Erik McCoy's Arm Length (2 Viewers)

[Slaw]

Because it is one of the tools he has shown to be susceptible to losing to. The weakest trait, no matter how strong, is a weakness when compared to to the rest of the traits.

So if he's top 5 in arm length, he's top 3 in every other trait/skill? Could be an All Pro as a rookie if that's the case.

 

[insidejob]

I thought arm length isn't nearly as important at C or G since you're generally playing in a phone booth with OT arm length being more important because of having rushers that can just go around the edge?

 

[Winsett]

So if he's top 5 in arm length, he's top 3 in every other trait/skill? Could be an All Pro as a rookie if that's the case.

Could he be All Pro as a rookie? Sure, but its incredibly unlikely. However, That is not what I am saying at all. First, I am describing his weakness listed in scouting reports as it relates to his performance evaluation against college competition. Battles with NFL competition could, and should, identify other areas of weakness that could be improved. Second, he's not top 5 in arm length across the entire pool of NFL interior linemen. I am certain i could easily find more than 5 interior linemen, specifically centers, across the league with longer arms. It is just that one of his weakest traits identified from NCAA reps (length) happens to be a weakness shared many other highly successful interior NFL linemen in general, because said weakness is less impactfull at those positions. The top NFL Centers tend to share that same weakness because other attributes at that position carry more value, and if they were very good across the board in addition to having 35+ inch arms, they wouldn't be playing Center. If length wasn't a weakness of his as a player, he probably have been a first round pick given his other traits while probably playing OT at Texas AM.

 

[Slaw]

Could he be All Pro as a rookie? Sure, but its incredibly unlikely. However, That is not what I am saying at all. First, I am describing his weakness listed in scouting reports as it relates to his performance evaluation against college competition. Battles with NFL competition could, and should, identify other areas of weakness that could be improved. Second, he's not top 5 in arm length across the entire pool of NFL interior linemen. I am certain i could easily find more than 5 interior linemen, specifically centers, across the league with longer arms. It is just that one of his weakest traits identified from NCAA reps (length) happens to be a weakness shared many other highly successful interior NFL linemen in general, because said weakness is less impactfull at those positions. The top NFL Centers tend to share that same weakness because other attributes at that position carry more value, and if they were very good across the board in addition to having 35+ inch arms, they wouldn't be playing Center. If length wasn't a weakness of his as a player, he probably have been a first round pick given his other traits while probably playing OT at Texas AM.

We'll have to agree to disagree. I just don't consider it a weakness. Maybe the ability to block defenders who are good at using their length to their advantage, but I think that is due to technique or skill which can be improved. His arm length isn't going to change, but I don't consider length a weakness for every center with less than 34" arms (which would be every center except for one that I know of).

Ryan Ramczyk's arms are 33 3/4" and Armstead's are 34". If you have around 34" arms at OT, you are good. 33" arms at G is good. 32" arms at center is good.

And yes, he is top 5 in arm length at HIS position.

 

[Slaw]

I thought arm length isn't nearly as important at C or G since you're generally playing in a phone booth with OT arm length being more important because of having rushers that can just go around the edge?

That's my understanding. The roughly 34" they look for at OT drops about an inch for OG, and another inch for C. At least that's my opinion, basing it on the arm lengths of current NFL players and looking at their level of play.

 

[tinman]

It is worth mentioning that McCoy's senior bowl arm measurements were a little shorter, at 32 5/8". So, he is probably a little shy of 33", despite what the combine website says. Not that it is much of a difference, but it could show why lack of length is consisently mentioned in scouting reports, as those are largely being finalized by time the combine comes around.

He shouldn't have clipped that 3/8" from his fingernails that day! LOL!!!

 

[Saint_Ward]

Arm length usually is better for OT's and DE's. Guards and Centers double team a lot, so it's not as big of a deal.

