Joe Staley...why is everyone so high on him???

[MustangFinFan]

I guess i just dont know much about the guy...but i know he comes from Central Michigan and saw limited time against big name teams, and big name players. They also said against those big name teams/players, he didnt do as well. So im trying to figure out what makes him a late 1st, early 2nd round pick??? Id prefer someone like Ugoh who actually played those bigger better guys.

 

[MastR_EvaluatoR]

Because he shows superb agility, smarts, and the mental capabilities to play left tackle .. Which is very hard to find .. Along with his excellent attitude - which is one thing Ugoh lacks .

People are weighing the potential and the great upside in Staley. He hasn't played the position for a long time, not like Brown for instance.. But he has (by far) the best raw attributes of any tackle (save Joe Thomas - but Staley has the potential to be even better than him scouts think ) ..

And considering great left tackles are so hard to find, this jumps his value in the NFL .

 

[CitizenSnips]

I guess i just dont know much about the guy...but i know he comes from Central Michigan and saw limited time against big name teams, and big name players. They also said against those big name teams/players, he didnt do as well. So im trying to figure out what makes him a late 1st, early 2nd round pick??? Id prefer someone like Ugoh who actually played those bigger better guys.

First and Foremost, Offensive line is about the size. Standing at just under 6'6, and weighing over 300 pounds, Joe Staley's got that. But also, especially at the tackle position, footwork is key. Joe Staley hasn't been a LT for long, he was a TE for most his college career, but then he was turned into a LT. So being a former TE, he has quicker feet than most LT's do.

now he wasn't phenomenal by any means at LT this year, but in the draft, its not about what you were, its about what you MIGHT BECOME.

The reason people are so high on Staley is very simple, he has the potential to be just as good a LT as Joe Thomas, it's just gonna take some more time for Staley to really learn the position and add on some more muscle. His potential far surpasses Ugohs, and even Levi Browns as well. Because scouts have really seen everything that Brown and Ugoh are capable of, but Staleys potential has still yet to be tapped.

 

[aj13]

because he has the physical tools...the downer is the class of competition he consistently faced at CMU...but in private work outs hes showing that he might be the top LT in the draft...two guys that are slipping after private workouts are brown and branch...that could be draft fodder...

i posted earlier this week, i would NOT be surprised to see the dolphins move down...i think there are an elite few to this draft but after that there is a lot of comprable talent...i wouldnt be surprised if we go down to say between picks 12-17 because guys like staley, ginn, carriker and olsen appear to be well liked by the dolphins...

 

[miamirw]

Kiper has him at #13 overall on his "big board". That's up from number 22 last week.

I wouldn't be upset if we grabbed him at #9 (assuming we couldn't trade down a few spots). He has a huge upside.

 

[dan the fin]

One other reason is the total lack of talent at the LT position in this draft. Staley also is the second most athletic LT in this draft, but he also is a high risk as well.

 

[Mike13]

He has all the tools, plus there isn't alot of depth at LT and so his stock rises.

Boomer likes the guy.

 

[tyson22]

6-6 300 pound tackle who runs a 4.7 40.

 

[OneHondo]

*This is from NFL.com

The first thing you notice on film is Staley's ability to explode off the snap … Has excellent initial quickness, showing a strong base with the suddenness to get his hands into the defender in an instant … Has a tall, angular frame with developing muscles, long arms, large hands and minimal body fat (11.4 percent) … Possesses wide hips, thick thighs and a frame that can carry at least another 25 pounds with no loss in quickness … Has excellent athletic agility for this position … Still possesses the loose hips, lower-body flexibility and valid quickness of a tight end, coming off the snap with very good explosion … Quick to get out on the edge and shows very fluid knee and ankle bend when changing direction … Adds a good blend of strength, especially in his hand jolt … Moves well in the open, doing a nice job of locating and neutralizing linebackers … Shows outstanding acceleration on pulls and traps, running with short pitter-patter steps with the plant-and-drive agility to redirect … Smart enough to call blocking assignments … Makes quick adjustments on the move and will have no problems dealing with the mental aspect of the game … Plays with a high motor, knowing that his athletic ability will let him beat even the speedier pass rushers along the edge … Very light on his feet for a player of his size, showing quick reactions to combat any defensive movement … Does a solid job executing reach blocks and maintaining position when working in-line … Could use more bulk to clear out and maintain the rush lanes, but shows quick feet in his kick slide … Can fire off the ball on run blocks, showing very good hip roll in this area … Quick to get his hands into the defender to lock on and control … Has good forward body lean to maintain the rush lane and can move the pile when he uses his legs to drive hard and gain leverage … With added bulk, he could be exceptional as a drive blocker … Worked mostly from the spread and shotgun offense, but with his foot speed he was very effective at sliding out to neutralize the edge rushers … Could use more bulk to anchor, but he has the feet, balance and body control to ride his man out of the play … Fluid with his shuffle/slide and stays square and balanced attacking the defender … Has the flexibility and reach to adjust to second-level defenders … Will smother linebackers and move on to another target when he plays at a good pad level … Has the foot quickness to make the reach blocks and is fluid in his kick slide … Loops well and is quick to change direction, reacting quickly moving side to side … Shows good vision to combat twists and has the balance to recover when caught out of position.

