Even when he was coming out of college, his weaknesses as a center were known and exactly what he is showing now. Joel Buchsbaum said back then that McKinney was not big, physical or strong enough to handle a big tackle playing on his nose and that he would get bull rushed and walked back by a big strong stud unless he is very quick with his arms and gets under the defender's pads. Has average size, size potential and short arms. Is not a natural knee bender. Lacks hip roll and explosion and great natural lower body strength. Can get stalemated and overpowered at times, especially with a big man on his nose.
He was known as a good angle and position blocker, who has quick feet, quick into his blocks and able to reach and block on the second level. Also very seldom made mental errors.
What is surprising to me is that when he came in for a few starts in '03 that the team did very well running the ball in all three of his starting assignments. Two at center and one at LG.
He may be able to be a servicable reserve, but I'd like to see Ephraim show enough to make the grade as the backup. He seems to fit in more for the type of OL that HH favors, big strong road grader types.