Green Bay Packers 2017 Draft: Interview with West Virginia guard Adam Pankey
Most would agree that offensive line probably doesn’t figure prominently among the list of primary needs for a Green Bay Packers squad hellbent on winning at least one more Super Bowl in the Aaron Rodgers era—not with a wobbly defensive unit to address with holes at every position outside of safety.
No. 12’s bodyguards, in fact, placed fifth overall in a recent analysis of every offensive line published by Sam Monson of Pro Football Focus (PFF). In his end-of-season breakdown of Green Bay’s blockers, the writer highlighted their superlative pass-blocking efforts, particularly those of left tackle David Bakhtiari and left guard Lane Taylor.
A major reason for their collective success was health in terms of games played. Only three games were missed by the team’s starting guards and tackles, while the center position had two starting-caliber linemen split time in the starting lineup during their respective periods of good health.
Those who have watched football for any handful of seasons can acknowledge that keeping an offensive line relatively intact over a period of 16 to 20 games is the exception rather than the rule.
Though players at the mobile positions (wide receiver, running back, tight end, defensive back, linebacker) are just as likely to suffer an injury than those lining up on the front lines, according to a 2010 study by Football Outsiders, a later investigation by Harvard Ph.D. student Christine Baugh revealed that offensive linemen were 62-percent more likely to report “suspected” concussions than the average player.
And that statistic doesn’t even begin to address the myriad physical mishaps that trench players fall victim to on the bottom of pileups and on plays in which they are hit from behind while engaged in blocking oncoming defenders.
One takeaway from all this is that there’s never bad year to supplement a roster’s offensive line depth, particularly when one of their long-time starters (T.J. Lang) and a valuable rotation piece (J.C. Tretter) are both on verge of hitting the open market as unrestricted free agents.
How does a draft-and-develop franchise like the Packers nip this potential dilemma in the bud?
They can start by using one of their nine draft picks on a versatile blocker that not only has the athletic potential to play multiple positions, but one that already has done it on a regular basis in one of the Power Five conferences.
Enter Adam Pankey, a Hamilton, OH native who served as a three-year starter on a dominant offensive line ranked 9th and 5th in the nation, as per PFF metrics, over the past two seasons.
Led by head coach and offensive guru Dana Holgorsen, the Mountaineer big uglies laid the foundation for a prolific “Air Raid” attack by implementing a varied assortment of blocking styles, including effective slide protections along with power formations when the plan was to simply ram the ball down an opponent’s throat.
Pankey distinguished himself as a true road grader during his time in Morgantown by flashing an on-field nasty streak that, together with his strength and other physical attributes, allowed him to consistently finish his blocks and win his battles.
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But the long (see 83-inch wingspan) and lean prospect is much more than a phone-booth grinder in that he casually moved from guard to both tackle spots without any drop-off in his overall performance.
In speaking with the self-effacing rookie-in-training, Pankey underscored the countless hours he dedicates to honing his blocking stance as far as keeping his knees bent and maintaining a low center of gravity.
His reluctance to shine the spotlight on himself was also evident, preferring instead to share some of the key components that go into turning an entire group of five blockers into a cohesive well-oiled machine.
The following is a transcript of my recent conversation with the 6-foot-4, 316-pound athlete in the process of preparing for his upcoming Pro Day on March 31 coming off a successful showing in the East-West Shrine game.
Q: So you’re an Ohio guy. How did you end up playing in West Virginia?
A: I knew I didn’t want to stay home. I wanted to go out and make a new experience for myself. I was actually committed to Pittsburgh. That’s when they had coach Todd Graham, but he ended up leaving to go to Arizona State. I temporarily decommitted and West Virginia came down. I knew I was needed there and I would have a shot to play early.
Q: Your Mountaineer team had a great rebound in 2016 by finishing 10-2 during the regular season. How would you describe playing under Dana Holgorsen and the rest of his staff?
A: It was great. I loved the coaches. They brought in offensive coordinator Joe Wickline, who in the past worked with offensive linemen. I feel that he brought a lot of new things to my game along with coach [Ron] Crook, who coached me a lot at guard. So I just took the best from the both of them and tried to work on a lot of technique each and every day.
