Black Heart Gold Pants: An SB Nation Community

Navigation: Jump to content areas:


Pro Quality. Fan Perspective.
Login-facebook
Around SBN: MLB Trade Rumors: Edwin Jackson to the White Sox, DC next?

2010 NFL Draft Profiles: Bryan Bulaga

MEASUREMENTS: 6'6", 312 pounds, 40-yard dash indeterminate and wholly irrelevant. These are subject to change after the Combine, of course.

ACCOLADES: 2008 2nd team All-Big Ten (coaches), 2008 honorable mention All-Big Ten (media); 2009 2nd team All-American (Walter Camp), 2009 1st team All-Big Ten (media and coaches), 2009 Big Ten offensive lineman of the year (media).

THE TWITTER SUMMARY: Can the Young Nastyman regain his 2008 form after being slowed by a thyroid condition? As a first-round prospect, he and the NFL think so. 

THINGS THE PROS GET RIGHT: The general consensus about Bulaga's ceiling is absolutely correct. In 2008, Bulaga was the most dominant underclassman lineman in the conference, and he was properly rewarded for that performance 12 months later with an offensive lineman of the year award. That's just how they do things.Of course, in those 12 months, Bulaga's production fell off dramatically in the wake of a thyroid issue that kept him off the field, but Bulaga has gotten a clean bill of health from the Mayo Clinic since the end of the season. That out of the way, there's nothing to stop him from mashing at the second level once again, right?

THINGS THE PROS MAY NOT ACCOUNT FOR: Even as Bulaga improved over the course of 2009, he still wasn't back to his usual form. We still have nightmares of watching Brandon Graham and O'Brien Schofield completely undress Bulaga on the speed rush, even when Bulaga had help from Tony Moeaki. And yes, Graham and Schofield are both going to get plenty of PT in the NFL, well, so will everybody else Bulaga faces from here on out. Further, even though he checked out in that Mayo Clinic visit, there still isn't much way to tell how close to his potential he is--especially not at the combine in shorts and a t-shirt. And while we don't think Bulaga's going to be more 2009 than 2008 for the duration of his NFL career, we do recognize the need for on-field evidence to prove that he's, y'know, "back." There's not a convincing amount of that yet; would a team really make that much of a gamble on an offensive lineman in the first half of the first round? 

NON-FOOTBALL THING YOU MAY FIND ENDEARING/CHARMING/INTERESTING: This technically has nothing to do with Bryan Bulaga, but we would be remiss if we didn't bring up Eat Bulaga, the seemingly innocuous Filipino variety show with zero compunction about playing music with the filthiest lyrics imaginable. Take the stroll down memory lane with us, won't you?

TOTAL SUMMARY GRADING OF OVER/UNDERRATED: Well, that depends on where he's drafted, right? If he's really drafted at the no. 6 spot by Seattle, then yes, that is overrated. If he goes 23rd to the Packers, then he's probably a little underrated. We don't expect him to go at six, mainly because any team there that really wants Bulaga can probably trade down to 12 or so and still get him. Value maximization and all.

0 recs  |  Comment 37 comments |

Story-email Email Printer Print

Comments

Display:

It's true that there isn't a ton of evidence that he's back to his old form

But closing the season with strong performances against Kirlew, Morgan, and the OSU duo is a pretty good sign. The games against Grahm and Schofield, while very bad, were also his second and third games back after missing a ton of practice (and remember that he also missed a lot of camp this year).

by NorseHawk on Feb 26, 2010 2:55 PM CST reply actions  

I thought he looked pretty damned good by the Orange Bowl.

It was surprising that Morgan’s stock didn’t drop much after that.

by HawkeyeRecon on Feb 26, 2010 2:57 PM CST up reply actions  

Unrelated question you may have already addressed elsewhere:

I see the by-line is Adam Jacobi now instead of OopsPowSurprise. I know that’s who you really are, but why the change now? Was the original nom de guerre to kind of keep your writing on this site separate from your other writing (even though your real identity was never a secret)?

