Arizona Cardinals Potential Draft Pick: Max Unger
by Hawkwind on Mar 9, 2009 2:01 PM MDT
Email
PrintOur next draft profile comes courtesy of our very own KDean75 who moonlights as an Oregon Ducks fan in addition to his following of the Arizona Cardinals. Being an aficionado of the Ducks allows him to bring us a detailed look at....
Max Unger (C), University of Oregon
Height & Weight: 6'5, 309 lbs.
Combine Results
40 Yards: 5.28
20 Yards: 2.96
10 Yards: 1.78
Bench Press: 22
Vertical Jump: 24 1/2
Broad Jump: 7' 9"
3-Cone Drill: 7.39
20-Yard Shuttle: 4.5
Positives: Unger's a smart, four year starter for the Oregon Ducks (51 consecutive starts) who's won multiple awards including being named to the All-Pac Ten Team the past two seasons. He's extremely versatile with two years as the Ducks' starting left tackle before moving inside for his final two seasons at center. Good feet and technical proficiency are his calling cards and despite not being an overly big lineman, he looks to dominate his opponent and plays with a mean streak.
Negatives: The biggest question on Unger, as with most centers, is his strength. He's not a mauler and powerful nose tackles will give him trouble. At times he'll overextend, which will lead to him losing his balance and Oregon's offense operating primarily out of the shotgun, so he's not overly familiar with the QB under center. He needs to be limited to inside traps and pulls because he can get too tall at times, which leads to him being overpowered.
Overview: Strength will be an issue, but otherwise, he's an excellent lineman. Best suited to be a center where his ability to get to the second level will be best utilized. Due to his good mobility, he has the ability to pull which he did often at Oregon. He was a team leader on and off the field at Oregon and his durability is simply amazing. He's often described as a ‘jack of all trades' but a master at none.
Projected round: late 1st - mid 2nd
Why he should be a Cardinal: It's pretty simple; he fills two needs at the same time. He'd instantly provide competition to Lyle Sendlein and he might just end up being a starter from day one. If he doesn't win the job though, he might just fill an even greater need: depth at nearly every position. He can certainly play each interior position and he could even slide out to offensive tackle in a serious bind. For a team that's probably going to lose Elton Brown, Unger's versatility would be a welcome sight. Using their first round pick would be a reach, but if he's still available in the second he'll be hard to pass up.
How he fits into the Cardinals offense: Excellent. Unger would be an upgrade at center, which is certainly a need, and only the 49er's run a 3-4 defense in the NFC West with a nose tackle. His lack of experience with a QB under center wouldn't be a major issue considering how much the Cardinals utilize the shotgun and their incorporation of zone blocking techniques could mask his deficiencies as an in-line blocker.
-------------------------------------------------------
Unger's an intriguing prospect because he can help a team in so many different ways and he's a high quality prospect. For a team that lacks depth at center and guard, Unger will be an enticing option. So what do you guys think? Would you like to see his name called in the second round? Would he unseat Sendlein as the starter?
-------------------------------------------------------
Also guys, KDean was the first one to grab the cheese and write his own draft profile (and more are in the works), but if anyone else is interested in profiling a prospect, email ROTB at revengeofthebirds@gmail.com and we'll talk about it.
11 comments
|
0 recs |
Do you like this story?
Comments
hmmmm
sounds like a great pick in the second if he’s there but would be a waste in the first. He sounds an awful lot like Sendlien but with better mobility and quickness. The ability to play all five positions doesn’t hurt either. He’ll be a name to watch if we don’t take Mack in the first. That could cause him to slide since he’s clearly behind Mack at the position.
Agreed. Mack would be my preference and groom Sendlein to multi-task at G too. Going from T to C is an interesting switch, is it because he couldn’t bulk up enough?
by Cardinal_Fang on Mar 9, 2009 3:24 PM MDT up reply actions
JUCO tackle
Fenuki Tuopo came in. They had a need at center, he’s more suited to be an inside player as speed rushers can be an issue for him.
not in the first
I wouldnt take him in the first, I would in the 2nd. I doubt he will be there at our pick in the second and if he isnt I say trade up in the 3rd and get Jonathan Luigs out of Arkansas.
Never do card tricks for the group you play poker with.
as I originally wrote it, I said that he’s an overdraft in the first, but I’d love him in the second round.
sorry
I forgot to say I thought I sounded like a douche when I wrote it originally, so I took it out.
Good stuff, KDean75. If I knew anything about college players I’d write something up myself.
by Cardinal_Fang on Mar 9, 2009 4:07 PM MDT up reply actions
OC
I like Mack better in the 1 round or someone like Eric Wood or Antoine Caldwell in the 2-3 rounds if you are looking at just the OC to come in and play. Unger they say is close to Mack but more versatile on the line so maybe if we was there in the 2nd but I wouldn’t reach or trade up for him.
Good stuff KDean
But if I had to choose between him and Sendlein at C, I’d take Sendlein. The man helped us get to the SB. To me, if we’re drafting C’s in the first round they need to be better then Sendlein. G’s and T’s would be nice.
I do like his versatility, and if he were a pro he may be able to bulk up to play at those positions. I like’em as depth and for possible versatility.
We need to run
Mack and Unger would be an upgrade from Sendlein.I like Sendlein but he’s not a true center.He does not posses the size or the strengh to get a big enough push up the middle.The center is the most important part in this offense when it comes to the running game.The center has to be able to get out on the inside linebacker and still be strong enough to control the tackles across from him.Sendlein did an adequate job ,last year but he is more suited playing guard,where he can rely on the centers help,in the running game.I like Mack but I think the Cards need someone who offers more versitility,so I would rather have Unger,who could play more than one position. I believe Coach Grimm likes guys who can play more than one position.
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
User Tools
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
Certain photos copyright © 2012 by Associated Press or Getty Images. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of Associated Press and Getty Images is strictly prohibited.
