Mason Cole slated to be Arizona's starting Center
an injury has the starting C out for the year and Mason is sliding into that role
I'm curious to see if he's added the strength to hold up to big interior linemen that gave him so much trouble when he was younger.
the comment on his player profile said he'd have to rely on technique b/c he graded out at only the 9% strength level with his peers.
I don't doubt that is basically the right conclusion, but it says on that profile that "He tested as a ninth-percentile SPARQ athlete at the Combine," which is different from what you said--"9% strength level compared to his peers."
From this website it looks like his score was in the 26.6th percentile compared to the NFL OL average. Still not great, Bob, but not 9% and I'm still not sure what component is "strength" versus the other components of SPARQ.
¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Really hoping it works out for Cole. What a great player for Michigan. Played at a very high level despite numerous moves and playing out of position. Never any complaints, total team first guy.
I hope he does great. He worked hard for this team.
I clicked on the link to try and find answers why Mason Cole transferred to Arizona...........
Go me!
It's ok. It's Monday.
Same. I still haven't internalized the idea that Arizona has a pro team.
Neither have many of us who live in AZ
This supports a comment I made in response to Seth's "all time numbers team":
"At Center you can make a very strong case for #52. I'd take Rod Payne, Mason Cole and Jim Czirr over the guys who wore #59. Would it make a difference if Cole had been allowed to play an extra year at Center?"
He was on Harbaugh's AED podcast following the combine and it sounds like he really impressed with his football IQ during interviews, based on both his own abilities but also on the offense Michigan runs. He'll at least be mentally ready to step into the role.
That's important. Knowing who to block has proven to be more critical than the ability to block thin air more aggressively than anyone else. Just ask Kyle Kalis.
Good for him!
Just make someone's roster, you never know, most bench players are 1 injury from playing a key role and getting to prove themselves. Center in the NFL is really tough to play, you're going against freaks of nature.