NCAA Scouting – Player Profile: Michael Oher, OT, Ole Miss by Jody Jamieson 23/2/2009
The author Michael Lewis is probably best known among American sports fans for his book Moneyball: The Art of Winning and Unfair Game. For those unfamiliar with the book, it’s a chronicle of baseball which focuses on the Oakland Athletics talent evaluating style under GM Billy Beane and in particular the 2002 Major League Baseball season. Rather than using Runs Batted In and stolen bases, it uses more in depth statistics such as on base percentage to focus on the effectiveness of a particular player. As other teams became wise to the A’s scouting style and effectiveness, they copied it and due to the A’s small market and lack of money compared to bigger teams in the American League, they had to dig even deeper to stay competitive.
The Blind Side: Evolution of a game is Lewis’ lesser known sporting book. It is a football book released in 2006 about how the way the game has changed over the last few decades. It focusses particularly on two players. Firstly, Lawrence Taylor is the subject of discussion to do with not only how teams schemed to handle him offensively, but on how everyone else tried to unearth the LT and how the linebacker position evolved. The other subject is a young little known tackle from Tennessee, playing for Briarcrest Christian School in Memphis. Simply, no-one knew who he was, and he was only discovered by Tom Lemming when a coach sent him a grainy old tape of Oher playing high school football. Lemming saw a little of Orlando Pace in the prospect, and began to rave about him on his spots on ESPN. Scouts became interested, and due to his exposure, the rest is history as he became a huge star at Ole Miss. The book also covers the troubled upbringing of Oher from poverty, learning difficulties, and wildly difficult upbringings. The book also covers a strange first meeting between Oher and Lemming. Lemming went to visit Oher to invite him to the US Army All-American Bowl, but Oher didn’t have a clue who he was, and didn’t answer a single question he was asked in the meeting.
Many people have wondered about Oher’s intelligence being a hindrance to his pro football career. Perhaps it’s an explanation for his inconsistencies. There’s no doubting the talent, but the Senior Bowl week highlighted both the ability and the struggle to stay on top of players consistently, almost as if his concentration was wavering. What cannot be denied however is that Oher’s intelligence and aptitude for football have improved dramatically since he first broke onto the scene. Oher absolutely carries a risk, but the rewards are so high with such natural ability that someone will take a shot. Not every offensive tackle eligible for the Senior Bowl made an appearance, and his work ethic, as well as his willingness to learn, certainly made it’s mark in Mobile. When you hear him talk he’s very well spoken, and a guy you can’t help but root for.
What we like about Oher
Outstanding natural ability and great size. Upper body bulk is one thing, but he has legs like most people’s waists. When he really sits into his blocks he’s almost impossible to move. Oher played guard in his freshman year and could be a versatile pro. One of the best athletes to play left tackle in a long time. Quick, agile and instinctive. No durability concerns as he didn’t miss a game in 4 years with the Rebels.
Question marks about Oher
Inconsistencies were highlighted earlier. Blows hot and cold at times and really needs to display good footwork on every play as occasionally he anchors and doesn’t move in pass protection. Leans forward too much which makes him susceptible to swim moves. May take a while to dissect an NFL playbook and fit into a pro system. Potential “Boom or bust” prospect.
Highlight of his college career
Ole Miss had a fabulous 2008 campaign as the Rebels compiled an impressive 9-4 record as they went onto crush Texas Tech 47-34 in the Cotton Bowl, the Rebels first Bowl game since 2004. Ole Miss had been 10-25 in their previous 3 seasons, and finished their amazing turnaround ranked 14th in the AP Polls.
Other snippets
6′ 5″ tall and weighed in at 309 lbs at the Senior Bowl. Was originally asked to enroll at Briarcrest to help out the basketball team. It turned out to be his big break as a football player. Michael was adopted by Sean Tuohy’s family when he was a young teenager. Tuohy was an excellent basketball point guard at Ole Miss in the 80’s and is now a broadcaster for the NBA Memphis Grizzlies. Michael’s adopted sister, Collins, is a cheerleader for the Rebels. Oher could come off the board as high as number #2 to the Rams, but is more likely to be selected anywhere from 6th overall to late in the first round.
NCAA Scouting – Player Profile:
The Blind Side: Evolution of a game is Lewis’ lesser known sporting book. It is a football book released in 2006 about how the way the game has changed over the last few decades. It focusses particularly on two players. Firstly, Lawrence Taylor is the subject of discussion to do with not only how teams schemed to handle him offensively, but on how everyone else tried to unearth the LT and how the linebacker position evolved. The other subject is a young little known tackle from Tennessee, playing for Briarcrest Christian School in Memphis. Simply, no-one knew who he was, and he was only discovered by Tom Lemming when a coach sent him a grainy old tape of Oher playing high school football. Lemming saw a little of Orlando Pace in the prospect, and began to rave about him on his spots on ESPN. Scouts became interested, and due to his exposure, the rest is history as he became a huge star at Ole Miss. The book also covers the troubled upbringing of Oher from poverty, learning difficulties, and wildly difficult upbringings. The book also covers a strange first meeting between Oher and Lemming. Lemming went to visit Oher to invite him to the US Army All-American Bowl, but Oher didn’t have a clue who he was, and didn’t answer a single question he was asked in the meeting.
