OL Laken Tomlinson, signs with NYJ

Originally posted by PhillyNiner:

yeah..but what else are you going to get for a 5th rounder in 2 years right before the end of preseason? Put him next to Staley and let him learn on the job.

It isnt the compensation, it is the player. He struggled immensely when Detroit ran a zone blocking scheme and struggled just slightly less when they move to more of a gap blocking hybrid.


He has just been a poor player. A Marcus Martin type where he is always a liability when he is out on the field.


He was absolutely horrendous at LG and you want to put him there...because???


This guy isn't a rookie either. He is a third year player that reportedly practices very well and is terrific in the film room but when it comes to games he struggles and commits stupid penalties. Why does that sound so familiar?

Originally posted by synigod:
http://www.nfl.com/draft/2015/profiles/laken-tomlinson?id=2552345

ANALYSIS

STRENGTHS Intelligent four-year starter who sees and responds quickly to twist games up front. Plays with low pad level. Generates torque through hip snap and lower-body power. Has enough sand in his pants to drop anchor against bull rushers. Brings impressive level of power against like-minded phone-booth warriors. Generates push as an in-line blocker. Didn't allow a sack over the last two years. Will give teams his best brand of football when highlighted in straight-ahead power game.

WEAKNESSES Lack of range and athleticism is a major concern. Struggles with contact balance and allows defenders to disengage too frequently. Rock-'em, sock-'em movement up to the second level and is inconsistent hitting targets. Inconsistent footwork as a run blocker. Will give up initial bull rush as defenders get into his chest quickly. Fails to generate pop when asked to block on the move.

DRAFT PROJECTION Round 2

SOURCES TELL US "Some scouts see upside with him, but I think what you see is what you get. Clunky in a phone-booth type." -- NFL director of scouting "He was really impressive matching up against true power players at the Senior Bowl. He made Danny Shelton quit on a couple of reps when he couldn't get any push against Tomlinson." -- AFC general manager

NFL COMPARISON Chris Watt

BOTTOM LINE Tomlinson has treated defenders like a squat rep at times, but getting defenders centered and jacked will be tougher in the NFL. His lack of athleticism is a major concern and will cause problems winning initial engagements as defenders will get into him first. What Tomlinson lacks in second-level ability he makes up for in straight-ahead power and an ability to stalemate power players. His success in the NFL could be predicated on scheme and landing spot.

seems about how he performed in his career. Just a big guy who was too slow for most of these NFL d-lineman. I dont really know how he fits into our scheme. Quite a puzzling trade

Martin Mayhew trying to redeem himself and justify his draft pick ... maybe.

Originally posted by Heroism:

I feel the same way Phoenix does. I don't know what they like in Tomlinson. The guy plays with heavy feet.

I don't get it. Out of all the guards they could have traded for, they acquire a guy who athletically is a lousy fit for the scheme.

This strikes me like a Trent Baalke kind of deal where you add a once highly regarded prospect irrespective of scheme.


I guess we'll just have to wait and see how it works out in the long run.

Originally posted by Phoenix49ers:
It isnt the compensation, it is the player. He struggled immensely when Detroit ran a zone blocking scheme and struggled just slightly less when they move to more of a gap blocking hybrid.

He has just been a poor player. A Marcus Martin type where he is always a liability when he is out on the field.

He was absolutely horrendous at LG and you want to put him there...because???

This guy isn't a rookie either. He is a third year player that reportedly practices very well and is terrific in the film room but when it comes to games he struggles and commits stupid penalties. Why does that sound so familiar?

Well...he has only been in the league two years and last year he graded out higher than the Guards for Atlanta, Dallas and Seattle to name a few, was much better than Fusco who is here now and was comparable to 3 or 4 others...so it isn't nearly as dire as you might think. Sure he isn't a prize pig, but he is just as advertised a stop gap with some potential.

Originally posted by Phoenix49ers:

Originally posted by PhillyNiner:
yeah..but what else are you going to get for a 5th rounder in 2 years right before the end of preseason? Put him next to Staley and let him learn on the job.

It isnt the compensation, it is the player. He struggled immensely when Detroit ran a zone blocking scheme and struggled just slightly less when they move to more of a gap blocking hybrid.

He has just been a poor player. A Marcus Martin type where he is always a liability when he is out on the field.

He was absolutely horrendous at LG and you want to put him there...because???

This guy isn't a rookie either. He is a third year player that reportedly practices very well and is terrific in the film room but when it comes to games he struggles and commits stupid penalties. Why does that sound so familiar?

if he's to play he needs to go back to his college position of RG. Hoyer would be on crutches by week 2 if he plays LG.

John Benton should have him ready to rumble by week 2 or 3

He's better than who our weakest backup OG would have been. That's really all that matters at this point.

Originally posted by captveg:
He's better than who our weakest backup OG would have been. That's really all that matters at this point.

Originally posted by Phoenix49ers:

It isnt the compensation, it is the player. He struggled immensely when Detroit ran a zone blocking scheme and struggled just slightly less when they move to more of a gap blocking hybrid.


He has just been a poor player. A Marcus Martin type where he is always a liability when he is out on the field.


He was absolutely horrendous at LG and you want to put him there...because???


This guy isn't a rookie either. He is a third year player that reportedly practices very well and is terrific in the film room but when it comes to games he struggles and commits stupid penalties. Why does that sound so familiar?

The Lions as a whole have had serious problems with their running game. I'm not gonna hold my breath but hopefully he can be more effective here.

ShanaLynch traded for him on this play alone:

Originally posted by a49erfan77:

Originally posted by captveg:
He's better than who our weakest backup OG would have been. That's really all that matters at this point.

Other listings had Fusco lower than him too...just for the record. Not detracting from your post, just that line play is subjective.

Originally posted by a49erfan77:

Originally posted by captveg:

He's better than who our weakest backup OG would have been. That's really all that matters at this point.

Yes, he could be better than either Beadles or Garnett in 2017, too. I was speaking as a minimum, not as an ideal.

Originally posted by Fanaticofnfl:

Originally posted by jcs:

Originally posted by 9moon:
We missed out on Watkins.. We really need a #1 receiver..

We have this guy named Garcon we just payed...

Some people think he's only a #2 receiver. I see him as like a #1.5

I'm thinking he'll basically be our #1 and Marquise Goodwin will rise to the #2 spot.

As good as Garcon is, he just doesn't worry any DC or DBs..You put a solid CB on him and expect Hoyer to be pickin his self off the ground often..

Originally posted by 9moon:

Originally posted by Fanaticofnfl:

Originally posted by jcs:

Originally posted by 9moon:

We missed out on Watkins.. We really need a #1 receiver..

We have this guy named Garcon we just payed...

Some people think he's only a #2 receiver. I see him as like a #1.5

I'm thinking he'll basically be our #1 and Marquise Goodwin will rise to the #2 spot.

As good as Garcon is, he just doesn't worry any DC or DBs..You put a solid CB on him and expect Hoyer to be pickin his self off the ground often..

Garçon >> Watkins

Being a receiver is about so much more than measurables