Time to Feel good about Elflein

[MHS831]

2 minutes ago, KSpan said:

Honest question to make sure I read this correctly - are you saying that this writeup is based on viewing 9 plays?

Where does it say that?

[electro's horse]

evan mathis also started taking horse steroids

[Wolfcop]

Good stuff MHS - thanks!

[KSpan]

18 minutes ago, MHS831 said:

Where does it say that?

It's not there now but the original post said something about viewing 9 plays. I quoted you but didn't get my post submitted until a couple of minutes ago, which is why I wanted to ask.

[Basbear]

Only saving grace about Pat was I heard he had a thumb injury that prevented his ability to workout. Plus the Coach Rhule poster layed out a good point for him being cast in a bad system. Hes needs a zone system with space/pulling to maximize his abilities.

 

Hes been graded 80th out of 82 for most of his career.  Ive seen faaar too many gifs/clips of him getting bulldozer by DTs. Vita Vea will push him out the stadium if he doesnt get loads more stronger. Thats been hes big issue for me, he looks and play weak. Hope Rhule genius Baylor strength coach can work his magic.  

Edited April 17, 2021 by Basbear

[hepcat]

Panthers could end up with Sewell or Slater very easily. Especially if Pitts doesn’t fall to 8. That would solidify a TON of depth on the O-Line, depth this team hasn’t had in, maybe ever.

[Prowler2k18]

2 hours ago, MHS831 said:

I just watched some Darnold video and I was wondering why we took 3 players off this Jets team.  Then I remembered as a player and a coach, sometime you start watching one player and you notice another.  When I was watching an opposing team's film, I looked for the weaknesses on the OL/DL.  If I saw it, I knew I could exploit it.  When being recruited, I was often noticed by schools watching film on my teammate.  So I started watching #67 on some Darnold tapes.  He was not given much time, but man, Elf had some terrible OL around him.  They were not in sync often, but he demonstrated some intelligence and some nasty. 

 

Positives: Great technique. can not swim move him because he keeps his butt low and back straight--does not lunge or reach.  When stunt goes away from him, his head swivels inside to find the LB or help the C.  He repeatedly showed upper body strength and good mobility.  I did not see him pull, but I saw him take a DT from Left A gap to Right C gap in pass protection, creating a lane for Darnold to run for 20 yards. I saw him shove a Raider DT from A gap to C Gap with his right arm on the goal line.  Excellent footwork. Never off balance, obvious football intelligence based on his head movement (When we had Silatolu, I reported that he was confused and did not know where to look during a stunt--when this happens, expect this...he did not know.  Elf gets it.  He seems to have a bit of a nasty streak too.  He uses all he has on every play.  I NOW like this signing and see why we did it. 

Negatives:  He is not overwhelming and can get bull rushed a bit.  When you do not bend forward, making you susceptible to swimming or getting fooled with a stunt or blitz, there is a bit of a trade off.  So getting bull rushed is part of that balance.  Paradis has the same problem, but he has good balance most of the time.  I did not see Elf pull, but I do not see physical limitations to suggest he cannot. 

Analysis:  Remember Evan Mathis, the Guard Carolina released after drafting in the third round in 2005?  He went on to have a 12-year career, with a couple pro bowl appearances as a LG with the Eagles?  He was a G with the Broncos in Super Bowl 50?  That guy?  Well, he did not start getting it until he was about 27.  Elflein will be 27 in July.  I see Elflein as smarter, more disciplined, and just as aggressive.   All signs are pointing toward the light coming on here.  Put a good LT beside him and he will be really good.  Trust me.  As a C?  I think that may be his spot--but he is an upgrade.  We signed him on the first day of tampering because we were studying up on Darnold, and this guy jumps out at you--like a Nun at a biker rally.  I do not want to oversell him, but if you were like me and scratching your head about the 3-year deal, stop it.  You will see. 

Not sure about Erving--I think they like his ability to provide depth at all 5 spots.

 

Nice analysis MHS. With this being the last year of Paradis’ contract, it wouldn’t surprise me if they signed Elfein as his eventual replacement. I think he’d do great @ Center.

[KatsAzz]

Anytime we get decent players like OG/C  Pat Elflein  that can snap, that can play center or guard, there’s a lot of value there.

 

It will be interesting to see how we use Elflein going forward, but to give him a three-year deal means the Panthers brain trust must have been pretty impressed with what they saw from him as a Jet last year.

