Oklahoma State LT Russell Okung Has Long Arms, Which Is A Good Thing

by Joel Thorman on Feb 25, 2010 1:10 PM CST in 2010 Kansas City Chiefs Draft

If the Kansas City Chiefs decide to move Branden Albert to right tackle, then they could draft someone with very long arms.

According to Daniel Jeremiah of MoveTheSticks.com, Okung weighed in at 307 pounds and stood 6'5" with 36" arms.

Those are very long arms, which is a good thing. Offensive tackles with short arms, as Jeremiah points out, can allow defenders to get into their chest and gain leverage, which is a "major problem."

33" seems to be the minimum a lot of these guys are shooting for.

A little background on Okung in case you've been living under an Arrowhead the past few weeks and months. He's rated by many as the top tackle in the 2010 NFL Draft. He's also the one many a mock drafts have the Chiefs taking with the 5th overall pick.

Kent Babb of the Kansas City Star feels he'll be the Chiefs pick since so many folks are predicting Branden Albert will be moved to right tackle.

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Comments

Just to give one more hack at the poor decomposing horse

If and when Okung is drafted, isn’t it the proper move to move Albert to LG, rather then RT?
I like the fact that he has long arms, and I’m sure so does his girlfriend :)

"I've only been in love with a beer bottle and a mirror" - Sid Vicious.

by craig in calgary on Feb 25, 2010 1:13 PM CST reply actions

I think G

But the hot position for him is RT now…

Arrowhead Pride

by Joel Thorman on Feb 25, 2010 1:18 PM CST up reply actions

I'd rather...

him play G so he could pull on sweeps. He is so athletic he could somewhat keep up with Charles. That being said it would be a huge mistake for the Chiefs to go LT and I think Pioli knows better. I don’t care if he has Micheal Jordan’s wingspan, the guy isn’t going to be a Chief.

Draft prediction top 10 - 1. Bradford 2. Suh (Chiefs trade up) 3. McCoy 4. Claussen (trade Campbell to Carolina, trade for J Brown) 5. Okung (Detroit) 6. Berry 7. Hayden 8. Campbell 9. Davis (Bills trade for Vick) 10. Morgan (Jags draft Tebow in 2nd round) 2/23/09

by I_Bleed_Red. on Feb 25, 2010 1:25 PM CST up reply actions

Will he have enough weight now to match up with tackles?

by Helmets on Feb 25, 2010 1:30 PM CST up reply actions

In a zone blocking scheme? Definitely.

by Yashi on Feb 25, 2010 2:06 PM CST up reply actions

Long arms are important

But less important in a Zone Blocking scheme.

"Its going to be a challenge, its going to feel like forever, and there will be difficulties. But we will emerge on the other side of it stronger than we were when we entered." ~ Sudden

by Matt_Grbac on Feb 25, 2010 1:15 PM CST reply actions

wonder how difficult is it for him to buy clothes that fit

"I shall conquer untruth by truth" - Mahatma Gandhi
Whitlock Rocks!
hi, Mo!
5 minutes!!!

by upamtn on Feb 25, 2010 1:31 PM CST up reply actions

As a tall guy with very long arms

I can tell you buying shirts sucks

This is my signature line. It is full of awesome and win.

by KCSatchmo on Feb 25, 2010 1:32 PM CST up reply actions

His 30+ million dollar guarantee will make it a little easier to find shirts that fit.

Don't Fuccop Succop

by chicks_love_chiefs on Feb 25, 2010 1:38 PM CST up reply actions

Not true

in any scheme, long arms are helpful for leverage against a pass rusher.

This is my signature line. It is full of awesome and win.

by KCSatchmo on Feb 25, 2010 1:32 PM CST up reply actions

I agree

But you can get away with shorter arms in ZB because of the help. In man blocking your responsible for your guy. You have to have a big strong body with long arms.

"Its going to be a challenge, its going to feel like forever, and there will be difficulties. But we will emerge on the other side of it stronger than we were when we entered." ~ Sudden

by Matt_Grbac on Feb 25, 2010 1:59 PM CST up reply actions

The LT is a ZB

is still one on one with an edge rusher on virtually every passing play and uses the same technique as LT in any other scheme.

This is my signature line. It is full of awesome and win.

by KCSatchmo on Feb 25, 2010 2:04 PM CST up reply actions

moving Albert to RT

doesnt necessarily fix our o-line woes at guard and center. I’m not digging the talk of him at RT. That means we’ll draft a center also. We would have too. And that puts less picks at other positons of need:Safety, NT, wr#2,

Mr J
KC Chiefs Fan

by Mr J on Feb 25, 2010 1:30 PM CST reply actions

true, it doesn't fix G or C positions

but it sure as hell gives us a kicka$$ bookend pair of Tackles for a decade

"I shall conquer untruth by truth" - Mahatma Gandhi
Whitlock Rocks!
hi, Mo!
5 minutes!!!

by upamtn on Feb 25, 2010 1:33 PM CST up reply actions

True story

This is my signature line. It is full of awesome and win.

by KCSatchmo on Feb 25, 2010 1:34 PM CST up reply actions

I'm ok with that

but Okung will be a rookie and it’ll be Albert’s first yr in a new position. Doesnt get me excited about the upcoming season. No wif they can find a starting center, NT, wr, ilb and safety through FA and draft then i’m excited.

Mr J
KC Chiefs Fan

by Mr J on Feb 25, 2010 1:38 PM CST up reply actions

Prepare to be disappointed.

This is my signature line. It is full of awesome and win.

by KCSatchmo on Feb 25, 2010 1:45 PM CST up reply actions

I'll be disappointed

If they draft a tackle and move Albert. Albert is going into year three which is when he should start to blossom as a left tackle in the NFL. Moving him to a new position and bringing in a rookie at LT will just set us back. I personally am happy with Albert at LT and O’Callahan at RT. We need to concentrate on the interior linemen and depth at the tackles.

by Big Reese on Feb 25, 2010 2:13 PM CST reply actions

Chiefs have bigger needs than another offensive tackle

Passing on some of the playmakers available at the #5 pick just to upgrade the Albert/O’Callaghan combo is a waste. Both of those guys improved late in the season. The problem is on the interior and you can get centers and guards later on. If Pioli really thought LT was a need, why not draft it last year when there were at least 3 guys that were worthy of the the #3 pick instead of reaching for Tyson Jackson?

by CapsLockKey on Feb 25, 2010 2:16 PM CST reply actions