Panthers like Troy OT Antonio Garcia

[TheSpecialJuan]

I spoke with Carolina Panthers offensive line coach Ray Brown last night and he was very complimentary of Troy offensive tackle Antonio Garcia.

Brown said Garcia’s hand use -- specifically the way he properly places his hands into opponents and extends to keep defenders away -- is a trait not often found in college linemen, who usually prefer to lean on opponents.

It’s a small thing that has separated Garcia from many of the blockers in attendance.

From Tony Pauline

[t96]

Projected round?

[ItsPantone278]

I like this kid as well.  Not a day one starter at LT imo, but has the frame and ability to be a potential long time starter.  may need to move up tho.  could easily be gone by the 3rd as he's one of the few prototypes at the position.

[pantherj]

I've seen all his plays against Clemson. He appears to have really great stamina, I mean elite stamina. But if you look closer you can see he has this narrow waist and he's lean, and that would explain why he has so much energy. He's not built like your typical OT, and the negative to that is that big DEs are going to bull rush him in the pros. He also needs to work on his footwork. 

[pantherj]

I think the big question is going to be how much muscle he can put on to anchor himself against the pro DEs. He has the height and really long arms you need to play OT in the pros.

[LinvilleGorge]

I'd rather pass on small school OL.

[DaveThePanther2008]

I know a lot of huddlers hate the small school players and we have been burned a couple of times by them.  We have also been burned by big name schools too.   USC, Pitt and Louisville just to name a few.

There also have been HOFers that were small from small schools.  The point I like about this player is

"Brown said Garcia’s hand use -- specifically the way he properly places his hands into opponents and extends to keep defenders away -- is a trait not often found in college linemen, who usually prefer to lean on opponents."

If we could get him early 3rd I would be happy.  Get a veteran to help teach him the ropes of the NFL and maybe we have a OT we can rely on for 8-10 yrs.

[AceBoogie]

Here we go with this poo. It's like we don't learn from drafting small school linemen. The last two we drafted worked out so well. 

[Ace_Aladdin]

12 minutes ago, AceBoogie said:

Here we go with this poo. It's like we don't learn from drafting small school linemen. The last two we drafted worked out so well. 

I believe Troy played several SEC teams.

[stirs]

I had a thread on him a few weeks back, he did quite well against Clemson and others

But, he does have alligator arms an his hand placement prowess is probably the only thing keeping him above water in college, not sold that he will be able to do it in the pros.  I see him as a zone blocking G at next level.

5th rounder

[Khyber53]

Weight can be added and should be added between rookie and second seasons -- pro techniques will help with the muscle mass. Conditioning for a lot of these big guys is a tough spot, but this guy sounds like someone who has that in spades. If he's there in the third round, we'd be foolish to pass him up.

Heck, if it looks like there's a run on OTs after the first round, even throwing a second round pick in there might pay off. Might.

Offensive line, unless they are a dyed in the wool dynamo, is one of the hardest to predict. Part of doing the job well is a player maturity issue where they can relearn their craft, still accept coaching, not to mention the need to gel with other linemen as a cohesive group.

A kid like this one could be moving into a great opportunity here in Carolina.

[Johnny Rockets]

 

Was listening to a draft discussion on the radio the other day and Garcia was a topic of conversation. All of the guests on the panel felt that he could be the first tackle off the board with question marks looming about the other top tackles and will rise up people's draft boards very quickly.  Possibility of him even sneaking into the first round. 

Might take a year to get weight on him and learn the NFL but projected him to be a long term starting left tackle for whatever team takes him. 

 

 

[Ace_Aladdin]

1 hour ago, Khyber53 said:

Weight can be added and should be added between rookie and second seasons -- pro techniques will help with the muscle mass. Conditioning for a lot of these big guys is a tough spot, but this guy sounds like someone who has that in spades. If he's there in the third round, we'd be foolish to pass him up.

Heck, if it looks like there's a run on OTs after the first round, even throwing a second round pick in there might pay off. Might.

Offensive line, unless they are a dyed in the wool dynamo, is one of the hardest to predict. Part of doing the job well is a player maturity issue where they can relearn their craft, still accept coaching, not to mention the need to gel with other linemen as a cohesive group.

A kid like this one could be moving into a great opportunity here in Carolina.

how come most Huddlers assume that DT or DE prospects are always better than OL prospect.

It took couple of seasons to adjust but majority of OT's taken in last couple of season are top 30 according to PFF & the eye test doesn't lie either.

 

[Yaboychris28]

10 hours ago, TheSpecialJuan said:

I spoke with Carolina Panthers offensive line coach Ray Brown last night and he was very complimentary of Troy offensive tackle Antonio Garcia.

Brown said Garcia’s hand use -- specifically the way he properly places his hands into opponents and extends to keep defenders away -- is a trait not often found in college linemen, who usually prefer to lean on opponents.

It’s a small thing that has separated Garcia from many of the blockers in attendance.

From Tony Pauline

He uses his hands well. Thats one thing we both have in common