Staley's foot speed can rival that of Oakland's Robert Gallery, but he plays with much better aggression … Like Verba, Staley shows great fire and aggressiveness in his play … He has the vision and alertness to pick up stunts and the foot speed to easily neutralize edge rushers … Like Verba, Staley needs to add more bulk to play left tackle at the next level, but his strength and speed are great assets that will make him ideal protecting the quarterback's blind side.

4.7 in the 40-yard dash … 450-pound bench press … Bench presses 225 pounds 28 times … 600-pound squat … 31-inch vertical jump … 9-foot-3 broad jump … 4.35 20-yard shuttle … 11.4 percent body fat … 33½-inch arm length … 10 1/8-inch hands … Right-handed … Wears contacts

Had only one injury during college career and that was an ankle sprain.

*This was also from TFY Draft Preview:

All 32-teams, including the offensive line coaches from eleven different franchises, descended upon Central Michigan University this morning for the Chippewas pro-day. The early returns are in and the prospect they came to see did not disappoint.

Offensive tackle Joe Staley was the star of the show.

Weighing in at 304-pounds, Staley's forty-times ranged between 4.79-and-4.82 seconds. His times in the short-shuttle and 3-cone were 4.30 and 7.17-seconds respectively. Staley then marked 32-inches in the vertical jump and 9-feet-4-inches in the broad.

He looked outstanding in position drills. Staley did not participate in the bench press today, standing on the 27 repetitions he completed at the combine.

Several coaches on hand stated it was one of the best workouts by an offensive lineman they had ever witnessed. One coach claimed Staley "made millions for himself today" after the workout was complete.
The Cleveland Browns, Pittsburgh Steelers, Chicago Bears, Miami Dolphins, Washington Redskins and Detroit Lions all sent offensive line coaches to specifically watch Staley.

 

[finfan54]

First and Foremost, Offensive line is about the size. Standing at just under 6'6, and weighing over 300 pounds, Joe Staley's got that. But also, especially at the tackle position, footwork is key. Joe Staley hasn't been a LT for long, he was a TE for most his college career, but then he was turned into a LT. So being a former TE, he has quicker feet than most LT's do.

now he wasn't phenomenal by any means at LT this year, but in the draft, its not about what you were, its about what you MIGHT BECOME.

The reason people are so high on Staley is very simple, he has the potential to be just as good a LT as Joe Thomas, it's just gonna take some more time for Staley to really learn the position and add on some more muscle. His potential far surpasses Ugohs, and even Levi Browns as well. Because scouts have really seen everything that Brown and Ugoh are capable of, but Staleys potential has still yet to be tapped.

Staley does not have the punch or power that Levi has. Levi knows the LT spot. The Staley factor is based on what a team thinks they can turn him into to. Henceforth, Houck. IMO, we already have a Joe Staley on the team and he is Anthony Alabi.

Some suggest we could take him at 9. Thats insane. He will not start right away and if he does, he will have a rude awakening ala Wade Smith. His potential is just that. Thing is, he might work out in our FB led offense where he helps out the LT and others in a pinch.

Staley has tools and size and athleticism. He just has not grown into the position yet, so a team like New England will take him with one of their picks because they can afford to. One reason his stock is rising in the draft IMO. Joe Staley could be Matt Light once he grows into the position. As mentioned before, Staley wont last past DEtroit if they go QB.

 

[finfan54]

6-6 300 pound tackle who runs a 4.7 40.

Im not sure speed in a LT is a good thing. That is one thing that makes me wonder.

I watched Staley in the Senior Bowl. It was hard to get a good read on him past his size and abilities because two plays he blew, he blew because he did not block the DE who was rushing the passer on a passing down, but blocked down inside, NOT ONCE! BUT TWICE!

That is more lazy coaching in the Senior bowl IMO, but still, you couldnt read on how good he actually was with speed rushers becuase he took himselft right out of plays.


For those who think Staley is better than Brown, better rethink some things through. Levi doesnt have an athleticism problem, a power punch problem, a blocking problem, not-knowing-where-the-hell-your-suppose-tobe-problem, a second level blocking problem, but a every once in a while, I fall asleep problem.