Week 2 Film Room - Rookie OL Review: Johnson, Strange, Cross, Lucas, Jones, Green & Volson

Photo via Tyler Wise

Welcome to the Week 2 edition of the Rookie OL Film Room where I revisited a couple of the same players as last week and welcomed some new faces into the mix via an informal Twitter poll (thank you to everyone that responded).

For the second consecutive week I highlighted Chargers RG Zion Johnson, Seahawks LT Charles Cross, and Texans LG Kenyon Green while adding Patriots LG Cole Strange, Seahawks RT Abraham Lucas, Bears LT Braxton Jones and Bengals LG Cordell Volson.

Here is the order with a brief overview and timestamps highlighting when each player’s portion starts:

• Zion Johnson (Opening)

  • Detailed breakdown of Zion Johnson against Chiefs All-Pro DT Chris Jones including all meaningful reps between the two in pass-protection from their matchup on Thursday Night Football.

  • Johnson’s struggles and successes against Michael Danna

  • Top traits, strengths and technique that Johnson relies on to win

• Cole Strange (15:46)

  • Strange’s matchup with Steelers All-Pro DT Cameron Heyward including all meaningful reps between the two in the pass and run game.

  • The dichotomy between raw strength and functional strength, including differentiating upper, lower and core strength based on tape study

  • Why Strange is such a ‘sticky’ blocker and how he is able to consistently sustain blocks despite losing initial position

  • Room for improvement with processing and technique

• Charles Cross & Abraham Lucas (44:28)

  • Persistent issues and strengths from Cross in Week 1 to Week 2

  • Cross playing on an island and how he is able to succeed with minimal help

  • Special plays from Abraham Lucas that speak to rare play strength and recovery skills against 49ers Pro Bowl DE Nick Bosa

• Braxton Jones (1:04:16)

  • Focusing on Jones’ strengths as a run-blocker including a fairly rare combination of elite length and good grip strength

  • Persistent issues in pass-protection that were largely masked by the Bears conservative, run-heavy game-plan

• Kenyon Green (1:13:33)

  • Green’s first full game as a starter after splitting reps in Week 1 with Justin McCray

  • Green’s standout, very good play strength routinely on display and immediately translating from his college film in a significant way

  • Putting Broncos DT Dre’Mont Jones in a cage

  • Breaking down Green’s special ability to engulf and move defenders including the ‘how’ and ‘why’ behind it

• Cordell Volson (1:20:49)

  • Volson’s competitive toughness and finishing ability translating into dependability

  • Physical and athletic limitations showing up from college

  • Where Volson wins and how he can improve technically to bolster his play speed

Miss prior player film rooms?

Richie Incognito

Terron Armstead

Rashawn Slater

Donald Penn & Kelechi Osemele

Jonah Williams

Jeff Saturday on Tyler Linderbaum

Cole Strange

Zion Johnson

Trevor Penning

Ikem Ekwonu

Creed Humphrey

Landon Dickerson

2021 Rookie OL Film Room

Full Week 2 Rookie OL Film Room: