As I've talked about Chris Faulk and his shot at becoming a starter at guard this season, I've completely ignored an even more talented offensive lineman already on this roster: Reid Fragel.
Fragel was drafted in the seventh round by the Bangles as a project offensive tackle, but didn't make the final cut.
Fair enough. He was an obscure blocking tight end for the Buckeyes until his final season, at which time he became a starting tackle.
Unlike Chris Faulk, he's not a good guard prospect because he's 6'8", and that's too much of a leverage disadvantage to overcome. DT's would be under his pads all day. He's a tackle--and here his height and reach are a real asset.
He was drafted so low solely because he was raw in his new position, and would need a ton of work to match up with elite NFL defenders.
But Fragel has it all, and has it in spades. Exceptional athleticism (well-suited to a zone scheme) to go with his height and reach, aggressiveness (even as a pass-blocker, he reaches out to punch defenders in the pads first), intelligence, and body control.
He's obviously not a total beginner, as he was a very effective blocker as a tight end, both in-line and in space. Like Faulk, he's now had a year of NFL coaching, and may even be ahead of him developmentally, since he was healthy and able to physically practice what he was being taught.
He gets to practice against really good players at OLB and DE, down to the bottom of the Browns depth-chart.
Like Faulk, even if he's not quite ready for prime-time technique-wise, he has a shot at doing well because of his athleticism and exceptional reach. He can get beaten to the outside, but still get a hand on the rusher trying to get around him, and push him off-line until (with his quick feet) he recovers. He can "miss" somebody blocking downfield, but still punch him hard enough to unbalance or freeze him.
For this season, Right Tackle is Rodney Schwartzefield's to lose, and he'll win that contest. For this season, Fragel has a chance to become the primary backup there, and concievably at left tackle as well--especially of Faulk wins a starting guard slot, which I repeat he might.
Yes, left tackle. Because with his physical tools, Reid has everything it takes to become an excellent left tackle in time.
More important than anything else is the fact that he loves football, is dedicated, takes coaching, and works very hard.
Both Fragel and Faulk fit the zone scheme better than any of the guys currently ahead of them on the depth chart, including Paul McQuistan, the solid veteran presumptive starter at one guard spot...
A note on Paul: He can play tackle, and depending on how Faulk looks at guard, could challenge Schwartze. If that happens, I'd bet on Paul. He's not a better player, but a better zone player than Schwartze is.
Back to Fragel: He's a longshot in his second season vs. a guy who caught his stride and became a pretty good right tackle over last season. But he, too, is a better fit for a zone-blocking scheme, and could concievably put Mitchell on the bench.
And yes, that's on the bench. Persistent rumors of Schwartze moving inside are founded on shaky ground. He's even more of a square peg at guard in this scheme than he is at tackle. He's a mauler best suited for a man scheme.
As I look at these guys, it seems less and less likely to me that the Browns would draft even one of these two exceptional offensive linemen with their first pick, even after a trade-down. By the time Joe Thomas approaches retirement, Fauk or Fragel could well have grown into a good heir apparent. Also, McQuistan mitigates the need for one to three seasons.
Now that I've started down that path, I also now believe that under all the smoke, mirrors, and superficial analyses, they won't draft a quarterback first either, trade-down or no.
It's always hard to be sure that I'm not projecting my own opinions into this, as just about everybody else does, but I'm trying to be objective--and sticking to evidence:
1: Tony Grossi, for one, has said that not only is Hoyer running around well, but also that his arm appears to be stronger than it has been. Pettine was impressed with his accuracy, which is THEEE MOST IMPORTANT physical asset a quarterback can have.
2: Hoyer did what he did last season in Turner's system, which is not as well suited to him as Shanahan's is.
3: He did it with Gordon and Cameron, and not with Hawkins, Burleson, Tate, or the really good WR(s) they can't avoid drafting this yar.
4: Shanahan's offense is run-oriented, and the defense will be improved.
5: Hoyer is a LOT better than he's being given credit for, and the coaches and Farmer are seeing it now...and ignoring all the pundits.
6: Hoyer is 28. Not 38. His injury was a fluke, and he will be healthy.
Thigpen has good stats, but a horrible w/l record. Vince Young has bad stats, but has won a lot. That will be a fascinating battle to watch. Young isn't done yet, and despite his being cut from his last two training camps, you just can't count him out. He's just too talented.
History is replete with old guys who were thought to be done, who came back and kicked butt. It's just possible that Young hasn't had his act together for awhile, and Farmer caught him at just the right time.
Or not. Just sayin.
Anyway, the Browns will draft a quarterback alright, but his name might be Garropollo, Murray, or Savage--or McCarron, for all I know. This is Hoyer's team in 2014. The draftee will be an understudy period, and an elder statesman the number two.
This is my final judgement for now.
No comments:
Post a Comment