D.J. Fluker, OT, Alabama - Page 7

JohnCandy · 02-13-2013, 09:44 PM

If Fluker is smart he plays OG.

Cigaro · 02-13-2013, 10:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JohnCandy

If Fluker is smart he plays OG.

He's smart if he's willing to make the move to OG. But there's no reason not to try out RT if the opportunity is there.

bigbuc · 02-14-2013, 02:24 AM

I see this guy as a Colt.

JohnCandy · 02-14-2013, 07:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cigaro

He's smart if he's willing to make the move to OG. But there's no reason not to try out RT if the opportunity is there.

Absolutely he can try RT, but the arguement that he will make less money at OG is not true.

If all he cares about is money and he knows he cannot play LT then he should move to OG.

LonghornsLegend · 02-14-2013, 08:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Iamcanadian

Agents and players know the money is gotten when their rookie contracts are up and the position you play will decide how much you make if you are a good player. OG's make considerably less money than an OT and to get Flucker and his agent to agree to a switch to OG will be a very tough sell.

IMO, his agent will be telling teams that want Flucker to play OG to back off of drafting him, suggesting he won't make the switch. Teams that draft him to play OG will be facing a very reluctant player who may not give it his all in those circumstances. He could be a headache for a team if they switch him without giving him a solid shot at playing RT.

I'm not saying he won't eventually end up at OG if he's not good enough to play RT, that's a process that every rookie goes through but to draft him as an OG right from the start, good luck to the team that tries it.

When have you ever heard a lineman coming into the draft that is a hybrid G/T prospect, telling teams what position he will and won't play and demanding what position he is gonna play? Seriously? He's a rookie, he's not Branden Albert going into free agency, there is a difference. He could be drafted as a swing guy, and play both positions.

Your assuming things that are not true what so ever and I can't remember ever happening. You make it seem like this is a team wanting to draft Joeckel and put him at Guard. Where has his agent said any of what you claim? When has an agent of a G/T prospect came out and told teams "my client won't be playing Guard so do not draft him as such"?

Goon61 · 02-23-2013, 08:55 AM

He looked really bad in the OL drill I just watched. He took very short steps and wasn't moving in straight lines for some reason.

I don't have much experience scouting large OL, but I would be surprised if this guy can even play RT in the NFL

princefielder28 · 02-23-2013, 08:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Goon61

He looked really bad in the OL drill I just watched. He took very short steps and wasn't moving in straight lines for some reason.

I don't have much experience scouting large OL, but I would be surprised if this guy can even play RT in the NFL

His feet were so heavy and slow

Goon61 · 02-23-2013, 09:00 AM

Yeh, Cooper looked better than him in that drill. Fluker is an interesting prospect

princefielder28 · 02-23-2013, 09:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Goon61

Yeh, Cooper looked better than him in that drill. Fluker is an interesting prospect

It's no surprise that Cooper impressed, but it is surprising, not in a good way, how Fluker looked during the drill.

Monomach · 02-23-2013, 09:49 AM

That drill was pretty bad. If he keeps that up all weekend, he's going to go from the best "traditional" RT in the class to the 3rd-or-4th-best guard in the class.

princefielder28 · 02-23-2013, 09:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Monomach

That drill was pretty bad. If he keeps that up all weekend, he's going to go from the best "traditional" RT in the class to the 3rd-or-4th-best guard in the class.

I don't see any way he's a guard at the next level with his sluggish movement and operating in space is foreign to him

killxswitch · 02-23-2013, 12:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by princefielder28

I don't see any way he's a guard at the next level with his sluggish movement and operating in space is foreign to him

Isn't RG in a power blocking scheme one of the better places to hide a slow-footed guy that can't work in space?

I wonder if he feels sluggish because he's been losing so much weight. Might just be low on energy. It's not like he's suddenly forgot how to play football.

princefielder28 · 02-23-2013, 12:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by killxswitch

Isn't RG in a power blocking scheme one of the better places to hide a slow-footed guy that can't work in space?

I wonder if he feels sluggish because he's been losing so much weight. Might just be low on energy. It's not like he's suddenly forgot how to play football.

Even in a power scheme you would think teams want to still have the ability to pull and trap at times and Fluker doesn't appear to have the ability to do that.

Cigaro · 02-23-2013, 12:32 PM

Speed's always been a concern of Fluker's. If people are just now catching on, they haven't watched him close enough.

Also Fluker no doubt can play guard, and would instantly be competing with Warmack for the top position. All this "he's too slow to play guard" stuff is nonsense. Guards work inside, very little lateral movement.

princefielder28 · 02-23-2013, 01:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cigaro

Speed's always been a concern of Fluker's. If people are just now catching on, they haven't watched him close enough.

