Thread: Bears Bring OT Cory Brandon Back.......

Some scouting reports:

LINK to the article

Draft InSider on Cory Brandon:

Bio: Third-team tackle as a senior after falling into the coaches E(TM) doghouse. Started seven games the prior year.

Positive: One-time highly rated prospect with the physical skills to play at the next level. Flashes athleticism, blocks with good lean, and stays square. Uses his large frame to seal defenders from the action. Works hard to finish off defenders. Better than average footwork in pass protection.

Negative: Does not seem very sure of himself or confident on the field. Does too much clutching and grabbing. Must improve his blocking balance. Lacks overall awareness.

Analysis: After showing flashes of skill as a junior, Brandon rarely saw the field last season as a senior. He offers a good amount of upside and is a solid developmental prospect."

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NFP's Wes Bunting on Cory Brandon:

"A tall, well-built offensive tackle with a good frame for the position. Isn't a real flexible athlete when asked to sit into his stance and keep his base down initially off the snap. More of a waist bender who fails to keep his legs under him and consistently lunges into blocks.

Showcases above-average range off the edge, but a tendency to get too upright and struggles to cleanly redirect in space.Does do a better job fighting for inside leverage once an opposing lineman gets into his frame, but too often stops moving his feet and isn't a real velcro player, allowing defenders to slip blocks and surge their way toward the football.

Exhibits some natural power when asked to kick down inside and can anchor with some consistency, but struggles to maintain his balance/power anytime he's asked to move his feet toward the edge and can get jacked at the point of attack.

Exhibits decent body control in the run game and can fire off the snap and use his length to get into blocks off his frame and seal from the football. However, doesn't generate much power/leverage on contact and isn't a guy who can consistently win as an in-line run blocker.

Impression: Doesn't have a ton of experience and struggles to play with power or leverage in both the run and pass game. Displays decent range off the edge, but is nothing more than a developmental guy at this stage."
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This is another move I like. This kid has made it to the final cut with two different teams and for as well as he played in the preseason he could have been kept around if it wasn't for him being the victim of the old numbers game.

He's another big physical OT of the body type Tice likes so this gives us a young kid coming up the boards who can potentially replace Scott as a backup. I don't think he's ever gonna become a LT but he could be a decent #2 RT in time.

James Brown has more potential as a LT or as a LG. We'll have to see how that goes but IMO both he and Brandon were worth keeping around to develop. Cutting CWill opened up this spot.

Overall I like the moves Emery has made this week. He bolstered STeam coverage units when he brought back Bowman. He picked up a stud blocker who may be able to do for us what Clutts had done before we traded him and we added a young OT with some upside to replace a guy we just couldn't find a use for.

Not any big impact guys here but some nice fill as far as potential is concerned. These are the things Phil Emery seems to be especially good at that JA often overlooked. Building quality depth and potential into the pipeline.

And we still have James Brown on the practice squad.

JAMES BROWN

G TROY




GRADE 82.2

• 5.30 SEC
• 24 REPS
• 25.5 INCH
• 102.0 INCH
• 7.70 SEC
• 4.78 SEC

• 6'3"HEIGHT
• 34 1/2"ARM LENGTH
• 306LBS.WEIGHT
• 10 1/4"HANDS

• 
• MORE COMBINE VIDEO

OVERVIEW

Brown excelled at the left tackle position for Troy, rarely allowing a sack during his tenure as the blindside blocker, but he projects to guard in the NFL, as he doesn't quite have the height to stay outside at the next level. He is a better run blocker than he is a pass protector, which provides further reasoning for the move inside. If he can be taught the guard position and excel there, his versatility gives him added value. He is expected to be taken toward the end of the second round by a team looking for line depth.
ANALYSIS

STRENGTHS

Brown has the initial quickness to move inside to guard and jolt defenders back off the snap. He is a solid run blocker who can clear gaps and keep his man near him once engaged. Defenders rarely fall off his blocks, and he is a rather effective athlete moving up field and can sink his hips to fit on a block, which would serve him well when pulling. He is a competitive blocker who always works until he hears the whistle.WEAKNESSES

Brown didn't play inside at guard in college, so there will be a learning curve in his transitional phase. He is only an average pass blocker. His footwork is effective but he can often get beat by falling forward and being too aggressive once in his set and losing his balance. These attributes would support a move inside because of the trouble he could face going up against bigger, more athletic ends at the tackle position.

Originally Posted by JustAnotherBearsFan99

Draft InSider on Cory Brandon:

Bio: Third-team tackle as a senior after falling into the coaches E(TM) doghouse. Started seven games the prior year.

This is nicely timed. We have a vacancy in the doghouse now that Chris Williams is gone. I'm sure he can fill the void.

"Hey Cory, what position are you playing?"

"Doghouse."

"Ooh, that's not good for you long term."

"Yeah, but it pays the bills. Every now and again Tice yells at me for no reason. It could be worse."

Originally Posted by weneedmorelinemen

This is nicely timed. We have a vacancy in the doghouse now that Chris Williams is gone. I'm sure he can fill the void.

"Hey Cory, what position are you playing?"

"Doghouse."

"Ooh, that's not good for you long term."

"Yeah, but it pays the bills. Every now and again Tice yells at me for no reason. It could be worse."

Priceless! Post of the day

I think it's good moves all around. I just hope this isn't incentive to not draft some depth next season. Do not want another stand pat and round of castoffs.

Originally Posted by weneedmorelinemen

This is nicely timed. We have a vacancy in the doghouse now that Chris Williams is gone. I'm sure he can fill the void.

"Hey Cory, what position are you playing?"

"Doghouse."

"Ooh, that's not good for you long term."

"Yeah, but it pays the bills. Every now and again Tice yells at me for no reason. It could be worse."

Originally Posted by short faced bear

I think it's good moves all around. I just hope this isn't incentive to not draft some depth next season. Do not want another stand pat and round of castoffs.

If Webb hasn't proven by the end of this year that he can handle LT consistently we need more than depth or a rookie draftee. We need an established LT and him we'll need to find in FA.

Webb is depth, Scott is depth, those two guys on the PS are potential depth. We need a starter like Clady or Long or Bushrod or whoever but we'll need one if Webb can't handle it after three years of trying.

Originally Posted by soulman

If Webb hasn't proven by the end of this year that he can handle LT consistently we need more than depth or a rookie draftee. We need an established LT and him we'll need to find in FA.

Webb is depth, Scott is depth, those two guys on the PS are potential depth. We need a starter like Clady or Long or Bushrod or whoever but we'll need one if Webb can't handle it after three years of trying.

Yes. I'm just saying as a long term strategism not to over-rely on this type of thing. I think we will need a OG, LT (FA), and Garza's eventual replacement. I think we cut ties to Spencer after this year as well.