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BlueInCanada

By BlueInCanada
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BlueInCanada

BlueInCanada

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Overview

 

As a high school senior, Pugh earned the Maxwell Award, which is presented to the Top 50 high school scholar-athletes in the tri-state area (Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Delaware). The award recognizes athletics, academics and community service. Pugh also earned all-area and All-Suburban One League First Team honors as a junior and senior in addition to being named second-team all-area as a defensive lineman as a senior. Named 2008 team MVP and defensive player of the year as a team captain. Pugh is involved in Special Olympics and volunteers for Athletes Helping Athletes.

 

Pugh redshirted his freshman year in 2009. In 2010, Pugh started all 13 games and was an All-Big East second-team selection. The following year, he was one of 11 Syracuse players to start all 12 games. He earned All-Big East first-team honors for his play. As a redshirt junior, Pugh missed the first four games of the year while recovering from off-season shoulder surgery. He started the teams remaining nine games.

Analysis

 

Strengths

Very good range and mobility. Good feet. Will sit into his blocks. Experienced player. Plays with body control and balance. Gets to the second level easily. Good pad level.

Weaknesses

Very short arms. Lacks ideal offensive tackle size. Doesn't possess a lot of core strength, can be bull rushed back. Not a quick twitch athlete, doesn't respond well to sudden moves. Hand usage is inconsistent.

NFL Comparison

Sam Baker

Bottom Line

 

Pugh is a seasoned starter at offensive tackle with very good movement skills. However, he lacks adequate arm length and size to stick at offensive tackle going forward. His best fit will likely be as an offensive guard in a zone-blocking scheme

http://www.nfl.com/draft/2013/profiles/justin-pugh?id=2540195

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BlueInCanada

BlueInCanada

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The Giants added a valuable piece to their offensive line by drafting Justin Pugh.

With the No. 19 overall pick in the 2013 NFL draft, the New York Giants selected Syracuse Orange offensive tackle Justin Pugh. Pugh is the No. 58-rated player in the draft rankings from SB Nation's Dan Kadar and the sixth-rated offensive tackle.

 

 

Nunes Magician on Justin Pugh

20121202_hcs_sy4_040.0_standard_709.0.jpg Blurb from college bros ......

Pugh, 22, was a three-year starter at left tackle for Syracuse and earned all-conference honors in each season. After missing his entire freshman season, Pugh had a season of eligibility remaining, but elected to enter the 2013 NFL Draft with a degree already in hand.

With several positions in question on the offensive line, Pugh looks to have a strong chance of starting in his rookie season. David Diehl needs to be upgraded at right tackle, but Pugh is a versatile lineman. He could move around on the front five.

In a scouting report on Gang Green Nation, the following were listed as positives for Pugh:

Exceptional pass protector who has excellent balance, and manages to mirror pass rushers to keep them out of the backfield. Has excellent hands that he sets and re-sets if rocked, sinks his hips to counter power moves and rarely gets beat off the line. His pass protecting is among the best in the nation. Has good power when in-line blocking and works well in space, has good balance and initial surge to knock defenders back, very good lateral ability to seal off the edge. Works to the next level and plays to the whistle, good blitz recognition and his coaches have commented how he picks up the blocking schemes quickly. Finishes his blocks and shows a toughness and core strength that will make him a good prospect at either the left tackle or right tackle position.

 

 

Combine results

Height: 6'5

Weight: 307 pounds

Arm length: 32 inches

40-yard dash: 5.12 seconds

Vertical jump: 28.5 inches

 

Although he was a very good left tackle at Syracuse, his shorter arms and less-than-stellar performance at the 2013 Senior Bowl have led many to project Pugh to move inside and play guard. Also concerning was a shoulder surgery that caused him to miss the first four games of the 2012 season. However, if both of those check out, Pugh has plenty of upside and the potential to be as good as any offensive tackle from the draft class.

 

http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/2013/4/25/4191452/nfl-draft-2013-results-justin-pugh-new-york-giants

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Sephiroth

Sephiroth

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Weaknesses

Very short arms. Lacks ideal offensive tackle size. Doesn't possess a lot of core strength, can be bull rushed back. Not a quick twitch athlete, doesn't respond well to sudden moves. Hand usage is inconsistent.

 

So, let's get this straight... he's got short arms, he's weak, slow, coming off injury, and doesn't use his hands well. Fucking Shariff Floyd is sitting there and we go for the sixth-best OT in the draft.

 

Super Bowl!

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mastershake

mastershake

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So, let's get this straight... he's got short arms, he's weak, slow, and doesn't use his hands well. Fucking Shariff Floyd is sitting there and we go for the sixth-best OT in the draft.

 

Super Bowl!

 

Indeed.... plus, if you're going to pick him, at least trade down and grab some extract picks with it. Jerry Reese duffed this pick. Clearly he wanted one of the other six OL picked above Pugh.

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BlueInCanada

BlueInCanada

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Lol... damn you Blue! I hope I'm wrong on Pugh!

 

I know what you're saying, not a sexy pick and Floyd was sitting there.

 

However the Giants draft well, Reese has ALWAYS drafted players who bring depth and play for the team.

