STRENGTHS
Max is a very good offensive lineman. He has the athletic talent to play right tackle or left tackle. He has good foot movement laterally, along with the size and mental stamina that makes Max very valuable to the teams selecting in this draft. Max shows leadership skills in his play on the field. He has the foot speed to go out to the second level and make his blocks and he has good hand usage to keep opponents off his body to deal with those tricky spin moves. Max looks to be on film, a quality football player who will need time to develop but looks like that time will be worth it.
CONCERNS
Max still has some issues that need to be clean up. He has good hand usage but when pass blocking, his feet hesitate and this allows speed players to get around him especial when they push him up the field and then come back underneath. He moves off the line with smooth and quick footaction but than seems to struggle once engaged, as if he is not confident of his next step.
TALENT BOARD ROUND 2.11
Max most likely will be moved to the right side at the next level but I do believe he has the potential to play on the left side given some time to develop. I have this drill for offensive line who struggle with moving their feet once engaged. I would put the offensive lineman across from another player, tell the OL, to close their eyes and put their hands on the others player shoulders (two hands or one), as the other player across is allowed to move laterally one step or two or even three steps, left or right, as many times as they need, to fool and get by the offensive lineman who must keep his eyes closed. If and when the player fools the offensive lineman and takes a step to move by him, the offensive lineman hopefully (with his hands or hand still on the player) will turn his hips and push him up the field. The offensive lineman will be able to do his job by moving his feet and not by using his hands to defeat his opponent. When you have good feet but you stop them once you’re are engaged, that is mental coordination issue and not lack of physical talent issue. This drill will help to better coordinate a player’s feet mentally without using his eyes and without thinking. You start out slow and then go as fast or use as many steps as is necessary to help the player gain confidence in his feet and balance. Try it every day in practice and you will see the improvement very quickly. There, I’m done coaching for the day.