And 33in for someone 6'4 might be a hair short (they're about the length of my arms and I"m 6'2.. my track coach was hoping I'd have 34" arms to be better at discus). But I wouldn't call them short arms.

The real question is what is his hip height, and if he has good knee bend. Don't want a center who's too tall or plays with high hips. Want to match up with the QB.

 

[Slaw]

Arm length usually is better for OT's and DE's. Guards and Centers double team a lot, so it's not as big of a deal.

And 33in for someone 6'4 might be a hair short (they're about the length of my arms and I"m 6'2.. my track coach was hoping I'd have 34" arms to be better at discus). But I wouldn't call them short arms.

The real question is what is his hip height, and if he has good knee bend. Don't want a center who's too tall or plays with high hips. Want to match up with the QB.

I'm not looking at it compared to his height. Don't really see where that would matter.

 

[literature]

He's still young, plenty of time for his arms to grow

 

[Saint_Ward]

I'm not looking at it compared to his height. Don't really see where that would matter.

Because they do relate a bit.

However, for the purpose of your point/exercise, it really doesn't matter. I don't see it as a problem either way. I wasn't arguing with your premise.

 

[Optimistic Ozzy]

He held his own against Quinnen Williams, so I'm very good with this guy.

 

[Winsett]

We'll have to agree to disagree. I just don't consider it a weakness. Maybe the ability to block defenders who are good at using their length to their advantage, but I think that is due to technique or skill which can be improved. His arm length isn't going to change, but I don't consider length a weakness for every center with less than 34" arms (which would be every center except for one that I know of).

Ryan Ramczyk's arms are 33 3/4" and Armstead's are 34". If you have around 34" arms at OT, you are good. 33" arms at G is good. 32" arms at center is good.

And yes, he is top 5 in arm length at HIS position.

I think I agree to agreeing to disagree lol. We just have differing definitions for what should or should not constitute a "weakness" when scouts analyze prospects. To elaborate my own personal take on his arm length: I consider it a very, very minor physical limitation that will be circumvented the vast majority of reps due to position, use, opposition, and compensating techniques. Every once in a while, he might lose a rep at OC or OG because a longer opponent beats him to the punch, or he'll have to lean and potentially miss a screen block in space because he was just a little short of getting there, or even on a pull technique around the edge a DE or OLB is able to disengage because of length advantage. The rest of the time, it won't have a negative impact on the play. He will still likely be a very good to great player, as are other starting OC/OGs around the league, but won't be the perfect player - because none of them are.

We will have to agree to disagree on the last tidbit as well. His prospected position is currently OC/OG, until he earns a starting job or is shoehorned into spending time at only one. In that regard, there are many OGs across the NFL (and not just starters, mind you) who have 33+" arms. If you condense it down to just OCs (again, this consists of more than just starters), while I don't have the raw #'s of every single OC fighting for an NFL roster spot, I do know that there were 2 listed OC prospects in just the Senior Bowl alone who measured with longer arms, and potentially a few other listed OGs who are also potential OC prospects. I am sure if I dug a little, I would find many more across the league.


Again, I don't think it is a weakness that will particularly matter much in the long run. I am just describing why many of the scouting reports covering McCoy as a draft prospect have "length" listed as a "weakness", despite having adequate arm length.

 

[Cougar 1]

Man, all this is makin my head hurt! ?

I felt C was a need going into the draft. From everything I’ve read n seen on him, both on the field and off, I love the Erik McCoy pick!

This guy can flat out PLAY!

No need to waste any second thoughts on him. If I’m the Saints, I’ve already penciled him as my starter at C...

N ain’t lookin back!!!

 

[Grant Backer Two]

LOVE the McCoy pick!!! His 33" arms are good at C or OG,IMHO. With that said, Grant Backer, 6-3, 195 lbs., 34-3/4" sleeve.... Slap you around the side of your head, and you think it's the feller next to ya...he he he he he he he.... Insert Mumbly laugh....