ROUX: OL Matt McCants commits to UL

[Clutch0364]

So the last time he played football was middle school? I hope you are right. It just seems strange to me. However like I said at this point why not?

And you can also look at it this way to...he won't have any bad habits if he doesn't have that much experience.

[RCAJUN90]

I can go down a list of players who are in the nfl who didn't play much in high school...as a matter of fact Brandon Stokley only played 1 year of football.

Okay I believe you. You learn something new everyday. I just assumed that it would be rare that a kid that didn't play high school ball could be a great player at the next level.

[Cajun Express]

Look at a lot of the lineman recruited out of high school...most of the time it is strictly on size because you can teach talent, you can't teach size.

Really you can't teach talent, you can teach skills and technique. Talent is the God given ability to absorb those skills and technique. Talent like size is a gift. Developing skills for talent one has is entirely up to the individual.

[DestinCajun]

Really you can't teach talent, you can teach skills and technique. Talent is the God given ability to absorb those skills and technique. Talent like size is a gift. Developing skills for talent one has is entirely up to the individual.

Back in the 80's the then basketball coach at Uneaux plucked a tall grocery bagger out of a Winn Dixie food store and made a super post player out of him.

Younger Cajun fans may recall a Denver musician/post player from a couple of years ago.

[DaddyCajun]

The coaches obviously see potential in this guy, and you can't teach 6' 6''. Cut him some slack wait till next year to start in with the tuba jokes.

With only one year under his belt, "one year" is all your going to cut him. Man your tuff! Atleast give the coaching staff(ie. Strength and conditioning and line coaches) some time with him!

All in good fun,
DaddyCajun

[RCAJUN90]

Really you can't teach talent, you can teach skills and technique. Talent is the God given ability to absorb those skills and technique. Talent like size is a gift. Developing skills for talent one has is entirely up to the individual.

I think what he is saying is the kid has God given size and with some good coaching he could be a real good player. Let's hope he is right.

[Just1More]

No tuba jokes. I never heard of such a situation. I don't know if I trust these coaches to know what they are talking about. But at this point I say why not.
The guy has never played football? You can't coach speed but there is football speed and track speed. The two are different. 6'6 is a good size perhaps simply taking up space can provide Desameaux with some protection.

He played a year of HS football. That may be enough to assess his fundamental football skills. I equate OL size, coupled with some raw ability (quickness, strength) to someone with impressive speed (like the beer man for the Saints). We may have found a diamond in the rough. Maybe not. As for doubting this coaching staff for finding talent, are you serious?

[Clutch0364]

I think what he is saying is the kid has God given size and with some good coaching he could be a real good player. Let's hope he is right.

Thats exactly what I mean...blue chips flop every year and diamonds are plucked right from under the big boys everyday, I trust the coaching staffs ability to recruit enough to hope for the best. We won't know for a while but I would be willing to give a kid a few years to develope if he becomes the man when he steps in.

Also to the people who want to talk abotu size...the #1 o-lineman takin in last years draft D'Brickashaw Ferguson was 6'5 250 when he was a freshman...size doesn't always mean greatness and just because you are"undersized" doesn't mean you can't be special.

[RCAJUN90]

He played a year of HS football. That may be enough to assess his fundamental football skills. I equate OL size, coupled with some raw ability (quickness, strength) to someone with impressive speed (like the beer man for the Saints). We may have found a diamond in the rough. Maybe not. As for doubting this coaching staff for finding talent, are you serious?

No what I meant was what they do with the talent. Bustle and crew have done a good job getting quality players.

[Turbine]

You learn something new everyday. I just assumed that it would be rare that a kid that didn't play high school ball could be a great player at the next level.

I think you are right. It is rare, probably very rare.

Now for the guy who plays just one year of high school ball and somehow excels (or even just does good) in that his 1st and only season . . . I say "Grab Him" the potential upside is just to great.

Here is what I would like to see; Matt McCants BLOW the tuba for Cajun Walk, and then BLOW the defense off the line for the game. How cool would that be?

[MissingMandy]

Look at a lot of the lineman recruited out of high school...most of the time it is strictly on size because you can teach talent, you can't teach size.

It takes a long time for an offensive linemen to develop and grow to their full potential. That is usually why they are offered late in the season as opposed to the beginning. Be kind..I am sure they have plans for him and are not going to give any player a scholarship just because they feel like it. Welcome!

[Turbine]

It takes a long time for an offensive linemen to develop and grow to their full potential. That is usually why they are offered late in the season as opposed to the beginning. Be kind..I am sure they have plans for him and are not going to give any player a scholarship just because they feel like it. Welcome!

In my opinion the Lineman are the most crucial part of a team. I call them "Time Machines" because the time an OL allows for a play to develop is so very important to a teams success.