Oh boy. I've just finished watching the Civil War (Oregon vs. Oregon State) and Boomer was perfectly right: Max Unger is an offensive lineman we're going to be all over. Not only us, mind you. The guy's a legitimate top 15 pick in April. Don't tell me you don't draft a center in the first round - let alone with a top 15 pick. You don't get a center. You get a center and a guard and a right tackle and a left tackle. You get one of the most versatile offensive linemen in the last ... I don't know ... decade? Before I get into what makes Unger so special, let's look at his background:
He attented the Prep Academy in Hawaii and was rated one of the nation's top 50 guards by Rivals.com - not bad for a guy who didn't play football until the 9th grade. He redshirted in 2004 and started 12 consecutive games in 2005 at left tackle. Interestingly, Oregon was dead last in the Pac-10 in sacks allowed in 2004 (41) and improved to 3rd (20) with Unger at LT. In 2006, he started 13 games at left tackle and Oregon improved to #2 in sacks allowed (16) and led the league in rushing for the first time since 1955. As a junior, Unger moved to center and Jonathan Steward rushed for a school record 1.700+ yards while Oregon had the nation's 6th ranked ground attack.
That's a pretty impressive resume right there and it perfectly corresponds to what you see on the tape. He's an excellent run and pass blocker. He moves his feet as well as anyone, he's got the lateral agility you look for and his technique is top notch. He places his hands very well and he's as good a puller as they come. Better even, maybe. Out in the second level, Unger is a nightmare for every defense and he does a tremendous job staying low and finishing off his blocks. On the downside, he's not the strongest center and there might be a fine line between having him put on some additional weight to handle the bull rush better without messing up his quickness. But Unger truly shines when you factor in his versatility. I think he can be an All Pro center and guard. He's definitely got the tools to be a very good right tackle and he's got experience at left tackle and - with a little time and patience - might easily play that position for you if you want him to. He'll be an impact player at center right away and by his 2nd year at the latest will pose a problem every teams loves to have: Where do you play the guy? Wherever you want or need to. That's why he's a top 15 pick in my book, and considering his top-notch intangibles (smart, leadership ability, never takes a play off, mean-streaked guy who simply loves to block people) I have little doubt that he'll be high on Parcells' and Ireland's board. If he lasts long enough for us to grab him, now that's a different story alltogether.
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joeydolfan and Boomer like this.
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Glad you like him Jochen. It always feels better when someone you trust sees what you see, regardless of how much you watch kids play. The versatility is going to be singing to Jeff Ireland. I think we'll be all over him.
Jim, your boy Mack is impressive in that short, phone booth area and he displayed it again last night. But like I said, he has a tendency to get a little high in pass protection. He allowed the Miami DT to get under his pad level, he shifted him with Mack unable to get his feet out from under him and then ripped past and got pressure on Longshore. As a run blocker, I saw two first quarter decleaters which is pretty damn good. But you can't have one half without the other.azfinfanmang likes this. -
Glad we're on the same page about Unger, Simon. But pray tell: Do you see us having a shot at getting him in the first place? Like I said, he's definitely a top 15 pick in my book and he might well be the best offensive lineman in the entire draft, albeit at C/G. Guy with his versatility, experience and intangibles ... hard to see him being available in the 20s.
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Teams might.....MIGHT..... see him as TOO versatile in that they're unsure of his perfect spot and don't want to waste 2 seasons trying to find it. Guards and centers tend to go later anyway and with 8 first round potential tackles, he might fall. Is he a better pure G than Duke Robinson? Not sure he is. Is he a better LT or RT than the elite 8? That's a toughie.
But it might be hard to see him lasting to 25 or more. -
He did an excellent job against our two DT's Price and Harwell up the gut, all but neutralizing Carter and the push up front. It's extremely difficult for teams to run it up the middle against us but Unger's a reason why the QB draws were working that night. I did not see any run snap where he did not get to the 2nd level. Poor play from the guards that game additionally highlighted Unger's play.
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p.s. What about Cornelius Lewis, OT from Tennessee St., transfer from FSU? I haven't seen him play, I would imagine that you know him from his FSU days. -
Did he get severely injured on that leg-whip last night in the Holiday Bowl?
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I'm just curious if he'll be able to move some of the big nt's that we'll face like Wilfork or Jamal Williams. (This isn't me questioning Unger's ability. I'm asking him you all believe that he could take them on.)
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Boomer, what sort of arm length does Unger posses?
He seemed sort squat to me, does he have the arms to play Tackle or Center in the NFL? -
Here is the thing... we already have a quick and agile Center... and it isnt working. Satele is great on the 2nd level and when pulling... but unfortunately, thats not how we use our Center in this blocking scheme. This scheme from the Center spot prefers in-line power blocking, and being able to take on a NT 1v1... which Satele cant do either...
If Unger cant do this, then I dont think he is our guy at Center.
Now, we pull our Guards all the time... and get them on the 2nd level... so he sounds like a legit Guard prospect for us. But we need a power Center... -
if i read "lacks strength" my alarm clock is runnin big time, we need someone who can handle NT´s 1 on 1 , we need jason brown from the ravens
FinNasty likes this. -
Unger plays with good strength and power. he may not be quite as big as brown, but Unger is very powerful.
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Max Unger
According to Rotoworld....
Oregon C Max Unger has reportedly exhibited poor strength at the Senior Bowl.
Strength is often an issue for Oregon offensive linemen. Unger reportedly was overpowered "numerous times" by defensive tackles on the second day of practice and is losing ground to Cal's Alex Mack to be the draft's top center.
Source: Sporting News -
If this makes him fall to one of our 2nd round picks I am loving it. After all, the tapes show everything that you need to see in regards to evaluating a player.
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yeah, but the tapes dont always show you how a player plays up against top tier talent with everyone watching. this is a pressure situation against others who are competing against you for the highest salary. it can simulate what to expect from these players as rookies; but doesn't necessarily mean the player wont be successful long term in the NFL. In our case, I think we are looking for the biggest impact players on the first day. I think Unger's poor showing here could potentially get him graded off of our board.
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I know a couple of us have been suggesting this for a while now. With Unger, you get a lot more versatility, but I wonder if he really solves our problem at Center if, as most people are suggesting, our problem is Satele being overpowered at times by guys like Wilfork and Jenkins. Mack is a bit larger and, from what I have seen, shows a little more strength.
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Strenght can always be worked on. That is fixable. As long as he has the brains and technique, im just fine with that.
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I think with Unger he probably could use more strength, but his bigger problem is he is too high when making contact with the defense, therefore giving the defense a big advantage.
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As far as brains and Mack go Mack won the Draddy award, which is given to the top scholar athelete in college football. I have been higher on Mack than Unger for a while now and with the reports coming out of the senior bowl that Mack handled Raji and Unger is looking weak it only strengthens my belief that Mack is the better prospect. Mack has his faults the biggest of which is that he spends to much time on the ground but I have said it before and I think part of that comes from his over aggressive style. With good coaching you can get him to play a little more disciplined and reduce the leverage mistakes and thus keep himself upright
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i dont think we'll be able to touch Alex Mack in the draft with out draft spot.... but for Unger, i disagree. He is not one of the strongest, grinding out OL.... coming from a quick attack Oregon, shot-gunned system, they rely more on quickness than strength. I don't like Unger so much in the middle... kinda like what we got already with Satele, who i am not overly fond of as well.