I really hope Callahan doesn't leave us any time soon. He's the only guy I trust right now to built Vlad into a Pro Bowler for years to come. Next offseason is going to be a crazy one. I hope it doesn't happen but I expect Callahan to be on another team with an upgraded role in the offense.
I'm always hearing that OL is the safest position to pick in the draft. So does that mean Ducasse can start right away? Brick and Nick could, but they were 1st rounders. I don't know if there's much of a learning curve for offensive linemen. I'm sure Callahan must have told Rex and Tanny that this kid could start right away or they wouldn't have been so quick to cut Faneca. Also, they must have been really desperate to replace Faneca because I heard from a lot of sources that we were trying to trade up in the 1st for Iupati.
I'll preface my comment by saying this .... I also know nothing about him but ... He doesn't look very imposing, the way Faneca does. He looks VERY roly-poly and soft. Not the kind of guy who looks like he'll be knocking the snot out of opposing D-linemen. I looked up his combine stats ...only ranked in one category... 29 reps in the bench press - 10th among O-linemen.
I'd be worried if we didnt have Callahan and Brick,Mangold,Moore, and Woody to help him with our scheme. Ducasse takes some bad angles trying to pursue next level blocks but his strength, speed, and athleticism for his size alone will make him a force. coach him up and he'll be eating peoples lunch money on a regular basis and if Slauson is better than Ducasse thats only better, especially if Slauson is a legit starter and we can groom Ducasse to take over for Woody instead. Ducasse is just a huge body with raw skills but a boatload of potential. the guy can play G or kick out to RT after a year or so of coaching. I've been excited at the thought of him in green and white for months and it came true. So if Slauson is somehow better after a year under his belt than thats a win win. If he slips in at LG though, playing between Brick and Mangold will mean the world to whoevers there. Theres alot of communication that goes on between OL especially good ones like Brick and Mangold.
Just read that Tanny is a fellow Umass Alum. Wonder if he had some inside info into the guy prior to draft raising his draft stock in our eyes.
I wouldn't doubt it. He probably knows someone in the football program who would have gotten him in touch with the coaches for a few questions, if he didn't know the coaches directly.
Vlad the Impaler, at 6'5" 335lbs, if he's got any kind of a nasty streak, he's going to be awfully tough playing next to Brick and Mangold.
