2022 Fourth Round Pick, #140, OL Zach Tom

[HarveyWallbangers]

CBS Sports


Zach Tom OL, WAKE
Height: 6-4, Weight: 304

Big-time Packers pick. Tom is one of the most nimble blockers I've scouted. Glides all over the field with elite short-area quickness. Hands can be a tick late and he has to add considerable weight before he can live in the trenches in the NFL.

Rating: 80.79 (Long-term starter)

Pro Comparison: Mason Cole

Strengths:

College LT who *probably* should kick inside at the pro game. Unusual positional shift from center to left tackle in his final two seasons. Absolutely could play out on the edge in a pinch. Excellent, elite-level short-area quickness. Quick-set specialist. Like lightning out of his stance, and plays with a textbook, crouched stance. Never flails at defenders. Bounces inside out with ease. Balance is above-average and not a lunger by any stretch of the imagination. Anchor is surprisingly good, mostly his back-bending skill. Inside he could be a dream for a team with a zone-blocking scheme. Has enough twitch to play center.

Weaknesses:

On the lighter, shorter-arm size by NFL standards. Occasionally late with his hands, and long rushers give him problems. Needs to pack on weight and get more sand in his pants.

[RashanGary]

I trust the Packers to pick OL. Im sure this guy has a shot.

[Bretsky]

This guy is the real deal

ESPN dude just noted he was one of his favorite value picks of the draft and thought he's a potential pro bowl player

[HarveyWallbangers]

My IOL Rankings :)


1 Zion Johnson Boston College
2 Kenyon Green Texas A&M
3 Tyler Linderbaum Iowa
4 Dylan Parham Memphis
5 Zach Tom Wake Forest
6 Cole Strange Chattanooga
7 Cameron Jurgens Nebraska
8 Sean Rhyan UCLA

[Bretsky]

My IOL Rankings :)



Your ranking supports my view.

Hoody Genius is amazing as a HC but he's Hoody Impaired as a GM

Taking Strange in round one was an absolute shock

[run pMc]

He's a good fit for what GB likes in their OL and really does have good agility -- you can see it on film. From what I've seen his anchor is ok and play strength could be improved. Good value pick.

[HarveyWallbangers]

ESPN


Pre-Draft Analysis
Tom is an effective positional blocker at his best covering up defenders on zone runs and combo blocking to the second level. He gets set quickly, sinks his hips and shoots his hands in pass pro. He played tackle the past two seasons but has shorter arms for a tackle and projects best at center, which is where he played in 2019. His combine 40-yard dash, short shuttle and broad jump were all outstanding for an interior offensive lineman. -- Steve Muench

[run pMc]

Seems like a potential Elgton clone, although I think Elgton was more physical and has the longer arms where he could play T.
This guy can probably play wherever they put him, but I'm guessing he's the new Lucas Patrick and will learn the 3 interior spots. He's discount Zion Johnson.
Really like this pick, and R4 is good value for a sneaky good player.

[Joemailman]

Seems like a potential Elgton clone, although I think Elgton was more physical and has the longer arms where he could play T.
This guy can probably play wherever they put him, but I'm guessing he's the new Lucas Patrick and will learn the 3 interior spots. He's discount Zion Johnson.
Really like this pick, and R4 is good value for a sneaky good player.

Jenkins had 34.0 arm length. Tom 33.5. Jenkins had 29 bench reps. Tom 24. Wouldn't surprise me if Tom gets a chance to fight for the RT spot in camp with Jenkins out.

[Joemailman]

Here is every dropback rep Tom had against Florida State's Jermaine Johnson. https://twitter.com/i/status/1520993230589898752

[RashanGary]

Hes at a huge disadvantage from Runyan and Newman, who have played ball.

I have a feeling Runyan and Newman will start.

[Joemailman]

Hes at a huge disadvantage from Runyan and Newman, who have played ball.

I have a feeling Runyan and Newman will start.

If Bakhtiari's knee continues to be a problem, Tom might pull a Bakhtiari and start at LT as a rookie.

Runyan and Newman have to worry about Rhyan. Should be some great competition.

[Fritz]

Short arms, huh?

Heard they'll pair him up with Dean Lowry during drills.

[HarveyWallbangers]

Tom doesn't really have that short of arms. At 33 1/4" arms, he passes the 33" treshold. Sean Rhyan is the one with shorter arms at 32 3/8". Lowry has 31" arms.

