KeiselPower99
04-05-2009, 11:02 AM
PITTSBURGH - Many draft prognosticators have California center Alex Mack headed to the Steelers with the 32nd pick and sometime this week, he is expected to pay the South Side practice facility a visit.
While a center usually doesn't garner attention as first round pick, Mack is thought to be a one of a kind player who will suit up for many years in the league, a can't miss guy if available.
At 6'4-1/4" and 307 pounds, he is arguably the best center available since the Jets selected Pro Bowler Nick Mangold in the 2006 draft. He also plays with a Steeler type of mentality; very physical with a lot of grit and determination.
Considering the Steelers track record of taking the best available athlete lately in the draft, it would come as no surprise if they took him. Mack could be groomed as a replacement for Justin Hartwig. (The only other center currently on the roster other than Hartwig is Doug Legursky a first year man from Marshall)
He is also versatile and until Hartwig's days are over behind center, he could play the right guard slot a position he played at the Senior Bowl.
As a player, Mack was selected a first-team All-American by Rivals.com in 2008 and also chosen a second-team All-American by Walter Camp and the Sporting News and a third-team All-American by the Associated Press.
He also won the Morris Trophy as the best offensive lineman in the Pac-10 (as voted by Pac-10 defensive linemen) for the second year in a row, just the third player to receive the award twice.
Known for being aggressive against defensive lineman and linebackers, he led the Bears in pancake blocks and knockdowns.
While it seems he has a lot of upside to him, this quote is something that scares me. It comes from NFL Draft Dog.
“He is not great in short yardage situations and can sometimes be overpowered. Big, strong tackles will rock or push him back. He needs some work with a pro line coach to perfect his technique and help eliminate old habits.”
But NFLDRAFTDOG also says he is not only the best center available in the 2009 draft, but also the top interior lineman.
Mack is also smart, and compiled a 3.61 undergraduate GPA at the University of California, Berkeley as legal studies major. Last year, he won the Draddy Trophy, which is known as the "academic Heisman"
At Cal's pro day, where 50 scouts and coaches watched Mack, ran a 5.17 and 5.23 in the 40-yard dash, had a 28-1/2" vertical, an 8'10" broad jump, 4.75 short shuttle, 7.31 cone drill, and benched 225 pounds 20 times
Analysis
Positives: Tall, athletic center with large biceps and a solid lower body build. Puts in full effort on every play, often getting downfield for a second or third block. Nimble enough to get in front of screens, trap block inside and eliminate linebackers at the second level. Keeps his legs moving once making contact with his target, often putting his man on the ground in the process. Gets under the pads of taller tackles, able to push them back 5-7 yards. Creates huge holes on combination blocks inside. Adept at regular and shotgun snaps, getting his hands up quickly afterwards. Despite his size, he can quickly get low to cut block and will continue to work after the initial contact. Leader of the line.
Negatives: Plays a bit high at times, occasionally losing leverage or getting pushed back against wide-bodies. Does not play with a particularly wide base. Will lean forward too much when in space, losing his ability to sustain the block and allowing defenders to get him off balance. Sometimes misses his target in space. Lacks a great push in short-yardage situations. Needs quicker feet and lateral movement in pass protection to handle quick, penetrating three-technique tackles and adjust to blitzing linebackers inside.
While a center usually doesn't garner attention as first round pick, Mack is thought to be a one of a kind player who will suit up for many years in the league, a can't miss guy if available.
At 6'4-1/4" and 307 pounds, he is arguably the best center available since the Jets selected Pro Bowler Nick Mangold in the 2006 draft. He also plays with a Steeler type of mentality; very physical with a lot of grit and determination.
Considering the Steelers track record of taking the best available athlete lately in the draft, it would come as no surprise if they took him. Mack could be groomed as a replacement for Justin Hartwig. (The only other center currently on the roster other than Hartwig is Doug Legursky a first year man from Marshall)
He is also versatile and until Hartwig's days are over behind center, he could play the right guard slot a position he played at the Senior Bowl.
As a player, Mack was selected a first-team All-American by Rivals.com in 2008 and also chosen a second-team All-American by Walter Camp and the Sporting News and a third-team All-American by the Associated Press.
He also won the Morris Trophy as the best offensive lineman in the Pac-10 (as voted by Pac-10 defensive linemen) for the second year in a row, just the third player to receive the award twice.
Known for being aggressive against defensive lineman and linebackers, he led the Bears in pancake blocks and knockdowns.
While it seems he has a lot of upside to him, this quote is something that scares me. It comes from NFL Draft Dog.
“He is not great in short yardage situations and can sometimes be overpowered. Big, strong tackles will rock or push him back. He needs some work with a pro line coach to perfect his technique and help eliminate old habits.”
But NFLDRAFTDOG also says he is not only the best center available in the 2009 draft, but also the top interior lineman.
Mack is also smart, and compiled a 3.61 undergraduate GPA at the University of California, Berkeley as legal studies major. Last year, he won the Draddy Trophy, which is known as the "academic Heisman"
At Cal's pro day, where 50 scouts and coaches watched Mack, ran a 5.17 and 5.23 in the 40-yard dash, had a 28-1/2" vertical, an 8'10" broad jump, 4.75 short shuttle, 7.31 cone drill, and benched 225 pounds 20 times
Analysis
Positives: Tall, athletic center with large biceps and a solid lower body build. Puts in full effort on every play, often getting downfield for a second or third block. Nimble enough to get in front of screens, trap block inside and eliminate linebackers at the second level. Keeps his legs moving once making contact with his target, often putting his man on the ground in the process. Gets under the pads of taller tackles, able to push them back 5-7 yards. Creates huge holes on combination blocks inside. Adept at regular and shotgun snaps, getting his hands up quickly afterwards. Despite his size, he can quickly get low to cut block and will continue to work after the initial contact. Leader of the line.
Negatives: Plays a bit high at times, occasionally losing leverage or getting pushed back against wide-bodies. Does not play with a particularly wide base. Will lean forward too much when in space, losing his ability to sustain the block and allowing defenders to get him off balance. Sometimes misses his target in space. Lacks a great push in short-yardage situations. Needs quicker feet and lateral movement in pass protection to handle quick, penetrating three-technique tackles and adjust to blitzing linebackers inside.