Based off little more than the fact last year the line sucked so bad I'm making the 'bold' prediction that our man goes to the pro bowl as a rookie. Kyle Long did it. I looked at last years rosters, it'll take a performance but why can't our man do it? He has experience, he has the frame, he has a talented vet in there to learn from, we have coaches who can now hopefully coach players up. Go on Jamesy son, do it! #preseasonoptimism
little early to be drinking in the morning, even in Scotland isn't it? what does our line sucking so bad last year have to do with James going to the pro bowl? To get to the pro bowl, he has to beat out starting tackles like Thomas, Brown, Clady and Whitworth.
Lat year people were predicting Lemar Miller will rush for over 1200 yards, Tannehill will throw 30 plus td's and Wallace would catch 10 plus td's. I will make sure to file this prediction too.
I like your optimism. Hey it could happen, and it would be great for him to stuff it to all the pundits screaming "REACH!!" from the top of the hills. Happy father's day folks
It doesn't have anything to do with it. I'm just feeling positive. I watched some vids, he looks great. I looked at the PB rosters, I thought yeah, he can do that. I'm just positive. It's preseason, we have no reason or evidence so far for doubt. Just be as good as Kyle Long and I'll be happy. There is no reason why he can't.
If James plays on a liked team.....maybe playing somewhere in the Northeast...I think he could make the playoffs. But in general....with the negative perception of the Dolphins and pileon about the team for the past few years, I don't think he'll get anywhere near a probowl. I do hold out the hopes that he does play at a ProBowl level and uses that chip on his shoulder for his entire career.
Oddly enough the Wallace/THill numbers could have easily happened. Miller never had a chance, the OL was to crappy
I don't have time to do a breakdown on this at the moment, but this video, despite being for Antonio Richardson, gives you a pretty good cross-section of things that Ja'Wuan James does well, doesn't do well, and some things that are passable but need work. FYI, this is UT's game vs. Florida from 2013. I believe the Vols had a QB starting for the first time, so some things look pretty disjointed offensively. Florida's front does have some problem players - #2 Dominique Easley (now with Patriots) and #6 Dante Fowler, Jr. [video=youtube;4yYmrqbUMOg]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4yYmrqbUMOg[/video] Just some quick thoughts: - In pass-pro is pretty good once he engages, especially with pressure to his outside. - Moves better in space than I thought, but struggles to "find work". See 6:00-6:06. - Quite a few examples of defenders beating him to the inside, especially with slants/angles in run-blocking. - Not a mauler, but does a good job walling off his man in run-blocking once he engages. - Shows a nice ability to recover in pass-pro even when beaten to the outside off first step. Good example around 5:20. - Not sure what the NFL terminology for this play is, but I've seen it referred to as a "Dart" when an OT pulls up inside as a lead blocker on a zone play out of the gun. James did that better than I expected. Miami scored with Lamar Miller against the Saints last year on similar play with Clabo leading. I see why Miami may have valued him this high, as he's pretty sound in pass-pro, and shows the ability to recover even if he's beaten off the snap. I'm not sure whether to chalk that up to a new QB being as as Justin Worley, the Vols normal QB returns late in the 2nd quarter, and you don't see it after that. James moves better than I thought, but his awareness on the 2nd level needs work. He has trouble engaging unless a defender is right in his window. I think he's good enough that once he gets stronger he'll provide more movement in the ground game. That may be one reason why he's paired with Shelley Smith right now as Smith's known as a strong run-blocker. He's pretty good at reading combo-blocks in pass-pro (i.e. doesn't get fooled by stunts or overload blitzes to his right side), though that may be something to keep an eye on with Shelley Smith working next to him.
It's really unlikely even if James is dominant he would make a Pro Bowl. Right Tackles don't go. James has huge upside in pass protection, and I think could be quite good as a rookie in that regard. The run blocking part of it is the tricky part, I think.
considering that most LTs are stronger in pass pro than they are as run blockers, do you see James moving over later in his career?
yeah he's just a little loose when he's on the run, like to see him center his target better, it looks like he's got a very good head on his shoulders so im sure that hes going to do all the fundamental and technique work that will improve those areas, but thats what talent is, thats why guys like greg robinson go as high as they do,and a guy like dakoda dozier will outperform his draft status imo.
That's an outdated set of beliefs IMO. I believe that pass pro is just as important for RTs as it is LTs these days. The dominant pass rushers are no longer only on the left side of the offense. Look no further than our very own defense (Wake)...
hes got some issues pass blocking, and i didn't have him rated as the best offensive lineman, but the talent is undeniable, the run blocking talent is undeniable, his ability to center on the move for a man that size is exceptional, and much better than the lighter smaller james.
If the guy becomes a superlative pass protector and is capable of switching sides, I think it's a plausible outcome. It's one of those things though, you never know.