[Joemailman]

Tom doesn't really have that short of arms. At 33 1/4" arms, he passes the 33" treshold. Sean Rhyan is the one with shorter arms at 32 3/8". Lowry has 31" arms.

Tom's arm length is exactly the Same as Bulaga's. Bulaga was an inch taller. So Tom has Bakhtiari's height and Bulaga's arm length. I remember McCarthy being asked if Bulaga's arms were long enough to play Tackle. McCarthy said he's never seen a guy who couldn't play Tackle because his arms were too short, but he has seen guys who couldn't play Tackle because their footwork wasn't good enough. In that video against Jermaine Johnson, Tom's footwork looks very good.

[HarveyWallbangers]

Zach Tom vs Jermaine Johnson was pretty one-sided in a good way--unlike Sean Rhyan vs. Kayvon Thibodeaux.

https://twitter.com/JuMosq/status/1520993230589898752?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5 Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1520993230589898752%7Ctwgr% 5E%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fforums.footballsfuture.com%2 Findex.php%3Fapp%3Dcoremodule%3Dsystemcontroller%3 Dembedurl%3Dhttps%3A%2F%2Ftwitter.com%2Fi%2Fstatus %2F1520993230589898752

[call_me_ishmael]

This was the Packers best pick as far as value I am imagining. I think this dude has a good shot to be a good player. Classic Packers pick right here.

[run pMc]

Tom's arm length is exactly the Same as Bulaga's. Bulaga was an inch taller. So Tom has Bakhtiari's height and Bulaga's arm length. I remember McCarthy being asked if Bulaga's arms were long enough to play Tackle. McCarthy said he's never seen a guy who couldn't play Tackle because his arms were too short, but he has seen guys who couldn't play Tackle because their footwork wasn't good enough. In that video against Jermaine Johnson, Tom's footwork looks very good.

His footwork is very good and his agility scores back it up. Interesting dude because he went from playing C to LT... which makes me think he'll get a look at RT but was why I thought he might be the next Lucas Patrick (playing C-G).

Rhyan might end up doing that though. I could see a world where Rhyan and Newman fight for RG, and Tom/Njiman fight for RT.
Walker will be developmental guy...he has the physical traits but needs a lot of coaching up.

Jake Hanson is good as gone. I think Tom was a good pick.

[texaspackerbacker]

Yeah right, CMI hahahahaha. He looks to me to be the third of the three O Linemen we took.

[Sparkey]

Zach Tom vs Jermaine Johnson was pretty one-sided in a good way--unlike Sean Rhyan vs. Kayvon Thibodeaux.

https://twitter.com/JuMosq/status/1520993230589898752?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5 Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1520993230589898752%7Ctwgr% 5E%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fforums.footballsfuture.com%2 Findex.php%3Fapp%3Dcoremodule%3Dsystemcontroller%3 Dembedurl%3Dhttps%3A%2F%2Ftwitter.com%2Fi%2Fstatus %2F1520993230589898752

That is a great vid. Tom does an awesome job of mirroring the defender while using excellent footwork to maintain his balance and keep his shoulder square to his target. NICE!

[run pMc]

Yeah right, CMI hahahahaha. He looks to me to be the third of the three O Linemen we took.

Zach Tom > Rasheed Walker.
If the OL is so bad (as you have often suggested), it would make sense to invest some draft picks in it and protect the franchise QB, agree?

[Joemailman]

Zach Tom > Rasheed Walker.
If the OL is so bad (as you have often suggested), it would make sense to invest some draft picks in it and protect the franchise QB, agree?

Two things I don't do. I don't argue with people who say the world is flat, and I don't argue with Tex about the offensive line.

[texaspackerbacker]

Zach Tom > Rasheed Walker.
If the OL is so bad (as you have often suggested), it would make sense to invest some draft picks in it and protect the franchise QB, agree?

