Predicting Ronnie Stanley's first season

[Jacquouille]

I could have posted it on the Welcoming thread, but I felt like there were many opinions to share on this one, so I thought a topic would be better suited.

So for people wandering: Why for only Stanley and not Correa or Dixon? Because Stanley is the only rookie projected as the clear cut starter at his position, and because he plays a position where nearly 100% of the rookies struggle. And of course, because a large part of our success this year depends on him.

 

We all know that Stanley's weakness (I didn't say Achilles because, well, you know...) is his upper body strength. I don't find him horrible as a run blocker, he's very smart in his placement and seals the edge very efficiently without mauling, and he anchors well. His technique is very good for a prospect, but still average for a pro.

IMO there are two things to consider: the opponents that he will face, and how we should gameplan to help him have major success.

 

Among the notable opponents, I think Jerry Hughes in Week1 is a very interesting matchup. Lawson certainly out, he'll be their only dangerous Edge. He's known for his speed and agility, which is also Ron's forte, so Ron should have the edge here, and if he does our offense will have few difficulties to take command of the game.

 

A less favourable matchup would be Kerrigan for example, who rely more on strength and hands/technique. Against a guy like that, we absolutely need to bring a TE or Juice to back up Ronnie, or the LG if Kerrigan goes inside. Ronnie will never be outraced by a guy or taken by surprise, as long as we don't ask him to play on an island (like he did a lot in college), he should have a solid rookie season.

 

Waiting for your opinions on the matter!

 

[LosT_in_TranSlatioN]

We're talking about a guy who's technically refined and really athletic. He should have a few bumps in the road as most rookies do, but towards the end of the season he should be solid. He's already got amazing footwork and skill in pass protection. He's shown a willingness to put people on their backs too so I don't think he's soft. I think we are talking about a potential all pro in his second season if he develops in the run game

[allblackraven]

3 minutes ago, LosT_in_TranSlatioN said:

We're talking about a guy who's technically refined and really athletic. He should have a few bumps in the road as most rookies do, but towards the end of the season he should be solid. He's already got amazing footwork and skill in pass protection. He's shown a willingness to put people on their backs too so I don't think he's soft. I think we are talking about a potential all pro in his second season if he develops in the run game

It's an urban legend that Stanley lacks in a run game. He is actually playing the run much better than Tunsil and Monroe. 

[LosT_in_TranSlatioN]

1 minute ago, allblackraven said:

It's an urban legend that Stanley lacks in a run game. He is actually playing the run much better than Tunsil and Monroe. 

Oh I know. I've watched tons of tape on the guy. But there's still improvements to be made. He shows potential to have a Nasty streak there. He develops that.... Well we've got ourselves our LT of the next decade.

[JoeyFlex5]

I think Stanley breaks the streak of struggling rookies at LT. He's a cleaner prospect than most have seen in a long time. 

 

I think Dunlap will give him fits both games and aside from that I think he does very well. The speed rusher is the way of the league and I think Stanley will stifle speed rushers, even as a rookie.

[Jacquouille]

13 minutes ago, JoeyFlex5 said:

I think Stanley breaks the streak of struggling rookies at LT. He's a cleaner prospect than most have seen in a long time. 

 

I think Dunlap will give him fits both games and aside from that I think he does very well. The speed rusher is the way of the league and I think Stanley will stifle speed rushers, even as a rookie.

Dunlap scares me as well, I don't know how you're supposed to handle a guy like that. 

[JoeyFlex5]

21 minutes ago, Jacquouille said:

Dunlap scares me as well, I don't know how you're supposed to handle a guy like that. 

I don't think he'll always be a problem for stanley, but as a rookie yeah, he's just the kind of guy to give him fits, powerful savvy veteran and well rounded edge defender, it's not like he's another 3rd down specialist who relies on burst and nothing more. I'll look over the schedule and give a week to week prediction when I have time.

[JoeyFlex5]

Week 1 vs BUF: I think he does well, jerry hughes is their top guy for this game and I feel he is a perfect matchup for Stanley to gain some early confidence.

 

Week 2 CLE: I don't see a edge defender in Cleveland that I think would give Stanley problems.

 

Week 3 JAX: a healthy Dante Fowler I think will give Stanley fits, he seems to be the perfect counter for a guy like stanley but he may not see him often as I think he will be a strongside end. Also senderrick marks and Malik Jackson could be a handful as well. I think this is where Stanley struggles the most early on. 

 

Week 4 OAK: Khalil Mack is simply an unstoppable manchild. Jonathan ogden may have had his hands full with a hot khalil mack. Hopefully 2 tough weeks don't get him in a slump. 

