Dark Horse Candidate at 28: Xavier Su'a Filo

[MadHatter]

Nice rebuttal. If not being confident that Su'a Filo (a guy many experts don't even have rated as the best guard in the draft) will be the best guard in the NFL from day 1 makes me an idiot, then so be it.

 

Your comment was that you would not even take the best guard in the NFL in the first....that is the statement that made you an idiot.

[GamecockSmitty4]

Your comment was that you would not even take the best guard in the NFL in the first....that is the statement that made you an idiot.

 

That's your opinion. Glad to see you can express it without being an ass*.

 

The whole point of that argument in the first place was saying that I wouldn't draft Su'a Filo because I don't expect him to be the best guard in the league from Day 1. My opinion is that I wouldn't trade a first round pick for a player with his same value. But I guess anyone with a different opinion than yours is an idiot. So, what team are you GM'ing?

 

*That was sarcasm.

[gettlemanjack]

Sports Illustrated, APRIL 18, 2014

"Chip Kelly’s Eagles have already let DeSean Jackson walk, and (All-Pro) guard Evan Mathis, one of the NFL’s best at his position, might be next — according to several rumors — because he wants a new contract. If Mathis is indeed on his way out, there’s no better option in the draft than Su’a-Filo, one of the most physically imposing and nasty guards I’ve seen in the last decade. ... If he lasts until the 22nd pick (and I’m of the opinion that he shouldn’t), the Eagles would have their Mathis replacement right here."

[gettlemanjack]

an April 24, 2012 article in the New York Times addressed why guards are becoming so important in today's NFL:

...

"It's more important than ever for a guard to be consistent and smart.

...

compare Silatolu to Su'a -Filo:

AMINI SILATOLU

-"has some intelligence concerns... Academics have been an issue throughout career and some mental lapses show in his play — is not always quick to sort out the blitz or anticipate where pressure is coming."

-"Mental capacity needs to be extensively studied...Late picking up some blitzes in pass protection and as a run blocker struggles to adjust on the fly when defensive front shifts at the snap of the ball."

-"Many NFL evaluators are worried about Silatolu's intelligence. The mental capacity is of particular concern because Silatolu will change positions in the pros, transitioning from college tackle to NFL guard."

-"Scouts will have major questions about his football and general intelligence"

-"Too many mental errors can be seen on film"

-"the main concern seems to center on Silatolu's

mental capabilities."

-"questions such as his level of intelligence, his ability to understand things at the NFL level"

-"Will need mental development in every facet of his game."

XAVIER SU'A-FILO

-"he shows the intelligence to match up with

anyone"

-"He impressed with his intelligence"

-"He has the intelligence to succeed at the NFL level."

-"He understands all blocking schemes and options and is smart enough to be used in making calls up front."

-"Strong, athletic and smart"

-"Filo is strong, durable, quick footed, and smart. The guard would fit right in with the type of lineman the 49ers have."

-"Lots to like about him, smart, strong, agile. Excellent LG prototype"

[tiger7_88]

If Gettleman decides to draft one of the 5 best OL in the draft (Robinson, Matthews, Llewan, Martin, Filo) with pick #28?

 

Sign me up.

[rmoneyg35]

I would love Sua Filo. I honestly believe that we need to improve our offensive line not our running backs to improve our run game and FIlo is that guy who can make a big improvement immediately. Unless Martin, Lewan, Cooks, Dennard, or Shazier or Fuller are still there I would say take Sua Filo. I believe he can play LT as well which is good. We need to get a top guard and tackle in this draft if we want to have a good offense. We don't need a Cb in the first unless it's Fuller or Dennard. We could get 2 WR in the second and 4th-5h round that can be good but I also would love to get Shazier if available because we don't know if Davis will be healthy long and I don't think Klein or Blackburn can be anything close to Shazier.

Sent from my iPhone using CarolinaHuddle

[MV%doe]

im against drafting any OG before round 3. its against my religion, unless its a larry allen clone.

 

[Beast_3000]

I guess I am in the minority too. I would like the pick if he is the BPA. If the opposition is loading the box to stop the run and they still struggle to stop Cam and company for positive gains you don't need Megatron catching passes. You just need someone like Davonte Adams or Jordan Matthews to go with our veteran possession receivers and Olsen.

Tampa Bay had a pretty good darn running game last year. They had weak offensive tackles that were disguised by a strong run game. I think Su'a Filo and Amini would bring that type of impact.

Call me crazy but I really think Nate Chandler could start at one of our tackle positions and impress. I also think he will play tackle better than guard once given the opportunity.

[R0CKnR0LLA]

i wouldn't hate it, especially if the top ot/wr was off the board. better than reaching for a 2nd round talent wr or ot imo

[MadHatter]

That's your opinion. Glad to see you can express it without being an ass*.

The whole point of that argument in the first place was saying that I wouldn't draft Su'a Filo because I don't expect him to be the best guard in the league from Day 1. My opinion is that I wouldn't trade a first round pick for a player with his same value. But I guess anyone with a different opinion than yours is an idiot. So, what team are you GM'ing?

*That was sarcasm.

Saying idiot was a bit harsh on my part...my apologies. But, to discount a critical position like guard is crazy. More and more are being taken in the first. And more and more are getting huge FA contracts. Their importance in more spread offenses in growing more and more.

