Colts select Matt Goncalves OT

[#12.]

11 hours ago, Restinpeacesweetchloe said:

Ballard has flipped his philosophy 180 degrees. It’s a good thing. 

 

If someone has pushed Ballard to alter his approach, you can bet the house it was Steichen.  He seems like he might actually have the stones to do it.

 

Ed Dodds and the scouts?   "Yes sir, Mr. Chris.  Whatever you say, Mr. Chris.  Can I make your bed and clean your hotel room. Mr. Chris?"

[stitches]

Dane Brugler's scouting report on Matt Goncalves in his draft guide:

 

13. MATT GONCALVES | Pittsburgh 6062 | 317 lbs. | 5SR Manorville, N.Y. (Eastport-South) 1/26/2001 (age 23.25) #76

 

BACKGROUND: Matthew “Matt” Goncalves (Gun-ZALL-vez), the youngest of three boys (also has two stepsiblings), grew up in Suffolk County on Long Island. His first love was basketball, and he continued to play throughout high school. Goncalves also played football, and it started to become his focus towards the end of middle school. He enrolled at Eastport-South Manor High School, where he played on both offense (offensive tackle and tight end) and defense (defensive end). Goncal ves’ junior season was cut short after two games by a season-ending knee injury. He returned as a senior and led Eastport-South Manor to the playoffs as the starting left tackle. Goncalves earned All-State and All-County honors in his final season. He also lettered all four years in basketball.

 

A three-star recruit, Goncalves was the No. 52 offensive tackle in the 2019 recruiting class and the No. 5 recruit in New York (top offensive lineman in the state). After missing almost all his junior season, he was unsure if he would receive Division I offers, but several FCS programs (Bryant, Stony Brook, Villanova) offered him late in his junior year. The summer before his senior year, Goncalves was still unranked by recruiting services but impressed during recruiting camps and received his first FBS offer (Toledo) and first Power 5 offer (Pittsburgh) in June 2018. A month later, he earned three stars and officially committed to Pat Narduzzi. Goncalves was the highest-ranked recruit in Pitt’s 2019 recruiting class. His older brother (Billy) was a pitcher on the baseball team at SUNY Cortland (2017) and is now a coach. Goncalves graduated with his degree in administration of justice (May 2023) and is working on a second degree in communication. He accepted his invitation to the 2024 East-West Shrine Bowl but was unable to participate because of injury.

 

STRENGTHS: Large-framed blocker with functional length and above-average thickness, especially in his upper half … patient in pass pro and greets rushers with firm, active hands … shows good timing between his steps and his punch, keeping everything in concert and improving his chances of staying square … refits his hands to stay underneath blocks and re-leverage himself versus power … able to crash down and bulldoze bodies in the run game with his leg drive … penalized just four times in his 38 career games (all four were false starts) … naturally competitive and battles to stay attached and finish the block … voted a senior captain in 2023 … split his college snaps between left tackle (697) and right tackle (973), while also taking snaps at center in practice.

 

WEAKNESSES: Tries to be urgent out of his stance but lacks the desired lateral range for an NFL tackle … tends to pop upright with his taller pad level and top-heavy build … inconsistent sink and redirect for easy recoveries once rushers attack his edges … focuses his body energy on getting wide to protect the corner versus speed and opens the backdoor for inside counters … hand placement requires improvement … lack of athletic range extends to the run game, where he is often late reaching his landmarks … suffered a left foot injury (September 2023) and required season-ending surgery; missed almost all of his junior season of high school because of a torn meniscus in his right knee (September 2017).

 

SUMMARY: A four-year starter at Pittsburgh, Goncalves bounced between left and right tackle in former offensive coordinator Frank Cignetti’s balanced run-scheme. After he earned All-ACC honors as a junior, he received strong draft grades from NFL scouts in the summer but missed most of the 2023 season and draft process with a foot injury. In pass protection, Goncalves plays with controlled urgency and makes good use of his physical, independent hands, although his average athleticism and high cut, upright playing style make it tough for quick recoveries. When he bends and runs his feet, he has the drive power to create displaceme nt in the run game. Overall, Goncalves has several skills that will translate to tackle in the NFL, but a move inside to guard as a phone -booth blocker should better accentuate his size, strength and play style. He projects as an NFL reserve who can provide depth at multiple positions.

 

GRADE: 5th Round

[throwing BBZ]

24 minutes ago, PRnum1 said:

Pizza, beer and wings will make you gain weight. 

