Alex Boone - A steal as UFA?
by GTrain on Apr 27, 2009 12:46 PM PDT
58 comments
I am really interested by our behemoth of a UFA signee Alex Boone from Ohio State. He appears to be an absolute Mauler in an NFL body who wasn’t drafted due to his off the field concerns. He is a recovering alcoholic. He has admitted that at the height of his problem he was drinking 30 to 40 beers a day (Still find this hard to believe) After staying sober for a year he had a relapse where he though he could control his drinking and ended up "leaping from car to car, attempting to smash a two truck windshield while shouting obscenities. He fled and had to be tasered twice" This is obviously not just missing a few classes and brings to mind the wild men Raider linemen of the 70’s. My point is he was a wild man with a problem who claims to have recovered. Coach Sing could be exactly what the guy needs. If he puts his drinking problem behind him, he could be a huge steal as he has all the physical tools and mauling style and make his way into that RT or Guard spot in the future.
Here’s a story about Boone trying to save his career http://www.ohio.com/sports/osu/39878257.html
Here is a NFL Draft profile. 6'8 312 lbs 2-time All Big Ten at Ohio State
http://espn.go.com/nfldraft/research/player/profile?playerId=24774
This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of Niners Nation's writers or editors. It does reflect the views of this particular fan though, which is as important as the views of Niners Nation's writers or editors.
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yea..
he WILL be a steal, i played against the guys years ago and he was a “bohemuth” then as well, i would have been fine with us selecting him in the 5th or 6th but to basically get him for free..i love it. i would have alsom loved for us to get james casey late tho he would have pick an enormous steal in the 5th
by 2ninersonecup on Apr 27, 2009 1:02 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
How many guys from major programs become Undrafted Free Agent Steals?
I haven’t done any research but I can’t come up with any players that went undrafted from a major school, like Ohio State, and became quality NFL players. Seems like most were either from small schools or backups to early picks. He probably wasn’t drafted because teams aren’t sure he can pass protect in the pros.
Alex Boone doesn’t fit this mold. I’ll try to remain cautiously optimistic and believe he it was all do to his problems with alcohol… Wouldn’t the Raiders or Bengals draft him if he has talent anyways?
by abasketballfan on Apr 29, 2009 4:34 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
He's a road-grader...
… from what the scouting report seems to say. RT’s tend to be a lot stronger in run-blocking than pass-protection, but if he can’t play tackle, he can always try to move inside to guard, too. He’s a bit tall, but a run-blocking RG would be pretty good, too, from an UDFA.
by sfgfan on Apr 29, 2009 9:11 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Pushed around Orakpo
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2IM72KIlvQo&feature=related
http://www.49ersboard.blogspot.com
by supraman on Apr 27, 2009 1:33 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
He was a 2nd round prospect last year.
But from what I’ve read on him, he’s a liability in pass-pro. A little clumsy and feet of stone. But a heckuva roadgrader for short yardage and goalline offense. But who knows? Turns out OT Phil Loadholt has better feet than everyone thought and will now be roadgrading for Adrian Peterson in Minnesota. I hope we don’t play the Vikes this year.
by MontanaPass on Apr 27, 2009 1:35 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
and if Percy Harvin can play in the NFL
they are going to be a somewhat scary offense. But I guess they still don’t have a legit QB
Still defending Rich Aurilia, and the Niners' classic unis
by wjackalope on Apr 27, 2009 3:05 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Exactly
Their QB situation makes me feel much better about our QB situation – Tavaris Jackson is awful
by Neon on Apr 27, 2009 4:07 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
T-Jax
shredded us last time we faced them. yes, we held AP to 9 yards rushing (I think), but T-Jax exposed us for cheating on the run.
Their offense scares me. Their defense scares me. The Vikings should have a solid team next year, and even if they don’t, they will be a force early on. The book on the Vikes reads “strong start, poor finish”. It’s been like that for a while in Minnesota, so facing them in Week 3 sucks. We’ll get blown out if we aren’t careful.
by Andrew Davidson on Apr 27, 2009 8:31 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
and also
let’s not forget Sage Rosenfels will probably win the starting gig. He’s better than T-Jax, but not by a huge margin.
by Andrew Davidson on Apr 27, 2009 8:31 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Highlight reel
Apparently the Niners will have no troubling handling the Wisconsin Badgers this year
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h_4-Bewyq0A
McLouth is The Trouth
by GTrain on Apr 27, 2009 2:17 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
was
that Shaughnessy, the DE that he was manhandling? That dude was picked in the 6th I believe.
