My two cents: UA center's grade shows hard truth about NFL
During Arizona’s charmed run to the 2014 Pac-12 South football championship, senior center Steven Gurrola was one of the leading elements.
He was the second-team All-Pac-12 center and a tough match for any opposing linemen, even those at USC and Oregon.
As Gurrola awaits the NFL draft this week, NFL.com released this evaluation of his weaknesses:
“Lacks athleticism … Struggles to win when asked to block on the move. Plays to engage rather than win his block … Below-average balance and core strength. Slows feet through contact on double teams … Stiffness in his lower body kills his anchor against pure bull rushers. Poor mental processing. … Had issues improvising when needed. Hand placement on the move won’t cut it.”
Wow. Talk about tough graders.
Gurrola was an outstanding college center. If NFL.com is correct in its evaluation — if Gurrola has that many flaws – you can imagine how difficult it is to make it in pro football.
Rocket science is easier.