 

It always makes me gain weight 

 

 So would oodles and boodles of strudel, brats, fried taters and warm 🍺.   

[jvan1973]

17 minutes ago, #12. said:

 

If someone has pushed Ballard to alter his approach, you can bet the house it was Steichen.  He seems like he might actually have the stones to do it.

 

Ed Dodds and the scouts?   "Yes sir, Mr. Chris.  Whatever you say, Mr. Chris.  Can I make your bed and clean your hotel room. Mr. Chris?"

Nonsense

[compuls1v3]

57 minutes ago, Colt Overseas said:

We’ve got decent depth now in the oline. Freeland, Goncalves, French, Pinter, Sills, Witt. Happy enough to have young guys as backup, with some having potential to develop into starters. Ballard has struggled to sign quality veteran FA linemen, with maybe the exception of Slauson in his first year.

I thought Glowinski was serviceable.

[MB-ColtsFan]

Perhaps he can be our next Joe Haeg at worst case scenario if he can't break into the starting lineup in the next couple of years?

[LJpalmbeacher2]

13 hours ago, Restinpeacesweetchloe said:

 

Ballard has flipped his philosophy 180 degrees. It’s a good thing. 

 

Yeah it is after 7 years of mostly failing. Not many get a 8th year of underachieving after the previous 7 BUT HOPEFULLY for Colt Fans 8 will be the charm.

I like the first 2 picks so far.

[NewColtsFan]

4 hours ago, John Hammonds said:

I go to NFL Draft Buzz all the time.  It's an interesting place to find alternative assessments, rather than the cookie-cutter truncated stuff you see all the time elsewhere.  And I like their graphic presentation of player stats.

And what they said about Goncalves is a combination of what a lot of people have been saying.  He's stout, has leadership, and is steady.  But he's also got short arms and needs to get stronger.  He can play outside, but probably needs to play inside.  He had an injury his senior year that limits his exposure for evaluation.  He may not be a pro bowler, but he's a guy you'll want next to you in battle.  He's a rascal.  I'm gonna watch for him in camp.  Gonna be interesting.

Thats all good, and I respect your explanation.  But I was mainly focused on my response to the poster.  Sushi said their eval made Goncalves look “terrible”.   I couldn’t find anything that clearly added up to terrible.   

[NewColtsFan]

3 hours ago, Yoshinator said:

It really doesn't have any credibility with me tbh. I had him as a 4th round guy with the risk, and a 3rd round guy if fully healthy that can play 4 out of the 5 positions. I'm aware of this site, I generally never use it. Just shocked how much it bashes Goncalves. 

Thanks for the response.  But how did they bash him?   I couldn’t find anything that added up to “terrible”.   Was there something specific?   Maybe I just don’t know how to read it properly.  I looked long and hard and couldn’t find anything terrible. 

[NewColtsFan]

3 hours ago, throwing BBZ said:

 

 Hopefully Freeland is hanging with Raimann pounding Ramen and an abundance of iron.  

He is.   Ballard said Freeland has put on noticeable weight as Raimann did last offseason.   Said he looked great. 

[richard pallo]

13 hours ago, Restinpeacesweetchloe said:

 

Let’s face it Ballard has a good record drafting OL.

[NewColtsFan]

2 hours ago, #12. said:

 

If someone has pushed Ballard to alter his approach, you can bet the house it was Steichen.  He seems like he might actually have the stones to do it.

 

Ed Dodds and the scouts?   "Yes sir, Mr. Chris.  Whatever you say, Mr. Chris.  Can I make your bed and clean your hotel room. Mr. Chris?"

[NewColtsFan]

4 hours ago, w87r said:

I do too, I actually just like their easily viewable set-up.

 

Easily viewable profiles while in a mock draft, use the Jimmy Johnson trade chart, so trades are more realistic.

 

 

As far as grades, so many out there, it's just an additional reference

 

They have his measurables and what percentile they are in.

 

His weren't overly impressive.

 

First, thanks for the response.  Second, you’re not alone, a number of other posters say they too use the website.  That’s encouraging.  
 

I knew Goncalves would have some mixed evaluations when he didn’t play much this past season due to injury, plus Ballard traded up to take him (a 6th).  I guess I got triggered with Yoshi’s words of “look terrible”.   Clearly I don’t know how to read the site yet.  But it was not for lack of effort.  I couldn’t find what made the player “look terrible.”  
 

 Your thoughts? 

[w87r]

2 minutes ago, NewColtsFan said:

First, thanks for the response.  Second, you’re not alone, a number of other posters say they too use the website.  That’s encouraging.  
 

