Windy City Gridiron: An SB Nation Community

Navigation: Jump to content areas:


Sports blogs for fans, by fans.
New Blog: World Soccer Digest for Soccer Fans!

The 2009 Draft: Offensive Guard Prospects

     The NFL Combine begins in two days, and many questions will be answered, many mocks will be completely rearranged, and many teams' draft boards will shift drastically.  This year is deep once again at Offensive Tackle, and once again somewhat thin at Offensive Guard and Center.  I was originally going to combine the Guards and Centers into one article, but I changed my mind.  Here are the top Offensive Guard prospects in the upcoming draft:

(Feel free to let me know who I left out)

Star-divide

Duke Robinson, Oklahoma  6'5", 335

Duke Robinson is by far the best Guard in the upcoming draft, and probably the only first rounder.  Some mocks have him falling to the top of the second, but I honestly don't see that happening.

Robinson has been a staple on the Oklahoma offensive line for the last 3 seasons.  His freshman season, he saw action at left tackle, but moved to guard his sophomore year.  His has great size, and is incredibly strong, especially in his lower body.  He is very well known for his ability to drive  defensive linemen into the ground.

The only questions about Duke are about his level of commitment at times, and his ability to pick up delayed blitzes.  I saw a couple of games last season where Robinson seemed to get better as the game went on, like he had to get going before being effective.  But once he did build up momentum, he was a beast.

Duke Robinson will be an immediate starter in the NFL, and will be seen playing on Sundays for years to come.

Highlights (pops)

Herman Johnson, LSU, 6'7", 375

Get_image_medium 

Herman Johnson is an absolute behemoth of a man.  He is known to be the largest baby born in Louisiana, weighing in at 15lbs, 14ozs.  I have met him personally, and can tell you that in the offseason, he pushes 390-395 lbs.

Johnson is incredibly strong, as can be imagined, and on the inside will crush defensive linemen.  Pancake blocks and knock-downs are an every-game thing for Herman Johnson.  He has very long arms, and once he gets a hold of a defensive player, you can bet he will make him pay.  On the inside, cannot be moved.

Johnson is also known to be sluggish at times.  His conditioning is surprisingly not an issue, but it has been said that he doesn't always play up to his size and ability.  He doesn't move very well laterally, but has been productive as a pulling guard when called for.

Johnson will eventually be a starting Guard in the NFL, but may need a season to develop.

Kraig Urbik, Wisconsin, 6'6", 325

Kraig Urbik has a ton of experience under his belt.  He played all 4 years with the Badgers, and registered 49 starts.  He is known to be a very intelligent football player, and have great technique.  Urbik has good size to play on the inside at the pro-level.

Wisconsin had a ton of penalty flags thrown against them last season, but very few were against Urbik.  He did well with pass blocking, giving up very few sacks.  Urbik is a player that a lot of teams are interested in seeing at the combine.  Most view him as a 2nd day pick, but many teams will be keeping an eye on him, as he will undoubtedly learn very quickly, and be able to provide instant depth for whomever drafts him.

Tyronne Green, Auburn, 6'3", 305

Tyronne Green is definately smaller than most NFL teams would prefer their Guards to be.  But, he has faced off against many of the best pass-rushers and run-stuffers in the college ranks, and very rarely got beat.

Green is surprisingly strong for his smaller frame, and has tremendous speed.  He can get to the 2nd level of defenders when necessary.  Green plays hard... very hard.  He has proven to be a good listener and student of the game, contantly wanting to learn more.  He has been a natural leader for the Auburn Tigers, and has earned the respect of everyone in the lockerroom.

Tyronne has been trying to add some bulk to his frame, and will need some extra coaching at the NFL level on his technique.  But Green is very well-known for his work ethic... and  I certainly expect to see him in someone's starting lineup within the next couple of seasons.

0 recs  |  Comment 10 comments |

Story-email Email Printer Print

Comments

Display:

Nice...

But aren’t you forgetting that Andy Levitre from Oregon State, I only bring it up because the Bears are known to have interviewed him at the Senior Bowl.

