10 Best Oline & Dline Prospects for the Bears

**WindyCity** · 04-07-2011, 08:23 AM

I rewatched the Senior Bowl last night and Carpenter played really well.

He is athletic and has a very nice kickslide and the ability to redirect.

His hand placement needs work as this makes him look weak when his hands end up outside.

He has a good burst off the line and can move a defender, but by no means is he dominant in the run game.

I am really starting to think that Carpenter won't make it to 62 but will be picked somewhere between 40-50. At 6'5" 325lbs [Pro Day Measurements] he has the size and athletic ability to play OT or OG.

**soulman** · 04-07-2011, 10:50 AM

Originally Posted by lklrlolnlilklsox

He weighed in at 321 at the Combine and played heavier than that. As I've said, I don't put much stock into those draft sites, and that 300 marker you were reading is a red flag to the kind of info you have been getting. I couldn't point you to a site on his scouting report, because I don't read many of those sites outside of nfldraftscout for a good collection of news on these guys throughout their college careers and I do most of my talking about prospects at cds where we have been on the Carpenter train before the SB where Mayock picked up on him. There are deficiencies in that power game, I'm not saying there isn't, but when I look at the way he holds up vs the pass on the left side, I am more than willing to let him develop in the run game. Heck, Cwill was one of the worst run blockers coming out that I have seen, but he looked awesome moving outside the tackles and blocking down field this season on the ground, IMHO.

I should also mentioned he was part of a line that paved the way for Ingram's Heisman season on the ground and played in one of the more pro-style offense in college so the quick turnover and familiarity give him and extra boost.

Thanks for the comeback info sox. My problem is thay my schedule this fall didn't allow me to watch much college football and I missed the all-star bowl games as well. As a result I haven't see much of these guys and I have to relie on draft reports for info. My issue was that the scouting reports on Ijalana we very consistent from one site to another. He'll be drafted as an OG with the potential to play OT which is good for us since he'll fall farther down than some of the 2nd round OT's. I also like the flexibilty that gives us in developing the left side of the line.

I can't argue with you data on Carpenter though. Either would seem to be a good pick for us in two nand Carpenter is probably a better LT going in than Ijalana would be. The only issue I have with that is that it will almost surely keep CWill at LG and I still think he should be moved back to LT.

I'm much better at evaluating defensive players than I am Olineman. I just don't understand all of the things to look for in them.

**WindyCity** · 04-07-2011, 02:08 PM

Carpenter Highlights

These are mixed plays from a couple of games this year Carpenter is 77 for Alabama playing LT. I like his feet and he is a tenacious, not overly powerful run blocker.

Penn State

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rdkRi...eature=related

Florida

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bL97yvQq6HU

Michigan St

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hy4DI...eature=related

**soulman** · 04-07-2011, 06:47 PM

Originally Posted by WindyCity

Carpenter Highlights

These are mixed plays from a couple of games this year Carpenter is 77 for Alabama playing LT. I like his feet and he is a tenacious, not overly powerful run blocker.

Penn State

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rdkRi...eature=related

Florida

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bL97yvQq6HU

Michigan St

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hy4DI...eature=related

I don't think the guys a bad LT despite his shortcomings in the running game. Tice can fix that. What I'm more concerned with is that all of his work at Alabama came when he weighed 300 lbs. Now he's put on 20 extra pounds so that he doesn't appear too much of a lightweight compared to most of the others who play at anywhere from 325-350 lbs. How much will the weight gain affect him if at all?

**WindyCity** · 04-08-2011, 09:09 AM

Originally Posted by soulman

I don't think the guys a bad LT despite his shortcomings in the running game. Tice can fix that. What I'm more concerned with is that all of his work at Alabama came when he weighed 300 lbs. Now he's put on 20 extra pounds so that he doesn't appear too much of a lightweight compared to most of the others who play at anywhere from 325-350 lbs. How much will the weight gain affect him if at all?

I doubt he played the season at Alabama at 300lbs.

I think he was probably much higher and has tried to bring his weight up to the 320lbs. range. Is he going to win the body beautiful contest, no, but one of his weaknesses is that he needs to get stronger, which he will in Chicago.

This guy has a ton of potential and to me most importantly he already has the solid feet.

**soulman** · 04-08-2011, 11:52 AM

Originally Posted by WindyCity

I doubt he played the season at Alabama at 300lbs.

I think he was probably much higher and has tried to bring his weight up to the 320lbs. range. Is he going to win the body beautiful contest, no, but one of his weaknesses is that he needs to get stronger, which he will in Chicago.

This guy has a ton of potential and to me most importantly he already has the solid feet.

I doubt that he didn't. Most of these guys either bulk up or drop weight for the combine depending on where their weakness comes from. For instance, Carimi has no weakness in the run game but he's suspect in the passing game. So he drops around 15 pounds before the Combine to improve his quickness against edge rushers. He played around 330lbs at Wisconsin.

A guy like Carpenter who has sought after pass blocking skills but lacked the strength to get a push or to anchor is gonna gain some weight to avoid being seen as a lightweight who may get pushed around in the NFL. There's some validity to this because Carpenter wasn't as great a run blocker at Alabama and unless he bulks up and gets stronger he'll struggle even more in the pros.

One thing I will agree with is the feet part. Either a guy has quick feet or he doesn't. Just like speed, you can't coach it, only improve it.

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