Could Massie be Chargers' future right tackle?

During the two months I've been running this blog, I've made it clear I'm not a fan of San Diego Chargers right tackle Jeromey Clary. As far as I'm concerned, Clary was the weakest link on a depleted offensive line last year, and he's been a swinging gate since taking over the starting spot at right tackle in 2007. It's shocking to me that he's lasted this long in a Chargers uniform.

My hope is that Chargers general manager A.J. Smith will sign a right tackle in free agency to replace Clary. I've mentioned Arizona Cardinals offensive tackle Levi Brown as a possibility, and there are a few others--Buffalo's Demetrius Bell, Carolina's Geoff Schwartz, and Cincinnati's Anthony Collins--about to hit the free agent market Tuesday morning. But if Smith chooses not to sign a free agent right tackle this offseason, he could find one in the draft.

One prospect whose stock has been rising substantially this draft season is Ole Miss offensive tackle Bobby Massie. The 6-6, 315-pound mauler impressed scouts during the Rebels' Pro Day yesterday afternoon.

More than a dozen teams were on hand today for the Mississippi pro day and scouts say the star of the show was offensive tackle Bobbie [sic] Massie.

The junior lineman, who surprised many by entering the draft, stood on all of his combine numbers but participated in position drills and looked outstanding. One coach from Mississippi said Massie looked better today than at any point in his college career. That statement is not surprising considering the big tackle has been working with former All-Pro center LeCharles Bentley since December. Massie will be back on the Mississippi campus to privately work out for NFL teams during the week of March 18 and is now projected in the top half of round two.


With somewhat limited experience, Massie is considered a raw prospect who will need some time to develop at the NFL level. According to drafttek.com, Massie didn't miss a game during his three years in Oxford, and he possesses the ideal mean streak and overall skills to be a successful pro. The site compares him to Jammal Brown, a former first-round pick who's the current right tackle of the Washington Redskins.


Massie, while not the "smooth technician" that some of the higher ranked tackles are in pass protection, utilizes his excellent size, long arms and quick feet well . . . and if he gets his massive mitts on a defender, it's game over. He gets out of his stance and into position with decent knee bend and good balance, but needs to concentrate on keeping his pad level lower. Massie demonstrates an ability to change direction and can cut off the edge.

In run blocking, Massie is quick off the snap and utilizes his strength as a solid drive blocker who always finishes off his block (an attribute that is all about attitude). His hand placement is inconsistent, good at times and not so good at others, but the effort is always evident. His lateral mobility allows him to wall off defenders on the edge and gets to the 2nd level very well.

Some scouts have Massie as a right tackle only or moving inside to guard, but with his athleticism (and a couple years of NFL coaching), he might have the potential to move over to the blind side. At the very least, as a 2nd or 3rd round choice, Massie could move into a starting position in a year.


Given how it's believed he's not quite ready to start immediately as a rookie, Massie probably won't work his way into the first round. If he's there in Round 2, however, the Chargers may find him to be the correct pick for them at that point, as his future as a right tackle seems very bright.