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Draft preview series: Baylor C Philip Blake
March, 23, 2012
By Bryan Broaddus and Tim MacMahon
The 10th installment of our draft preview series looks at Baylor center Philip Blake.
Scouts Inc. ranks: No. 3 center, unranked overall (not top 100)
Bio: He’s a 26-year-old native who did not play football until his senior year of high school. Played one season at Tyler Junior College before going to Baylor. Started every game for the Bears the last three seasons, playing right tackle as a sophomore and center as a junior and senior. Was first-team All-Big 12 last season, when he helped the Bears rank second in the nation in total offense and fourth in scoring offense.
Size: 6-foot-2 ¾, 311 pounds
40-yard dash: 5.18 seconds
225-pound bench press reps: 22
Vertical jump: 29.5 inches
Broad jump: 8-foot-9
20-yard shuttle: 4.65 seconds
Three-cone drill: 7.88 seconds
Broaddus Breakdown (viewed TCU, Oklahoma, Texas and Washington games): Physically, he looks the part with a large lower body, but he surprisingly really didn't play with much power when it came to the running game. I really didn’t see much snap or shock to his game when taking on defenders. Too much catching and trying to steer. Likes to lean on his man, and it gets him in trouble because he gets overextended in his blocks. Tends to get a little straight-legged, and I think this hurts him with his power. … If he learns how to play with more of a flat back, I think he would have better success. Seems like he is always reaching on his blocks. His sustain comes from grabbing and holding his man. … Thought he could have done a much better job of finishing blocks. There were times when he looked like he was peeking to find the ball then let up when it got past him. … Has outstanding timed speed for an offensive lineman, but you don’t see him play fast. Plays more like his 20 shuttle time of 4.65. Is not that quick-footed athlete that you would like to have at center. Had problems getting to and securing blocks on the second level. … Thought he could have played with better balance, especially on reach and cut-off blocks. Was a nonfactor in the screen package against TCU and Oklahoma. Would clear his man, then it was a struggle for him to get out in space, leaving a defender unblocked. … He did a much better job when he was asked to pass protect. Was more active with his hands in the Oklahoma game. Is really comfortable playing against an opponent that doesn’t have many pass rush moves, like against Texas, but Alameda Ta’amu of Washington (one of the top nose tackles in this draft) gave him some fits with his power. … Solid when asked to help in the pocket with blitz pickups. You see awareness and vision in this area. … Comes from an offense that runs a great deal of read option but that also threw the ball, so he will need some development as a run blocker, which right now is his biggest weakness. … Don’t like the fact that he only lifted 22 times with 225. He is a little bit behind in that area too, but it is something that he can work on. … Will be a consideration in the middle of the draft because he does have some tools that could be developed.
March, 23, 2012
By Bryan Broaddus and Tim MacMahon
The 10th installment of our draft preview series looks at Baylor center Philip Blake.
Scouts Inc. ranks: No. 3 center, unranked overall (not top 100)
Bio: He’s a 26-year-old native who did not play football until his senior year of high school. Played one season at Tyler Junior College before going to Baylor. Started every game for the Bears the last three seasons, playing right tackle as a sophomore and center as a junior and senior. Was first-team All-Big 12 last season, when he helped the Bears rank second in the nation in total offense and fourth in scoring offense.
Size: 6-foot-2 ¾, 311 pounds
40-yard dash: 5.18 seconds
225-pound bench press reps: 22
Vertical jump: 29.5 inches
Broad jump: 8-foot-9
20-yard shuttle: 4.65 seconds
Three-cone drill: 7.88 seconds
Broaddus Breakdown (viewed TCU, Oklahoma, Texas and Washington games): Physically, he looks the part with a large lower body, but he surprisingly really didn't play with much power when it came to the running game. I really didn’t see much snap or shock to his game when taking on defenders. Too much catching and trying to steer. Likes to lean on his man, and it gets him in trouble because he gets overextended in his blocks. Tends to get a little straight-legged, and I think this hurts him with his power. … If he learns how to play with more of a flat back, I think he would have better success. Seems like he is always reaching on his blocks. His sustain comes from grabbing and holding his man. … Thought he could have done a much better job of finishing blocks. There were times when he looked like he was peeking to find the ball then let up when it got past him. … Has outstanding timed speed for an offensive lineman, but you don’t see him play fast. Plays more like his 20 shuttle time of 4.65. Is not that quick-footed athlete that you would like to have at center. Had problems getting to and securing blocks on the second level. … Thought he could have played with better balance, especially on reach and cut-off blocks. Was a nonfactor in the screen package against TCU and Oklahoma. Would clear his man, then it was a struggle for him to get out in space, leaving a defender unblocked. … He did a much better job when he was asked to pass protect. Was more active with his hands in the Oklahoma game. Is really comfortable playing against an opponent that doesn’t have many pass rush moves, like against Texas, but Alameda Ta’amu of Washington (one of the top nose tackles in this draft) gave him some fits with his power. … Solid when asked to help in the pocket with blitz pickups. You see awareness and vision in this area. … Comes from an offense that runs a great deal of read option but that also threw the ball, so he will need some development as a run blocker, which right now is his biggest weakness. … Don’t like the fact that he only lifted 22 times with 225. He is a little bit behind in that area too, but it is something that he can work on. … Will be a consideration in the middle of the draft because he does have some tools that could be developed.