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Player name: Andy Gallik
H/W: 6'2 306
Position: Center
School/Class: Boston College/Redshirt Senior
Measureables: 5.50 40, 27" vertical jump, 8' broad jump, 4.58 20 yard shuttle, 7.66 3 cone drill
The Tape
BC vs Florida State 2014 (#59)
Pros
- Durability/Experience- Gallik was a four year starter after his redshirt season at BC. Started 41 straight contests in his career.
- Intelligence/Instincts- He graduated in 4 years and is going for a Master's degree at such a rigorous and very stringent academic environment. The football instincts are off the charts good for a lineman as well. He's seen just about everything a defense can throw at him and reacts accordingly to every stunt and blitz. The center version of David Stewart as he harbors a take no prisoners mindset each and every snap. Always looking to make the next and most important block to spring his skill players free at the line. Gallik isn't fazed by multiple bodies occupying his gap on a blitz and is smart enough to isolate one and thoroughly dominate that one defender. Knows what he is (a phone booth type of lineman) and doesn't try to be something he isn't (a zone blocking road grader on the hoof).
- Skillset/Frame - Well coached in the fundamentals as BC HC Steve Addazio came from Urban Meyer's regime at Florida as OL coach before making his name at Temple. Gallik has the perfect body type for an interior lineman (short and low center of gravity, which is important for leverage). Hand usage is good as well.
- Strength/Footwork - Has good strength to keep up with the bigger nose and defensive tackles. Possesses quick feet and shows good balance in pass protection. Knows when and how to anchor down and rock back as necessary when the defenders come with a bull rush. Lower body strength and agility is great as expected. Lateral movement skills allow him to widen his stance to take on the stronger pass rushers.
Cons
- Second level - Not the best athlete in the world as shown by his workout numbers. Second level athleticism is below average as he's slow to recognize his secondary blocking assignment. It's hard to watch him attempt something of a block on the second level defenders. When he isn't getting a hat onto a hat, he just flails around looking for a guy to block. He has a good speed in a straight line, needs to work on finding and occupying the defender once he gets there.
- Arsenal - He has a tendency to stay at home armed with only a few moves to seal off the defender. Needs to develop counter moves to nullify the pass rush more effectively. Gallik frequently relies on his initial block to set up his assignment but once that fails, the defender often rocks him back too far into the backfield.
Additional Notes
I chose the USC, FSU, and Clemson games in particular as all three defenses had NFL caliber defensive linemen on their rosters. In all three contests, Gallik won more than he lost in terms of his one v one assignments. The USC game was especially important as he halted superstar DL Leonard Williams several times in his tracks en route to a dominating run game fueled BC victory. He also showed out against Clemson's Grady Jarrett several times as well. He did pretty decently against Florida State's monster tackle Eddie Goldman. Boston College has been kind to the NFL for OL in recent years.
Final Summary
Yes I'm in full support of the pick. To get one of the top centers in the class in the sixth round is a massive steal. Gallik probably needs a year to sit and learn the system before competing with Brian Schwenke for the starting job. I think he's on a fast track to start this year as Schwenke has shown an alarming inability to stay healthy or consistent. AG has proven himself capable to stay on the field and the intelligence to keep himself there. I just hope that the Titans don't ask him to pull too much as that is a serious weak point in his game. If anything at all, he'll help boost the run game as he's experienced in run blocking. BC featured an old school ground them out style of offense to counteract their lack of dynamic playmakers.
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