Also, Hermann Johnson scares me because he apparently got dominated at the Senior Bowl. This may be a fluke, however I wonder if it was only his size that made him effective in college, not skill, and size alone isn’t good enough for the NFL. Now, I repeat this could be a fluke, because he was only able to work with that line for a week, and consistency is everything on an O-Line.

by chase17 on Feb 16, 2009 10:27 PM CST reply actions   0 recs

I'd be ok with either Johnson or Robinson

but only if it’s second round or later. If they really dominate at the combine, then I’ll take that back.

I'M A MAN! I'M 22!

by ChiFan13 on Feb 17, 2009 12:04 PM CST reply actions   0 recs

1st Round: OT
2nd Round: WR
3rd Round: OG

Do we get an extra 3rd round pick? If so, RB or WR

Things will get better as they improve...

by Dane Noble on Feb 17, 2009 1:14 PM CST reply actions   0 recs

If we do get an extra 3rd

get Rashad Jennings as a RB.

I'M A MAN! I'M 22!

by ChiFan13 on Feb 17, 2009 1:23 PM CST up reply actions   0 recs

Actually,

I should have said that with the 3rd pick, draft the best available OG or Center.

Things will get better as they improve...

by Dane Noble on Feb 17, 2009 1:30 PM CST up reply actions   0 recs

That's fine

As long as we get someone else with the extra.

I'M A MAN! I'M 22!

by ChiFan13 on Feb 17, 2009 1:42 PM CST up reply actions   0 recs

Lol...

I don’t even know if we have an extra 3rd…

Things will get better as they improve...

by Dane Noble on Feb 17, 2009 1:45 PM CST up reply actions   0 recs

Me either

but hoping doesn’t cost us anything except a nasty crash to Earth later on.

I'M A MAN! I'M 22!

by ChiFan13 on Feb 17, 2009 1:54 PM CST up reply actions   0 recs

I'm pretty sure

it’s going to be a 3rd or 4th (Berrian compensation).

Also, I hope you’re being sarcastic about Jennings, ChiFan.

I am like your Dan Aykroyd and biglow would be Jane, the ignorant slut. -Chad

by thecoolest on Feb 17, 2009 5:51 PM CST up reply actions   0 recs

Why?

I wasn’t being sarcastic at all.

I'M A MAN! I'M 22!

by ChiFan13 on Feb 17, 2009 8:58 PM CST up reply actions   0 recs

Comments For This Post Are Closed


User Tools

Welcome Grabowskis, to SB Nation's blog about everything Chicago Bears.

Community Guidelines
Start posting about the Bears »

Join SB Nation and dive into communities focused on all your favorite teams.

FanPosts

Community blog posts and discussion.

Recommended FanPosts

Chicago-bears-logo_small
I Got this Backer's Back
Dsc01037_small
PhotoShop Contest: Pat Mannelly
Dsc01037_small
WCG Community Updates (Updated again)
3961055499_e489f15bb2_o_small
Random Thoughts From Week Nine
Windycity_small
WCG Survey

Recent FanPosts

Bears_small
When you go to the flea market, it's all about planning.
Mug_adebisi_small
This has been the plan all along.
N506182155_6296_small
Bears 2010 schedule released.
Blake_again_small
Garrett Wolfe Out For the Year (Updated)
Bears2_small
Key Player to keep an eye on: LeSean McCoy
Bears2_small
Years of neglecting the Offensive Line finally catching up with Angelo
Blake_again_small
Outlandish Ideas That Could HelpThe Bears Out Of Their Freefall.
Bears_small
Now is the time to give thanks for what we have

+ New FanPost All FanPosts >

Latest NFL Headlines from SB Nation

Stampede Blue
Winning Stats Power Rankings: Week 11
Big Cat Country
Shallow Thoughts and Aimless Musings
Battle Red Blog
Steve Slaton To Start On Monday Night

SPONSORS


General Manager/ Head Coach

Windycity_small Adam T

Dsc01037_small Dane Noble

Position Coaches

Evalltheway_small SackMan

Briggsie_small ChiFan13

Leelee_n_laylor_bff wiltfongjr