I'll come back and edit later for more games

 

 

[Passepartout]

I just think that if he can work out his weaknesses. He can be the elite LT he needs to be.

Edited July 13, 2016 by Passepartout

[Jacquouille]

6 hours ago, JoeyFlex5 said:

I don't think he'll always be a problem for stanley, but as a rookie yeah, he's just the kind of guy to give him fits, powerful savvy veteran and well rounded edge defender, it's not like he's another 3rd down specialist who relies on burst and nothing more. I'll look over the schedule and give a week to week prediction when I have time.

I planned on doing the same, but I realised it would be too much for the first post. Anyway I agree with what you said for the first two games, except that for CLE, if Kruger is in his best shape, he might give Ronnie some troubles. 

[Inqui]

9 hours ago, allblackraven said:

It's an urban legend that Stanley lacks in a run game. He is actually playing the run much better than Tunsil and Monroe. 

Agreed, and that's because he's not a classic mauler like Greg Robinson was and in the pre-draft process everyone bought into that really stupid "he's a soft player" and "he has a bad work ethic" hype. Nice to see people changing their tunes now though.

As a positional blocker he's fine, and in the pros where schemes and assignments become more important that should be plenty. All he's got to do is get to his spot first and seal off his side of the running lane. That's more than enough to help spring a guy like Justin Forsett to the second level. Not that I'd expect PFF to give him a lot of credit for a block like that, mind.

[Jacquouille]

19 minutes ago, Inqui said:

Agreed, and that's because he's not a classic mauler like Greg Robinson was and in the pre-draft process everyone bought into that really stupid "he's a soft player" and "he has a bad work ethic" hype. Nice to see people changing their tunes now though.

As a positional blocker he's fine, and in the pros where schemes and assignments become more important that should be plenty. All he's got to do is get to his spot first and seal off his side of the running lane. That's more than enough to help spring a guy like Justin Forsett to the second level. Not that I'd expect PFF to give him a lot of credit for a block like that, mind.

That's also what I was saying (except you said it better). He's really smart and doesn't waste energy mauling all game long, but rather he puts himself in the right position to erase his opponent and leave a hole for the runner. You look at Procise's highlights and very often he goes through a hole between Ronnie and the G, and you don't see Ronnie pushing his guy 5 yards dowfield, he's just there anchoring and leaving a path.

I think that's why he fits so well here, with runners that have good vision and can get to the second level in one cut like we have, he's gonna be reliable.

[Inqui]

1 minute ago, Jacquouille said:

That's also what I was saying (except you said it better). He's really smart and doesn't waste energy mauling all game long, but rather he puts himself in the right position to erase his opponent and leave a hole for the runner. You look at Procise's highlights and very often he goes through a hole between Ronnie and the G, and you don't see Ronnie pushing his guy 5 yards dowfield, he's just there anchoring and leaving a path.

I think that's why he fits so well here, with runners that have good vision and can get to the second level in one cut like we have, he's gonna be reliable.

Yeah, seeing as we still seem to like using Gary Kubiak's OL scheme, technique is generally better than brute force if you had to pick one area to excel.

And as I said in the other thread, he'll take time to bulk up for NFL play but he should be fine in a year or two once he's had a bit of time in an NFL weights program and he's able to max out his body. Even as a pass blocker that won't do him any favours in his rookie year, but I think it'll pay for everyone to remember not to panic when he inevitably has his struggles.

[Guest]

Not wanting to offend the vast majority here, nor my bourgeoning fan base, nor get myself in trouble,  I have determined to change my opinion upon Ronnie Stanley's caliber of play.  Mr. Stanley will not false start more than a reasonable number of times trying to cover Joe's back from powerful maulers.

Ronnie Stanley will never jump offsides when playing at home.

Ronnie Stanley will grade out among the very top Left Tackles during running plays.

Ronnie Stanley will be as sound as hickory.

Ronnie Stanley will lead us to the promised land, (Our third championship), THIS YEAR!

Ronnie Stanley will be the bestest, bestest, bestest Left Tackle we ever had.  Well, close anyway!

There, whether it all pans out or not, at least now we can all get along.

 

Edited July 13, 2016 by Danny D

[JoeyFlex5]

Offsides is a defensive penalty.

 

[rmcjacket23]

Early season struggles, which would be expected with ANY rookie LT. Steady growth throughout the year, noticeable improvement in run blocking.

Will likely struggle with the better edge rushers in the league in Year 1.

And fans will overreact to this and call him terrible, mostly because they are uneducated about how a typical rookie LT performs in this league.

[BOLDnPurPnBlacK]

17 hours ago, allblackraven said:

It's an urban legend that Stanley lacks in a run game. He is actually playing the run much better than Tunsil and Monroe. 

