Connor McGovern was signed to stabilize the position

[gmf1369]

Last year he did what he was signed to do but this year he seems lost... He is not a guy that can block in open space and apparently his communications have been less than impressive as other linemen have been out of position on many keys plays... So even though he is under contract next season his contract of guarantees run out this year and wouldn't be out of the realm to deal him for draft capitol and there are teams that would be interested...

But who would we get to replace him, the growing debate is Tyler Linderbaum but that necessarily is needed... Alec Lindstrom from Boston College, Ricky Stromberg from Arkansas also have a good chance of fitting in here but there is one that everyone is overlooking... BYU James Empey thats right Zach Wilson's college center is likely entering the draft this year and last year was a part of Wilson's break out season that elevated his draft stock status...

Empey and Wilson have chemistry, Zach trusts him and why not reuniting them into a scheme that Empey can run...

​

 

[hatnlvr]

It's important to get guys who fit the system we are going to run. Nothing worse than trying to fit a square peg into a round hole. This was year 1 for this CS, but they should have an excellent grasp of who fits and what positions we really need to replace.

 

[gmf1369]

slide protections, blocking in open space is the type of linemen we need on the interior...
of the centers in this draft that fit that is Boston College and Arkansas prospects but BYU's center has same makeup as the Ricky Stromberg from Arkansas and has chemistry with Wilson, so we shall see...

as for the other position will be interesting on who they target as well...

 

[skop]

at the risk of sounding completely simplistic and unbelievably rudimentary, if any consideration for a starting role on next year's line who is coming from this year's draft, cannot bench 225 pounds at least 20 times, i say pass.

i get that is it's a zone running offense, and i get that you have to be able to hit moving targets, and that brute force isn't paramount for linemen in that system, but they aren't performing water ballet either.

my vote would be Patterson from Notre Dame and Strom from ARK.

 

[Seaver41]

I'm skeptical on the BYU kid for only this reason....who did he play? Zach himself wasn't drafted #2 because of the competition he carved up -he was drafted because he has elite talent and a brain to further develop it. We won't know about this guy until the combines/workouts where NFL guys can measure and time him. Till then, and for the sake of conversation today, I'll default to the ones that have faced the tougher tests to date.....with of course the right to have my mind changed lol

 

[gmf1369]

We need a good athletic center which Empey is, has excellent knee bend and fluid lateral movement to mirror defenders... Has powerful hands to jar with an initial punch. Flashes a mean streak and plays with physicality... Finishes and plays to the whistle doesn't quit, has leadership traits that coaches admire... Above average football IQ... Moves well to find his assignment in open space...

Consistency with hand placement needs to be improved, but most prospect have this same problem... His arm length is a bit underwhelming but his physical prowess makes up for those negative points... Needs to get stronger for this level but a lot of prospects have to do that not a big deal can add additional bulk but again this is something most prospects have to do from the college game... Playing the center position a lot guys get caught over extending but this is a teachable fix...

at the end of the day he fits what we need and has chemistry with Zach, which is the most important trait...

 

[Seaver41]

what size is he? that's a biggie

 

[skop]

what size is he? that's a biggie

6'4'...304.

 

[TonyFtLaud]

Wouldn't touch Empey.
Hes old, will be at least 26 by the draft and missed 5 games in 2020 and 6 games in 2021. He is a 5th year senior and made his Church of LDS mission too.

 

[Gramoah]

Another plus is that cutting McGovern will add around 9 million to our cap. Cutting worthless GVR will add around 3 mil more so we could have lots of money to spend on upgrades to the team. I hope, believe they should, cut both. I'd give Empey strong consideration.

 

[gmf1369]

Another plus is that cutting McGovern will add around 9 million to our cap. Cutting worthless GVR will add around 3 mil more so we could have lots of money to spend on upgrades to the team. I hope, believe they should, cut both. I'd give Empey strong consideration.

GVR is the only salary dump
the other two Fant and McGovern can yield draft capitol return... be foolish not to shop em...

 

[Gramoah]

Git rid of GVR and I'm sure I read somewhere that we'd save 9 mil cutting McGovern. No matter, he needs to be gone one way or the other. I'd consider keeping Fant and move him to the right side which is weak.