Just noticed the change and thought I’d ask. Not trying to “get all up in your biz,” but was curious.
Thanks

by HawkeyeRecon on Feb 26, 2010 2:56 PM CST reply actions  

I was thrown by this as well.

Did the real Mr. Oops P. Surprise of 1434 Hamilton Ln, Newark, DE threaten legal action if you continued?

Less memorable than Sam Okey's Hawkeye career.

by Kyle McCann't on Feb 26, 2010 3:10 PM CST up reply actions  

Maybe there's a 30yo female stalking the likes of one Oops Pow Surprise for the next 5 years?

"You don't become a Hawkeye fan, You're born with Black and Gold in your veins." - Me

by BStylin Hawkye on Feb 26, 2010 3:12 PM CST up reply actions  

You know, I'm seriously considering legally changing my name to "Reading Michael Rambler".

"It’s just that, reading through this thread, it appears you’re getting your ass kicked." -jtothep

by ReadingRambler on Feb 26, 2010 8:19 PM CST up reply actions  

Wait, you mean

you aren’t Lavar Burton?

Less memorable than Sam Okey's Hawkeye career.

by Kyle McCann't on Feb 26, 2010 8:50 PM CST up reply actions  

No.

"It’s just that, reading through this thread, it appears you’re getting your ass kicked." -jtothep

by ReadingRambler on Feb 26, 2010 10:33 PM CST up reply actions  

I've gotta say

for all your posting prowess, a one-word response in lieu of one including butterflies, Kunte Kinte or Jordi LaForge is awfully disappointing.

Less memorable than Sam Okey's Hawkeye career.

by Kyle McCann't on Feb 26, 2010 10:51 PM CST up reply actions  

It's quite simple:

You asked me if I am Lavar Burton and I said no because I am not.

"It’s just that, reading through this thread, it appears you’re getting your ass kicked." -jtothep

by ReadingRambler on Feb 26, 2010 11:34 PM CST up reply actions  

Can we

have this devolve into the baby fight you had with PSUJohnny over on BSD? Oh, wait, that sets you up for another one-word response. What will it take to turn this into the baby fight you had with PSUJohnny over on BSD?

Less memorable than Sam Okey's Hawkeye career.

by Kyle McCann't on Feb 27, 2010 8:36 AM CST up reply actions  

Eh.

I’d rather not get banned here.

"It’s just that, reading through this thread, it appears you’re getting your ass kicked." -jtothep

by ReadingRambler on Feb 27, 2010 11:27 AM CST up reply actions  

I saw that as well.

I haven’t seen anything on the other articles about the change though.

"You don't become a Hawkeye fan, You're born with Black and Gold in your veins." - Me

by BStylin Hawkye on Feb 26, 2010 3:10 PM CST up reply actions  

It wasn't entirely by choice

But there’s good that comes with it. We’ll have more info tomorrow morning.

I got more rhymes than Wade Lookingbill's got dunks

by Adam Jacobi on Feb 26, 2010 4:48 PM CST up reply actions  

Like women

actually being able to look you up now?

Less memorable than Sam Okey's Hawkeye career.

by Kyle McCann't on Feb 26, 2010 4:57 PM CST up reply actions  

Apparently, the answer is "no"!

"It’s just that, reading through this thread, it appears you’re getting your ass kicked." -jtothep

by ReadingRambler on Feb 26, 2010 8:18 PM CST up reply actions  

Stay out of this, Mike

No self-respecting man from Iowa goes anywhere without beer

by Hayden Fry's Moustache Ride on Feb 26, 2010 11:01 PM CST up reply actions  

Fun fact: Michael is not my real name either.

But it has a nice ring to it, no?

"It’s just that, reading through this thread, it appears you’re getting your ass kicked." -jtothep

by ReadingRambler on Feb 26, 2010 11:33 PM CST up reply actions  

I like Rowdy Roddy Reading Rambler

No self-respecting man from Iowa goes anywhere without beer

by Hayden Fry's Moustache Ride on Feb 27, 2010 8:43 AM CST up reply actions  

I went for

Reading Rambler Rainbow, but apparently he’s not down.

