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AJ: Examiner Bio Texans draft watch: C/G Maurkice Pouncey

Wolf

Wolf

100% Texan
Continuing our draft watch series, let's take a look at junior center/guard Maurkice Pouncey from Florida.

The Texans primary needs entering the 2010 draft are at running back, free safety, interior offensive lineman, defensive tackle and cornerback assuming Dunta Robinson leaves in free agency.

Pouncey will show up as a center in most scouting reports but he can play center or guard. In my reviews, I'm looking for guys that project at center/guard instead of guard/tackle since the Texans primary need is at the interior positions.

Pouncey's ability flexibility to play center or guard is what makes him attractive as a potential draft pick of the Texans. His combination of size, strength and agility make him a good candidate for a zone scheme. He's quick enough to get to the second level and projects as a good pass blocker.

Based on current pre-combine and pre-Pro Day thinking, selecting Pouncey in the first round (#19-20 overall) might be a bit early. On the other hand, he is likely gone by the time the Texans pick in the second round (#51-52 overall).

Based on current projections, Pouncey would be considered a steal for the Texans in the second round. Sometimes interior linemen slip in drafts. He's also an underclassman who won't turn 21 until training camp.

But Maurkice comes highly decorated, having won the 2009 Rimington Trophy which is given to the nation's outstanding center in NCAA Division I-A football. So it's not like he's going to slip through any cracks.

As most SEC fans know, Maurkice has an identical twin brother Mike who decided to stay in school for his senior year and take over his brother's position at center for the Gators in 2010. It will be interesting to see how the twins adjust to being split up for the first time in their lives.
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http://www.examiner.com/x-778-Houst...10m2d6-Texans-draft-watch-CG-Maurkice-Pouncey
 
The only thing that I can think about when I hear about the twins, is the Texans getting both of them and being referred to as 'The Replacements'. It would be the best.
 
I'd love for the Texans to pick Pouncey in the 2nd round, he's been my 2nd round pick in every mock I've done for the last month. I agree with he'll most likely be gone by the time we pick at #51 so I'd like to trade up in the 2nd and get him. I don't think that Kubiak would trust a rookie C to make all the blocking assignment calls so I'd play him at LG for a year so that he can learn beside Myers and then take over the next year at C.
 
I'm getting giddy looking towards the draft. We are lucky enough to be in position to select some impact players at need positions. Depending on the route the coaches go, I can see us getting stronger in both interiors, adding a playmaker at RB and/or in the secondary. If we can hit on 3 of those 4 scenarios, we can hit at least .500 in the division next year (Which should mean playoffs given our record against everyone else). This is exciting!!!
 
LikeMike said:
He would be a reach in the first, and he probably ain`t there in the second...
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Well if that's the case and you love the guy....you move down in the first, especially if Vladimir Ducasse is still on the board, and you get an extra pick for this year or next. They have to shore up the o-line. And if they stand pat, stagnate is death in the NFL. You're either improving or you're sliding back. Sooner or later someone in Detroit is going to figure out Jeff Bacus is not an OLT. I saw in one of the mocks Adam Ulatoski going to the packers.... in the first round. I love the guy as a prospect but with them so high on Butler...there's no way will take him with any pick.
I haven't seen Ulatoski ranked that high. Which tells me...there's some panic going on out there. And where there's panic, there's opportunity.
 
threetoedpete said:
Well if that's the case and you love the guy....you move down in the first, especially if Vladimir Ducasse is still on the board, and you get an extra pick for this year or next. They have to shore up the o-line. And if they stand pat, stagnate is death in the NFL. You're either improving or you're sliding back. Sooner or later someone in Detroit is going to figure out Jeff Bacus is not an OLT. I saw in one of the mocks Adam Ulatoski going to the packers.... in the first round. I love the guy as a prospect but with them so high on Butler...there's no way will take him with any pick.
I haven't seen Ulatoski ranked that high. Which tells me...there's some panic going on out there. And where there's panic, there's opportunity.
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Yep. There will be a run on OT & DE in the first and RB in the 2nd and some players will go too high and that means some nice players will drop.
 
man this guy destroys on impact. great drive & natural knee bender. to me he looks like a potential pro-bowl center for the next ten years. that being said if he does make it to the 2nd rd. he will not be there very long.

