I think that Samia was a key pick for this draft. Both Elflein and Kline are coming off of seasons where they weren't 100%, so having a good prospect behind them is nice. Even if he needs time to make a bigger impact, I'm hopeful that he could be the long term option at RG. If 2-years down the road, we come out with a starting C and RG from this draft, then it will be a huge step in the right direction.
RG has been a wasteland for quite a while. I'm trying to think of the last good RG we had the first name that comes to mind is Dixon. Maybe Berger, but regardless it's been a weak spot on the roster. No guarantee that Samia solidifies RG, but he's the option we've had there in a while.
Quote: @twgerber said:
@ MaroonBells said:
@AIIBS
That's what I was thinking. Listened to PA yesterday talk about how athletic Elflein was and how great it was to now have great athletes like Brad, Elf and O'Niell playing next to each other.
Elflein is not athletic at all. It could even be argued that he doesn't even fit very well in this scheme. He struggles getting to the 2nd level, he struggles with reach blocks. Last year he struggled big time in calling out blocking assignments. Bradbury will be a huge upgrade from Elflein in all three areas.
The question then becomes who are the three best inside? And is Elflein even part of that? Is Collins an option?
I know there's more to it than just athleticism, but the most purely athletic line might be O'Neill, Collins, Brad, Samia and Udoh.
Elflein is incredibly athletic and one of his strengths is getting to the second level. How do you know he struggled calling assignments? Never heard that critique either. How Bradbury will be better at Center than Elf but to say he isn't athletic and can't get to the second level is just plain wrong.
From https://www.duluthnewstribune.com/sports/football/4534868-vikings-center-elflein-hopes-offensive-line-making-former-position-coach
Maybe the most impressive play of the night came late in the first quarter when Cook took a screen pass 26 yards to pay dirt thanks in large part to a critical block from Elflein at the second level.
“It was a great call by (offensive coordinator John De Filippo),” Cook said Sunday. “Then (Elflein) got out there and got a great block on (linebacker Blake) Martinez.
“That’s one of my favorite plays,” Elflein added. “I know Dalvin is getting the ball, and if I can give him a little bit of air he’s going to take it to the house almost every time. It was dialed up against a good defense, and everyone did their job and it worked out.”
Those types of plays show why Sparano pushed the Vikings to select Elflein in the third round of the 2017 NFL Draft. He boasts uncanny athleticism for a 6-foot-3, 300-pound center that manifests on plays like the screen pass to Cook.
From MileHigh site on Elf:
Elflein is one of the most pro-ready prospects on the offensive line in this year's draft class. He has valuable experience at right guard, left guard and center and would provide positional flexibility for the team and give Denver a long-term option at several positions. While his pass protection could use some improvement, he is an absolute road-grader in the running game and would boost the team's efficacy in this regard and give them a tenacious and fierce presence in their trenches
Man, if you think Elflein is "incredibly athletic," I'm really excited for you to see Bradbury. The notion that Elflein struggled with calling the assignments came from a Vikings podcast, but I've heard it elsewhere, too. There was a play against Green Bay where Cousins was destroyed due to a blown call by Elflein. Either way, you give him another year removed from injury I think he'll be fine. Especially now that he can focus on blocking and not making the calls.
Quote: @StickyBun said:
Samia is not going to start ahead of Elflein....he's set up for a nice comeback season at starting guard. Samia has things to work on before he's ready to compete, and one is core strength.
Agree. If he starts ahead of anyone it will be Kline. And that likely toward the end of the year.
Quote: @MaroonBells said:
@ twgerber said:
@ MaroonBells said:
@AIIBS
That's what I was thinking. Listened to PA yesterday talk about how athletic Elflein was and how great it was to now have great athletes like Brad, Elf and O'Niell playing next to each other.
