the time you blow the doors off the guy who you want to block.

Fluker has a real shot at category #2. If you live with the fact that he's not going to win (or draw) every rep, and you mitigate this you can have a darn good RT.

Yep. High-variance vs low-variance.

energizerbunny · 01-23-2013, 02:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PossibleCabbage

In the NFL I think he can be a really good right tackle, honestly.

There's really two ways to be a 10 year starter at RT in the NFL:

1) You don't commit penalties, you never miss assignments, and you don't get beat.
2) About 10% of the time you make a mistake and get beat, but the rest of the time you blow the doors off the guy who you want to block.

Fluker has a real shot at category #2. If you live with the fact that he's not going to win (or draw) every rep, and you mitigate this you can have a darn good RT.

The thing is, a lot of the time he gets beat it is correctable stuff. I.E, being too aggressive, lunging or having bad hand placement. Give the guy a little time and he'll stop making those mistakes. Check the improvements he made over his 3 years as a starter.

D-Unit · 01-23-2013, 02:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by y.f.s.

Yep. High-variance vs low-variance.

I respect your opinion. What do you think of a team drafting Fluker to play Guard?

Been a good discussion so far. Nice thoughts by John Candy and Possible Cabbage.

JohnCandy · 01-23-2013, 02:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by energizerbunny

The thing is, a lot of the time he gets beat it is correctable stuff. I.E, being too aggressive, lunging or having bad hand placement. Give the guy a little time and he'll stop making those mistakes. Check the improvements he made over his 3 years as a starter.

But he does not have great feet and that is always going to be his weakness.

Why not let him play a position that puts him in a position to be the most successful.

RTs are a dime a dozen, take a LT that cannot play the position in the NFL.

Guys who have the size, temprement and power to dominate inside are harder to find.

energizerbunny · 01-23-2013, 02:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Don Vito

I think some people are underestimating how much of a freak Fluker is. The guy carries his weight waaaay better than most people his size, and he can really move around. He is not a finished product fundamentally but he has every tool you could ask to work with in a lineman and, I know it is cliche, but he has been playing and practicing against the best college football has to offer since his freshman year. People may doubt his best fit at the next level, he has the ability to play LT no question but I think he will at least start out at RT. The dude is a freak of nature though.

Not sure he has the body control to be a LT, however with his athleticsm and length I would not be surprised to see someone try to make him one. Especially with the shortage of quality OLineman in the league nowadays, it is very possible someone try him there.

There have been guys that were worse off that have been quality NFL LTs.