Guys, Marcus Cannon is good.
I know, I know, I know…but hear me out. I looked at the tape. I looked at when he played in 2011 as a rookie. I watched him when he played in the Dave DeGuglielmo (spelled that without having to look it up thank you very much) offense where they were rotated in and out like a clock and I watched him this preseason back under the legendary Dante Scarnecchia. He’s good.
Cannon has good size at 6’5” 358 lbs. He’s tough as nails playing the same year he underwent chemotherapy. He is respected among the team, being elected their Ed Block Courage Winner that year as well. Dante Scarnecchia was involved with selecting Cannon and he has groomed him for the last few years. If Bill Belichick and Dante Scarnecchia think Marcus Cannon is good enough for their team…they’re probably right. Cannon’s value to the team is obvious with Belichick referring to him as a “true swing tackle” but that isn’t what we are here to talk about. Cannon is going to fill in for Vollmer. And he is going to do well. So let’s look at his tape.
Cannon is definitely a stronger run blocker than a pass protector. His frame and strength lend to that. He gets his hands on defenders quickly and is quick off the line. When he’s pass blocking, one of Cannon’s best strengths is his recovery. He misses sometimes but he gets back at it pretty well.
Cannon might get the blame for this one but look at it again and you’ll see Solder just gets beat. Cannon gives Jimmy a fighting chance on a brutal rush.
Now some of you may be calling on LaAdrian Waddle, the once promising RT for the Detroit Lions. I’m skeptical. I took a look at him and he is a different dude since the knee injury. His feet weren’t nearly as clean as they used to be and it seemed like he lost a lot of confidence. His push isn’t as clean and he isn’t as strong as Cannon in the run game.
Waddle doesn’t engage quickly and just gets manhandled.
Cannon isn’t flashy by any means. He’s solid and can be trusted to do his job. The complaints for Cannon usually come from the passionate twitter coaches who are looking to blame someone. But if you really look at the film, Cannon does his job. He is a solid lineman who can be trusted to withstand the rigors of being a starting RT in this league. I say let him go out there and play. He’s got my vote.