Denver Broncos Select C Blake Schlueter, TCU

by Jeremy Bolander on Apr 26, 2009 4:34 PM MDT in 2009 NFL Draft - Denver Broncos

This is a smart move, even we don't see immediate dividends.

He is a bargain basement fill in at center, with the agility and quicks to make you feel confident in his upside. His scouting report from NFLDraftcountdown:

Strengths:
Good athlete...Quick and agile...Terrific balance...Excellent mobility and range...Smart with nice awareness...Tough, aggressive and plays with a nasty demeanor...Great motor...Nice work ethic...Experienced.

Weaknesses:
Severe lack of bulk...Average strength and not real powerful...Isn't stout at the point of attack...Gets rag-dolled at times...Doesn't get a great push...Not a good fit for every team...Durability may be an issue.

Notes:
Was a three-year starter for the Horned Frogs...Named 2nd Team All-Mountain West as a senior...Was selected a team captain in 2007 and 2008...Had surgery to repair a torn labrum in 2006...Undersized but athletic pivot who could excel in a zone blocking scheme...Wowed scouts at his Pro Day workout and might have gotten himself drafted.

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Comments

figured..

I figured they had to draft a center — thought it would be shipley though considering he was still around … perhaps I need to look into why no one wants him =)

by Todd Jewell on Apr 26, 2009 4:41 PM MDT reply actions

like this pick

but only because i spent 3 years at TCU LOL Go Horned Frogs!!!

Now I have to wonder what you get when you cross a horned frog with a bronco.

(Please don’t wait for a punchline; I don’t have one)

by Brian Shrout on Apr 26, 2009 4:42 PM MDT reply actions

I've got nothing but love for TCU.

I’m a Utes fan, and you guys are great for the MWC. That beatdown of Boise in the bowl game was awesome.

I’m excited to have Schlueter. He’s a good player, and Patterson is a great coach.

by BoylenOver on Apr 26, 2009 8:04 PM MDT up reply actions

I guess I like him.

But I would have liked Mitch King better. Here’s hoping he makes it to UFA!

WE GOT MORENO!!!!

by papigrande on Apr 26, 2009 4:45 PM MDT reply actions

Hmmm...

A smaller guy, who’s a good athlete, smart and has a mean streak? Sounds like a Denver developmental lineman to me.

Time to galvanize

by jack_ on Apr 26, 2009 4:49 PM MDT reply actions

And now....

Into the signing of the undrafted FAs. There is still more to come.

"Now we have them where we want them"
-Kieth Bishop - On the Denver 2 yard line, Cleveland Ohio, 1987

by AlanC on Apr 26, 2009 4:53 PM MDT reply actions

This guy may be on the practice squad next year and will have some time in the weight room to build that strength.

"Now we have them where we want them"
-Kieth Bishop - On the Denver 2 yard line, Cleveland Ohio, 1987

by AlanC on Apr 26, 2009 4:55 PM MDT reply actions

???

Whatever happened to Kory Lichtensteiger? Isn’t he supposed to be the heir apparent at center? I think he’s bigger, too, which McDaniels loves. Maybe McDaniels hasn’t been impressed.

This is an intriguing draft, to say the least. After listening to most of the picks, I like them a lot. The only one that I haven’t quite figured out is Quinn in the 2nd round.

"I will make nachos and sit and watch draft guy. nacho and cola. This gon be crazy. We could even move down in draft and get like a hole nother team guy."
--Horvil Tiki

by wtnelson on Apr 26, 2009 4:57 PM MDT reply actions

might have to do with sheffler's appearing over & over in trade rumors

by Brian Shrout on Apr 26, 2009 5:02 PM MDT up reply actions

That Was My Initial Thought

When they took him yesterday, I told my brother that I figured Scheffler would be traded. It doesn’t appear that way now, though, I guess.

"I will make nachos and sit and watch draft guy. nacho and cola. This gon be crazy. We could even move down in draft and get like a hole nother team guy."
--Horvil Tiki

by wtnelson on Apr 26, 2009 5:36 PM MDT up reply actions

Heard a lot of talk of Lichtensteiger as the potential at LG.

