Pouncey open to playing Guard

[malzj]

The move that is least disruptive of the chemistry of the line is the best one. Especially if Pouncey is open to the move to guard "natural position". Satele has been pretty solid and the line play is doing really well. This way you only have one guy learning a new position. Pouncey is the more versatile player and can play both. Whereas Setele may not be able to adjust to guard

 

[tay0365]

The way Samson is playing Center right now, Pouncey playing guard would be an awesome move.

Samson may never be as good a Center as Pouncey, but the idea should never be to have the best individual player at each position, but the best combination of 5 linemen, and putting Pouncey at Guard would make the line much better, then to put him at center.

 

[Sons Of Shula]

He was moved because:
(a) We needed a decent Center
(b) His identical twin brother had just completed his rookie season as a star Center
(c) Mike Pouncey had replaced his brother Maurkice as the Gators Center for his final season (and he played well).

As I noted in my original post, he struggled quite a bit and all season long (especially with shotgun snaps) in his transition. Here's just a quick glance back:

In the hours then days after the worst performance of his career, Florida center Mike Pouncey was harder on himself than any of the harsh public criticism thrown his way. The veteran lineman had four errant snaps from the shotgun formation that led to fumbles and many others that were out of position and altered plays - Tampa Bay Tribune.

He had no ill intent whatsoever, but when it comes to Pouncey, seeing every snap was something many Gator fans wish they could forget. Pouncey struggled at center. There is no way around it, so we should just get it out of the way first. To be fair, Pouncey did not struggle at every aspect of the position – one of the vital parts, but not every part. He struggled to snap the ball efficiently in the shotgun. There are a number of reasons for this. But at first it was a lack of experience and as the season went on, it became mental. Much like a kicker can get inside his own head, that is exactly what happened to Pouncey. It does not mean he cannot become a serviceable center, but it does mean he has plenty of work to do. - Alligator Army

Mike Pouncey’s experience at center in 2010 was unique, to say the very least. The Florida coaching staff moved Pouncey to center to fill the void left by brother, Maurkice Pouncey. Unlike Maurkice, Mike struggled immensely. Pouncey was the cause of a countless amount of errant snaps as he displayed poor communication with the Gators quarterbacks. Time after time, Pouncey was over-powered by the likes of Marcell Dareus, Nick Fairley and Drake Nevis. However, the good news for Pouncey is that his stellar play at guard in prior years should still land him in the first round of the NFL draft. - Sports of Boston

 

[Geforce]

The move that is least disruptive of the chemistry of the line is the best one. Especially if Pouncey is open to the move to guard "natural position". Satele has been pretty solid and the line play is doing really well. This way you only have one guy learning a new position. Pouncey is the more versatile player and can play both. Whereas Setele may not be able to adjust to guard

Satele was a 3x All-WAC LG at Hawaii. Twice on the 2nd team and once on the 1st team. He was 1st Team All-WAC his senior year at center. Satele played 35 or 36 games at LG and 15 or 16 at center.

 

[tay0365]

Its a good idea but is Statle doing enough to keep his center job?

I believe without a doubt, he has, in fact he has been a good surprise, I did not expect him to be as effective as he has been.

Has he been exceptional at Center? No, but he has had some good games, and has done a pretty darn good job at helping keep Tannehill's uniform somewhat clean each week. Pouncey at Guard would help the running game, and would put another premium pass-blocker to help keep the pocket clean.

 

[tay0365]

If they make the move and Samson is just ok draft a center next year. Our guards will be Pouncy and Turner so our running game will be bad azz going forward.

I have very high hopes for Turner, if he can manage to get on the field and start, Miami O-line is going to be really good.

 

[Bumpus]

I've gotta say that I really didn't think Pouncey would be open to moving from C to G

This really opens up more possibilities. :up:

 

[So Be]

Pouncey at RG improves the OL overall. He will make James and Satele better, and shores up a problem area at RG. In spite of the some thinking this OL is good, we have struggled on the interior vs good D's like Buff and KC. We have had success running but, from what I have seen, it has been mostly against 6 men in the box. Teams will adapt, and Pouncey balances things out vs 7 or 8 in the box, in addidion to pass protect, where he was #1 at C last year, and will be the same at OG.

 

[CO-Gator]

It's his natural position. I've been clamoring for it for years.

 

[dolfin530]

What's better Satele at C, Pouncey at RG or

Pouncey at C, Smith returning to RG

How important is the C position in terms of blocking? If it's just as important as G then moving Pouncey to RG would be great! Imagine Albert, Turner, Satale, Pouncey, James!

 

[dlockz]

What's better Satele at C, Pouncey at RG or

Pouncey at C, Smith returning to RG

How important is the C position in terms of blocking? If it's just as important as G then moving Pouncey to RG would be great! Imagine Albert, Turner, Satale, Pouncey, James!

I think for now Satale at center . smith hasnot prove to even be an NFl starter much less a capable one. Satale is a lower level nfl starting center but he is start worthy

 

[FearTheBeard]

I like Shelley Smith a fair amount than most on this board. Another positive about Pouncey at guard as some has mentioned is minimal disruption to the chemistry. You insert a pro-bowl guy into the only position that has had any turnover since the start of the season and keep the rest of the line untouched. Now if Colledge continues to struggle I'd definitely put Shelley at LG, which I think is his natural spot anyway.

 

[Tannenbombs]

It's his natural position. I've been clamoring for it for years.

This ^

 

[spiketex]

Pouncey will be in the team. His exuberance in the lockerroom interview was self evident. It sounds like he is set to play Guard and he's happy to do it. If this is the case, it means Samson Satele was a pretty good pick up off the scrapheap by Hickey, because of his ability to hold the Center position. Colledge is an ex-Packer and would be pumped for this game, but my inclination would be to play Shelley Smith as the starter at LG.

 

[Digital]

There's really no difference between a LG and a RG in a zone system, especially in run blocking. In a power scheme you need an athletic pulling guard (usually the LG because of the right handedness of most offenses), but the inside/outside zone doesn't really work that way. Which isn't to say everyone can easily switch from LG to RG... but it really boils down more about the comfort level when it comes to the techniques of pass blocking than anything.

Anyway, I've always been open to Pouncey moving back to guard. I pushed to sign a center in the offseason for that reason. But while might be better to have Satele in the lineup than Dallas Thomas this week -- Pouncey at G rather than C -- for this season overall I'd rather have Shelley Smith in the lineup than Satele. And since Smith is exclusively a G -- as TC showed -- that means Pouncey should go back to center.

Actually there still is a noticeable difference in LG and RG in zone schemes too. The biggest issue is with stunts/twists in pass protection to the QB's blind side.

At LG you need someone who has quicker recognition and better locating hand skills because the focus of those stunts/twists are usually to expose the LT on the QB's blindside with overloads. Recognizing those combos is crucial at LG but not so crucial at RG.

Because if a rusher is freed up to the QB's front side he has time to throw it away or tuck it and avoid a sack strip fumble. That's why the LG's tend to be lighter quicker types compared to RG's. That's also why we all scratched our heads at a mauler like Incognito at LG and a finesse guy like John Jerry at RG.

To my eye, Pouncey is a great physical specimen who plays with a little power, good size and excellent quickness. I'd play him at LG ... but Colledge as played LG his whole career, so I can see why they would want to plug and play him at LG. But Pouncey is far better at RG than Shelley in pass pro, and I'd prefer Pouncey at RG + Satele at C than any combo that includes any of our current roster at RG.