Phil Loadholt - Mixed bag

[bpc]

I've been a huge supporter of his so i'll personally give my thoughts on his bowl game.

I would say for the first three quarters he did pretty damn well when considering he was up against a pretty solid player and an elaborate blitz scheme. If you haven't seen them, WVA runs a funky 3-3-5 which loads up speed and pressure on the tackles within an offensive line.

I counted from quarter 1-3 where where I gave Loadholt a total of 4 minus plays. The rest were positive. His run blocking through that time in the game was flat out dominant. The guy works to finish! I counted about 11 run plays that went to his size and the shortest gain was two yards... and that was on a touchdown run. All of OU's longest runs came right off his ass. He was playing against a DE (Johnny Dingle), who has really good size at 6'3", 275. He's was flat out erasing him, some plays driving him 8-10 yards down the field.

How does this apply to us as Broncos fans? You are looking for a redzone impact? This guy will cave down a whole side of a defensive line creating a huge gap! Stepping forward out of his stance already resets the LOS about 2 yards. That would be huge for us as we're usually getting our ass knocked into the backfield.

I was a little bit disappointed with him in the passing game. He gave up a first quarter sack when he was late getting off the ball, generated a procedure penalty for lining up in the backfield, (Erik Williams of the Cowboys was notorius for this) and in general, he displayed poor footwork that got him in trouble time after tim. He kept stepping up underneath himself which caused him to lose leverage with his angles. He also seemed a bit confused by whom to block which as stated before, I can sort of understand. Nobody plays the 3-3-5 and they can bring anybody on a blitz as far back as the defensive secondary.

He also could stand to lose a few pounds. His 4th quarter was poor. He had a holding call in the run game, probably because he was tired. He got flustered had a string of just poor, tired play.

I was very disappointed in his coaching. It wasn't just him showing poor technique, it was the whole OU line... several of them considered all big 12 team members along with Loadholt. The technique was just sloppy by the players. Not what you would expect from a school like OU.

I still remain undaunted on my observations of the kid. I think he has a bright NFL future. I think he can be a dominant run blocking OT, something that I said puts him ahead of his peers at LT. He has the ability to lockdown players in pass blocking too. His technique after this game would have to be considered raw and he is a bit of a project. One last thing to remember is that this is still just a kid, all of 21 years old. His best football is in the very near future.

I don't know whether he'll declare or not but I think very highly of his pro potential. He is going to be very good in time. I hope he comes out and we have a chance of stealing him. We'll probably never be in a top 10 position to take him next year and thats likely where he'll be.

My OT Ratings:

1. Clady
2. Otah
3. Loadholt
4. Collins
5. Baker
6. Williams

[Bronco LB 59]

Originally Posted by bpc

My OT Ratings:

1. Clady
2. Otah
3. Loadholt
4. Collins
5. Baker
6. Williams

What do think of Gosder Cherilus?

[Elway777]

Bpc check out Anthony Collins tonight and do a evaluation on him. Collins said he would come out if he got a first or second round grade. Maybe Collins is a dark horse guy that nobody talking about that the Broncos trade down in draft and get him.

[bpc]

Originally Posted by Elway777

Bpc check out Anthony Collins tonight and do a evaluation on him. Collins said he would come out if he got a first or second round grade. Maybe Collins is a dark horse guy that nobody talking about that the Broncos trade down in draft and get him.

i will for sure. I've already seen him before. Him and Clady are very similar, with Clady having a little better athletic ability. Should be agreat game to watch as Va Tech has a bunch of speed on that defense. I want see Vince Hall play.

[bpc]

Originally Posted by Bronco LB 52

What do think of Gosder Cherilus?

Don't really like him all that much. He's way too stiff to play LT. I think he's in for a fall on draft day after beginning the season as a preseason mid 1st round pick. Could represent value if falls far enough. He's got a huge powerful frame. Good run blocker. He could be a gigantic guard at the next level or right tackle.

It sucks that he's played poorly against the better players in his league from what i've heard. Maybe he can go to the senior bowl and re-up.

[Mediator12]

Originally Posted by bpc

Don't really like him all that much. He's way too stiff to play LT. I think he's in for a fall on draft day after beginning the season as a preseason mid 1st round pick. Could represent value if falls far enough. He's got a huge powerful frame. Good run blocker. He could be a gigantic guard at the next level or right tackle.

