FanPost

A second chance to get a "Pouncey" ??

On March 5, 2010  D. Orlando Ledbetter made this prediction:

With the 19th pick in the 2010 NFL draft, the Atlanta Falcons, in a surprise move, will select Florida center Maurkice Pouncey over Missouri linebacker Sean Weatherspoon.

http://blogs.ajc.com/atlanta-falcons-blog/2010/03/05/mock-draft-2-0-falcons-select-center-maurkice-pouncey/

As we all know, this prediction did not come true....

Last year  Maurkice Pouncey entered the NFL, via the 18th pick of the Pittsburgh Steelers, and the Falcons went on to select OLB Sean Weatherspoon.

Pouncey went on to perform exceptionally well throughout the season.  His peerd voted him to the Pro Bowl, and he was an intricate part of the Steelers Super Bowl run. 

This year, twin brother, Mike Pouncey looks to enter the NFL and best his brother in every fashion.

Mike started his college career as an defensive tackle, and switched to offensive guard prior to his sophomore year.  Unlike Maurkice,  who received a first round grade from the NFL Draft Advisory Board, Mike received a second round grade. Pouncey opted to return for his senior season with intentions of improving his draft grade.

However, when Florida coach Urban  Meyer moved Mike to center,  he struggled and had some troubles with snapping the ball, specifically in the shotgun formation.

Pouncey sits on top of almost everyones interior lineman list including Mike Mayock of NFL.com http://www.nfl.com/news/story/09000d5d81dd8ff0/article/underclassmen-prevalent-among-top-five-per-position?module=HP_cp2

 

The question is whether he'll be a center or guard at the next level ?

Doug Farrar of Yahoosports, and footballoutsiders thinks he knows:

Mike may actually be a better guard at the next level,   while Maurkice had more experience at center, having started in the middle for three seasons prior to entering the NFL,  I think Mike seems to be a bit more of a pure road-grader, is much more physical, and would be best-served by not having to worry about the intricacies of the center position.

Dan Kadar of mockingthedraft.com agrees:

I sat in on  Mike Pouncey's media session, but it's a mistake for him to insist on wanting to play center. He's just not good at that spot. That's the harsh truth.

http://www.mockingthedraft.com/2011/2/25/2015970/random-observations-from-day-2-of-the-nfl-combine

Wes Bunting summarizes :  A gifted athlete who plays with bend, explosion and natural athleticism in both the run and pass game. No reason to think this guy can't be starting early in his NFL career and become a very good lineman at the next level.    http://www.nationalfootballpost.com/scouting_department.html

Tony Pauline of draftinsider.net says this of Mike's combine performance :

Michael Pouncey turned in a terrific positional skill workout today looking strong, athletic and very quick, and showed both punch and power in his hands.  His forty times were also solid, both clocking under 5.20 seconds.  This is sure to rekindle the talk of Pouncey entering the first round of the draft,  sources told us the Steelers were looking to Pouncey as one of their first round targets.  Today’s results are only justify their earlier grade on Maurkice’s brother.    http://www.draftinsider.net/blog/?p=4782

<em>This FanPost was written by one of The Falcoholic's talented readers. It does not necessarily reflect the views of The Falcoholic.</em>