[Mr. Scot]

XAVIER SU'A-FILO

-"he shows the intelligence to match up with

anyone"

-"He impressed with his intelligence"

-"He has the intelligence to succeed at the NFL level."

-"He understands all blocking schemes and options and is smart enough to be used in making calls up front."

-"Strong, athletic and smart"

-"Filo is strong, durable, quick footed, and smart. The guard would fit right in with the type of lineman the 49ers have."

-"Lots to like about him, smart, strong, agile. Excellent LG prototype"

 

Brings up an important point.

 

Since Gettleman took over, intelligence (and especially football intelligence) has become a bigger priority in the Panthers draft plans.

 

I consider that a big positive.

[52Beast]

There's very little chance we find a starting LT in the draft, and any competence we can get at any position we lack competence at can only be a benefit. You should consider the fact that we have six other picks to try to address issues as well, and I'll say it again: a late first isn't as expensive as you'd expect. Furthermore, Kalil is probably going to be let go in the next few years and the sooner we can build a good interior line around him, the less it'll hurt, especially when we're already frankly lacking a starting LT and RT. The coaches can talk up Bell all they like, but I never cared for him at RT last year as it was. Him playing LT...jesus, let's all prepare to see a lot more of Hartblock.

WHY WOULD WE EVER LET KALIL GO??? WTF?????????? SMFH!!!!

[bigskypanthersguy]

WHY WOULD WE EVER LET KALIL GO??? WTF?????????? SMFH!!!!

 

Large cap hit in the next few years, he has a history of leg/feet issues, he's more of a finesse/technician guy, and Gettleman and presumably Rivera/Shula want a power-run offense.  That and one of our workouts has been a USC center thought to go somewhere in the 2nd, maybe 3rd.

[gettlemanjack]

NFL.com:

"Xavier Su'a-Filo sounds just like a New England Patriots player, or at least someone who has studied the team for a while.

"Whatever team takes me, they won't regret it," said Su'a-Filo, the draft's top offensive guard prospect from (#16) UCLA, while visiting the NFL Network studios Wednesday. "I know that's the line Tom Brady told Mr. Kraft when he was drafted, but it's true."

Su'a-Filo's offensive line coach at UCLA, Adrian Klemm, was a second-round pick of the Patriots in 2000 and won three NFL championships in five seasons in New England (at OG). By now, it shouldn't surprise anyone that Patriots left guard Logan Mankins is the player Su'a-Filo has watched closely for a long time (Mankins was drafted #32 overall by Pats in 2005 and has been their starting LG ever since)

"I grew up watching Logan play," said Su'a-Filo, who had the exact same combine measurements (6-foot-4, 307 pounds) as Mankins did in 2005.

"He was a left tackle just like me, but he played there all through college, and as soon as he got to training camp with the Patriots they put him at left guard. He took that position and has held it down for nine years. He's been a six-time Pro Bowler (2007, 2009-2013) and five-time all-pro (2007, 2010-2013)

"If you watch how the guy plays, he's just so smooth. He's big, he's strong and he's mean. When he gets there, he gets there in a hurry, and he tries to punish people. Coach Belichick, who's very well respected in the league, once said, 'There's tough guys in the league, and there are legit tough guys, and Logan Mankins is in the latter category.' To me he is what a prototypical guard should look like, play like and should act like. I've heard that off the field he's very soft-spoken, very chill guy from Central California. But on the field when it's time to go, he's going to punish you."

Many have compared Su'a-Filo similarly. Off the field, he's an Eagle Scout and a practicing Mormon who went on a two-year mission that interrupted his college career. He's soft-spoken. But on the field, he'll tear your head off, maul you into submission.

Like most Patriots, his priorities seem to be in order, too. "I want to win," he said. "I'm a winner. I won in high school (he lead his high school team to the state championships in 2006, 2007 and 2008 and a state record 36 consecutive wins). I won (at UCLA) when I came back from my mission with Coach (Jim) Mora (who has a .704 win pct at UCLA). I want to go on a team with a rich O-line tradition, a team known for hard-nosed O-linemen -- New England (Super Bowl Champs 01, 03, 04), Baltimore (Super Bowl Champs 00, 12), New York (Super Bowl Champs 86, 90, 07, 11).

"First, I want team success; I want to win. I want to play in the NFL, I want to start. I want to play a long time, and I want to make it to the Hall of Fame . I want to be great. I don't want to be just a guy who was a good player in the NFL; I want to be considered one of the best of all-time."

Teams at the back end of the first round and the beginning of the second, where Su'a-Filo is projected to go in the draft, have paid the most attention to him. The Falcons (#37), Panthers (#28) and Rams (#13, #44) have worked him out in Los Angeles, and he's visited the Chargers (#25), Ravens (#17), Browns (#26, #35) and Broncos (#31)

Conspicuously absent are the Patriots (#29), who have a need at right guard (their LG, Logan Mankins, has been All-Pro for the last four straight years). It doesn't seem right that he wouldn't end up in New England, but teams have been known to not show their hand before the draft, completely ignoring prospects they eventually take. (See Broncos and Jay Cutler .) That could be the case for Su'a-Filo and the Patriots."