MURS for President!!!!!!!
by jtoj on Apr 27, 2009 3:39 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
clearly a steal
The difference between most 6th rounders and UFA’s is minimal. Boone was a legitimate day one prospect a one point though and he’s going to a team that can take advantage of his best attribute (run blocking).
I was surprised that the 49ers didn’t take advantage of some of the massive run blocking guards and tackles sliding into the 5th round, but this pick makes up for passing on some of those guys.
Rays in '08.... Desmond Jennings - the breakout continues.....
by youALREADYknow on Apr 27, 2009 3:03 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
He sounds like fun
If he ever goes out drinking again I’d love to tag along, that’s all I’m sayin’
by Neon on Apr 27, 2009 4:08 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
lets hope not...
…I don’t ever want to see him on “Cops”, does sound like a hell of a night out; smashing cars, fleeing the police, hiding under a deck and tazed twice. I bet the cops let out a collective “ah sugar” and turned their tazers up to 11 when they saw this monster running down the street.
by 49ersCAN on Apr 28, 2009 5:22 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Coach Sing could be exactly what the guy needs.
Okay, this is really enough of this. We absolutely have to stop billing Singletary as the magic cure for every single personal issue that somebody else is dealing with.
Did we even internalize this sentence:
After staying sober for a year he had a relapse where he though he could control his drinking and ended up “leaping from car to car, attempting to smash a two truck windshield while shouting obscenities. He fled and had to be tasered twice”
That describes what I would call not just a major drinking problem, but also a number of other critical personal issues that are exacerbated by the drinking. Staying sober for a year is wonderful. Thinking that severe alcoholism is something that you can control after a year of sobriety is delusional. Severe alcoholism is controlled by not drinking. Period.
The problem with these issues that they are not and can never be fixed by a second party. Addiction is solved by an individual hitting rock bottom and committing a lifetime of sobriety. Not a year of sobriety. A lifetime. And nobody but the affected individual can do anything about it.
As for the other issues, just because they’ve only come out with the alcohol doesn’t mean that they aren’t real and present all the time. Those, you absolutely need a certified therapist to treat. Not SIngletary.
Now, I’m not damning this kid. He could absolutely get over this stuff, and his year of sobriety is a very real sign that he understands his problems and wants to improve his person.
But the idea that Singletary is just what he needs is ridiculous.
My Dave Righetti is better than your Dave Righetti.
by howtheyscored on Apr 27, 2009 5:39 PM PDT reply actions 2 recs
Singletary
Will help him with that. Singletary cant fix everything (or can he?) but he can help this guy turn around. I think a steal
In Shaun Hill will trust
by iaalexeeff on Apr 27, 2009 6:47 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
If anybody can tell me how Singletary can cure alcoholism, I’ll be right with you. Until then, I think it’s absolutely crazy. How can he possibly do that? If Alex Boone gets turned around, it’s because he turned himself around by committing to a lifestyle and reaching out for help on his own. These things do not work any other way. They don’t. Do. Not. Never.
I absolutely believe that Singletary can give a minor psychological wildcard some structure. But these aren’t minor problems. Serious addiction is a seriously self-circulating problem. The only thing that other people can do is either enable or remove themselves from the problem.
My Dave Righetti is better than your Dave Righetti.
by howtheyscored on Apr 27, 2009 7:02 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
while that may be the case
being in the right environment will help him, he can’t do it all on his own and he needs the support of everyone around him. I think that Singletary is working on creating an environment that promotes not only hard work but also teamwork and being there to support each other.
by 3eyes on Apr 27, 2009 7:50 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
lmao, thank you
Singletary is indeed being billed as the cure for every personal issue that players have.
RB needs to gain 20 pounds = Don’t worry, Singletary will take care of it.
Alcoholism and destruction of property = Ahh, that’s nothing Singletary can’t knock out in 5 seconds.
No pass rush? = Singletary will get 10 sacks himself this year.
The 49ers should have a well-structured environment that allows every player the best chance to improve themselves as players and as people, but at the end of the day it is still up to every player to improve themselves. Singletary isn’t there to be every person’s personal trainer, motivational speaker, and psychologist. He’s there to win football games.
Rays in '08.... Desmond Jennings - the breakout continues.....
by youALREADYknow on Apr 28, 2009 7:04 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
nobody's saying what you're saying they're saying
that wasn’t supposed to be a tongue twister
(Coffee) The 20 pounds is actually 8-10 pounds and the player brought it up.