I knew Goncalves would have some mixed evaluations when he didn’t play much this past season due to injury, plus Ballard traded up to take him (a 6th).  I guess I got triggered with Yoshi’s words of “look terrible”.   Clearly I don’t know how to read the site yet.  But it was not for lack of effort.  I couldn’t find what made the player “look terrible.”  
 

 Your thoughts? 

When you scroll down just under picture they have measurables which are color coded to show rankings. 

 

His measurables are not in a very high percentile.  

 

 

You would just need to go click on the draft simulator and click on a few players profiles to see.

 

Want more blue and green color coded numbers.

 

 

https://www.nfldraftbuzz.com/simulator

 

 

 

That's one of the reasons I like the site, easy to see pretty.much everything you need to know while going through a mock.

 

 

[w87r]

So he grades out decent in weight top 80%

Vertical top 80%

 

But just about everything else grades out pretty low, down to hands and arm size, wing span and bench press, of course 

 

 

So when looking at these guys want to find the blue and green 

 

[w87r]

10 minutes ago, w87r said:

So he grades out decent in weight top 80%

Vertical top 80%

 

But just about everything else grades out pretty low, down to hands and arm size, wing span and bench press, of course 

 

 

So when looking at these guys want to find the blue and green 

 

In comparison 

 

Here is Joe Alt's

 

[KB]

I watched some of the Pitt vs WV game from a few years ago. I like this guy at guard but not tackle. He played RT and had trouble kicking out when he needed to. Other than that he blocked well. One play that stood out was when a LB went outside and then stunted inside once the TE got out wide right to block. He almost got the sack but Gonclaves did a great job of handing the DE he was originally blocking off to the TE and had just enough time to get and arm on the LB to slow him down. It was enough for the qb to scramble upfield for a positive gain.

 

I think he could develop as a phone booth type RG.

[Dobbinblitz]

Scout  Henry:

On how Goncalves will mesh in Indianapolis: I’m giving this guy the nickname ‘The Blueprint’ because he is a pure, exact blueprint of what we want in an offensive lineman in our room. I don’t know that there was an offensive lineman on the board that fit our room better than this guy. Big, small, tough, smart, mean, high ‘give a sh—’ factor, versatile, dependable — he really cares.

[Lancer1]

On 4/26/2024 at 10:26 PM, Scott Pennock said:

Only gave up 3 sacks in his career. I like how that sounds! Probably shift inside to Guard with Raimann, Smith and Witt at Tackle. 

 

Still think a Jadyn Hicks (S) and Cam Hart (CB) are on the radar

Apparently 1 of those 3 was to our 1st Round pick Latu.

[ChuggaBeer]

I cannot stop watching this!!!

 

 

[Yoshinator]

6 minutes ago, ChuggaBeer said:

I cannot stop watching this!!!

 

 

Absolutely love this!

[Mr. Irrelevant]

9 minutes ago, ChuggaBeer said:

I cannot stop watching this!!!

 

 

Outstanding! 

[ChuggaBeer]

That video has really made my day.     I have watched it over and over.  Thinking about all the crap going on in the world and how kids are these days.  I was very moved by the fact that this kid didn't expect anything to be given to him and he worked his * off.   His appreciation is unmatched.    I am a fan.  Whether he makes it as a starter or career back up. I am a fan.  

 

Easily my highlight of this draft 

 

GO MATT GO!!!!!

[Scott Pennock]

Four false start penalties in four years. Thats it…..no other penalties except for those four…….

……..and only three sacks allowed!

 

That is pretty darn impressive!!!!!

[AustexColt]

Matt's pick was electrifying in watching the response in the draft room. I just loved Matt's enthusiasm. The chances he will stick is very good. If Partridge and Sparano vouch for this kid means alot. I think he will replace our starting guard or right tackle due to injuries. Both are injury prone. With this draft we have just got the depth we needed on the OL. 

[throwing BBZ]

On 4/27/2024 at 1:28 PM, w87r said:

So he grades out decent in weight top 80%

Vertical top 80%

 

But just about everything else grades out pretty low, down to hands and arm size, wing span and bench press, of course 

 

 

So when looking at these guys want to find the blue and green 

 

 

 Where the rubber hits the road.

The concerns.

Top heavy

Shorter arms

19 reps hard to believe

Not a bender as is Fries

  Fries can't be counted on when we need a yard. They get under his pads time and again. All Gonc needs to do is be equal in the run game but a better pass blocker. This would be a big help.