All posts by Corey Chavous

2019, Football, Articles

Heavy handed

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Washington offensive tackle Kaleb McGary finished his career with 43 straight starts. The Huskies right tackle is intent on proving to NFL personnel that his heavy-handed nature translates to multiple spots along an offensive line. His efforts include working with a former Pro Bowl offensive lineman and legendary NFL offensive line coach. DraftNasty's Corey Chavous sat down with him to talk about technique and his future prospects.

McGary: Nice to meet you.

Corey: Nice to meet you too man. You started off today (Senior Bowl 2019 practices, Day 1), with a very strong pass pro period and you complemented that with a strong team period. How did you feel about your first day out here?

McGary: I felt like I had a pretty good day. I think I showed I'm very capable…a very good tackle. I just hope to continue to improve and show that I'm better and better as time goes on.

Corey: Well you've played a lot on the right side of the offensive line, but do you feel like you're capable of playing on the left side if needed?

McGary: I am. Actually the last couple of weeks I've done a lot of work with retired coach Howard Mudd (former three-time Pro Bowl offensive lineman and 40-year NFL OL coach who has since this interview been re-hired by the Indianapolis Colts) on guard and left tackle sets. I actually intend to try and jump over to the left side, even guard, if they'll let me.

Corey: When you talk about being able to play multiple positions, what other positions do you feel like you can backup? Now you talked about guard. Do you feel like you're a guy who can backup all four positions and maybe be a starter at the right tackle or the left tackle spot?

McGary (No. 58 pictured) earned the Pac-12's Morris Trophy Award in 2018. The award goes to the conference's best offensive lineman as voted on by the opposing teams' players.

McGary: I think so. I was given a lot of really good physical abilities. I'm really flexible for my size so it lets me kinda bend and get down there for a guard position. So I do. I think I'm capable and I think if given a chance I think I can earn my way into any of those four spots.

Corey: Talk about your short-set technique or quick-set or whatever you would describe it as. That's something that's been very effective for you. Talk about how you've perfected that technique.

McGary: Working with Coach Howard Mudd. He came up with the short-set/dish idea. And just working with him a lot over the time that I've known him. Sessions upon sessions with him, and it fits my play style. I like to be aggressive, I like to get on, get up…I don't like to leave a lot of things to question or room for them to do their thing. I like to put pressure on D-linemen. Can't wait for them to apply pressure to me. It just fits the way I go.

Corey: Heavy hands. Scouts have described you as having heavy hands. Do you feel like you've got heavy hands?

McGary: I think so man. I want let them know if I hit 'em.

Corey: Who was the toughest opponent you went against in school?

McGary: Probably my time against Greg (Gaines) and Vita Vea. Those guys are big, brawny, just freakin' boulders. Playing against them every day made me what I am I think or it's a large part of it, having to go against that kind of ability.

Corey: Look forward to you having a great NFL career man..

McGary: Appreciate it.

Corey: Nice to meet you.

McGary: My pleasure.

2019, Football, Articles

Wise beyond his years

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DraftNasty's Corey Chavous sat down with former Kansas Jayhawks star defensive lineman Daniel Wise for a Q&A during the week of the 2019 East-West Shrine game to talk about the Wise last name, family lineage and what it meant to be a Jayhawk.

Q&A with Kansas DL Daniel Wise

Corey: What about this week (2019 East-West Shrine Game) and what it represents for you and the Kansas program?

Wise: It's huge for me to be able to just represent the University of Kansas. Throughout everything I'm doing at the Shrine hospital, on the field, having that Jayhawk on my helmet means a lot to me.

Corey: I know the team success wasn't what you may have hoped for during your career but individually you've been very productive the last three seasons. When you think about how you've been able to work the edges of guards and tackles by being slippery. Talk about your technique and what has allowed you to become that type of player.

Wise: My work ethic, my routine in the summer, my workouts, guys I train with, my teammates. Picking up things from them (teammates) and picking up things from my coaches. My dad (former NFL player Deatrich Wise, Sr.), my No. 1 coach, and my older brother (New England Patriots DL Deatrich, Jr.). Always being around football and always watching football.

Daniel's older brother, Deatrich, Jr. (No. 99 pictured), was a participant in the 2017 East-West Shrine Game and has since gone on to post 9.5 quarterback sacks in two seasons with the New England Patriots.

Corey: We actually spent time with your brother here at the East-West Shrine game a couple of years ago. What has his success meant for you in continuing on that family lineage?

Wise: It's huge for me to be able to follow his footsteps at the East-West Shrine game and hopefully one day maybe with him or wherever I go. But to be able to enter the league with him, it's been a journey.

Corey: What type of scheme do you think you fit best in? You've been a four-technique, five-technique and three-technique. You can line up in the reduced front over the center. What do you think is your best position to start at?

Wise: Just the experience that I got playing at the University of Kansas in a 4-3 and 3-4, playing all up and down the line. It has given me a lot of experience on the line. Can play just about anywhere on the line confidently. But I think I earn my best money at the three-technique.

Former Kansas defensive lineman Daniel Wise (No. 96 pictured) posted 151 tackles, 18.5 quarterback sacks, 44 tackles for loss (2nd in school history) and blocked three kicks during his time as a Jayhawk.

Corey: It's funny, when your brother was coming out, we asked him the exact same question. Because at Arkansas he was playing up-and-down the defensive front.

Wise: Yes sir, yes sir. That's right.