I never said the Packers O Line is "bad". I said it is mediocre and overrated. They don't need to be very good pass blockers with Rodgers' mobility and quick release and intelligence. Rodgers is what makes them seem better than what they are. Similarly, the threat of the passing game makes run blocking less of a factor. Jenkins as a Guard and to a lesser extent, Runyan and Newman, along with Myers opened up a lot of nice inside holes. Outside runs weren't nearly as successful either with or without Bakhtiari. To a great extent, the run blocking was road grader style/inside zone plays. The thing I don't like about Tom (just based on reading) is he doesn't seem to have a lot of strength/doesn't seem to be a road grader. Walker does have that, and his flaws as a pass blocker would seem to be less of a factor at Guard than at Tackle. Again, just based on reading, Rhyan and Walker seem to be a lot more like I prefer than Tom.

The bottom line, though, is that we have five adequate starters, six when Jenkins is ready, so we didn't need any more than back ups. Granted, though, losing Turner, Patrick, and Kelly created a need for three back ups, though.

[bobblehead]

Two things I don't do. I don't argue with people who say the world is flat, and I don't argue with Tex about the offensive line.

I had a nice debate with Kyrie Irving about the flat earth. Then I turned to Carl Everett to talk dinosaurs.

[MadScientist]

I never said the Packers O Line is "bad". I said it is mediocre and overrated. They don't need to be very good pass blockers with Rodgers' mobility and quick release and intelligence.

The bottom line, though, is that we have five adequate starters, six when Jenkins is ready, so we didn't need any more than back ups. Granted, though, losing Turner, Patrick, and Kelly created a need for three back ups, though.

Mediocre and overrated is not adequate in my book. Rodgers quick release and intelligence was not enough against SF. Tom and Rhyan have a good chance to be an upgrade by next year if not sooner. You make the team better by upgrading positions are or will so become weak. The Packers were doing just that.

[Jaire]

Mediocre and overrated is not adequate in my book. Rodgers quick release and intelligence was not enough against SF. Tom and Rhyan have a good chance to be an upgrade by next year if not sooner. You make the team better by upgrading positions are or will so become weak. The Packers were doing just that.

Right. They lost to the Bucs and San Fran last year in the trenches on offense. Injuries had a lot to do with it too. But they've been needing to draft DL and OL for a long time. Gute's been rebuilding the OL for four years and they should be solid and deep for a long time now. Best draft in 10 plus years. Some of it is that the board fell pretty well for them.

Going into the draft I thought OL and DL were the real needs. It will be rocky at WR, but the trenches were the real key. They are set up to contend for the next four years, as long as AR wants to pursue it.

[texaspackerbacker]

That solid and deep is all fools gold. We supposedly had a good O Line back in 2013 when Seneca Wallace among others was forced to play due to a Rodgers injury. The line got exposed then as pure crap. I suppose what we have now is better although Sitton and Lang and Lane Taylor had pretty good reputations too. The shitstorm in turned into without Rodgers wasn't all Marshall Newhouse.

I say again, mediocre is all you need with Rodgers, and we have that now. Rhyan is more of the same; Walker has potential; And Tom? You can have him. I don't see much quality there at all.

It may just be the best draft in "10 plus years", but if it turns out that way, it's entirely because of Watson and Wyatt.

[run pMc]

That solid and deep is all fools gold. We supposedly had a good O Line back in 2013 when Seneca Wallace among others was forced to play due to a Rodgers injury. The line got exposed then as pure crap. I suppose what we have now is better although Sitton and Lang and Lane Taylor had pretty good reputations too. The shitstorm in turned into without Rodgers wasn't all Marshall Newhouse.

I say again, mediocre is all you need with Rodgers, and we have that now. Rhyan is more of the same; Walker has potential; And Tom? You can have him. I don't see much quality there at all.

It may just be the best draft in "10 plus years", but if it turns out that way, it's entirely because of Watson and Wyatt.

This feels a bit like blame the OL when things are bad but credit the QB when they are good. I think we both agree it's more nuanced than that.
Seneca Wallace gave way to Tolzien who gave way to Flynn IIRC, and they still won the NFCN, largely by McCarthy figuring out he needed to ride Eddie Lacy (and especially Rodgers' return). You can't run without an OL. And you can't tell me there isn't a dropoff from Rodgers to Wallace, Tolzien or Flynn.

I agree Walker has potential, he has the measurables and experience to play T but I think he's immature and needs work on his fundamentals. If all that happens they have a good one. Zach Tom has really good feet and that's really important.

