Daily NFL Draft Prospect Profile: Matt Tennant, C, Boston College
by Ed Valentine on Mar 16, 2010 11:00 AM EDT
in 2010 NFL Draft
32 comments
[Remember to check the '2010 NFL Draft' section for all stories relating to the draft.]
While doing these Daily NFL Draft Prospect Profiles I have focused most of my attention on the obvious positions of need for our New York Giants. Those, of course, would be middle linebacker, defensive tackle, offensive tackle, safety and -- maybe -- running back.
Today I want to shift gears a little bit and look at a player who does not play any of those positions. That player is Boston College center Matt Tennant. Tennant is a 6-foot-5, 290-pound center likely to come off the board in the middle or late portion of the draft.
That is just about the right time for the Giants to grab a center if they are inclined to begin grooming a young player as a potential replacement for Shaun O'Hara down the road. So, let's take a closer look at Tennant.
Matt Tennant Scouting Reports
From Draft Countdown.
Above average athleticism --- Quick and agile --- Good mobility --- Does not have the ideal bulk that you look for --- Not overly strong or powerful --- Gets pushed back --- Has trouble sustaining and will fall off blocks --- Won't get huge push in run game --- The type who does everything well but nothing great --- Not flashy but has the ability to compete for a starting job at the next level.
From SB Nation's Mocking The Draft.
While he'll need to get much stronger for the NFL, Tennant has great length. He uses that to get inside the pads of rushers and drive them back. He has functional upper body strength and really puts it on display on running plays. If he could do a little better in space and increase his foot quickness, he could be a starter at the next level.
From DraftAce.
An impressive athlete for an interior lineman. May have the ability to play center, guard and right tackle. Hard worker and a team leader. A smart player who's always in position. ... Lacks the elite strength to anchor against the bull rush. ... Tennant's grades will vary drastically from team to team. Some teams won't be interested because of his lack of size. Others will view him as a potential four-position lineman which will increase his stock dramatically.
Why Tennant fits with the Giants
Do you remember how bad Adam Koets was snapping the ball during Training Camp last August? Face it, the Giants really did not have a backup center in 2009, and were extremely fortunate not to need one. Plus, even though O'Hara seems to be playing better than ever he will be 34 this season. The Giants have to begin thinking about a future replacement for O'Hara, and Tennant seems like a nice mid-round option. The possibility that he may have some positional versatility doesn't hurt, either.
Why the Giants should pass
This depends on the Giants plan for the remaining offensive line positions. If David Diehl moves inside to left guard that would knock Rich Seubert out of the starting lineup. Seubert could serve as a backup guard/center, lessening the need for drafting a backup. Even if that happens, however, I have no issue with drafting a player in the mid to late rounds and trying to develop him as the center of the future.
(E-mail Ed at bigblueview@gmail.com. Follow Big Blue View on Twitter.)
0 recs |
32 comments
|
Email
Print
Comments
If we're even going there, it's gotta be Kevin Matthews
Bruce Matthews boy is in the draft and if you believe in the Manning pedigree, let me introduce you to the Matthews boys.
I’ve got him in the 6th in my mock to learn behind O’Hara and be the OC/G depth.
Bleeding Blue since 1962
One reason...
I think Seubert will be a backup this year, he can play both G/C, and as a late round pick, this guy looks like he could do the same thing in the future.
by Great Gatsby on Mar 16, 2010 2:00 PM EDT up reply actions
Tennant is probably right behind Maurkice Pouncey
in terms of best OC in the draft.
Where exactly the Giants have him rated..dunno obviously, but if we’re looking at getting an OG/OC early…and Tennant falls to the 3-4 range, they gotta take a look.
Dude’s as good a player coming from BC as Coughlin’s son in law.
He could go round 2, but maybe to the Giants?
Master of the squeegee
Ed you have been very busy today..I think my eyes are going to cross!!..Geez!!
LOL!!
"When I was a boy and had no sense I got my pecker stuck in an electric fence..Well it curled my hair and tickled my balls, and made me shit in my overalls"
I'm all for a center
I’ve posted about it before, I think we need to address the center position. I love O’Hara and am in no way looking to push him out the door. I do believe he is likely to retire after his current contract is up so he can explore other directions in life. I am also scared to death about the prospect of him getting hurt. We have nobody that can play center on the team. I think it is something we need to address. Ideally I’d like to see it addressed in the draft this year so there is time for the player to be groomed under O’Hara. O’Hara is one of the smartest centers in the league, and I think the center needs to be the QB of the offensive line. I’d rather not waste all of the knowledge that O’Hara has. Let’s bring in a young kid for him to mold into a great center for us in the future. I like Tennant. Sunlion also has me looking more at Kevin Mathews, that is one heck of a pedigree there.