From what ive seen, youre right in saying that its a myth that he struggles in run blocking as a blanket statement...

But i do think he struggles in stretch zone blocking, screens, or if hes asked to pull. Generally speaking, i thought he struggled more when asked to block someone in space. There were times I'd see him reach and miss, look confused as to who he should block and either do nothing or block the wrong person, and would lose his base and get all off-balance.

Happened quite a bit in the Temple game especially where he was working against smaller, quicker lineman.

We'll see... obviously something he can improve upon. When blocking man-on-man in the run game, he was just as good as in pass blocking. Outside of that i thought he really did struggle when asked to pull, lay a block in space, or move to engage a defender.

[JoeyFlex5]

16 minutes ago, BOLDnPurPnBlacK said:

From what ive seen, youre right in saying that its a myth that he struggles in run blocking as a blanket statement...

But i do think he struggles in stretch zone blocking, screens, or if hes asked to pull. Generally speaking, i thought he struggled more when asked to block someone in space. There were times I'd see him reach and miss, look confused as to who he should block and either do nothing or block the wrong person, and would lose his base and get all off-balance.

Happened quite a bit in the Temple game especially where he was working against smaller, quicker lineman.

We'll see... obviously something he can improve upon. When blocking man-on-man in the run game, he was just as good as in pass blocking. Outside of that i thought he really did struggle when asked to pull, lay a block in space, or move to engage a defender.

Stretch zone is a huge change from inside or man blocking, and luckily it's a lot easier to mask it when the whole unit is experienced in it, so if everyone on our line is a zone veteran, working as a unit will mask Stanley's deficiencies there

[Edgar]

13 hours ago, JoeyFlex5 said:

Week 1 vs BUF: I think he does well, jerry hughes is their top guy for this game and I feel he is a perfect matchup for Stanley to gain some early confidence.

 

Week 2 CLE: I don't see a edge defender in Cleveland that I think would give Stanley problems.

 

Week 3 JAX: a healthy Dante Fowler I think will give Stanley fits, he seems to be the perfect counter for a guy like stanley but he may not see him often as I think he will be a strongside end. Also senderrick marks and Malik Jackson could be a handful as well. I think this is where Stanley struggles the most early on. 

 

Week 4 OAK: Khalil Mack is simply an unstoppable manchild. Jonathan ogden may have had his hands full with a hot khalil mack. Hopefully 2 tough weeks don't get him in a slump. 

I'll come back and edit later for more games

 

 

 Mack had 1 tackle, zero sacks vs.Ravens last year. 

 

[The Raven]

3 minutes ago, Edgar said:

 Mack had 1 tackle, zero sacks vs.Ravens last year. 

 

Yep, and he had five or six sacks in one game against the Broncos. He has the potential to take over games.

[BmoreBird22]

9 minutes ago, The Raven said:

Yep, and he had five or six sacks in one game against the Broncos. He has the potential to take over games.

I think it was 5 and on some of them, I don't even think the offensive lineman got a hand on him.

[The Raven]

1 hour ago, BOLDnPurPnBlacK said:

From what ive seen, youre right in saying that its a myth that he struggles in run blocking as a blanket statement...

But i do think he struggles in stretch zone blocking, screens, or if hes asked to pull. Generally speaking, i thought he struggled more when asked to block someone in space. There were times I'd see him reach and miss, look confused as to who he should block and either do nothing or block the wrong person, and would lose his base and get all off-balance.

Happened quite a bit in the Temple game especially where he was working against smaller, quicker lineman.

We'll see... obviously something he can improve upon. When blocking man-on-man in the run game, he was just as good as in pass blocking. Outside of that i thought he really did struggle when asked to pull, lay a block in space, or move to engage a defender.

Uh, no. Stanley's mobility is the best part of his game, and his ability to block in space is part of what separates him from other tackles. Just about every OL scout has said Stanley is best off in a zone scheme.

It's actually his physicality, lack of strength, and lack of dominance in man blocking that are his downsides. He doesn't blow guys off the line ever. That's his weakness, not reaching or blocking in space.

Edited July 13, 2016 by The Raven

[Edgar]

1 hour ago, The Raven said:

Yep, and he had five or six sacks in one game against the Broncos. He has the potential to take over games.

No question he has to be reckoned with. Just pointing out how difficult it is to predict game by game and matchup by matchup with so many variables yet to be determined.

As much as would be concerned about him, he can, based on 2015 be marginalized. Yes, he dominated Denver but in seven games ( out of 15), he managed exactly zero sacks.

[JoeyFlex5]

2 hours ago, Edgar said:

 Mack had 1 tackle, zero sacks vs.Ravens last year. 