One last thing: Tex I think you prefer a certain style of OL -- more of the big physical mauler/road-grader. That's better suited to a power scheme than a zone scheme, which prefers agility over brute strength. You're going to see GB pick a lot of guys who might not be the biggest, strongest dudes, but they will be able to get to the second level or have the agility/balance to react to counters and protect rollouts/boots.

I actually enjoy seeing big maulers pancake and physically whip the defense too, but I don't think that's what GB drafts because it doesn't suit MLF's offense so I'm moving on. Zach Tom and Sean Rhyan fit MLF's mold for what they like: versatile guys with experience at tackle and good feet & athleticism.

[texaspackerbacker]

I definitely give Rodgers virtually all the credit for the O Line being perceived as good at pass protection. I think the way they bombed out in 2013 without Rodgers tends to prove that.

Yeah, you need decent O Line blocking for success in the run game, but it also makes a big difference if you have the threat of Rodgers passing and the D not set up so much to stop the run. And the debacle against Tampa in the playoffs that so many like to bring up as a negative about Rodgers actually exposed our O Line more than the QB or RBs.

Yeah, I prefer those road graders. What you said is true about outside zone scheme but inside zone - where the Packers thrived - not so much. I was pleased that the Packers got Myers, a big bruiser at Center, and Jenkins at Guard pretty much was a road grader. I think Runyan qualifies too and Newman I will give a maybe. Rhyan seems to be a road grader; R. Walker potentially is too; Tom obviously isn't - which is why I don't expect him to help much. Bakhtiari is/was everybody's sacred cow and ain't much of a road grader, but he never seemed to make much of an impact on outside zone plays.

As for LaFleur's mold, you're right about the flexibility/cross training aspect. His offensive scheme, though? That's kind of all over the board. I doubt pass first is his regular philosophy, but he intelligently recognized that when you have the GOAT QB, you adjust and pass first, and with Rodgers' mobility, pass blocking is less of a factor. And as I said, the inside zone run game is more suited to the road graders. The other typical LaFleur thing, a lot of gadgets and deception doesn't emphasize either kind of O Lineman except just to prevent penetration long enough for the play to develop, and for that too, the road graders get the nod.

[run pMc]

I definitely give Rodgers virtually all the credit for the O Line being perceived as good at pass protection. I think the way they bombed out in 2013 without Rodgers tends to prove that.
So then if Rodgers is why they are good or bad, you probably shouldn't ding the OL and blame them. A bad QB behind a good line is still going to be bad.

If you aren't sold on the OL picks, check this out:
https://www.acmepackingcompany.com/2022/5/3/23054775/green-bay-packers-offensive-linemen-2022-nfl-draft-sean-rhyan-zach-tom-rasheed-walker

I think Tom needs to get stronger, it will help his anchor -- which he'll need to improve if he's going against grown men -- but he's got feet and athleticism that's hard to beat. Also - Rhyan looked decent too. He's just a thick dude. Walker has potential also. I think they were all pretty good picks.

[texaspackerbacker]

When did I ever "ding" the O Line? I have consistently said that Aaron Rodgers has been consistently rushed badly his whole career, but no matter, he escapes and performs like the GOAT he is anyway.

The good report about Walker doesn't surprise me. I've been saying all along I have more hope for him than Tom. I agree, both Rhyan and Walker are decent, Tom not so much. I don't see any of them as better than mediocre, though - kinda on the level of Runyan, Newman, and Nijman, which basically is about all the good the Packers need O Linemen to be in the Rodgers era.

[run pMc]

When did I ever "ding" the O Line?
LOL your very next sentence:


I have consistently said that Aaron Rodgers has been consistently rushed badly his whole career, but no matter, he escapes and performs like the GOAT he is anyway.

Whatever. It's clear we disagree and that's ok. I am somewhat curious to know what current OL you think are great and why...but I also think this is going down an unproductive rabbit hole and fine moving on.

Either way, I think Tom might be able to get them out of a game or two in a pinch this season, and he might even be able to backup Myers at C. I think he needs a year in a NFL weightroom - 10 pounds of muscle and with his agility and IQ I think he'll be good. He's a Packer so I'll root for him.

[RashanGary]

McGinns scouts liked Rhyan a lot more than Tom.

[RashanGary]

Packers scout compared him to Billy Turner. Athletic. A little light. Can play both positions.