(Boone) Singletary can be a part of the solution and put him in a good place to succeed, not saying he will single handedly cure alcoholism.
(pass-rush) you might have a point with this one, unless Manny Lawson becomes a legit NFL starter
by Neon on Apr 28, 2009 10:04 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Quesiton for youALREADYknow....
“Singletary isn’t there to be every person’s personal trainer, motivational speaker, and psychologist. He’s there to win football games.”
Isn’t that sort of like, his job?
by Blank x2 on Apr 28, 2009 11:40 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
not at all
As head coach, his job is to win football games. Sure that job includes providing motivation, leadership, and compassion but those are all secondary to winning football games. He’s not there to be a 24/7 watchman over every player.
If our head coach ever becomes that involved in any player’s life, then the 49ers have a serious problem as a football team.
Rays in '08.... Desmond Jennings - the breakout continues.....
by youALREADYknow on Apr 28, 2009 11:47 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I don't see the logic
in how you can say that a coach shouldn’t be involved in any player’s life. That’s what a coach is. His job is to win football games, true, but how do they win them? It’s certainly more than X’s and O’s. His job is to keep his players professional and focused, isn’t it? Seems pretty dumb that a coach would think his job would not include trying to help in this situation. It’s not ALL on Sing, but some of the responsibility will certainly be his.
by Blank x2 on Apr 28, 2009 4:53 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
don't mean to be a prick, but you clearly misread my post
He’s not there to be a 24/7 watchman over every player.
If our head coach ever becomes that involved in any player’s life, then the 49ers have a serious problem as a football team.
I never made the point that it wasn’t any part of his job. The point was that it’s not his full-time job to be one player’s guardian. These are grown men who are accountable for their own lives. No head coach is going to spend too much of their time focused on ANY one player. Coaches have a lot on their plate in terms of preparing a team and that’s the priority, not individual player situations.
Rays in '08.... Desmond Jennings - the breakout continues.....
by youALREADYknow on Apr 29, 2009 8:41 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I didn't misread it....
..that’s why I said SOME of the responsibility would be on Sing. I don’t expect him to be the entire answer, but he can certainly help, since it’s PART of his job. I agree with that part.
by Blank x2 on Apr 29, 2009 9:52 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I don't think Singletary is a messiah
However, I will say this. If Boone doesn’t overcome his alcoholism and behaviour issues, he’s got himself to blame. It won’t be because Singletary didn’t save him.
Also, if Boone comes to the NFL, steps foot in the Niners facilities and doesn’t realize the amazing opportunity given to him, he’s a moron. The fact that he’s getting a shot in the big leagues should sober this dumb-dumb up. Mike Singletary will be able to express to this kid that this is the chance to be something. I’m not saying he can cure alcoholism, but I think he can let this kid know, the NFL is the real deal. Singletary has been in the league as a player and now a coach. His experience can hopefully shed some light and provide Boone the example of how to be a professional, and succeed professionally.
All the players in the locker room can have that same effect. Do we have any boozers in the 49ers locker room? Hopefully they let the kid know, drinking is one thing, but being a professional is the only thing. It’s going to take a collective effort by the team to get this kid’s head straight. If he doens’t, it’s his loss.
by Andrew Davidson on Apr 27, 2009 8:37 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Singletary may not be a messiah....
…but he certainly saved this team from certain disaster last year, and I credit him A LOT with being a big reason why we picked 10th in the draft instead of 3rd or 4th.
by Blank x2 on Apr 28, 2009 4:54 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
There's the saying...
You don’t just go to AA for a day, a week, a month, or a year. You go to AA for life.
by sfgfan on Apr 28, 2009 12:09 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
unless you meet up with this guy:
BAM!
Throwback unis? Yes. Throwback afros? YES!
by grantmp on Apr 28, 2009 9:28 PM PDT up reply actions 5 recs
niiiiice lol
"I'll be honest with you, I love his music, I do, I'm a Michael Bolton fan. For my money, I don't know if it gets any better than when he sings "When a Man Loves a Woman"
by 49erLou on Apr 28, 2009 9:39 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
rec'd
That'll only happen if that one prospect is the second coming of Christ and redemption for mankind can only be achieved by smacking many balls out of the yard.