 

That was also a game where the raiders secondary was getting absolutely torched so there was no real chance to get pressure. Not to mention it was week 2 and Mack hadnt heated up yet, players come on strong at different times throughout the season.

[BOLDnPurPnBlacK]

2 hours ago, The Raven said:

Uh, no. Stanley's mobility is the best part of his game, and his ability to block in space is part of what separates him from other tackles. Just about every OL scout has said Stanley is best off in a zone scheme.

It's actually his physicality, lack of strength, and lack of dominance in man blocking that are his downsides. He doesn't blow guys off the line ever. That's his weakness, not reaching or blocking in space.

I'm not saying power is his game, just that he fared much better when the defender was lined up over top of him. Regardless of what scouts may or may not say, he struggled quite a bit in most of the games I watched of him when asked to block on screens or stretch zone plays. He missed often. Hes got great footwork and is a finesse athlete, but he missed a lot of blocks in space on run plays.

Theres a difference between having the physical ability or talent to do something or be good a specific skill, and having had the mental capacity to perform it. Most of what I said had to do with decision-making and you come back with.... well but hes mobile! 

He may best project to a zone scheme since he doesnt have the lower body strength and explosion to move guys back off the line, but that doesnt mean he was already good at it in college.

Watch him versus Temple. Not talking just 2-3 plays.

Edited July 13, 2016 by BOLDnPurPnBlacK

[The Raven]

15 minutes ago, BOLDnPurPnBlacK said:

I'm not saying power is his game, just that he fared much better when the defender was lined up over top of him. Regardless of what scouts may or may not say, he struggled quite a bit in most of the games I watched of him when asked to block on screens or stretch zone plays. He missed often. Hes got great footwork and is a finesse athlete, but he missed a lot of blocks in space on run plays.

Theres a difference between having the physical ability or talent to do something or be good a specific skill, and having had the mental capacity to perform it. Most of what I said had to do with decision-making and you come back with.... well but hes mobile! 

He may best project to a zone scheme since he doesnt have the lower body strength and explosion to move guys back off the line, but that doesnt mean he was already good at it in college.

Watch him versus Temple. Not talking just 2-3 plays.

 

I watched Temple - he missed more than usual. It's a fixable problem. He was hitting his targets or at least getting a hand on them, but he wasn't staying locked on and finishing his blocks. If he sinks his hips better and keeps his pad level lower, problem solved. 

It's not like he was missing his landmark altogether. He got to the landmarks. He whiffed on the blocks. If he works on his hips, he'll be fine.

[trevorsteadman]

If I had to predict this I bet it starts off a little rough and fans start calling for his head and fans will scream and shout to try out Alex Lewis and blame Harbaugh for not giving his job to Ray Lewis and people will be mad at Dean Pees for Ronnie Stanley's struggles. But then by week 6 or 7 you see week to week improvement. 

[Jacquouille]

On ‎14‎/‎07‎/‎2016 at 1:48 PM, trevorsteadman said:

If I had to predict this I bet it starts off a little rough and fans start calling for his head and fans will scream and shout to try out Alex Lewis and blame Harbaugh for not giving his job to Ray Lewis and people will be mad at Dean Pees for Ronnie Stanley's struggles. But then by week 6 or 7 you see week to week improvement. 

Sounds legit.

[airconteka1]

On ‎14‎/‎07‎/‎2016 at 9:18 PM, trevorsteadman said:

If I had to predict this I bet it starts off a little rough and fans start calling for his head and fans will scream and shout to try out Alex Lewis and blame Harbaugh for not giving his job to Ray Lewis and people will be mad at Dean Pees for Ronnie Stanley's struggles. But then by week 6 or 7 you see week to week improvement. 

Especially if he hasn't scored many TDs

[BmoreBird22]

On 7/13/2016 at 3:17 PM, BOLDnPurPnBlacK said:

I'm not saying power is his game, just that he fared much better when the defender was lined up over top of him. Regardless of what scouts may or may not say, he struggled quite a bit in most of the games I watched of him when asked to block on screens or stretch zone plays. He missed often. Hes got great footwork and is a finesse athlete, but he missed a lot of blocks in space on run plays.

Theres a difference between having the physical ability or talent to do something or be good a specific skill, and having had the mental capacity to perform it. Most of what I said had to do with decision-making and you come back with.... well but hes mobile! 

He may best project to a zone scheme since he doesnt have the lower body strength and explosion to move guys back off the line, but that doesnt mean he was already good at it in college.

Watch him versus Temple. Not talking just 2-3 plays.

You're talking to someone who was dominant enough at OL to play in college...