[texaspackerbacker]

LOL your very next sentence:



Whatever. It's clear we disagree and that's ok. I am somewhat curious to know what current OL you think are great and why...but I also think this is going down an unproductive rabbit hole and fine moving on.

Either way, I think Tom might be able to get them out of a game or two in a pinch this season, and he might even be able to backup Myers at C. I think he needs a year in a NFL weightroom - 10 pounds of muscle and with his agility and IQ I think he'll be good. He's a Packer so I'll root for him.

That's just saying they're as good as they need to be - that mediocre is adequate, a point somebody, possibly you, disputed.

The back up Center thing is valid. All he would need to be for that is better than Hanson - apparently a low bar.

ok, I'll root for him too hahahaha, Doubs too, although not at a cost of losing Malik Taylor.

[HarveyWallbangers]

Packers scout compared him to Billy Turner. Athletic. A little light. Can play both positions.

It will be intesting. If I had to guess the Packers opening day OL (sans Elgton), I'd go Bakh-Runyan-Myers-Rhyan-Nijman with Tom as a play anywhere backup (he was good at OC and LT in college, but many project him to OG). The dude is an elite athlete with great mirroring ability. He just needs to get stronger. Once he does, I think he'll be starting material. His work against Jermaine Johnson was impressive--as was his ability to seamlessly move from OC to LT. He had some good tape against UNC also.

OL Zach Tom = 6'4" 304, 33 1/4" arms, 4.94 40, 1.63 10, 4.47 shuttle, 7.32 3 cone, 33" vert, 118" broad, 24 bench
OT Rashawn Slater = 6'4" 304, 33" arms, 4.91 40, 1.68 10, 4.45 shuttle, 7.48 3 cone, 33" vert, 112" broad, 33 bench

[HarveyWallbangers]

Great feet. Great hands. Crazy good athlete. Add a bit of strength and we have something special.

Go to 8:50 on the video. For me, based on my rankings, my favorite pick in the draft.

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/u/0/d/1R_3QiGbBfzw71d6LrlyvdNtAzQ6Lv3U4IAQ28CDfR18/htmlview#


https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=II8SOfLDRi0

[RashanGary]

Great feet. Great hands. Crazy good athlete. Add a bit of strength and we have something special.

Go to 8:50 on the video. For me, based on my rankings, my favorite pick in the draft.

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/u/0/d/1R_3QiGbBfzw71d6LrlyvdNtAzQ6Lv3U4IAQ28CDfR18/htmlview#


https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=II8SOfLDRi0

Packers like OL who pass protect

[run pMc]

https://ras.football/?s=bryan+bulaga
https://ras.football/2020/01/09/mark-tauscher-ras/
https://ras.football/?s=billy+turner

For comparison as far as physical attributes with Zach Tom and Sean Rhyan. These rookies are better athletes; we'll see if they are as good as football players.

Personally, I like the picks. These are guys who should either push to start or become key backups this year. Few teams are able to go 7-8 deep with quality talent on the OL.

[HarveyWallbangers]

That is a great vid. Tom does an awesome job of mirroring the defender while using excellent footwork to maintain his balance and keep his shoulder square to his target. NICE!

Yep. A dancing bear with great technique.

[Joemailman]

Yep. A dancing bear with great technique.

https://media0.giphy.com/media/SnBaZPL1Tjnfa/giphy.webp?cid=ecf05e47dpw1onfoasavx7rt5tn9ytxratn 9yazic6fjn4x4&rid=giphy.webp&ct=g

[call_me_ishmael]

Yep. A dancing bear with great technique.

Like Scottie Pippen and a Wolf had a baby.

[Joemailman]

He has his own t-shirt.

https://mockup-api.teespring.com/v3/image/ZyUXfumArsTmUP6YRen5xsIaL0E/800/800.jpg

[Fritz]

Weird how this guy just appears on the scene, NFL ready, and the guy they took about thirty players before him (Rhyam) is struggling with even one position.

[Joemailman]

Royce Newman had a tough day in practice at RT yesterday. It's looking more and more like Tom could be the starter at RT week 1 if Jenkins isn't ready.

[Fritz]

They really seem to like Royce Newman but he struggled last year as a rook, and is struggling a bit at RT now. I wonder if he's just straight-up a guard, and even at that, how good he really is. If Jenkins really is ready in three or four weeks, I wonder if we'll see him and Runyan at the guard spots and Tom at RT.