Elflein is not athletic at all. It could even be argued that he doesn't even fit very well in this scheme. He struggles getting to the 2nd level, he struggles with reach blocks. Last year he struggled big time in calling out blocking assignments. Bradbury will be a huge upgrade from Elflein in all three areas.
The question then becomes who are the three best inside? And is Elflein even part of that? Is Collins an option?
I know there's more to it than just athleticism, but the most purely athletic line might be O'Neill, Collins, Brad, Samia and Udoh.
Elflein is incredibly athletic and one of his strengths is getting to the second level. How do you know he struggled calling assignments? Never heard that critique either. How Bradbury will be better at Center than Elf but to say he isn't athletic and can't get to the second level is just plain wrong.
From https://www.duluthnewstribune.com/sports/football/4534868-vikings-center-elflein-hopes-offensive-line-making-former-position-coach
Maybe the most impressive play of the night came late in the first quarter when Cook took a screen pass 26 yards to pay dirt thanks in large part to a critical block from Elflein at the second level.
“It was a great call by (offensive coordinator John De Filippo),” Cook said Sunday. “Then (Elflein) got out there and got a great block on (linebacker Blake) Martinez.
“That’s one of my favorite plays,” Elflein added. “I know Dalvin is getting the ball, and if I can give him a little bit of air he’s going to take it to the house almost every time. It was dialed up against a good defense, and everyone did their job and it worked out.”
Those types of plays show why Sparano pushed the Vikings to select Elflein in the third round of the 2017 NFL Draft. He boasts uncanny athleticism for a 6-foot-3, 300-pound center that manifests on plays like the screen pass to Cook.
From MileHigh site on Elf:
Elflein is one of the most pro-ready prospects on the offensive line in this year's draft class. He has valuable experience at right guard, left guard and center and would provide positional flexibility for the team and give Denver a long-term option at several positions. While his pass protection could use some improvement, he is an absolute road-grader in the running game and would boost the team's efficacy in this regard and give them a tenacious and fierce presence in their trenches
Man, if you think Elflein is "incredibly athletic," I'm really excited for you to see Bradbury. The notion that Elflein struggled with calling the assignments came from a Vikings podcast, but I've heard it elsewhere, too. There was a play against Green Bay where Cousins was destroyed due to a blown call by Elflein. Either way, you give him another year removed from injury I think he'll be fine. Especially now that he can focus on blocking and not making the calls.
And you wouldn't put any of the blame on the mess of an offense we ran and the fact that Elf got no live reps until the season had started? Elf was good at making line calls the year before and the games he missed showed how much we needed him. Easton struggled mightily.
Quote: @greediron said:
@ MaroonBells said:
@ twgerber said:
@ MaroonBells said:
@AIIBS
That's what I was thinking. Listened to PA yesterday talk about how athletic Elflein was and how great it was to now have great athletes like Brad, Elf and O'Niell playing next to each other.
Elflein is not athletic at all. It could even be argued that he doesn't even fit very well in this scheme. He struggles getting to the 2nd level, he struggles with reach blocks. Last year he struggled big time in calling out blocking assignments. Bradbury will be a huge upgrade from Elflein in all three areas.
The question then becomes who are the three best inside? And is Elflein even part of that? Is Collins an option?
I know there's more to it than just athleticism, but the most purely athletic line might be O'Neill, Collins, Brad, Samia and Udoh.
Elflein is incredibly athletic and one of his strengths is getting to the second level. How do you know he struggled calling assignments? Never heard that critique either. How Bradbury will be better at Center than Elf but to say he isn't athletic and can't get to the second level is just plain wrong.
From https://www.duluthnewstribune.com/sports/football/4534868-vikings-center-elflein-hopes-offensive-line-making-former-position-coach
Maybe the most impressive play of the night came late in the first quarter when Cook took a screen pass 26 yards to pay dirt thanks in large part to a critical block from Elflein at the second level.
“It was a great call by (offensive coordinator John De Filippo),” Cook said Sunday. “Then (Elflein) got out there and got a great block on (linebacker Blake) Martinez.
