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The Official 2014 Draft Thread

Nix sucked at ND I doubt highly he will do any better in the NFL. He was on the ground more than he made a play.
 
kingofdetroit57 said:
These say the exact opposite about him pulling...

02/20/2014 - 2014 NFL Draft Scout Pre-Combine Top 64 Prospects: 52. Travis Swanson, C, Arkansas, 6-5, 310, 5.26, 2...Lacks ideal speed, but Swanson has the athleticism to pull in running game and seal off defenders when blocking straight ahead. Solid making line calls. Started all 50 games of his Razorback career, tied for the second-longest active streak in the country at the end of 2013. Blocked for the first season in school history with a 3,000-yard passer and a 1,000-yard rusher in 2010, and two seasons with a 1,000-yard rusher. - Frank Cooney, The Sports Xchange

-----

STRENGTHS: Has the athleticism to pull in the running game. Able to seal off defenders from the action when blocking straight ahead. Can anchor well against strong run defenders. Good explosiveness to deliver his snaps and awareness in making line calls.

WEAKNESSES: Lack of ideal straight-line apparent when unable to make the edge at times. Struggles to generate movement against stronger defenders.

--Rob Rang
Click to expand...

Did Rob Rang just plagiarize Frank Cooney? Why do both say the exact same thing word for word?
 
TE and C in the first three picks? Yeah. We reached for the center, wow. Oh well, u never know until they play, but most people would think it was a strange draft so far, except or VanNoy, that was a solid pick.
 
inkfreq said:
Couldn't disagree more man. Swanson is a great young player.
Click to expand...

Well I hope your right. You seem to be digging this draft. I am usually the eternal optimist when it comes to draft day, even going so far as to defend Broyles. This draft is brutal.
 
cheeno said:
Did Rob Rang just plagiarize Frank Cooney? Why do both say the exact same thing word for word?
Click to expand...

Hell if I know. I pulled that off of the CBS Sports page. CBS ranked him as the 3rd best center, and 112th best player.

Not the best source, but here's what WalterFootball had on him... http://walterfootball.com/scoutingreport2014tswanson.php

Strengths:
Powerful
Strong run blocker
Mean streak
Quickness
Intelligent, should be an asset in line calls
Developed run-blocking technique
Does well in short yardage
Quality drive blocker
Anchors well against bull rushers
Good technique
Recoverability
Strong hands
Sustains blocks
Scheme flexibility
Durable
Experienced 4-year starter
Versatile for guard or center




Weaknesses:
Short arms (32 7/8)
Should improve pass protection against speed rushers


Summary: Swanson has been one of the best and most consistent offensive linemen in the SEC over the past few years. Arkansas has had some rough years in the SEC West, but Swanson has proved his quality by playing very well against elite defensive tackles on an annual basis.

Swanson was a four-year starter who was very durable as he made 50 starts in his Arkansas career. He was very effective for Arkansas. Swanson is a tough run blocker who has a mean streak to him. That caused some players at other schools to label him a dirty player, as Swanson never missed an opportunity to fight through the whistle or do whatever it took to keep a defender at bay. Swanson should be an asset in the NFL as a run blocker as he has strength at the point of attack and is quick to fire to the second level.

Swanson improved his pass blocking throughout his collegiate career. He went up against fast speed rushers and strong bull rushers. Swanson held his own and was good at hitting double teams. The linemen at LSU and Alabama gave Swanson good preparation for the next level. Like all players, Swanson will have to get used to the speed of the NFL, but he should be a well-rounded center who is equally effective blocking for the run or pass.

Swanson has an excellent combination of size, strength, quickness, technique and intelligence for the center position. He could fit in a man blocking or zone scheme in the NFL. There is a real possibility that Swanson could be an immediate starter. He could break into the lineup at guard or center. Swanson's intelligence should allow him to develop into a center who makes the protection calls and that could come in handy if he is ever forced to work with a young quarterback.

Swanson looks like a starting center for a long time in the NFL. He should be a nice value selection on the second day of the draft, but it wouldn't be surprising if a team desperate for a center considers taking him late in the first round like the Cowboys did last year with Travis Frederick.



Player Comparison: Alex Mack. The Browns took Mack with the 21st pick in the first round of the 2009 NFL Draft. Swanson probably won't go that high, but he has a similar skill set to Mack (6-4, 311). They are almost the same size with the power to be effective in the ground game and the athleticism to be a quality pass protector. Mack has developed into one of the better centers in the NFL, and Swanson has the potential to be a good one.

NFL Matches: Atlanta, Jacksonville, Baltimore, Cleveland, Detroit, San Francisco, New England

There are a number of teams that need a new center. Atlanta never adequately replaced Todd McClure, and WalterFootball.com heard from sources that the Falcons want to improve the interior of their offensive line. Drafting Swanson could give Matt Ryan a long-term center to work with.

The Jaguars had Brad Meester call it a career, so they'll need a new center. Baltimore really missed Matt Birk last year, as Gino Gradkowski was a disappointment. The Ravens could upgrade their center position with Swanson on day two.

Cleveland may lose Alex Mack in free agency and that would leave big hole in the middle of the Browns offensive line. The Lions re-signed Dominic Raiola for 2014, but have to get a long-term answer at the position.
 
Playing center in the NFL is difficult with all the calls they need to make. There is a reason very few ever go in the first rd. We needed a center bad. Raola has been here forever. We got a guy now who we can replace him with. Reiff played more FB his first year but last year he played great at LT. Swanson may or may not play this year. I feel better knowing we at least have someone who can step in and play center now if Raola gets hurt.
 
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