Michael Bowie - a turning point for the offensive line.
Much of fan speculation surrounding drafting and talent recruitment is tied to what is measurable. When too much demand for a favorite profile starts to chase a limited supply, adjustments must be made to rectify supply shortfalls.
Michael Bowie was a big natural sized kid with long arms that Okung helped recruit as a replacement for him at Oklahoma State. Unsurprisingly, Bowie was drafted in the 7th round (with the assistance of red flags) by the Seahawks. He was presented to fans as the prospective replacement for James Carpenter, a huge and long arm tackle that was moved to left guard. When Bowie, who was a conditioning disappoint, hurt his shoulder in his second year, he had to clear waivers with an injury designation before he could be placed on the Seahawks injured reserve list. Cleveland swooped in, claimed Bowie and moved him to their injured reserve for future development. What followed was something of a spectacle with the Browns and Seahawks monitoring each others waiver line and raiding each others practice squad as well as the practice squad of others.
I think the acknowledged shoulder problems of Russell Okung as well as the suspected shoulder injuries to Jame Carpenter reinforce the loss of Bowie as an object lesson. Exceptionally long arms place more torque on shoulders. That coupled with conditioning issues and interruptions can generate additive risks. And of course, there are the added risks associated with excessive weight and insufficient flexibility to be acknowledge.
Giving up an inch or two in arm length and/or ten -- thirty excessive pounds is acceptable if it can be compensated for with other assets. Offensive linemen with good work habits as well as quicker and better hands, feet, and/or flexibility appear to be a more readily available. That was certainly reflected in the two cuts that were made 48 hours after the three day rookie camp. And, it appears to be better reflected in the current roster of the offensive linemen.
In a league that covets massive and long armed power linemen, It is hard to find, develop and retain them .... especially with so many teams fighting over a league wide shortage. Although I pointed to the loss of Michael Bowie as the turning point, the four years of James Carpenter in a zone scheme followed by his departure to a power based scheme probably does a better job of framing the need to lean more toward a Alex Gibbs style linemen. After all, the motivation and driving force behind using the zone scheme is that it works with more readily available and athletic linemen.
Better conditioning and endurance. Better body flexibility and resilience. Better speed and strength commonality. Better synchronization and chemistry. And, better line continuity and survivability appears to have emerged as goals for 2015.
Two thousand fifteen promises to be a most interesting training camp.
Go Hawks.
Much of fan speculation surrounding drafting and talent recruitment is tied to what is measurable. When too much demand for a favorite profile starts to chase a limited supply, adjustments must be made to rectify supply shortfalls.
Michael Bowie was a big natural sized kid with long arms that Okung helped recruit as a replacement for him at Oklahoma State. Unsurprisingly, Bowie was drafted in the 7th round (with the assistance of red flags) by the Seahawks. He was presented to fans as the prospective replacement for James Carpenter, a huge and long arm tackle that was moved to left guard. When Bowie, who was a conditioning disappoint, hurt his shoulder in his second year, he had to clear waivers with an injury designation before he could be placed on the Seahawks injured reserve list. Cleveland swooped in, claimed Bowie and moved him to their injured reserve for future development. What followed was something of a spectacle with the Browns and Seahawks monitoring each others waiver line and raiding each others practice squad as well as the practice squad of others.
I think the acknowledged shoulder problems of Russell Okung as well as the suspected shoulder injuries to Jame Carpenter reinforce the loss of Bowie as an object lesson. Exceptionally long arms place more torque on shoulders. That coupled with conditioning issues and interruptions can generate additive risks. And of course, there are the added risks associated with excessive weight and insufficient flexibility to be acknowledge.
Giving up an inch or two in arm length and/or ten -- thirty excessive pounds is acceptable if it can be compensated for with other assets. Offensive linemen with good work habits as well as quicker and better hands, feet, and/or flexibility appear to be a more readily available. That was certainly reflected in the two cuts that were made 48 hours after the three day rookie camp. And, it appears to be better reflected in the current roster of the offensive linemen.
In a league that covets massive and long armed power linemen, It is hard to find, develop and retain them .... especially with so many teams fighting over a league wide shortage. Although I pointed to the loss of Michael Bowie as the turning point, the four years of James Carpenter in a zone scheme followed by his departure to a power based scheme probably does a better job of framing the need to lean more toward a Alex Gibbs style linemen. After all, the motivation and driving force behind using the zone scheme is that it works with more readily available and athletic linemen.
Better conditioning and endurance. Better body flexibility and resilience. Better speed and strength commonality. Better synchronization and chemistry. And, better line continuity and survivability appears to have emerged as goals for 2015.
Two thousand fifteen promises to be a most interesting training camp.
Go Hawks.