Less memorable than Sam Okey's Hawkeye career.

by Kyle McCann't on Feb 27, 2010 8:49 AM CST up reply actions  

Hell yes.

"It’s just that, reading through this thread, it appears you’re getting your ass kicked." -jtothep

by ReadingRambler on Feb 27, 2010 11:27 AM CST up reply actions  

So this means

that Hawkeye State is his real name? Kudos to Mr. and Mrs. State for being the second best coolest parents.

Sincerely,
Frank Jimmypage Iceberg

by iceberg on Feb 27, 2010 12:02 AM CST up reply actions  

If Reiff was better than Bulaga this year, how good is Reiff going to be when he leaves Iowa?

Crazy.

"It’s just that, reading through this thread, it appears you’re getting your ass kicked." -jtothep

by ReadingRambler on Feb 26, 2010 11:35 PM CST reply actions  

Reiff was only better than Bulaga when Bulaga was still recovering from being out

At their best, there’s no comparison between the two. I dunno if Reiff will ever be as good as Bulaga was in 2008, but he’s definitely going to be very very good.

by NorseHawk on Feb 27, 2010 12:14 AM CST up reply actions  

Yes, this.

Reiff will probably continue to be very good and will probably have an NFL future. It is moderately unlikely that he will ever do what Bulaga was doing in 2008 and will probably do in the NFL going forward.

I got more rhymes than Wade Lookingbill's got dunks

by Adam Jacobi on Feb 27, 2010 8:03 AM CST up reply actions  

Well, I didn't watch much Iowa in 2008 so you're all certainly more knowledgeable than I.

"It’s just that, reading through this thread, it appears you’re getting your ass kicked." -jtothep

by ReadingRambler on Feb 27, 2010 11:28 AM CST up reply actions  

There's your problem right there.

No self-respecting man from Iowa goes anywhere without beer

by Hayden Fry's Moustache Ride on Feb 27, 2010 12:19 PM CST up reply actions  

I watched the Iowa State game, the LOLBADGERSTACKLING game, and the game against Illinois.

"It’s just that, reading through this thread, it appears you’re getting your ass kicked." -jtothep

by ReadingRambler on Feb 27, 2010 1:58 PM CST up reply actions  

Comments For This Post Are Closed


User Tools

Start posting about the Hawkeyes »

Join SB Nation and dive into communities focused on all your favorite teams.

Connect_with_facebook

FanPosts

Community blog posts and discussion.

Recommended FanPosts

Paradise_travel_egypt_cairo22_small
The Big Ten As A Fictional League

Recent FanPosts

Small
Vegas Odds
Small
The most I hope for this season
Img028_small
BHGRoadTrip?
Jesus_small
New Parking Lot Rules
Dwighthit_small
Favorite beers and spirits
Hawk_eye_small
Freedom Squad Member Application & BHGP Marketing
Small
Big Ten Championship at Lambeau Field?
Hawk_small
National Football Post re: The Manzi's pro prospects
028_small
Where would you like to go for a Big Ten Championship game?

+ New FanPost All FanPosts >

SBNation.com Recent Stories

INDIANAPOLIS - APRIL 02:  A detail picture of the basketballs as the Duke Blue Devils during practice prior to the 2010 Final Four of the NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament at Lucas Oil Stadium on April 2, 2010 in Indianapolis, Indiana.  (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) +10 updates

NCAA Announces Plan For 'First Four,' Featuring Field Of 68 Play-In Games

Villanova guard Scottie Reynolds, top, is fouled by Drexel guard Jamie Harris (12) in the first half of a men's NCAA  college basketball game Wednesday, Dec. 2, 2009, in Villanova, Pa. (AP Photo/Michael Perez)

Two Drexel Basketball Players Arrested, Accused Of Armed Robbery

+1 updates

UNLV's Tre'Von Willis Arrested On Multiple Charges

More from SBNation.com >


Managers

Mcqueen_small Hawkeye State

Anchower_small Adam Jacobi

Stains_small jebushchrist

Editors

Editorinchimp_small RossWB

Authors

Images_small StoopsMyAss

Spitzenhofen_small Hayden Fry's Moustache Ride