[TheSpecialJuan]

32 minutes ago, Basbear said:

Only saving grace about Pat was I heard he had a thumb injury that prevented his ability to workout. Plus the Coach Rhule poster layed out a good point for him being cast in a bad system. Hes needs a zone system with space/pulling to maximize his abilities.

 

Hes been graded 80th out of 82 for most of his career.  Ive seen faaar too many gifs/clips of him getting bulldozer by DTs. Vita Vea will push him out the stadium if he doesnt get loads more stronger. Thats been hes big issue for me, he looks and play weak. Hope Rhule genius Baylor strength coach can work his magic.  

[ForJimmy]

Can’t Erving also play C and G?

[KatsAzz]

https://nflmocks.com/2017/02/22/pat-elflein-c-ohio-state-2017-nfl-draft-scouting-report/

Pat Elflein, C, Ohio State: 2017 NFL Draft Scouting Report by Erik Lambert4 years ago

Pat Elflein has a chance to be one of the top interior offensive linemen in the 2017 NFL draft. Does his scouting report back up that possibility?

Position:  C

School:  Ohio State

Year:  Senior

Height:  6’3″

Weight:  300 lbs

History:

Elflein was a premier athlete at his high school. Not only did he excel in football and wrestling, but also track and field too. After an injury-plagued start to his college career, he emerged as a quality piece at guard while helping the Buckeyes win their first national championship since 2002. Then he got to showcase his versatility by successfully switch to center as a senior.

STRENGTHS:

Shows good athleticism and agility. Able to pull out and deliver effective trap blocks while also swing outside to lead the way for his running backs.

Footwork really shows up in pass protection. Defensive lineman aren’t going to shoot gaps on him. When hand use is good he’s not allowing much pressure at all.

Being able to move in space is becoming essential for modern NFL centers. That means being able to pull out and deliver trap blocks on the edge. Elflein showcases that ability well against Clemson. He snaps the ball and is out of his stance quick, identifies the free defender and gets his body on him without any hesitation. The runner finds his way through the wide open lane for a big play. That is textbook style.

Anchor is solid. Even if somebody gets the initial bull rush on him, he has the ability to reestablish position without surrendering too much ground.

He has enough lower body strength to generate movement in the ground game. Would help even more if he could add more strength in the arms and upper torso.

Plenty of quickness and vision to reach the second level on running plays, often being in good position to spring his backs for huge gains.

Zero problems snapping the football. Ohio State operated from shotgun all the time and there were few errant snaps at all during his time as starter.

WEAKNESSES:

Not always the aggressor on some plays. Can be nasty at time but not all the time. Sometimes doesn’t finish his blocks, allowing defenders to sneak past him for the tackle.

Inconsistent with his hand use. More polished defensive lineman have often set him up for some nasty moves that have left his quarterback dead to rights.

Size overall isn’t a huge issue but his limited arm length could prove to be a problem against the long defensive linemen he’s sure to see at the pro level.

Really struggles blocking in space. Several times when getting to the second level or on trap blocks he took a noticeably bad angle to get the defender.

Indecisive at times with where he’s going to deliver his block. Leads one to believe he’s not always clear on who his blocking assignment is.

Pro Comparison:  Alex Mack

When the Atlanta Falcons Pro Bowl center entered the league he was followed by concerns of technique issues such as lunging and poor blocking angles in space. Put him in a phone booth though where it was one-on-one and he wasn’t giving up any ground. Over time Mack got over those problems anyway. The same will probably be true for Elflein. In a few years he could be one of the best 5-6 best centers in the game.

Projection:  2nd Round

Elflein is the best center in this draft but his talent and developments don’t scream 1st round in any sense. He’s a solid Day 2 pick all the way. That doesn’t mean he won’t be an instant starter. He should be and the team who gets him will at least have somebody to anchor the middle of their line for the next 5-10 seasons. If he refines the rest of his game? He’ll be a Pro Bowler.

Edited April 17, 2021 by KatsAzz

[BurnNChinn]

The Carolina Jets

[MHS831]

2 hours ago, electro's horse said:

evan mathis also started taking horse steroids

  Everybody takes horse steroids once in a while.

 

2 hours ago, Wolfcop said:

Good stuff MHS - thanks!

just my take bro, thanks a lot.

[MHS831]

2 hours ago, KSpan said:

It's not there now but the original post said something about viewing 9 plays. I quoted you but didn't get my post submitted until a couple of minutes ago, which is why I wanted to ask.

Oh.  I watched about 9 videos--I deleted the sentence because they were not full games and it was not descriptive, but I decided that it did not matter anyway.  I am just posting my take.

Edited April 17, 2021 by MHS831