-The Limey
by anaheim angels on Apr 28, 2009 10:53 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Obviously Alcoholism is complex
I wasn’t implying that there is a magic Singletary pill that you can take that makes you a hard working boy scout. There is a ton to it and obviously this guy has admitted as much and already been in treatment. It is up to him to beat it. However, there are a number of things that can affect how likely someone is to beat addiction. The biggest external factor is environment and support of those around you. I just think that someone can reach him, give him a strong support system and especially a disciplined lifestyle away from a hard partying campus life he had to live in every day at OSU, he has a better chance of keeping it together and beating this. A great example is Jared Allen, a recovering alcoholic himself. The situation he was in wasn’t helping where people praised him for being a “party animal” and team officials looked the other way, even pairing him up with big money supporters who wanted to hang with the team’s biggest partier at a golf tournament. It’s ultimately up to you but your surroundings can make it easier or more difficult.
McLouth is The Trouth
by GTrain on Apr 27, 2009 9:05 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Well, I absolutely agree with everything you said here. Boone has definitely taken it upon himself in the past to get the help he needs, so if a tight-ship NFL program can add a little stability to his life, it can only be a good thing. Like I said below, my larger point got completely obscured my smaller point. I think it’s very easy to jump to the idea that Singletary can “straighten guys out.” And I think that expecting that result with every hard luck player who comes near our doors is asking far too much of coach Mike.
My Dave Righetti is better than your Dave Righetti.
by howtheyscored on Apr 27, 2009 9:48 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
When did this post
turn into an AA meeting?
by Blank x2 on Apr 27, 2009 9:27 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
I didn’t necessarily mean for it to become a discussion about alcoholism. For all I know, I’m vastly overestimating the extent of Boone’s problem to begin with. What really prompted me to make my comment was that this was the latest in a strong of players I’ve seen mentioned who get the “Sing can set him straight” line. Starting with Vick. Going to Burress. Those are the two highest profile ones. And then this.
However, I latched onto alcoholism because it’s one of two things that really bother me when they’re misunderstood on a purely human level (domestic abuse being the second). My predisposition to latch onto the alcohol angle skewed my larger point – mostly that Sing has been treated as a magic man who can cure all that ails anyone.
Admittedly, it got out of hand.
My Dave Righetti is better than your Dave Righetti.
by howtheyscored on Apr 27, 2009 9:44 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Looks like we’re on the same page here, just the opposite elements took precedent. Here’s hoping he keeps it together and treats DT like he does windshields.
McLouth is The Trouth
by GTrain on Apr 28, 2009 5:51 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
haha yeh
thats what I was thinking
by randolphforpresident on Apr 28, 2009 3:14 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
in answer to your question...
it turned into an AA meeting when we started talking about a player whose trouble with alcohol is the only thing that turned him from a Day 1 pick to an UDFA. I think it’s fruitful.
Throwback unis? Yes. Throwback afros? YES!
by grantmp on Apr 28, 2009 6:48 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
in fact
I think Boone could be the steal of the draft if he turns into the road-grading RT that we need. Consider that the team was willing to spend a 1st-rounder (!) on Andre Smith; Boone has the size and skill set to replace probably 80% or more of Smith would’ve given us—and it’s possible that he could give us 100%+ if the character concerns with Smith turn out to be as worrisome as some people thought they were. And it’s all down to whether Boone can keep his head on straight. That the theme of “Singletary as Messiah” line would get trotted out was predictable (and decidedly less fruitful). The stuff about what a person needs to overcome alcoholism is pertinent, though, because it bears on the success of the team.
Throwback unis? Yes. Throwback afros? YES!
by grantmp on Apr 28, 2009 6:55 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Mmmm… fruit….
My Dave Righetti is better than your Dave Righetti.
by howtheyscored on Apr 28, 2009 6:12 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
?
When did this turn into an English class?
by footballAD on May 7, 2009 6:12 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Singletary
is the Messiah. The sooner you accept that, the sooner we can move on.
by save10 on Apr 28, 2009 8:32 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
I heard he can turn water into.. uh…oh. Well this is awkward.
McLouth is The Trouth
by GTrain on Apr 28, 2009 4:21 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
I can turn water into ammonia if you give me a couple days.
My Dave Righetti is better than your Dave Righetti.
by howtheyscored on Apr 28, 2009 6:12 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Pushing the...
… Howie fermentation process, I see.
by sfgfan on Apr 29, 2009 9:13 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Listen, the ammonia stock is going to go absolutely bonkers one of these days. And when it does, you’ll all be sorry you didn’t listen to me.
My Dave Righetti is better than your Dave Righetti.
by howtheyscored on Apr 29, 2009 11:56 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
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