I would listen to trade offers if Earl Thomas or CJ Spiller are off the board. move down a few spots & add extra 2nd/3rd :)
 
BOTTOM LINE
I just do not understand why Maurkice is considered by some people as the best center in this draft! I see maybe a right guard for the next level or a player who hangs onto the long snapper's job, but right now I do not see a starting center for an NFL team. I do respect the fact that this kid has played for a high level program at the college level, but with all of his limitations, his LTI is way out there. I was careful to list all of the reasons why I do not think very highly of Maurkice for the next level because I know I'll have to take "one for the team" on this profile. Maybe Maurkice can develop better lateral agility and change of direction skills. Maybe a good line coach can teach him about protections and put him in a system that will mask his limitations. I can see him starting for some teams. But those teams would be teams that think they can "coach this kid up". Maurkice is not an impact offensive lineman. I see a serviceable right guard in a system that uses tight splits and has a good blocking back to help him out in pass protection. That means Maurkice is a systems offensive lineman with long snapping abilities.
Drew Boylhart 1/10
http://www.thehuddlereport.com/ppSD/protected/2010DRAFT/PlayerProfiles/Maurkice.Pouncey.htm
"The Huddle Reports" Drew Boylhart is one guy who does not have a high opinion of Pouncey.
 
So for the sake of argument, lets say that Spiller and Thomas are both gone and the Texans are unable to trade down. Would you consider taking Pouncey at 20?
 
awtysst said:
So for the sake of argument, lets say that Spiller and Thomas are both gone and the Texans are unable to trade down. Would you consider taking Pouncey at 20?
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not over Kyle Wilson or Patrick Robinson. I doubt he grades out as the 20th best prospect or even in top 30, after that it gets interesting :thinking:
 
beerlover said:
not over Kyle Wilson or Patrick Robinson. I doubt he grades out as the 20th best prospect or even in top 30, after that it gets interesting :thinking:
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Agreed 100%. I would love to snag Robinson at #20 and worry about center or guard in the 2nd and 3rd rounds.
 
beerlover said:
not over Kyle Wilson or Patrick Robinson. I doubt he grades out as the 20th best prospect or even in top 30, after that it gets interesting :thinking:
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I am not completely sold on Patrick Robinson. I need to think more about him. But if Wilson, Spiller, and Thomas are gone, I think it gets interesting.
 
awtysst said:
I am not completely sold on Patrick Robinson. I need to think more about him. But if Wilson, Spiller, and Thomas are gone, I think it gets interesting.
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There are so many issues to review when determining a players final draftable grade, they are all still open for discussion whether it be injury related, player needs to increase strength or attack the mental aspect of his game, CB is a very interersting position because fluid hips, recovery speed & a nose for the ball overcome so much. Patrick reminds me alot of Tracy Porter who came out of Indiana two years ago to the Saints early in the 2nd rd. I see both the inconsistantcies, mental lapses & increase needed in strength/work ethic but these guys can also make game defining moments/big plays (See Porters interception of Manning for a pick 6 in Super Bowl). Bottom line these are rare cats who are coveted by every organization, that inate ability to play the ball first, blanket amazing WR's, play off blocks & shed in run support is why a CB will go before a Center or Guard 9 times of 10.
 
beerlover said:
not over Kyle Wilson or Patrick Robinson. I doubt he grades out as the 20th best prospect or even in top 30, after that it gets interesting :thinking:
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I love Pouncey, but wouldn't spend a 1st rdr on him.
He lost a few head to head battles against Cody.
 
Scouts Inc.'s Safest First-Rounders

You have to be an Insider subscriber on ESPN.com to read this piece, but I thought I would comment on the four names that were listed by Kevin Weidl and Todd McShay. - Lance Zierlein

3. Maurkice Pouncey, C, Florida
"Versatility is one of Pouncey's strongest attributes. He played center in college but has very good size (6-4¾, 316 pounds) and the smarts to shift out to guard. His feet are always under him, and he displays impressive balance and a good power base, something he showed off in an intense showdown with Tennessee DT Dan Williams last season."