It sucks that he's played poorly against the better players in his league from what i've heard. Maybe he can go to the senior bowl and re-up.

I think that is where he makes or breaks it too. The senior bowl experience was totally enlightening last year. Teams come in with a set of expectations about the players and see if they can meet them. They get the coaches to put them in situations to see if they can mentally handle what they want and can be coached or are just immaleable.

Guys have proven and disproven a lot about their abilities in Mobile. I saw a ton of that last year.

[Rohirrim]

After watching Loadholt last night, my guess is that Freeney would run around him like he wasn't there.

[bpc]

Originally Posted by Rohirrim

After watching Loadholt last night, my guess is that Freeney would run around him like he wasn't there.

He didn't give his best impression last night in the passing game. He's young though. He'll need some good coaching but once he gets it... he should be very good.

[Rohirrim]

Originally Posted by bpc

He didn't give his best impression last night in the passing game. He's young though. He'll need some good coaching but once he gets it... he should be very good.

I sure hope the Broncos don't use their #12 pick on "potential."

[bpc]

Originally Posted by Rohirrim

I sure hope the Broncos don't use their #12 pick on "potential."

Well most draft pubs are saying he should go around late 1st, early 2nd. I would be fine with bumping down to San Fran's spots for their first (indy's selection) if they go hunting for their QB of the future so we could secure him and another quality player. There is a lot of depth from about pick 20-70 in this draft and I would be excited to get two or three of those players. It would also be great on our cap as well. More money to play with in free agency if we choose.

[Rohirrim]

Read my sig...

[bpc]

Didn't we get some good players when we traded back for DWill, Fox and Paymah?

[Rohirrim]

Originally Posted by bpc

Didn't we get some good players when we traded back for DWill, Fox and Paymah?

Yes, they are good. What the Broncos need is a real playmaker who is better than just "good." They have a better chance of getting that at #12 than at #20. All they get by trading down is more picks, not necessarily better picks. Depending on how many juniors come out and if there is an early run on QBs, the Broncos have a chance to get a real playmaker.

[mattob14]

Originally Posted by Rohirrim

Yes, they are good. What the Broncos need is a real playmaker who is better than just "good." They have a better chance of getting that at #12 than at #20. All they get by trading down is more picks, not necessarily better picks. Depending on how many juniors come out and if there is an early run on QBs, the Broncos have a chance to get a real playmaker.

I'm not sure I agree. Offensively, we've got playmakers in Cutler, Marshall, and Sheffler. What we need is toughness up front and I don't know that the talent pool will be significantly worse at #20, where Loadholdt, Baker, Otah, and Williams may all be available. Even if we look to RB, there's a good chance that Mendenhall and Stewart will both be there late in the first round. Defensively, we could use a DT and LB, but there should be excellent WILL prospects in the 2nd and I'm not really sold on any of the DT's this year outside of Dorsey and Ellis (who should both be gone at #12). Personally, I feel that the strength of this year's draft is in the depth moreso than the top-end talent, and for that reason more picks may well be more beneficial.

[Rohirrim]

Originally Posted by mattob14

I'm not sure I agree. Offensively, we've got playmakers in Cutler, Marshall, and Sheffler. What we need is toughness up front and I don't know that the talent pool will be significantly worse at #20, where Loadholdt, Baker, Otah, and Williams may all be available. Even if we look to RB, there's a good chance that Mendenhall and Stewart will both be there late in the first round. Defensively, we could use a DT and LB, but there should be excellent WILL prospects in the 2nd and I'm not really sold on any of the DT's this year outside of Dorsey and Ellis (who should both be gone at #12). Personally, I feel that the strength of this year's draft is in the depth moreso than the top-end talent, and for that reason more picks may well be more beneficial.

