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Andrew Norwell - Quietly Impressive

Jeremy Igo

By Jeremy Igo,
in Carolina Panthers

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Jeremy Igo Newbie

Jeremy Igo

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Andrew-Norwell.jpg

 

Andrew Norwell did not have to come to Carolina back in early May. The two time All-Big Ten Conference offensive lineman had options. Norwell also had interest from Houston, Green Bay, Baltimore, and Cincinnati. He chose Carolina as much as Carolina chose him.

 

"I feel like I can go down there and make a difference and earn a spot.” - Andrew Norwell

 

The 6'6 310 pound Ohio State product may have done just that.

 

I was impressed with Norwell throughout camp. One thing stood out to me right away, his strength. Although he only performed 22 reps in the bench press at the rookie combine, it was obvious to me this kid has football strength. Sometimes a bad bench press technique comes across as physical weakness, possibly helping to cause him to fall out of the draft. Football strength is entirely different than weight room strength.

 

During individual drills, he was able to man handle more than one of the stout Panthers defensive line members. I saw no issue with his strength, quite the contrary. The one area of improvement I did see was his footwork and hands. However, the same can be said for any rookie offensive lineman, even third rounder Trai Turner.

 

Norwell has experience at left guard and both left and right tackle. Couple that information with the fact that both of the Panthers current tackles went undrafted and you can start to see why I think this kid makes the Carolina Panthers practice squad this season.

 

 

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Jackofalltrades Rising Star

Jackofalltrades

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That kind of position flexibility would make him an asset, especially with Amini's injury history and the loss of Wharton to retirement.

 

He was one of the UDFA's I had high hopes for, hopefully he makes the roster and finds a home on the line. At the least, if he could turn into a Piggy Pt 2 I'd be happy. Every team needs a solid swingman given the brutal nature of the OL position.

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Jeremy Igo Newbie

Jeremy Igo

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That kind of position flexibility would make him an asset, especially with Amini's injury history and the loss of Wharton to retirement.

 

He was one of the UDFA's I had high hopes for, hopefully he makes the roster and finds a home on the line. At the least, if he could turn into a Piggy Pt 2 I'd be happy. Every team needs a solid swingman given the brutal nature of the OL position.

 

He has a good football IQ pedigree. His brother is a college coach already.

 

I am really pulling for this kid. He played 21 snaps last week, mostly pass protection, and did well. And by well I mean you never heard his name called...

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hurneynator Newbie

hurneynator

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Compiled some notes on Norwell:

 

The Good: Prototype frame (6’5”), prototype bulk (315lbs), good length (33 5/8”), good hand size (9 7/8”), flashes smooth athleticism, excellent functional power, excellent nasty streak, high motor (plays through the whistle), excellent consistency with low pad level (unique considering size), deceptively good knee bend, excellent toughness, flashes excellent finishing abilities (constantly looks to pancake defenders), highly experienced (3 year-starter), strong work ethic,  excellent strength at point of attack and in short areas, good positioning as blocker (squares defenders well and ability to stay in front of and seal defenders), no-nonsense team player (quick to defer credit to teammates, polished interviewer), consistent performer (in both run and pass game and testament to focus), flashes ability to combo block, periodically flashes ability to move in space as a pulling guard, excellent patience as blocker, flashes excellent power as a run blocker, flashes solid anchor in pass protector, flashes ability to redirect defenders, good versatility (primarily at LG; some experience at LT in 5 games and did an adequate job but doesn’t possess movement skills needed to be viable long-term option), negligible injury concerns (missed most of senior season in hs although has been incredibly durable throughout college), college graduate (in May 2014 and received scholarship offer to Stanford out of hs), excellent performance against DeAndre Coleman (Jacksonville UDFA), highly recruited out of hs

 

The Bad: Heavy feet (will consistently be susceptible to speed; low ceiling as a pulling guard), lacks ideal overall agility, tight hips, lacks excellent footwork (overly reliant on power), mediocre 1st step off the snap (limited by flexibility), loses low pad level as play progresses, raw at blocking on the move, mediocre hand-technique (placement and punch power), mediocre weight-room strength (22 reps at 225lbs), some lapses in pass protection (periodically allows defenders to get inside his body where he loses his leverage)

 

NFL seems to be putting less of an emphasis on offensive lineman with 'heavy feet'...as seen with the draft positions of players like Gabe Jackson, Cyril Richardson, and David Yankey last year. Think it's probably because teams are beginning to put more stock in interior rushers that rely on quickness to disrupt the pocket like Geno Atkins, Gerald McCoy, Dareus, Kawann Short, Jurrell Casey, Aaron Donald, Mike Daniels, etc....think Norwell has a chance to stick as a valuable swing back-up if he develops his hand technique. His frame, strength, natural knee-bend, and nastiness certainly gives him a shot of sticking on an NFL roster.

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Gallagher Newbie

Gallagher

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Norwell has experience at left guard and both left and right tackle. Couple that information with the fact that both of the Panthers current tackles went undrafted and you can start to see why I think this kid makes the Carolina Panthers practice squad this season.

 

You had me all excited then you close it with that. Any chance he makes the 53 over someone like Chris Scott or Velasco?

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