Maybe O'Hara will agree to become an assistant coach after he retires?
by mclaren_is_the_best on Mar 16, 2010 12:35 PM EDT up reply actions
O'Hara has said he wants to get into coaching
That would pretty much be my dream come true if that worked out.
So we have a consensus for O'Hara to take over when Pat Flaherty retires
Who knows? Maybe we can get Sam Madison back to coach the secondary.
Bleeding Blue since 1962
290 pounds is not the ideal weight for a Center
look at all the trouble the colts had running the ball with Saturday in there. Good technique will allow him to play in the NFL but it won’t move Vince Wilfork from a goal line stand that is for sure.
But I agree that we need to get a solid guy behind O’hara
by mclaren_is_the_best on Mar 16, 2010 12:34 PM EDT reply actions
He's actually 300lbs
http://www.nfl.com/combine/profiles/matt-tennant?id=497054
Master of the squeegee
by FreeBradshaw on Mar 16, 2010 12:37 PM EDT up reply actions
Oh
Then he would be a fantastic 3rd or 4th round pick up.
by mclaren_is_the_best on Mar 16, 2010 12:47 PM EDT up reply actions
Well he looks like he has potential..
The thing about center though is they have to be quick and very smart..they’re the QBs of the O-line..I did read anything that tells me that he is capable of making those calls…Maybe I’m missing something…I do like his versatility though..He could potentially back up several spots.
"When I was a boy and had no sense I got my pecker stuck in an electric fence..Well it curled my hair and tickled my balls, and made me shit in my overalls"
Meet John Estes, Hawaii
Height: 6-2 Weight: 295
Position: C Pos2: OG
40 Time: 5.22
40 Low: 5.08
40 High: 5.36
Projected Round: 6
“Hawaii center John Estes isn’t a household name, lacks size and isn’t outstanding in any one area. But the way he stood up and pushed back 6-1, 326-pound Stanford tackle Ekom Udofia and his ability to move his feet to help either guard on double-teams is exactly what teams like to see from a mid-to-late-round center prospect (think Green Bay Packers center Scott Wells).”
(From NFL Draft Scout.)
I like this kid a lot – late. O’Hara’s still got tread on the tire.
I left my swagger in my other pants.
I think our O-line across the board have alot of tread left on their tires..
I just feel it could be a wise move for the future to grab a o-lineman or two if we can..without screwing up fixing the defense.
"When I was a boy and had no sense I got my pecker stuck in an electric fence..Well it curled my hair and tickled my balls, and made me shit in my overalls"
Hence the late-round steal.
Diehl was a 7th rounder. I think Estes could be similar. If there’s anyone I’m worried about it’s McKenzie.
I left my swagger in my other pants.
Yes I agree, Hugh
"When I was a boy and had no sense I got my pecker stuck in an electric fence..Well it curled my hair and tickled my balls, and made me shit in my overalls"
Diehl
Was a 5th … but, still, a great example of finding value late.
by Ed Valentine on Mar 16, 2010 2:17 PM EDT up reply actions
I agree...
And I also am cool with drafting developmental Olineman/men but NOT with any of our early picks….
Even if someone like Anthony Davis is there when we pick, we CANNOT have teams running for 7yds a clip up the middle!!! Defense wins championships, and I for one don’t believe that the Giants Oline – which was annointed as the best in the league during our SB run two years ago has suddenly fallen apart, gotten old and can’t play anymore. And although I really like Beatty, I have to laugh that people are ready to shove him in at LT. He had some bright spots last year, but he got rag-dolled a bunch. Do you really want that on Eli’s blind side? I don’t mind him rotating with McKenzie and learning it where if he makes a mistake, Eli can see it coming.
I contend last years lesser production (and it STILL was not bad by any means although people make it out like we were horrible on the ground) was more about the poor health of our backs than anything else. I say if you gave Stewart the same blocking we provided last year, a guy like that (that hits the holes) has a 1500 yd season. Jacobs was running lame like Ty Wheatley and Bradshaw was running on two flat tires and a broken axle.
I am Just Going to Keep Saying It
Anyone that thinks that Diehl moving inside is some great thing is really mistaken.