Corey: So I guess the family lineage spreads to positional versatility. Toughest opponent in school?

Wise: My toughest opponent in school I'd say would have to go to No. 55 at West Virginia.

Corey: Cajuste (Yodny).

Wise: Yeah...Cajuste. He was a good athlete. His ability to adjust. His hands and his feet. He was a nice athlete, nice guy to go against.

Corey: If an NFL scout wanted your best game of your career what would it be? I know one game I watched two years ago against Texas (2016)...in Kansas.

Wise: Yeah, when we beat 'em. I feel like that's one of my best games. Yes sir.

Corey: Give me another one.

Wise: Texas again this year. The West Virginia game (2018). The West Virginia game is kind of what sparked the season for me.

Corey: Best of luck. Enjoyed watching you play and good luck in the NFL.

Wise: Thank you.

Photos, 2019, Football

2019 East-West Shrine Practices, Day 2, 1-15-19: Gallery/Recap

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In what proved to be a competitive day for both the East and West squads, DraftNasty dove even deeper into the action. Find out which players either continued to make an impact or stood out for the first time on Day 2 of 2019 East-West Shrine practices.

On Day 2, Georgia's Terry Godwin was challenged by James Madison CB Jimmy Moreland (No. 15 pictured), one of the better cover guys in attendance. Godwin's ability to roll his hips off of one step was evident on this out route during a one-on-one period. Moreland's eyes ventured into the backfield slightly out of his break as Godwin's ball skills continued to shine.

One of the most impressive aspects in Godwin's week was his attention to detail during the team's wide receiver individual drills. On this repetition, he sinks his hips at a sharp 45-degree angle on a cone drill.

Syracuse wide receiver Jamal Custis used this pull-through maneuver throughout the week to get on top of defensive backs. Miami (Fla.) cornerback Michael Jackson (6'1, 207) was a physical presence at the line of scrimmage, but even he couldn't handle Custis on this rep.

Custis, pictured, used his 82-inch wingspan to snag this high pass during a one-on-one drill versus Jackson.

Even though Jackson (No. 28 pictured) would lock his hips by jamming with his outside arm, he was able to handle Ole Miss' DaMarkus Lodge on this one-on-one rep. Lodge, perhaps the least heralded of the Rebels trio entering the 2019 NFL Draft, displayed good quickness in-and-out of his intermediate patterns during the week.

Tennessee DL Kyle Phillips (No. 92 pictured going through bag drills) did an excellent job of bowing back tight ends with his six-inch punch during the week of practice. In addition, he re-traced his steps to the ball in pursuit. His biggest issue was establishing effective counters once his first move was taken away (at either DE or the three-technique DT).

North Dakota State's Easton Stick throws a quick screen to Fresno State's KeeSean Johnson during a team drill. Stick was effective on bootlegs going to his left and demonstrated decisiveness throwing in-between the hash marks. Some of his comeback patterns tended to die before reaching their final destinations.

SMU cornerback Jordan Wyatt celebrates with Troy cornerback Blace Brown after picking off a slant and returning it for a touchdown during a team period. Wyatt got his hands on a number of passes during the week as he continues to round back into form following a 2017 late season injury.

Pittsburgh running back Darrin Hall's instincts shined on draw concepts and gap-schemed runs. He also displayed solid hands to track the ball out of the backfield. A tendency to turn to the side was a bit of a surprise in his pass pro drills.

Wyoming safety Andrew Wingard picked off this pass late in practice and took it to the house. It shouldn't have come as a surprise. He picked off 10 passes during school. While he didn't have success in one-on-one drills covering wideouts, the former Cowboy was far from shy in challenging any receiver in attendance.

Colorado's Evan Worthington (No. 35 pictured) broke on an out route thrown to Old Dominion's Jonathan Duhart. Worthington took full advantage of his second chance in school and his effort stands out. He rounded back into form during the week after missing three of the team's last four games.

Angelo State's Markus Jones, pictured, works through bag drills with a level of intensity that signifies his overall approach. The Lone Star Conference Player of the Year posted an unbelievable 36.5 tackles for loss in 2018. His power showed up in the Day 1 one-on-one pass rush sessions, when he powered Missouri offensive tackle Paul Adams to the ground with a speed-to-power bull rush.

In a true SEC battle, Missouri's Paul Adams (No. 57 pictured from top-to-bottom) initially had control of Texas A&M's Landis Durham. Despite an 85-inch wingspan and 63-pound weight advantage over Durham, Adams allowed the former Aggie to win the leverage battle. He got his hands inside of Adams' jersey and used a snatch maneuver to reach the bottom of the pocket. Durham's 17 sacks and 22.5 tackles for losses the last two seasons lay credence to his quickness off the snap.

San Diego State OT Ryan Pope was also one of the longer offensive tackles in attendance, but this battle came down to quickness. Oregon OLB Justin Hollins used a swipe move (see fourth picture on bottom) to clear Pope and easily turn the corner.

In a battle of perhaps two of the strongest offensive or defensive linemen in attendance, Texas A&M's Daylon Mack initially forced Louisiana Tech's O'Shea Dugas to cross his feet. However, as the down progressed, Dugas was able to re-corral his frame and sit down versus Mack's power step.

Colorado School of Mines wide receiver Brody Oliver (pictured getting the toe-tap grab down during an individual drill) caught 224 passes for 4,010 yards and 59 touchdowns during school. During the week, he impressed with his body control and flexibility.