Could just be meaningless chatter though.

"You can make mistakes, but you are not a failure until you blame others for those mistakes." -John Wooden

by Randall15 on Apr 26, 2009 5:11 PM MDT up reply actions

I think you are correct once again Randall15

Don’t forget that we have a lot of versatility on the O Line. Kuper can play any position on the line, including center. K Lich is either a guard or center. Harris is either a guard or center. This just gives us more options. I love it.

It all starts in the trenches - HT 11/11/08
Leave the hateful vitriol to the uninformed - HT 3/16/09

by firstfan on Apr 26, 2009 5:17 PM MDT up reply actions

But...

What does that mean for the guard we just picked up in the draft? Unless McD doesn’t like Kuper, that wouldn’t make any sense, and Kuper’s outstanding. It’s great to have depth, I’m just curious as to the standing of Kory L. It would appear to me that his time in Denver is all but over with.

When Weigmann retires, Hamilton can also step in as the center in a stop-gap until Schleuter is ready if need be, provided Hamilton’s still around. He filled in very capably for Nalen in the past. When you add up the numbers, it doesn’t seem to me that Kory L. has a future here.

"I will make nachos and sit and watch draft guy. nacho and cola. This gon be crazy. We could even move down in draft and get like a hole nother team guy."
--Horvil Tiki

by wtnelson on Apr 26, 2009 5:35 PM MDT up reply actions

re: Schlueter

I featured him as the first prospect in Prospect Watch, which was intended as series of posts until I lost interest.

SEE ARTICLE

Schlueter (6-2 3/8, 290 pounds) ran the 40-yard dash in 4.7 seconds, had a 35-inch vertical jump, a 9-foot-3-inch long jump, a 4.28-second short shuttle, and a 7.42-second three-cone drill.

Regarding his lack of bulk, right now he’s about the same size as Wiegmann, just to put the issue in perspective.

I don’t know if a 290-pound guy can play center in the NFL, but he was 236 when he came to TCU and still has room to grow. Probably moved into the seventh round with his performance on Friday. The guy’s a football player

His speed is certainly exceptional, so I’m intrigued by his potential as a ‘pulling Center." I don’t know if there actually are pulling Centers but maybe he could be the first. Comments, anyone?

by Colinski on Apr 26, 2009 9:20 PM MDT reply actions 1 recs

Holy crap

I just looked up this guys numbers (his pro day numbers from here) and compared to all the o-linemen at the combine, he was first (by far) in the 40, second in vertical, tied for first in broad jump, first in 20-yard shuttle (that’s a biggie, IMO), and fourth (only .03 behind Max Unger) in 3-cone drill (another biggie for our o-line). I like this pick a lot. I know the “measurables” aren’t everything, but hey, what else is a 7th round pick for but someone who is a risk but just might stick? Sometimes people overlook good talent just because they play at a small time school like TCU.

As for his “extreme lack of bulk” he is the same size as Hamilton and five pounds lighter than Weigs. Sure, maybe he puts on 5 pounds, I don’t care; mainly just make sure he’s strong and in shape.

Jason
The Hanging Curve

by poorboywilly on Apr 26, 2009 9:20 PM MDT reply actions

we seem to have made the same point simultaneously

by Colinski on Apr 26, 2009 9:23 PM MDT up reply actions

a study in commenting style :)

There is no army so powerful as an idea whose time has come.

by Jeremy Bolander on Apr 26, 2009 9:54 PM MDT up reply actions

I reced your comment!

because indeed we did :)

Jason
The Hanging Curve

by poorboywilly on Apr 26, 2009 11:40 PM MDT up reply actions

Dont let the size and reports of lack of strength fool you, this guy broke the tcu squat record in 2007 with a lift of 870lbs. Now, two years later and 20 lbs more muscle there is no telling what is strength is.

by cspitt55 on Apr 27, 2009 12:44 PM MDT reply actions