Blocking Technique (watching Penei Sewell)

[Mr. Scot]

Took a look at some highlight clips of Penei Sewell. Man, has this kid been well coached, and he's a monster.

Checked multiple clips, but I'll use this one to illustrate a couple of things that stood out...

One of the primary observations that I got from watching these is that he's patient. You'll see two or three good examples of his slide and mirror in this clip, and you'll notice that he doesn't chase the pass rusher. Neither does he move more than he needs to.

For contrast, take a look at this clip Igo uploaded of Greg Little back in September. On the third play, you'll see Little needlessly run himself out of the defender's way, leaving a wide open lane to go straight at the quarterback.

Ouch 

Throw in that Sewell's drop back motion appears damn near effortless. Watch some guys as they're backing up and it looks like they're putting maximum effort into it, flailing their arms and chugging their legs hard (Byron Bell used to look like it was taking everything he had). Not Sewell. He's smooth as glass. Heck, he makes it look easy.

Probably also helps that the guy seems to be strong as hell. You'll catch him use something kinda similar to a Howie Long style club move on a couple of plays here and the defenders basically look like they're being thrown. Also saw plenty of examples of him using a hand punch that knocked guys on their ass. It's impressive, to say the least.

That leads into one of the other things you'll catch if you watch this and other videos of him. Oregon seems to like to use him as a second level lead blocker. You'll see him push / throw / heave one guy out of the way and then go downfield to run over somebody else. Ryan Kalil was really good at that when he was here. I feel like we miss it now.

In summary, this is what you want to see in a blocker. Compare that to what we actually are seeing right now and you'll get an idea of where we are. Trent Scott and Taylor Moton both have the technique down, but in Scott's case he's not as talented. Wouldn't mind keeping him as a backup, but for a starter I'd rather have a guy like Sewell...

 

 

...or Sewell himself

[MasterAwesome]

Comparing Sewell's college tape to Little's pro tape isn't really an apt comparison...most players are their best, most dominant selves in college against lesser competition.  It's easy to maintain proper technique when you're bigger and badder than 99% of the players you line up against.  It'd be more interesting to compare Little's college tape to Sewell's to contrast the two and argue why Sewell isn't going to experience the same kind of disastrous transition to the pro level.

[LinvilleGorge]

Little's stock was dropping like a rock. Hurney just couldn't help himself. I mean, c'mon... he was an elite HS recruit!

[Mr. Scot]

Little is a pro with two years of NFL coaching. He absolutely should look better than a kid still in college.

The point of the clip isn't to highlight Little though. It's to show a contrast between bad technique and good.

Sewell's technique is really good.

[Anybodyhome]

If you watch the Little film, you'll see the DE is actually coming off the ball a little more deliberately, waiting to see what Little's move is, then the DE works right around him. The DE isn't the one exploding off the ball, Little is trying to and the DE is simply waiting for Little to overcommit one way or the other and going around him. It's fugging embarrassing.

[Mr. Scot]

Found a couple of tweets previously posted by @ImaginaryKev that show more of Sewell.

 

[Harbingers]

6 minutes ago, Mr. Scot said:

Little is a pro with two years of NFL coaching. He absolutely should look better than a kid still in college.

The point of the clip isn't to highlight Little though. It's to show a contrast between bad technique and good.

Sewell's technique is really good.

I will say a lot of what he does in that clip though would be called as a penalty. 

[*FreeFua*]

Sewell is so damn good.

He’ll most likely be the first non QB to come off the board. Obviously when trading up to a spot that high it should only be for a QB but Sewell sure makes you second guess that. 

[Navy_football]

Sewell's footwork and ease in change-of-direction is elite for a big man. He's an actual athlete. Like he could have played the post for his high school or AAU basketball team.

[LinvilleGorge]

4 minutes ago, Harbingers said:

I will say a lot of what he does in that clip though would be called as a penalty. 

Hell, in this year's NFL I think I've seen defenders actually tap out like it's an MMA fight without a hold being called. Holding in the NFL is becoming like traveling in the NBA. It has to be comically obvious and then it's still a 50/50 shot of it being called or not.

[Mr. Scot]

Sewell kinda reminds me of Tony Boselli when I watch him.

[*FreeFua*]

5 minutes ago, Navy_football said:

Sewell's footwork and ease in change-of-direction is elite for a big man. He's an actual athlete. Like he could have played the post for his high school or AAU basketball team.

Edge rushers are so freaking athletic these days that your tackles need to be legit athletes as well or they’re doomed 

[Mr. Scot]

Clips of some other guys posted in the Line Building thread by imaginary Kev for those who want to check them out...

Line Building - Page 5

[onmyown]

Sewell is the cleanest pure LT prospect that has come out for a very very long time. He has very little downside. And he will be the best for the foreseeable future. 
 

He should be our pick and I’d rather give up less capital for him than mortgage the entire future for a QB with all the holes this team has.
 

https://www.google.com/amp/s/247sports.com/college/oregon/Article/Penei-Sewell-Marlon-Davidson-NFL-Combine-2020-oregon-Ducks-Football-144464582/Amp/

 

Please make this happen.