Also Fluker no doubt can play guard, and would instantly be competing with Warmack for the top position. All this "he's too slow to play guard" stuff is nonsense. Guards work inside, very little lateral movement.

We're talking about Fluker's ability to move, which is still very much a requirement of the guard position regardless of scheme. Fluker's feet look incredibly heavy, his hips are as stiff as a board, and his change of direction is an additional struggle for him. I knew he wasn't the world's greatest athlete, but today's performance makes me think he's nothing more than a mid-round player.

D-Unit · 02-23-2013, 01:10 PM

Fluker has no bend and is stiff as a rock. Totally disinterested man. The cats outta the bag now.

Babylon · 02-23-2013, 01:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by D-Unit

Fluker has no bend and is stiff as a rock. Totally disinterested man. The cats outta the bag now.

Fluker is what he is, a massive mauler with a bad disposition. We aren't talking Baryshnikov here.

Cigaro · 02-23-2013, 01:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by princefielder28

We're talking about Fluker's ability to move, which is still very much a requirement of the guard position regardless of scheme. Fluker's feet look incredibly heavy, his hips are as stiff as a board, and his change of direction is an additional struggle for him. I knew he wasn't the world's greatest athlete, but today's performance makes me think he's nothing more than a mid-round player.

You are completely exaggerating the athleticism needed to play guard. "Athletic" guards would often find themselves considered unathletic tackles. Fluker offers unparalleled power in the box, which is where he will spend the vast majority of his time. He may never be a great pulling guard, but lets not pretend that he'll be asked to pull on every run, or even the majority of running plays. Fluker's sheer power and ability to completely neutralize his man once locked on completely negates any lacking athleticism when it comes to the guard position. Any and every team is capable of scheming in a way where Fluker can still be a great addition to the line.

killxswitch · 02-23-2013, 01:35 PM

I'm surprised seasoned SWDCers are letting one drill at the underwear olympics completely invalidate game tape. I still say this is likely a result of low energy from caloric deficit.

princefielder28 · 02-23-2013, 03:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cigaro

You are completely exaggerating the athleticism needed to play guard. "Athletic" guards would often find themselves considered unathletic tackles. Fluker offers unparalleled power in the box, which is where he will spend the vast majority of his time. He may never be a great pulling guard, but lets not pretend that he'll be asked to pull on every run, or even the majority of running plays. Fluker's sheer power and ability to completely neutralize his man once locked on completely negates any lacking athleticism when it comes to the guard position. Any and every team is capable of scheming in a way where Fluker can still be a great addition to the line.

We clearly disagree in what we look for in successful guards. I will not dispute his power, but when footwork is poor then that power can be neutralized.

Quote:

Originally Posted by killxswitch

I'm surprised seasoned SWDCers are letting one drill at the underwear olympics completely invalidate game tape. I still say this is likely a result of low energy from caloric deficit.

Did you happen to see the linemen drills? Fluker was easily of one of the worst, if not the worst. His entire lower body appears to be a liability for him.

Abaddon · 02-23-2013, 03:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by killxswitch

Isn't RG in a power blocking scheme one of the better places to hide a slow-footed guy that can't work in space?

The Raiders did it with Mo Collins to great success. Fluker might have to kick inside, but he can definitely excel there.

ph90702 · 02-23-2013, 03:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by princefielder28

We clearly disagree in what we look for in successful guards. I will not dispute his power, but when footwork is poor then that power can be neutralized.

Did you happen to see the linemen drills? Fluker was easily of one of the worst, if not the worst. His entire lower body appears to be a liability for him.

I watched him in pass protection, and he is stiffer than a flagpole. He'd be better as a guard.

rawdawg · 02-23-2013, 03:55 PM

He looked exactly the way Phil Loadholt looked in drills 4 years ago. Loadholt is now the best RT in football. Those drills don't mean much. Bottom line is it takes a whole lot to get past him and to the QB.

Babylon · 02-23-2013, 04:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rawdawg

He looked exactly the way Phil Loadholt looked in drills 4 years ago. Loadholt is now the best RT in football. Those drills don't mean much. Bottom line is it takes a whole lot to get past him and to the QB.

I like your take on Fluker but I'd have several RTs rated higher than Loadholt.

FUNBUNCHER · 02-23-2013, 06:36 PM

Maybe it's just me, but there's something about Fluker and Warmack IMO where I don't see them living up to their predraft hype in the pros.

I think Warmack will be a very good NFL guard but not scheme diverse one. For some reason I don't think he has the lateral quickness to get out on blocks in the pros, or pull effectively.

Running a 5.5 40 tells me he doesn't have great quickness. He's fluid, but he's not moving that fast.

If a DE or DT tries to bullrush Fluker they are going to take themselves out of the play. But if FLuker has to has to take an inside/outside step to pick up an NFL pass rusher, I think he's getting beat often.