[smuggler]

Newman struggled at the start but improved as the year progressed, but all at guard. That may be his pro position. Hopefully between Tom and Jenkins we have a RT to start the season. Hanson and Newman can battle for RG if Jenkins is on the shelf.

[Freak Out]

Ha ha ha! WTF Mailman Ret.

[Fritz]

Newman struggled at the start but improved as the year progressed, but all at guard. That may be his pro position. Hopefully between Tom and Jenkins we have a RT to start the season. Hanson and Newman can battle for RG if Jenkins is on the shelf.

I am getting curiouser and curiouser about the third round pick, Sean Rhyan. He was a tackle, I think, but it looks like he's going to be a guard in the NFL. So they spent a third-round pick on a guard - which you could say they spent a high pick on Jenkins, but Jenkins stepped in from day one and played well, AND he clearly can also play tackle. Maybe Rhyan will be good, but the guy they took a round later seems much more promising.

[Joemailman]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FbWbv4KWAAAfu5p?format=jpg&name=small

[HarveyWallbangers]

McGinns scouts liked Rhyan a lot more than Tom.

We'll see if I was right or they were right. :)

[RashanGary]

We'll see if I was right or they were right. :)

Good call, Harv. Zach Tom looks like he’s the guy. Rasheed Walker has a chance too. The future at tackle could be bright.

[RashanGary]

He’s 300 fairly lean pounds. He could pack on a belly and be 315, but he is a legit 300. The undersized thing doesn’t seem to be slowing him down at all.

[bobblehead]

Somewhere along the line I said that this was my favorite draft in a long time. I absolutely loved all 3 OL where we got them. Agree with wondering wth happened to Rhyan, although at the time I predicted Tom was much more likely to be a starting G. As it turns out, he is the better OT as well.

The only pick I feel we could have done better with was the first one. But I wanted Wyatt there, so it worked out.

[run pMc]

Zach Tom needs time in the weight room to get a better anchor and get stronger in general, but he is a good technician, is very smart, and has tackle athleticism -- dude has feet you can't teach. I don't think he has the anchor to hold up at guard against 320 pound grown men bull rushing him. Not yet anyway, and I'd hate to see him pack on 20 pounds of bad weight to try. I think that would diminish his athletic gifts.

I'm starting to wonder if Bahktiari - Runyan - Myers - Jenkins - Tom wouldn't be the best lineup. Yes, you eventually pay Jenkins like a tackle and maybe move him after Bahktiari moves on, but I wonder if Jenkins-Tom is better than Newman-Jenkins on the right side?

[bobblehead]

Zach Tom needs time in the weight room to get a better anchor and get stronger in general, but he is a good technician, is very smart, and has tackle athleticism -- dude has feet you can't teach. I don't think he has the anchor to hold up at guard against 320 pound grown men bull rushing him. Not yet anyway, and I'd hate to see him pack on 20 pounds of bad weight to try. I think that would diminish his athletic gifts.

I'm starting to wonder if Bahktiari - Runyan - Myers - Jenkins - Tom wouldn't be the best lineup. Yes, you eventually pay Jenkins like a tackle and maybe move him after Bahktiari moves on, but I wonder if Jenkins-Tom is better than Newman-Jenkins on the right side?
He wouldn't need weight to play G, that is done with leverage. Its at OT, when a guy bull rushes you, even a smaller guy, that you need that anchor. He has shown an ability to drop his hips and get under the bull rush so far. Guy is just a natural. I still think his best position is G, sort of in the Mike Wahle mold. He moves so well, and his punch is so smooth. He just does everything so well. I have watched him use his arms to guide guys trying to go inside and outside. I have seen him drop his hips vs. bull rushers. He even uses the mythical pad level in the run game. He is good right now, but if he could pack another 15 pounds of muscle on....look out.

[Fritz]

How 'bout that Sean Rhyan!!

What the hell. Your fourth round pick steps in and plays like a polished pro from the get-go, and your third-round pick can't even figure out how to button up his pants yet. Weird how scouting works. Did they draft Rhyan based strictly on athleticisim?

[run pMc]

How 'bout that Sean Rhyan!!

What the hell. Your fourth round pick steps in and plays like a polished pro from the get-go, and your third-round pick can't even figure out how to button up his pants yet. Weird how scouting works. Did they draft Rhyan based strictly on athleticisim?

