Given the consideration for taking a player of Fishers caliber, I decided to do a bit of homework last night. Rather than watching some highlight reel, I watched this years Little Caesars Pizza Bowl CMU vs. Western Kentucky. Taking a clear look at how Fisher played every play of that game gave me a pretty good indicator on some things which I saw, which going through a few other games, Navy, EMU, WMU, confirmed the things which I saw. By no means am I an expert, but I have a fair idea of what I'm seeing when I see it. Without further delay, here we go -



Strengths - Fisher looks very natural and fluid both as a pass and run blocker. In pass pro, he utilizes his long arms and feet very well to form a clean pocket. People just don't get past him. He handles the bullrush well, and he makes it look easy. As a run blocker, once he gets his mitts on a guy, they are a pancake waiting to happen. Saw him destroy his initial assignment a few times, then sought out and found a secondary target prior to the ball carrier arriving. There are a couple plays in particular from the Bowl game I'd like to highlight where on running plays to the right, he pulled all the way from his LT position to make effective lead blocks on the right side in lead FB fashion.

Weaknesses - Looks to play a bit high. Not something that was exposed as a weakness during games, but something that could get exploited at the next level. May have to make some adjustments in pad level to handle smaller speed rushers with good inside moves. Doesn't always block through the whistle. When he thinks a play is beyond his box, he shuts it down. This was highlighted on a Bowl game play where CMU RB Zurlon Tipton, after getting hemmed in, bounced the play back toward Fisher's area, and Fisher realizing the play was still going, tried to re-engage his block after the fact. This happened on a few occasions, but this play was the only one where it happened to matter. I am well aware that this is a fairly common practice, but I still find it very annoying.

NFL Current Player Comparison - Russell Okung, Seattle Seahawks

Final Thoughts - After having done my homework, I would feel very comfortable drafting Fisher at #5. He has all the tools to be a Pro-Bowl talent, maybe not right out of the box but in a couple years, and looks like he can still refine his frame. I'd like to see more of a "Finishing" style of play out of him, but that could change once he receives NFL level coaching. In thinking back to Lions LT's going back to Lomas Brown, I can't think of a guy I've ever seen wearing the Honolulu Blue and Silver who ever combined pass and rush blocking with the type of athletic grace that I saw out of Fisher.

In closing, I'd like to ask if perhaps some of our other die-hards out there couldn't pick one of the other guys we're comparing at #5 and try to give an unbiased analysis. I did Fisher simply because I still have the Bowl game on DVR :) Hope you enjoyed it, I'd love to read some of your analysis's.