Diehl’s mobility is terrible! He is not going to pull and hit targets in space, he is a “phonebooth” guy at best. Diehl is playing against lighter, more agile ends and how good a run blocker is he? You think he is going to move inside and drive Haynesworth off the ball? Good luck on that. He has neither the movement skills or the build to be a really good guard. He will be an average guard, just like he is an average LT and RT.
I just have to keep laughing at this one. Diehl DOES know how to play all the positions, and that makes him valuable. Problem is, he is only average at all of them.
If the Giants think Seubert is done, then they better be drafting a guard, because Big Booty Boothe is not a solution, and neither is Diehl. Personally, I think Seubert played with one arm all last year, if he can get healthy, I think he is good for another year and our best option.
didn't tiki have like 1800 rushing yards that one year?
When Diehl was guard?
by mclaren_is_the_best on Mar 16, 2010 1:08 PM EDT up reply actions
Diehl
was drafted as a guard, played there for a couple of seasons and did quite well.
by Ed Valentine on Mar 16, 2010 1:09 PM EDT up reply actions
Yes...
In his rookie year, played RT, not a 7th round pick (somebody mentioned that)
by Great Gatsby on Mar 16, 2010 2:07 PM EDT up reply actions
That’s the point of making someone a guard actually dub…..
As an OT he’s gotta play in space. Diehl is a powerhouse, but as an LT he’s “agile enough” to get away with it.
As a guard, he’d be an in-line blocker. Diehl for years, even as a LT…was usually about 20 yards up field and the first guy in a Giants uni to the pile usually finishing his block.
Diehl as an OG is a logical movement, and one they hopefully plan on it.
Master of the squeegee
by FreeBradshaw on Mar 16, 2010 3:03 PM EDT up reply actions
Problem Is...
Straight ahead blocking has not really been the base of our success. Most of our yards come from pulling Snee and pulling Seubert, then running in behind them because their forte is picking off the LBs at the second level. Its always on pulls or misdirection across the tackle/guard gaps. If Diehl goes inside, I think we lose that aspect.
I will tell you this – Jerry Reese signed this line Long-Term, i doubt he wants to throw them all the in trash bin or mix them up like so many on here. I would bet the line remains the same this year with Beatty gettings reps at RT to rest McKenzie.
Diehl is a prototypical RT
He has the size and the power blocking skill set. He is a little on the tall side for a guard, and like you said we use a lot of pulling with our guards which isn’t his strongest asset. This isn’t to say Diehl can’t get the job done at guard. He can get it done at pretty much any spot but center. I think his ideal spot if you ignored all other pieces we currently have and just took him as a player on a theoretical line and said where would you play him would be RT.
I hope that's not the case.
Diehl was at his best as the LG, then moved to LT when Pettigout left.
We bascially got away with Diehl at LT all these years, but last year….he was pretty bad.
Will Beatty is better off as a LT, not a RT (I’d rather have a McKenzie type mauler there).
Diehl is one of those dudes that’s better off at RT or inside as an OG.
Diehl was “almost athletic” enough to play LT…how exactly can’t he be athletic to be OG, a position you don’t really have to be as athletic and play in space? Getting Diehl inside as an inline blocker is ideal to me.
I wouldn’t mind him at RT either…but basically anywhere but LT.
Master of the squeegee
by FreeBradshaw on Mar 16, 2010 3:36 PM EDT up reply actions
If we don't get any oline players early in the draft this year
I think they will probably slide Diehl to RT with Beatty at LT and Seubert keeping his job at LG. McKenzie is old and the least reliable from our current starters and Beatty is best suited for LT especially if he gets a bit stronger
by mclaren_is_the_best on Mar 16, 2010 6:39 PM EDT up reply actions
I would agree
Seubert is probably more reliable than McKenzie at this point.
trading Osi...
I agree with the idea of him being a one trick pony, and those who dont should re-watch games of Osi against Flozell Adams, not too pretty. Its no secret his weakness is against the run, but he more than makes up for it in the pass rushing game in my opinion. That being said i think the best situation for the giants would be to trade to the Jags for their 10th pick. Think about it, every mock draft has the Jags drafting a pass rusher in the 1st round (..again…), so why not trade them our “disgruntled” yet proven and immensely talented DE in order to move up 5 spots and give us a much better shot at drafting Rolando McClain who i think is by far the player that best fills the Giants needs at MLB.
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
User Tools
Community Guidelines
Related FanPosts on Big Blue View
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
Recommended FanPosts
Recent FanPosts
Get Your Giants' Gear
Certain photos copyright © 2010 by Associated Press or Getty Images. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of Associated Press and Getty Images is strictly prohibited.