“That’s one of my favorite plays,” Elflein added. “I know Dalvin is getting the ball, and if I can give him a little bit of air he’s going to take it to the house almost every time. It was dialed up against a good defense, and everyone did their job and it worked out.”
Those types of plays show why Sparano pushed the Vikings to select Elflein in the third round of the 2017 NFL Draft. He boasts uncanny athleticism for a 6-foot-3, 300-pound center that manifests on plays like the screen pass to Cook.
From MileHigh site on Elf:
Elflein is one of the most pro-ready prospects on the offensive line in this year's draft class. He has valuable experience at right guard, left guard and center and would provide positional flexibility for the team and give Denver a long-term option at several positions. While his pass protection could use some improvement, he is an absolute road-grader in the running game and would boost the team's efficacy in this regard and give them a tenacious and fierce presence in their trenches
Man, if you think Elflein is "incredibly athletic," I'm really excited for you to see Bradbury. The notion that Elflein struggled with calling the assignments came from a Vikings podcast, but I've heard it elsewhere, too. There was a play against Green Bay where Cousins was destroyed due to a blown call by Elflein. Either way, you give him another year removed from injury I think he'll be fine. Especially now that he can focus on blocking and not making the calls.
And you wouldn't put any of the blame on the mess of an offense we ran and the fact that Elf got no live reps until the season had started?
Yes, I would. And I've said that. Repeatedly. Muscle memory tends to degrade when the muscles aren't in tune. I have no idea why so many think I hate Elflein. Is it because I liked Bradbury? That doesn't make any sense.
Quote: @MaroonBells said:
@ greediron said:
@ MaroonBells said:
@ twgerber said:
@ MaroonBells said:
@AIIBS
That's what I was thinking. Listened to PA yesterday talk about how athletic Elflein was and how great it was to now have great athletes like Brad, Elf and O'Niell playing next to each other.
Elflein is not athletic at all. It could even be argued that he doesn't even fit very well in this scheme. He struggles getting to the 2nd level, he struggles with reach blocks. Last year he struggled big time in calling out blocking assignments. Bradbury will be a huge upgrade from Elflein in all three areas.
The question then becomes who are the three best inside? And is Elflein even part of that? Is Collins an option?
I know there's more to it than just athleticism, but the most purely athletic line might be O'Neill, Collins, Brad, Samia and Udoh.
Elflein is incredibly athletic and one of his strengths is getting to the second level. How do you know he struggled calling assignments? Never heard that critique either. How Bradbury will be better at Center than Elf but to say he isn't athletic and can't get to the second level is just plain wrong.
From https://www.duluthnewstribune.com/sports/football/4534868-vikings-center-elflein-hopes-offensive-line-making-former-position-coach
Maybe the most impressive play of the night came late in the first quarter when Cook took a screen pass 26 yards to pay dirt thanks in large part to a critical block from Elflein at the second level.
“It was a great call by (offensive coordinator John De Filippo),” Cook said Sunday. “Then (Elflein) got out there and got a great block on (linebacker Blake) Martinez.
“That’s one of my favorite plays,” Elflein added. “I know Dalvin is getting the ball, and if I can give him a little bit of air he’s going to take it to the house almost every time. It was dialed up against a good defense, and everyone did their job and it worked out.”
Those types of plays show why Sparano pushed the Vikings to select Elflein in the third round of the 2017 NFL Draft. He boasts uncanny athleticism for a 6-foot-3, 300-pound center that manifests on plays like the screen pass to Cook.
