As of right now as I have been stating well before the draft, D'Brick is not the best rookie LT. Everybody from John Madden to everyone on Sportscenter see that Marcus McNeil is the best complete rookie LT and a possible Rookie of the Year. McNeil 6'8 340 has held his own after being picked in the second round 50th overall. He's helping a certain running back named LT make history and LT sure loves running from the left side. D'Brick on the other hand came out as being a agile pass protector and so-so in the run game needing to add bulk to his frame. Chad Pennington has been protected well at times, but what really helps the quarterback out is a running game which is not D'Brick's strong suit. I know it's early but as of right now, the JETS don't have the best LT from the 2006 NFL Draft.
D Brick may not be the most complete rookie LT at this point...but he's the best pass protecting LT. He also has alot more upside than McNeill who has reached his physical peak and doesnt have anywhere near the athleticism than brick does.
Not to mention having the advantage of the opposing team needing to respect the run. When you don't fear an opposing team's running game, it's easy to get after the QB.
D'Brick sure did look good pass-protecting against Aaron Schobel. McNeil was battle tested at Auburn and was timed as the quickest Tackle by Sporting News magazine. And if you watch any game tape McNeil can pull better than any tackle in the run game and is a black hole to pass-rushers, why do you think Philip Rivers is having such a great year throwing with his jersey looking spotless.
KSJets94, D'Brick is not known for his run-blocking and that is already seen by most JETS fans by the lack of a running game. I just see the JETS as going with the hype of D'Brick when McNeil had a better collegiate career, numbers, and build. That's the main thing we are always hearing, D'Brick just needs to add weight he listed at 315 but he's more 290 with long arms.
What do you mean one bad game. If you saw that play D'Brick had against Mario Williams when Chad had the crap hit out of him at the Meadowlands that was just a preview of things to come and then Mr. Schobel came away with three sacks.
Brick was awfully good in the first match up against Schobel and also was very good against Seymour(twice), Taylor, Freeney, Gbaja- Biamilla,Vanden Bosch,and Mario Williams. The fact is, McNeill and Brick are 2 different style offensive linemen. McNeill is a mauling, physical type ideal for a power running system. Brick is an ultra athletic elite pass protector who can pull very well, fit for a balanced offense. At this point in time, Brick's style is at a much higher premium league wide than so McNeill. The reason is b/c there are so many speedy pass rushers entering the league, and are very few Lt's athletic enough to hang w/ them...Brick is one of the few who has the feet and long arms to do so.that isn't to say McNeill isnt a great player...just a different style player than Brick...and a style that is not as prized by Gm's/scouts
Yes, but a great running back will make any offensive line look good as well. LT has been great for years and he never had McNeil blocking for him. Now he does and he's the reason LT's having a great season? I think it's the other way around IMO.
Every offensive lineman lets players by him for hits on the QB at some point. Have you watched every Chargers game? Have you seen every play of theirs? Probably not. Are you going to point out every play that Brick gets beat on and use that as your argument now? Please. Be realistic.
this is a 20/20 statement. but I prefered addressing LT with our second rd pick.and nabbing someone like vernon davis and mangold in the 1st rd and nabbing McNeil with the 2nd rd pick. although I didnt really think hed be available. and I'm not bashing the brick pick cuz it was a good one, just not my ideal route. and physical peak? if anyone has reached their physical peak it is Brick. he weighed about 245 when he got to college and has managed to add 50 lbs of pure muscle to his frame. ive said it befor ethe only reason he reached 315 in the offseason was because he lived in the weight room and wasnt doing as much cardio and wasnt recieving the anaerobic workout players do from practice and running around. the season came and his weight dropped. itll happen every yr unless they can engineer some miracle diet for him. I also read right now Brick is tries to take around 5 or 6 thousand calories a day, so considering his frame now i dont see him putting on more weight and keeping it. another funny thing is McNeil is way bigger than Brick and has a faster 40. sure he doesnt have bricks footwork, but id hardly call him a liability in pass rush. the only knock I had on Brick was I had a serious doubt of his ability to run block in the pro's. i still question it. but he seems like a very coachable guy. so lets just hope they can bring him around.
McNeill had a better collegiate career? Wha? Ferguson was a 4 year starter at UVA who was pegged as a top 5 draft pick by his sophomore year! He rarely if ever gave up a sack and was highlighted many times by opposing coaches as being elite. McNeill was a 3 year starter, who was widely considered an undderachiever due to lack of technique and poor footwork. I'm not sure why you have sucha love fest for McNeill. Yes he's having a great season..but he's not the 2nd coming of Anthony Munoz and was NOT a flawless prospect coming out of college.
Kurt, you hit it on the nail. The one word that I was looking for this whole time that makes McNeil better than D'Brick, "PHYSICAL". Sure D'Brick is athletic that's like saying he has potential it doesn't mean crap if you don't translate that to the field. In the NFL, you want physical players especially where it matters most, upfront between the trenches.
probably still would cause I find McNeil to be a better run blocker, but the real X-Factor in the success there is Lorenzo Neal
That's preference my friend. Given the choice between a physical mauler in McNeill and an athletic type like Ferguson, 9 out of 10 gm's are gonna take Ferguson. His athleticism is extremely rare, and he has the upside to singlehandedly shut down any speed rusher.
Coach K, I agree with everything your saying. McNeil had a fast 40 time and was tabbed as the best complete LT coming into the draft.The guy came from Auburn where they pretty much preach running the ball. McNeil paved the way for two first round top 5 pick running backs in Cadillac Williams and Ronnie Brown. The only thing is how can you use a top 5 pick on a guy that is not the best at his position and needs major help in the running game and has to bulk up.