Z-Report Says: I would say another hit for Scouts Inc. here. Interior linemen are often some of the safest, though less flashy, choices on the board. While Pouncey figures to be at the back end of the first-round selection since centers and guards rarely get taken inside the top 20, there is a chance that someone could overdraft Pouncey. And maybe "overdraft" isn't the right word. With more and more defenses shifting to a 3-4 front, a powerful center who can move well and who can play guard if needed is something that should start to get a higher draft priority.
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beerlover said:
Scouts Inc.'s Safest First-Rounders

You have to be an Insider subscriber on ESPN.com to read this piece, but I thought I would comment on the four names that were listed by Kevin Weidl and Todd McShay. - Lance Zierlein
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Here's another view point from Drew Boyllhart of the huddlereport.com, a subscription site.
Maurkice Pouncey OC Florida
TALENT BOARD
Round 5

STRENGTHS

Maurkice has decent size to maybe be a solid offensive lineman in the right system for the next level. He shows good upper body strength and when he gets his hands on you, he is very tough to get away from and, at times, can dominate his opponent. Maurkice is quick out of his stance and does an excellent job snapping the ball for a spread or shotgun offense.

NEEDS TO IMPROVE

Maurkice has a lot of very bad habits that he's developed because of his athletic limitations -- ones that will be magnified at the next level. His stance is poor. His left leg is ahead of his right leg, which means he is off-balance from the snap. He lacks lateral agility and the ability to change directions unless he is holding on to his opponent. He gives away the plays by leaning back in his stance on passing plays and leaning forward on running plays. You can tell this by looking at his butt and head level on each play. He struggles going out to the next level unless the LB is standing still so that he can be blocked. He does not change protections to protect the QB. Against Arkansas they blitz right up the middle all game long. He does not combo block at all and does not come off his block in the passing game to help cover the middle on a blitz. He lacks foot speed to be used in a pulling offensive line system. He could fit a zone blocking scheme in run protection, but that still leaves his limitations in the passing game as a problem. He does not direct the offensive line at all or call out overloads on the defensive line. Maurkice does not seem to change the blocking scheme at all once it is set. Of course, in this offense, he might not be asked to do that at all.

BOTTOM LINE

I just do not understand why Maurkice is considered by some people as the best center in this draft! I see maybe a right guard for the next level or a player who hangs onto the long snapper's job, but right now I do not see a starting center for an NFL team. I do respect the fact that this kid has played for a high level program at the college level, but with all of his limitations, his LTI is way out there. I was careful to list all of the reasons why I do not think very highly of Maurkice for the next level because I know I'll have to take "one for the team" on this profile. Maybe Maurkice can develop better lateral agility and change of direction skills. Maybe a good line coach can teach him about protections and put him in a system that will mask his limitations. I can see him starting for some teams. But those teams would be teams that think they can "coach this kid up". Maurkice is not an impact offensive lineman. I see a serviceable right guard in a system that uses tight splits and has a good blocking back to help him out in pass protection. That means Maurkice is a systems offensive lineman with long snapping abilities.

Drew Boylhart 1/10
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I add this because the foot placement issues are interesting. And something to look for this week in the drill at the combine.
 
Dropping Pouncey based off combine workout from borderline 1st rd. pick to just a 2nd. as a group there isn't that much of a drop-off or clear starting capable prospect. You draft the one who best fits your system & provides great value, versatility a plus if he can also play Guard, ala Caldwell.
 
Yeah I thought he was going to come in out 310 or so . 305, we already got that on the roster. We can hold our water and wait for the value of him to the round catching what he is. No need to reach. I don't believe now he is an instant answer for a running the ball woes. He's going to be a good player.
 
Most players lose weight prior to the Combine so that they are lighter, more agile, and faster in the drills. He could easily put on 10-15 lbs. prior to the season starting. If we were to trade down in the 1st round, I'd take Pouncey easily in the 1st.
 
Info on Pouncey by most sources had him right at 320 and now he comes in at slightly < 305. That's a 5% swing in body weight and disappointing for a team like ours willing to use a high pick for an ungrade on a smallish center without losing quickness & agility.
 
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