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Bryant Mckinnie
SELECTED BY DETROIT , ROUND 1, PICK 7, OVERALL PICK 7
OT | (6-8, 343, 5.38) | Miami (FL)
By Pro Football WeeklyNotes: Did not play high school football until his senior year, when he was a defensive end. Moved to the offensive line at Lackawanna Junior College (Pa.) in 1997. Came to Miami (Fla.) in '99 and redshirted for developmental purposes. Starting left tackle in 2000 and an All-Big East pick. A Pro Football Weekly All-American and a unanimous All-American in '01, when he also won the Outland Trophy as the top lineman in the country. Started every game in '01 but had his knee scoped after the regular-season finale to remove bone chips and loose cartilage. Had the surgery in early December and was able to start the Rose Bowl.Positives: A planet player, meaning there are very few people in the history of the planet who are as big as McKinnie and can do the things he does on the football field. He has the wingspan of a 747 and does an excellent job of using his hands and long arms to punch and redirect rushers. With his size and wingspan, getting around him is like circumventing the globe. Seems to have a feel for position, despite his limited football background. Is light on his feet and athletic. Slides his feet fluidly and can change directions. Bends his knees extremely well for a man as tall as he is. With his long arms, he is not going to bench-press 225 pounds 45 times, and he had not spent that much time weight training before college. However, he can be overpowering one-on-one. Rarely seen off his feet, despite his limited football background. Has very good balance and body control and seems to have a good feel when blocking in-line. Never seems to give up a sack and pitched a complete shutout at Syracuse All-America DE Dwight Freeney, who some believed was the best pass rusher in the country. Can also adjust on the move.Negatives: Is not a real killer or that intense all the time. Does the job but does not seem to want to finish all his blocks and really punish the man he is blocking, except when the big guy is upset about some tactic the defender used. Is so big and talented that he does not have to do the little extras that could make him extra special. Does not push himself as much as he should in practice. Has not spent enough time working in the weight room to improve his strength and flexibility. Still learning the game, and lack of experience will hurt him. Looks indecisive and struggles at times in the open field, when his assignments are not clearly defined and he has an option of who to block. That is the one area where his limited football background seems to hurt him. While he has been durable and very effective, McKinnie may not always push himself as much as he should in practice. In terms of size, is similar to Jonathan Ogden, but McKinnie does not have Ogden's super athletic ability, flexibility or feet.Summary: Size-wise, McKinnie is similar to Jonathan Ogden but does not have Ogden's super athletic ability, flexibility and feet. Nevertheless, McKinnie will be a very high first-round pick, and if he will pay the price, he could become a perennial All-Pro type of player.* Player biographies are provided by Pro Football Weekly.
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