I wonder with Ryhan if it's a case of things happening faster off the snap in a phone booth at G than at T. Would be nice to have him push Hanson and Newman, but he'll be ok.

[run pMc]

He wouldn't need weight to play G, that is done with leverage. Its at OT, when a guy bull rushes you, even a smaller guy, that you need that anchor. He has shown an ability to drop his hips and get under the bull rush so far. Guy is just a natural. I still think his best position is G, sort of in the Mike Wahle mold. He moves so well, and his punch is so smooth. He just does everything so well. I have watched him use his arms to guide guys trying to go inside and outside. I have seen him drop his hips vs. bull rushers. He even uses the mythical pad level in the run game. He is good right now, but if he could pack another 15 pounds of muscle on....look out.

I think all the OL and DL spots require leverage, and he can play with that. What I mean is he doesn't have the lower center of mass -- sometimes he looks like a big LB or a TE more than an OL -- that I think you need to fight on the inside. Defensive tackles are often the strongest and heaviest players on the football field. You need strength and technique to keep defensive tackles away from the quarterback -- I don't think Tom has both yet. I think we are mostly in agreement, especially in what 10-15 pounds of good muscle could do for him.

[bobblehead]

How 'bout that Sean Rhyan!!

What the hell. Your fourth round pick steps in and plays like a polished pro from the get-go, and your third-round pick can't even figure out how to button up his pants yet. Weird how scouting works. Did they draft Rhyan based strictly on athleticisim?

Your post is ridiculous. NFL jerseys use string, not buttons. Be better Fritz.

[bobblehead]

I think all the OL and DL spots require leverage, and he can play with that. What I mean is he doesn't have the lower center of mass -- sometimes he looks like a big LB or a TE more than an OL -- that I think you need to fight on the inside. Defensive tackles are often the strongest and heaviest players on the football field. You need strength and technique to keep defensive tackles away from the quarterback -- I don't think Tom has both yet. I think we are mostly in agreement, especially in what 10-15 pounds of good muscle could do for him.

I can't disagree more. One reason he looks smallish is BECAUSE he has a low mass. He lack upper body strength which is far less important than core and lower body strength for OL.

[run pMc]

https://www.packers.com/news/what-you-might-ve-missed-respectable-relief

He did ok overall, but plays 2 & 7 are what I mean by strength and anchor to handle bull rushes. Especially on play 7 he doesn't have the leg strength to keep from getting pushed deep into the pocket. He does stay low and engaged, which helps. He's a heckuva lot better than Hanson, who has neither the strength, smarts, nor technique Tom does.

I think if they continue to play him at guard teams are going to line up bigger stronger DL and just tell them to bull rush him into Rodgers' lap until he proves he can stop them.

All of which is to say, he's a serviceable backup now and in a year with improved strength could be an above average starter.

[bobblehead]

I disagree....not about the results this week, but about what the future holds. I think very soon it will be Nijman, Runyan, Myers, Tom, Jenkins. And that will be the OL for the foreseeable future.

[run pMc]

I think very soon it will be Nijman, Runyan, Myers, Tom, Jenkins. And that will be the OL for the foreseeable future.

I wouldn't be surprised by this at all, and it would be a big improvement over last Sunday IMO.

Longer term (assuming they are healthy) I would like to see

Bahk-Runyan-Myers-Jenkins-Tom, with them paying Jenkins whatever he wants, eve it if means T money to play superstar G. Call it the Quentin Nelson treatment.
I think Tom is better at T than G, but that's just me. If he can hold up at G he's better than Hanson and at least as good as Newman now but with upside to get much better.

[texaspackerbacker]

I intend to start a thread about the O Line, but what I'll say here is Tom - who I've criticized - wasn't any worse than anybody else, and a helluva lot better than Hanson, who I'd like to see cut.

[SudsMcBucky]

So my wife and I are walking through the MKE airport Monday heading back home after the Packer game. A lady comes up and starts chatting us up telling us how her and her husband go to as many games as they can, etc. etc. After a while, she comments that her son is #50 for the Packers. All I have to say is if Zach is even half as nice as his mom, he's a good one!

[Fritz]

"Nice"? We don't want no stinkin' nice! We want mean and nasty! I'd be more encouraged if his mom had head-butted you.