The 411 on Dunker

I took a look at Gennings Dunker’s snaps on video from preseason Game 1. For rookies, I focus on what they can do first and the mistakes second.

The good:
He’s a people-mover. Up close, he can root out defensive tackles. He also shows good zone-blocking ability and can be used on pulls. His playing speed was solid, and the effort was there every snap.

The bad:
His footwork and first step were awful. He lacked proper direction and looked indecisive — maybe he doesn’t yet know exactly where to go or how his man needs to be blocked. That part can be coached up. He also needs to play lower… much lower. That pad-level issue isn’t as easily fixed.

Overall I thought he looked decent in his first real action at the pro level.

PFF grades:

• Overall: 74.9 (30 total snaps)
• Pass Blocking: 84.3 (17 snaps, zero pressures or sacks allowed)
• Run Blocking: 69.1 (13 snaps)

 

Hmmm..... If his playing speed is solid and his pass blocking was excellent I don't see how his first step could be so bad. If it was bad DT's would have smoked him and got to QB.

 

Answer; play speed and lateral movement are two entirely different things. Lateral movement encompasses agility, flexibility and explosion. Play speed only operates within the pacing aspect of that play.


Dunkers play speed wasn't the issue for me when he converted. What still is pertains to some of thar stiffness still showing up; particularly on PA Plays or rollout plays. Rigid in his ankles and stiff in the knees at present. Now, mind you this is a new position; something I will concede in this argument.


However, even assuming he corrects this, he is still going to be far better as a linear blocker than he would be a lateral one. I outlined his tightness and stiffness during the whole draft cycle even if he switched to Guard. He has shown major strides but he still has some ways to go.

 

Stats from PFF ruin your post
PFF is awful
Other than that like your pist

 

Breakdown of Dunker from the 1st preseason game. He looks really good against these 3rd and 4th stringers.

 

Mark Kaboly

Talked to Gennings Dunker after the game, and he admitted that he now realizes that he's not a tackle in the NFL and that guard is his position at this level. I asked why.

Reserve OT Doug Nester was next to him and interjected, "because he's a mauler."

 

Oh no , don't make him play a different position then what he played in college. LoL

 

It’s his unnatural position

 

Yes he is a bit stiff, but can run well. As such he can be used in zone blocking and pulling.


The stiffness shows up most in his ability to redirect and mirror in space, which is why pure zone and pull schemes make sense as a starting point. He can get to the second level or seal the edge with his length and straight-line power without having to win a lot of lateral foot races. In a phone booth he’s already functional! Good base, solid hand placement, and enough mass to anchor.

He need to learn how to play guard and take the right first step on the move. I saw some hesitancy in his game.

But I also saw some good one one one ability.