With two offensive tackles set to hit the free agent market in Eugene Monroe and Michael Oher, the Ravens are keeping an eye on the linemen at the Senior Bowl.
The North squad has much more talent along the offensive line than the South roster. The North is led by Notre Dame left tackle Zack Martin, who is currently projected by draftniks as a late first-round or early second-round pick.
Here are my notes on the tackles:
- Martin isn't huge at 6-foot-4, 305 pounds. That puts him on the smaller side of many NFL offensive tackles.
- Despite his size disadvantage, Martin doesn't get pushed around. He's got good technique and is quick off the snap, especially with his hands. He's often the first to make contact.
- Martin hardly got any individual coaching from Atlanta Falcons Offensive Line Coach Mike Tice throughout the practice.
- Miami right tackle Seantrel Henderson, who was the nation's top overall recruit coming out of high school, is a monster. He's officially a shade under 6-foot-7 and weighs 331 pounds, which is a bit smaller than his listed size (6-8, 345). Still, he towers over everybody. He's got an 84-inch wingspan.
- Henderson's challenge will be with leverage. He has trouble getting down and under linemen. But he's got good athleticism, and slides well in pass protection.
- Henderson didn't play any left tackle at practice, which is interesting because he's got the prototypical frame of a left tackle with his size and length. Instead he played at right tackle.
- Ohio State's Jack Mewhort is a competitor, and has quite a bit of versatility. He was running at right tackle with the second team on Tuesday, but he came into college as a center and also played guard and tackle (mostly tackle). He's a tough-nosed player with a thick frame at 6-5 and 306 pounds.
- Virginia's Morgan Moses has had two good days of practice so far. He's a well-built player at 6-6, 316 pounds, and moves well. He doesn't get beat often in pass protection.
- Chatted with Moses for a bit after practice. He called Monroe (also a former Virginia Cavalier) a big brother to him. They speak often.
- North Dakota State's Billy Turner struggled with pass protection on Tuesday. He was beat multiple times with speed, power and spin moves.
- Nevada's Joel Bitonio finishes plays and is a scrappy player, but he's got the feet of an offensive guard and probably projects more inside despite playing left tackle throughout his college career. He's built as a guard too at 6-4, 307.
- Tennessee's Ja'wuan James is a four-year starter and has a big build at 6-6, 315 pounds, but was not able to practice Tuesday because of an injury.
