FanPost

Cedric Ogbuehi, The Outlook

Much has been made over the Bengals picking back to back offensive tackles in this draft, whether it signals the end of Andrew Whitworth's reign as the best left tackle in the Queen City since #78 (it shouldn't) or whether it was just truly sticking to their guns about trusting their board (it was). The first of the two tackles taken was Texas A&M's Cedric Ogbuehi. Ogbuehi came into 2014 highly regarded as a right tackle from 2013 and was making the move to left tackle for the Aggies, who had just produced two top draft picks at left tackle in Luke Joeckel and Jake Matthews. While, one might think this is making TAMU the "LT U", it really isn't due to the limited success either Joeckel and Matthews has found in the NFL, what is more concerning is that they have seemingly struggled in the same way some predict Ogbuehi will struggle in the NFL as well. So, let's take a look at Ogbuehi's 2014 season at TAMU. Starting with the skills and techniques.

Where he wins:

Ogbuehi is a naturally smooth player and good athlete. He possesses incredibly impressive physical gifts. 35 7/8" arms was tops in the class, naturally mover with light feet and an ability to mirror. He's rarely beaten directly around the edge with speed. Finesse rushers will struggle to just use speed or athleticism against him. His length and feet can shut down undersized rushers. Ogbuehi is also a very alert blocker, he sees the field well in front of him and can recognize blitzes and stunts. He appears to be more comfortable and natural at the right tackle spot.

Ogbuehi vs Preston Smith

Smith isn't a true edge rusher, or at least hasn't unlocked it yet, but he tries to test Ogbuehi on the edge and can't get around him. Ogbuehi is too smooth and light getting on that edge. This is where Ogbuehi was at his best in 2014. Teams repetively felt the need to test this edge on him and failed. He was incredibly comfortable when the DL isn't attacking directly at him and he could let the play develop in front of him while staying patient and protecting the edge.

Ogbuehi vs Preston Smith

Smith tries to get around the edge on Ogbuehi and despite being able to get a hand inside, isn't able to fully get around him to apply pressure, Ogbuehi stays patient and rides Smith out of the play, mirroring him all the way. In the Bengals quick-pass offense, this could be very valuable.

Where he struggles:

Ogbuehi struggles with power at the point of attack. Whether it's in the run game or pass pro, when faced with power off the snap, Ogbuehi lacks the technique in his hands and consistent lower body play to fend off power. In pass pro, he keeps his hands low around his waist in a near relaxed state. He tries to time from this stance but it's clumsy and slow. It leads to a wind up he shoots his hands wide opening his chest to the defender. While at LT, he gave up his fair share of disruptive plays (sacks, hits, hurries). In Texas A&M's offense, he wasn't often asked to set for long or to sustain long. It's a quick hit offense with one read before the QB jettisons. This lack of a punch isn't always noticeable and doesn't directly lead to a disruptive play, but it is concerning when the rushers at the NFL level tend to be bigger, stronger and faster. Another area that Ogbuehi seemed to have issues was the initial move from RT to LT. He took an abnormal amount of false steps, wasting time and movement at the line of scrimmage.

Ogbuehi vs TAMU

In the run game, you see the wide hands and wind up again. Had this play been to his side, very good chance his defender makes the play. Now, he will get a SLIGHT pass here as he is sort of a victim of the offense, they never run power. Everything is basically quick draws and dives. But then again, that also makes his run blocking a total work in progress.

Ogbuehi vs Preston Smith

Up against one of the better pass rushers he'd see all year, Ogbuehi shows the flaw in his pass pro. Smith fires out, shoots his hands quickly and tightly to the chest of Ogbuehi before Ogbuehi can get his hands on Smith at all. The result of this happens to be inconsequential largely thanks to the design of the TAMU offense. Smith never has a chance to capitalize on his winning off the snap. Even in the Bengals quick passing attack this could be disastrous with NFL DBs out there....(see the SD playoff game for examples).

The Mentality of a Blocker

A big question of all the recent TAMU blockers has been their ability to be physical nasty blockers, can they show the nasty side and finish guys off and beat guys up. Watching Ogbuehi seems just like watching Joeckel and Matthews in that regard. Ogbuehi might be more gifted physically and athletically, but he equally lacks the nasty to him. There's little to no killer in his game. He doesn't fire off with anger, there's no punch to him. He winds up and grabs (as stated before). He doesn't sustain and finish blocks through the whistle, often letting up and his guy can be a pile jumper. He rarely shows the physical nature to just overwhelm and dominate. Does he have the size and strength to do it? He seemingly does, but he lacks the mentality of a blocker. Why was Brandon Scherff, who played much of 2014 hurt and often labeled "strictly a guard" or "only a RT in the right system" a top 10 draft pick? Because he brings it. He has the mentality of a blocker. Ogbuehi is every bit as gifted athletically and has greater size than Scherff. But he doesn't have that edge to him Scherff does. Scherff plays with bad intention. No free passes with him, every snap he's looking to take you out. Ogbuehi plays a more passive game. Often going with the flow of a game. He's susceptible to bad streaks of play when a game takes a bad turn overall.

Injuries and commitment:

We all know about his torn ACL, but there have been reports from anonymous scouts claiming that he had back issues at TAMU as well.

"Just during games you'd see him stretching, and in practice he was always doing some maintenance on the back. There's got to be some legitimate concerns about the back," the scout concluded. A previous quote in early March from a scout, also via McGinn, stated Ogbuehi rarely practiced due to always being hurt.

Soucre: http://www.rotoworld.com/recent/cfb/132169/cedric-ogbuehi

This is very concerning for me. Yes he gets essentially a redshirt year thanks to the two very talented bookends already here, but back issues tend to linger. ACL injuries can be overcome but even the smallest back injury can lurk for years just nagging away at a player. Also reported where issues with coaching, his being difficult to coach. How much credence those are given are up to the individual but his struggles at LT (led SEC in sacks) and his better play back at RT lends itself to say, maybe there is a little fire to that smoke.

Throw in several tidbits about his lack of practice (due to being hurt or some other reason) and there is a lot to be concerned about when it comes to what you can expect from Ogbuehi in the near future.

2015 Outlook:

2015 will likely hold no answers for us when it comes to Ogbuehi, we will have to wait for 2016 at the earliest and that is provided Andrew Whitworth isn't hanging around still and healthy second round selection Oregon's left tackle Jake Fisher doesn't seize an opportunity first. We have one full year to get Ogbuehi acclimated to the NFL. And that could honestly be his saving grace. If Paul Alexander can get Ogbuehi to play with more tenacity and develop some good hand use and a punch then we could have a legit player on our hands. But if he is not able to get these sort of things from Ogbuehi, then what do we have? We have Anthony Collins, a decent pass blocker in our scheme but lacks any sort of upside as a run blocker.

This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of Cincy Jungle's writers or editors. It does reflect the views of this particular fan, which is as important as the views of Cincy Jungle's writers or editors.