When I say "playmaker" I mean any player who is so good they make their entire unit better. For example, Champ Bailey. Here's one of the internet scout services early list of (what they considered) the top fifteen (just for argument purposes):
1. Chris Long DE Virginia
2. *Vernon Gholston DE Ohio St
3. Sedric Ellis DL USC
4. *Darren McFadden RB Arkansas
5. Matt Ryan QB Boston College
6. Jake Long OT Michigan
7. Dan Connor LB Penn St
8. *James Laurinaitis LB Ohio St
9. *James Hardy WR Indiana
10 *Ray Rice RB Rutgers
11 John David Booty QB USC
12 Matt Flynn QB LSU
13 Keith Rivers USC
14 Early Doucet WR LSU
15 Mike Jenkins CB South Florida

Notice this list doesn't include some top juniors who still might declare like Desean, Calais, Kenny Philips, Malcolm Jenkins, etc. Since the Broncos don't need CBs or QBs you can delete those. Given Selvin's performance, I think you can forget about RB as well. I also doubt they'll use their first pick on a WR or a DE. Add in that some teams will no doubt trade up (Bears for a QB, Buc/Jags/Titans for a WR, etc.) So, it's a numbers game. Some playmaker that the Broncos do need at DT, OT, LB or even S is very likely to drop to 12, and much less likely to be there at 20 or more.

[mattob14]

Originally Posted by Rohirrim

When I say "playmaker" I mean any player who is so good they make their entire unit better. For example, Champ Bailey. Here's one of the internet scout services early list of (what they considered) the top fifteen (just for argument purposes):
1. Chris Long DE Virginia
2. *Vernon Gholston DE Ohio St
3. Sedric Ellis DL USC
4. *Darren McFadden RB Arkansas
5. Matt Ryan QB Boston College
6. Jake Long OT Michigan
7. Dan Connor LB Penn St
8. *James Laurinaitis LB Ohio St
9. *James Hardy WR Indiana
10 *Ray Rice RB Rutgers
11 John David Booty QB USC
12 Matt Flynn QB LSU
13 Keith Rivers USC
14 Early Doucet WR LSU
15 Mike Jenkins CB South Florida

Notice this list doesn't include some top juniors who still might declare like Desean, Calais, Kenny Philips, Malcolm Jenkins, etc. Since the Broncos don't need CBs or QBs you can delete those. Given Selvin's performance, I think you can forget about RB as well. I also doubt they'll use their first pick on a WR or a DE. Add in that some teams will no doubt trade up (Bears for a QB, Buc/Jags/Titans for a WR, etc.) So, it's a numbers game. Some playmaker that the Broncos do need at DT, OT, LB or even S is very likely to drop to 12, and much less likely to be there at 20 or more.

Fair enough, and I do understand your point, I just don't see a big talent difference between the beginning of round 1 and end of round 1 at any of these positions, with DT the exception. Dorsey (I have no idea how he's not on that top-15 list and Matt Flynn is) and Ellis are top prospects, but both should be gone in the top-10. At OT, I'm not a huge Long fan, and I don't think there's a significant difference between Clady at 12 and some of the others 10-15 picks later. I like Laurenaitis, but don't see much difference between Rivers and, say, Philip Wheeler or Erin Henderson. Phillips is obviously the top Safety and would be someone who is a true difference-maker, but I just don't think we can afford to bypass our needs in the trenches to take a Safety at this point. IMHO, I just don't see who would be available at #12 that is significantly better than we can get 10-12 picks later, at least at this point in the procss. If someone slides on draft day,though, all bets are off.

[BombsOverBaghdad]

Originally Posted by mattob14

Fair enough, and I do understand your point, I just don't see a big talent difference between the beginning of round 1 and end of round 1 at any of these positions, with DT the exception. Dorsey (I have no idea how he's not on that top-15 list and Matt Flynn is) and Ellis are top prospects, but both should be gone in the top-10. At OT, I'm not a huge Long fan, and I don't think there's a significant difference between Clady at 12 and some of the others 10-15 picks later. I like Laurenaitis, but don't see much difference between Rivers and, say, Philip Wheeler or Erin Henderson. Phillips is obviously the top Safety and would be someone who is a true difference-maker, but I just don't think we can afford to bypass our needs in the trenches to take a Safety at this point. IMHO, I just don't see who would be available at #12 that is significantly better than we can get 10-12 picks later, at least at this point in the procss. If someone slides on draft day,though, all bets are off.

Not to mention that we would pick up an extra pick (probably a high to mid-second) -- I like the idea of 3 picks in the #20 to #40 range over 2 picks (#12 & #40).