Q: Describe your offseason work. What’s the name of your facility and how’s your training been going?
A: I’m training here at EXOS in Los Angeles. I’m working on my lateral quickness so that I can be explosive. We’re all working on skill work with the coaches. I’m just keeping up with my craft and making sure that I’m ready to go when it’s time to perform.
Q: Talk about the East-West Shrine game. How do you feel things went down in Florida?
A: I thought it went real well. I mean it was a blessing to be there…to be invited to such a prestigious all-star game. I was just thankful for the opportunity and I tried to take advantage of every rep I had and show the guys there I was serious about the game. I wanted to show that I’m ready to work and that I’m ready for the next level.
Q: What kind of versatility do you bring to the table?
A: Being versatile on the offensive line is key. Just being a guy teams could plug in as a utility [player]. Someone who can pick up the offense on the right or left, either at guard or tackle. [Teams] need to know they can be confident with that player knowing the scheme and knowing what to do.
Q: So from game to game and play to play, how does a lineman transition from being a guard to then kicking out to one of the tackle spots? Can you talk about the distinct approaches involved in playing different positions?
A: It all comes down to technique. You work on it every day. Once you get thrown to another position, it’s just a mindset. You just get out there and you play and you’re going to be a competitor. At the end of the day, you’re either going to be a competitor or you’re not.
Q: You were part of a strong offensive line in Morgantown. You played alongside great players like Tyler Orlosky and others. What does it take to form a cohesive unit?
A: Communication is key. You don’t want to go up to the line of scrimmage and no one is talking…no one is on the same page. You want to have everyone on the same page. You want to have everything right and then good things usually happen.
Q: What is your current weight?
A: I’m at 313. My playing weight is 315, 316.
Q: You’ve been described as a physical blocker that can move defenders off the ball. What are your strengths and weaknesses?
A: I came from a high school where they were really old school and ran the veer. That’s where my run blocking came from at an early start. We were just running the ball all the time. My weakness early on was my pass protection, but as I got older and learned my technique, I probably turned that into more of a strength. Just learning how to lock out my hands, keep my shoulders back—it’s been a huge difference.
Q: Do you get the chance to watch much Packers’ football?
A: Sure I do. You talk about a guy like Aaron Rodgers, one of the better quarterbacks in the league. A lot of his success, I would say, is due to his offensive line. They definitely have a strong unit and you could always learn something from that offensive line when you watch them. The left tackle (Bakhtiari) plays lights out. He had a stretch (460 pass plays) where he hadn’t given up a sack in however many games. That offense is one that you would like to be a part of for sure. In addition, the fans are great. You could just go on and on about that franchise.
Q: What’s the most underrated part of your game?
A: I would probably have to say my pass protection. People would see me early and they had already created a picture of who I was. But I don’t think people paid attention to my progress, how far I came and all the work I put into it.
Q: You’ve mentioned technique a few times. Who are some of the pro guys you watch that have outstanding technique?
A: I think anybody would say the left tackle from the Cowboys. [Tyron] Smith is just a beast, a physical freak. But on top of that, technique is what you see with him with his hand-sniping, the long arms that get people to the ground. He makes defenders uncomfortable in the pass rush. You can turn on the tape and try to take little bits and pieces from his game and include it in yours and you will be a better offensive lineman for doing it.
Q: Ok Adam, here are some quick non-football questions. What is your favorite movie of all time and what did you last see in the movie theater?
A: I’m definitely a moviegoer. I know growing up Friday Night Lights was one of my favorite movies I used to watch it all the time. That’s my number-one movie that I watched over and over again. Space Jam is up there too. The last movie I saw was Get Out.
Q: Who is your favorite music artist?
A: Kodak Black.
Q: What’s your favorite meal?
A: Steak definitely.
Q: What are three words that best describe you as a football player, as a teammate and as an individual?
A: Competitive, hard-working and passionate.
Ralph: Thanks for giving me a few minutes and best of luck on your Pro Day.
Adam: Thanks for the opportunity.