 

Think of just last year and all the rookies who ended up starting due to injuries or just out playing the competition. Pugh not only covers Diehl but guys like Snee and Boothe as well.

 

You cant win games if Eli is getting pressure in his face and that's what was happening at the end of the year with our 30+ year old O-line.

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NeMesiS

NeMesiS

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I'm not a huge draft follower anymore, but it's a bad sign when I've never heard of him.

 

I mean, shit... "NFL Comparison: Sam Baker?" Who the hell is "Sam Baker?"

 

Dude, Sam Baker is probably the best Guard in the league.

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BlueInCanada

BlueInCanada

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Diehl is gone after this season, if he makes it the full season.

 

Boothe is on a one year contract.

 

Snee is going to retire at the end of this season or maybe play one more.

 

Bass is an average center at best.

 

Honestly do people want Eli to end up on IR? We don't win games if Eli isn't upright and in this season coming or next, 4/5 of the guys on the line are going to be gone.

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BlueInCanada

BlueInCanada

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JUSTIN DAVID PUGH

Offensive Guard/Tackle

Syracuse University Orange

Height: 6-4

Weight: 301

Holland, Pennsylvania

Council Rock South High School

 

OVERVIEW

Pugh drew rave responses from his head coach, Doug Marrone, a former Syracuse offensive lineman himself, when the Orange leader was asked who he thought was the best offensive lineman in the Big East Conference. This is nothing new in the life of one of the most aggressive, dominating blockers to ever perform at the university. Sadly, for Syracuse fans, that career would span only three seasons, after the All-American declared for the 2013 NFL Draft rather than return to school in 2013.

 

Pugh’s elevation to the elite at his position came through countless hours of hard work in preparing to be the dominating blocker he has become on game day. An upper body injury kept him off the field for part of 2012 spring drills and it was almost comical the lengths the coaching staff had to go through to keep this “tough as nails” character from putting on the helmet and lining up at left tackle during those scrimmages.

 

But, those are the traits that have captured the attention of NFL scouts, who envision the bind-side offensive tackle of plying his wares in the league as an offensive guard. His status among the best blockers in this year’s draft pool was further cemented when the red-shirt junior became the first underclassman to ever play in a Senior Bowl clash.

 

By graduating early, the bowl’s administrators were allowed to extend him an invitation to come to Mobile, Alabama, where he was under the “microscope” of the watchful eyes of the league’s general managers and coaches. Seeing time at his projected pro position, along with playing at his customary spot at tackle, Pugh did not disappoint those who have been citing his emerging ability all season.

 

Pugh has a very powerful upper body that displays thick limbs and well-proportioned thighs and calves. He possesses a thick lower body frame with wide hips, good bubble, and a squat build that might be better suited for an interior line position. He can carry at least another fifteen pounds without any loss in quickness.

 

Because he has just adequate arm length for an offensive tackle, that could be a reason for teams to consider him a better guard prospect than one to protect a quarterback’s blind side. But, much like Green Bay’s Bulaga, a player with a similar build, Pugh has very active hands and does a nice job extending to make reach blocks. He comes off the ball with good leg drive and hand punch to shock and jolt. He generates good hip rotation when redirecting on the move and knows how to use his size to get leverage on the defender.

 

Pugh has outstanding power for a player his size. Another possible reason for a shift to offensive guard in the NFL is that he has the athletic agility to get out in front on sweeps and pulls and is very flexible when redirecting. He shows good knee bend and quickness for a trap blocker and runs with a normal stride working into the second level. He also demonstrates the fluid change of direction skills and proper weight distribution in space and has good body quickness in his kick slide.

 

Pugh also shows the foot agility, balance and body control to get out and stalk second level defenders. He maintains good balance on drive blocks and is quick enough when running long distances. In the short area, he has above average balance and a fluid running stride. He is quick in his retreat setting up in pass protection and has the functional overall flexibility to get back into the action on the move, taking proper angles to neutralize linebackers. He plays flat-footed with his hands properly inside his frame to gain leverage.

 

Before joining the Syracuse program, the Pennsylvania product earned the Maxwell Award, which is presented to the Top 50 high school scholar-athletes in the tri-state area (Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Delaware) during his senior season at Council Rock South High School. The award recognizes athletics, academics and community service.

 

Pugh also earned All-Area and All-Suburban One League first-team honors as a junior and senior, in addition to being named second-team All-Area and All-State as a defensive line-man by the Pennsylvania Football News during the 2008 schedule. Earlier in his prep career, he was a second-team All-Area choice as a sophomore offensive tackle.

 

The senior was named his team’s MVP and Defensive Player of the Year while serving as team captain in 2008. He was selected to play for Pennsylvania in the 2009 Big 33 All-Star Classic. He was also heavily involved in Special Olympics and volunteered for Athletes Helping Athletes.

 

Upon arriving at Syracuse, Pugh spent the 2009 season performing on the scout team, thus retaining four years of college eligibility. A sensational performance throughout 2010 preseason camps earned the red-shirt freshman the starting job at left offensive tackle, a position he would remain at throughout his Orange career.