From MileHigh site on Elf:
Elflein is one of the most pro-ready prospects on the offensive line in this year's draft class. He has valuable experience at right guard, left guard and center and would provide positional flexibility for the team and give Denver a long-term option at several positions. While his pass protection could use some improvement, he is an absolute road-grader in the running game and would boost the team's efficacy in this regard and give them a tenacious and fierce presence in their trenches
Man, if you think Elflein is "incredibly athletic," I'm really excited for you to see Bradbury. The notion that Elflein struggled with calling the assignments came from a Vikings podcast, but I've heard it elsewhere, too. There was a play against Green Bay where Cousins was destroyed due to a blown call by Elflein. Either way, you give him another year removed from injury I think he'll be fine. Especially now that he can focus on blocking and not making the calls.
And you wouldn't put any of the blame on the mess of an offense we ran and the fact that Elf got no live reps until the season had started?
Yes, I would. And I've said that. Repeatedly. Muscle memory tends to degrade when the muscles aren't in tune. I have no idea why so many think I hate Elflein. Is it because I liked Bradbury? That doesn't make any sense.
you called him unathletic (which was a head scratcher for me) I think he moves pretty damn good and uses his leverage very well, if anything he relies on his athleticism IMO to get the job done because he isnt a large assed mauler. I would guess for some that would mean you dont like him. Me... I think the Elf we saw as a rookie is much more likely to be the guy we see this year, and I Stefanski doesnt try to Chilly his playbook there shouldnt be a lot of blown calls (flips was apparently a mess)
Elflein is going to be a good guard I think.
Here is another college scouting report that mentions how athletic he is https://www.turfshowtimes.com/2017/2/9/14551982/2017-nfl-draft-scouting-report-pat-elflein-ol-ohio-state
Quickness and Explosion to BoastAthleticism is not a concern with Elflein. He is a fluid athlete who can cover large tracts of field when moving to the second level of the perimeter, as well as play with short area quickness when executing combination blocks and the like. Elflein is explosive, too. He possesses great strength in his lower body and does a good job of unlocking his hips to explode into opposing defensive linemen. When being asked to recover from being beaten initially, Elflein often displays enough balance to remain upright and regain the advantage over his opponent. In every sense of the term, Elflein is an athlete.
Quote: @twgerber said:
Elflein is going to be a good guard I think.
Here is another college scouting report that mentions how athletic he is https://www.turfshowtimes.com/2017/2/9/14551982/2017-nfl-draft-scouting-report-pat-elflein-ol-ohio-state
Quickness and Explosion to BoastAthleticism is not a concern with Elflein. He is a fluid athlete who can cover large tracts of field when moving to the second level of the perimeter, as well as play with short area quickness when executing combination blocks and the like. Elflein is explosive, too. He possesses great strength in his lower body and does a good job of unlocking his hips to explode into opposing defensive linemen. When being asked to recover from being beaten initially, Elflein often displays enough balance to remain upright and regain the advantage over his opponent. In every sense of the term, Elflein is an athlete.
That article was written before the combine, where Elflein posted a 5.32 forty and even worse jump and agility numbers. Numbers that, for a player of his size, are well below average. That sort of thing happens all the time. Amateur writers pen a glowing piece about a very good college player and make assumptions about traits that aren't objectively true. It's why they hold a combine in the 1st place. What you posted was not a scouting report. It was written by a kid.
From NFL.com: "One of the most technically advanced offensive lineman in this draft. He's not the best athlete in the world, but he's technically proficient. He's one of those guys that will play 10 years in the NFL. I love the fact that he can play center and both guards....Not a ballerina with his feet. Footwork can be a little labored at times for the center position....Feet become heavy and limited, allowing athletic opponents to work around his edge and into backfield."
It's OK to like Elflein, think of him as a technically sound player with very good leverage, exceptional work ethic, look forward to him starting at guard and making that position better...and also recognize that he's not the best athlete in the world. Really, it's OK.
There's so much "side taking" in internet communication that if you point out a weakness, you're a hater and if you point out a strength you're a fanboy. It's so fucking stupid.
I never said you were a hater. I just think he is far more athletic than you do.
Quote: @twgerber said:
I never said you were a hater. I just think he is far more athletic than you do.
Fair enough
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