Draft profile: OT Ryan Clady
Do your job and don't get noticed.
Isn't that what we want from our franchise offensive tackles?
Boise State's Ryan Clady (6 feet 6, 317 pounds) is hoping to be just that. He decided to skip his senior season with the Broncos and is expected to be a first-round pick.
Can't remember having ever seen Clady in action? Think back to the 2007 Fiesta Bowl between Boise State and Oklahoma, a game that delivered one of the greatest endings in recent memory. With Boise State trailing, 42-41, the Broncos ran the Statue of Liberty as quarterback Jared Zabransky handed the ball behind his back to Ian Johnson who scampered into the end zone for a two-point conversion. Here's the video:
Now check out Clady, No. 79. Sure, it wasn't a monster block, and nobody who watches this highlight will really notice him, but Clady helped seal off Oklahoma defenders as Johnson went in for the score.
To help get a better handle on what kind of player Clady is, I called on Brian Murphy, who has been a sports columnist for the Idaho Statesman since 2005. He co-authored a book -- Blue Magic: Boise State’s inspiring journey to a Fiesta Bowl win -- on the Broncos’ unbeaten 2006 season.
Q: What are Clady's strengths as an offensive lineman?
A: At 6-foot-6 and 317 pounds, Clady certainly has the size to play tackle in the NFL. But what impresses scouts the most are his footwork and athleticism at that size. At Boise State, he often pulled or blocked out in front of screens, showing remarkable agility for a man his size.
Q: What gave him trouble in college and might be something he needs to improve on at the next level?
A: Not too many players were able to give him trouble in college, especially in the Western Athletic Conference. He probably had a better sophomore season than junior campaign. He was beaten at a couple crucial times during his junior season against the highest-level competition. Such lapses were few and far between, however. No doubt at the professional level, Clady will have to improve his strength.
Q: What kind of offense does Boise State run? Describe Clady's performance in pass-blocking compared to run-blocking.
A: Boise State runs a very complex, diverse and balanced offense. It’s one that should prepare him well for the NFL. Clady was solid in the run game and the pass game. He might be a better run blocker than pass blocker at this point. Clady played defensive line in high school. So he should continue to get better at offensive line as he accumulates more experience.
Q: What can you tell us about Clady off the field? What was his relationship like with teammates, the media and the coaching staff?
A: Clady is a very quiet guy. Teammates joke that he hasn’t said more than two words to them. Clady definitely got more comfortable during his time at Boise State. Teammates say he can be funny and engaging, but he rarely spoke with the media. During several one-on-one interviews, Clady opened up and, though soft-spoken, is engaging. His mother passed away when he was young and he was raised by his father and extended family.
Q: What went into Clady's decision go skip his senior season?
A: I’m not sure what was left for Clady to accomplish at Boise State. Having won the Fiesta Bowl as a sophomore and garnered a closet full of individual honors, Clady didn’t have much more to gain on the team or individual level. It’s hard to imagine his stock getting any higher. And Clady expressed a desire to take care of his younger siblings — he has three of them. First-round money will help with that.
Q: Did Clady have a signature moment as a college player? If so, what was it?
A: Clady caught a pass for a touchdown in a blowout victory during his junior season. He flipped the ball, LaDainian Tomlinson-style, and then jumped into the crowd, Lambeau Leap style. His teammates mobbed him. That the play was called back because of a penalty didn’t seem to matter.
But the play he will forever be associated with at Boise State is the Statue of Liberty 2-point conversion that gave the Broncos an overtime victory against Oklahoma in the Fiesta Bowl. It was Clady -- along with tight end Derek Schouman (now with the Buffalo Bills) -- who sealed off the left side of the line allowing Ian Johnson to run in untouched for the game-winning score.
More on Clady
ESPN.com's Mel Kiper Jr. has Clady ranked as the No. 9 player overall:
An excellent left tackle prospect with athletic ability and solid technique that will make him a great blindside protector in the NFL.
In his most recent mock draft, Kiper has Clady being selected at No. 12 by the Denver Broncos.
Here are Clady's statements about his decision to forgo his senior season on KTVB.com.
Clady was named a first-team All-American by the AFCA and Sporting News.
For previous draft profiles on BC quarterback Matt Ryan and Virginia defensive end Chris Long, click here.
Comments
That is some good work, and exelent detail, but I don't tink we will draft any of the 3 guys you have done so far. It is still so far off, these guys could end up anywhere still, but I think the top corner, or D lineman makes some sense.
The dude Ellis from USC is going to be either available, or is going to push one of the other top guys down to us. I saw a lot of the snaps and highlights from the senior bowl, and the hype is legit. The guy looks like he will be able to dominate the inteior pass rush like Tommie Harris. He may even have more of a proto typical DT type frame with great low leverage and a round middle bubble. The guy looks like a young slimmer Warren Sapp, and would really fill a need as an interior pass rusher, who can also dominate the run with penetration.
We will have to wait until all the workouts are in, but there are some real good looking CB prospects, and they are a lot cheaper to draft than to sign as a free agent, but I am not sure if any are worthy of the top 8. I think the saftey position has become more important than the CB with the rules changes, only a couple of guys can be trusted 1 on 1 with good WRs, and the whole defense comes down to the saftey's ability to properly adjust to what ever the offense is best at. Therefore the guy I am starting to think very highly of and could really open some other things up for us, is Kenny Phillips from Miami.
Forget about the fraternal connection to Ed and Ray, and just look at the guys numbers and measurables, and you have to think he can be a very special player. Back when he was a freshman he was a starter on a great defense, and looked like a pro bowl NFL saftey already in my opinion. He has great range and size, and reminds me of a combination of Ed Reed and Sean Taylor. I thought he was way better than Merriweather who overshadowed him.
The QB I like looks to possibly be slipping down to our territory in the second round. Woodson is going to be good. I don't wan't to risk a first round pick on that, but he is well worth a second round investment. The guy broke Mannings SEC records at Kentucky. He reminds me of Dan Marino, but needs to speed up his delivery a little. Pro QB coaches will get him ready to go, and you can't teach the size, arm strength and accuracy he already has.
Posted by: J | January 29, 2008 1:59 PM
I like reading these profiles, they are all very interesting but no way we take an OT in the first round. That would be such a waste as we have a bunch of young OL who just need some more experience under their belt. I do think that maybe the Ravens should go after a center in one of the later rounds though.
Posted by: Marcus | January 29, 2008 3:05 PM
In the 2nd Round We Need To!!! draft James Hardy out of Indiana where Harbaugh and Cam both coached! This kid is a Monster!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: JGL | January 29, 2008 6:06 PM
Using the video from the Statue Left play to point out the key block was done last month at www.bkfootball.com. The key blocker was BSU senior guard Tad Miller #66.
Posted by: BK | February 6, 2008 1:35 AM