 

Pugh’s performance during his first season as a starter was one of the main reasons the team improved its record from 4-8 in 2009 to 8-5 in 2010, marking the first time in six seasons that Syracuse would play in a bowl game. Behind his blocking, the team scored thirteen of their fourteen rushing touchdowns, as he collected 85 knockdowns and was named All-Big East Conference second-team.

 

The team limped to a 5-7 mark during his sophomore season, but Pugh continued to improve, as the coaches selected him All-Big East Conference first-team. For the second-straight year, the Orange had a 1,000-yard rusher and it was their left tackle leading the charge on most of their ten touchdown runs (nine for the running game and five more for the aerial attack). He would become the first Orange blocker to record over 100 knock- downs (100) in a season since John Flannery in 1990.

 

Despite being held out of spring camp and then missing the first four games on the 2012 schedule to recover from left shoulder surgery, the team co-captain garnered All-Big East and All-American accolades. In just nine starting assignments, he produced thirteen touch-down resulting blocks and 102 knockdowns. He paced an offensive attack that set team season-records for total offense (6,188 yards), passing yards (3,757), touchdown tosses (26) and pass completions (295).

 

While fending off rumors late in the 2012, Pugh finally acknowledged after the December 29th Pinstripe Bowl that he would be leaving school to play in the NFL for the 2013 season.

 

"My Syracuse career was the best four years of my life. My teammates, coaches, the staff and the fans have been great," Pugh said in announcing his decision.

 

"Coach Marrone and Coach Adkins have been great throughout my career, including through this process," Pugh said. "I wanted to be honest with everyone as I made this decision and they were the same with me. I would not change anything about my decision to attend Syracuse or my career. I am so happy I came to Syracuse University. I will always be active in the Orange football program and the Syracuse community. I love the Orange. Go 'Cuse."

 

"Justin is a big part of this program turning the corner," Marrone said. "He came in with us four years ago and gave us everything he had. We are proud of him for earning his degree and for what he has accomplished on the field as a leader of this team. He has earned it. I believe he will be very successful at the next level and in everything he does outside of football. Justin will always be part of the Orange football family."

 

Since tackle Marquis F. (Bill) Horr was named Syracuse’s first All-American in 1908, 54 players at the school received that prestigious honor. Just sixteen of them were offensive lineman. Pugh’s 2012 selection was the first for an Orange blocker since center John Flannery earned it in back-to-back seasons (1989-90). The last Syracuse offensive tackle to receive All-American recognition was Gary A. Bugenhagen in 1966.

 

Pugh comes from a program that has not exactly produced many NFL offensive linemen over the years. Since the two leagues merged drafts in 1970, only eighteen Orange offensive linemen have been drafted, twelve at offensive tackle. No blockers were chosen in the first round and only three heard their names called in Round Two. Pugh should join that rio, which featured tackle Dan Yochum (Philadelphia in 1972), center John Flannery (Houston in 1991) and tackle Adam Terry (Baltimore in 2005).

 

CAREER NOTES

Pugh blocked for a 1,000-yard rusher in each of his three seasons at Syracuse, where he started all 34 games he played in as their left offensive tackle…The team’s first offensive lineman to earn All-American honors since 1990 left the university after recording 40 touchdown-resulting blocks and 288 knockdowns, an average of 1.18 TD-resulting blocks and 8.47 knockdowns per game.

 

http://www.giants.com/news-and-blogs/article-1/Giants-select-Syracuse-OT-Justin-Pugh/3dc43ce3-005c-4b42-ae22-8f87171df6c9

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BlueInCanada

BlueInCanada

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BiC, aren't you a BPA proponent? It wasn't the 6th rated OT/OG.

 

Not entirely.

 

I was against the Prince pick because it wasnt that big of a need at that time, however it was a good value pick.

 

Wilson filled a need.

 

Pugh fills a need just like Wilson does.

 

Infact I'm willing to say Pugh may be a starter come season start.

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mastershake

mastershake

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Diehl is gone after this season, if he makes it the full season.

 

Boothe is on a one year contract.

 

Snee is going to retire at the end of this season or maybe play one more.

 

Bass is an average center at best.

 

Honestly do people want Eli to end up on IR? We don't win games if Eli isn't upright and in this season coming or next, 4/5 of the guys on the line are going to be gone.

 

Blue, I think we all agree on the need for OL, but feel that #19 was far too high for Pugh.

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BlueInCanada

BlueInCanada

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Blue, I think we all agree on the need for OL, but feel that #19 was far too high for Pugh.

 

I understand, but people said the same thing about Wilson.

 

Hell people said the same thing about Eli.

 

I remember when Eli was drafted, I think it was an interview with EA he said something along the lines of "You draft who you want and who will make you a winner" He wanted Eli and he wanted a winner. It's why the Bills took a flyer on Manuel(sp), they got who they wanted, someone they think will make them a winner.

 

Reese and Co obviously must of loved Pugh to draft him much like they must of loved Wilson to draft him at the end of the first when everyone screamed that the Giant's could of drafted Wilson in round two or gotten someone better, or in Eli's case not giving up all those picks and went with Big Ben.

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