Returning Contributors: The Linden Tigers’ Linemen

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 2023 Linden Tigers where a team surprised many outside of the city limits last year. With a 6-3-1 record, Linden tied with undefeated Montgomery and qualified for the playoffs. The Tigers will have a lot to replace this year as their team's two standouts,&nbsp;<strong>[player_tooltip player_id='971149' first='Tequan' last='Thomas']</strong>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<strong>[player_tooltip player_id='379683' first='Myles' last='Hamilton']</strong>&nbsp;, will be graduating and playing college ball next fall.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As such, Linden will look to replace more than 3200 yards and 35 touchdowns of offense and 385 tackles and 16 sacks on defense. Here are a handful of players they will look to replace that production with.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Returning Contributors Series</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2024/02/returning-contributors-the-bayonne-fighting-bees-skill-players/">Bayonne Fighting Bees' Skills</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2024/02/returning-contributors-the-bridgewater-raritan-panthers-linemen/">Bridgewater-Raritan Panthers' Line</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2024/02/returning-contributors-bridgewater-raritan-panthers-skills/">Bridgewater-Raritan Panthers' Skills</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2024/02/returning-contributors-the-clifton-mustangs-skill-positions/">Clifton Mustangs' Skills</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2024/03/returning-contributors-the-east-orange-jaguars-defensive-skills/">East Orange Jaguars' Defensive Skills</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2024/03/returning-contributors-the-east-orange-jaguars-offensive-skills/">East Orange Jaguars' Offensive Skills</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2024/02/returning-contributors-the-elizabeth-minutemen-big-men/">Elizabeth Minutemen Line</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2024/02/returning-contributors-the-hackensack-comets-skill-positions/">Hackensack Comets' Skills</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2024/02/returning-contributors-the-linden-tigers-skill-positions/">Linden Tigers' Skills</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2024/02/returning-contributors-the-montclair-mounties-skill-positions/">Montclair Mounties' Skills</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2024/02/returning-contributors-morristown-colonials-big-men/">Morristown Colonials' Line</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2024/02/returning-contributors-the-passaic-county-tech-bulldogs-skills/">Passaic County Tech Bulldogs' Skills</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2024/02/returning-contributors-the-phillipsburg-stateliners-skills/">Phillipsburg Stateliners' Skills</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2024/02/returning-contributors-the-piscataway-chiefs-skill-positions/">Piscataway Chiefs' Skills</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2024/02/returning-contributors-the-ridgewood-maroons-skills-line/">Ridgewood Maroons' Skills</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2024/03/returning-contributors-st-joseph-metuchen-falcons-linemen/">St. Joseph (Metuchen) Falcons' Line</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2024/02/returning-contributors-st-joseph-metuchen-falcons-skills/">St. Joseph (Metuchen) Falcons' Skills</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2024/02/returning-contributors-st-thomas-aquinas-trojan-skills-line/">St. Thomas Aquinas Trojans' Skills &amp; Line</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2024/02/returning-contributors-the-union-farmers-linemen/">Union Farmers' Line</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2024/02/returning-contributors-the-union-city-soaring-eagles-skills/">Union City Soaring Eagles' Skills</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2024/02/returning-contributors-watchung-hills-warriors-linemen/">Watchung Hills Warriors' Line</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2024/02/returning-contributors-the-westfield-blue-devils-linemen/">Westfield Blue Devils' Line</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2024/03/returning-contributors-the-westfield-blue-devils-skills/">Westfield Blue Devils' Skills</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2024/02/returning-contributors-the-west-orange-mountaineers-skills/">West Orange Mountaineers' Skills</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1169097"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"[player_tooltip player_id='1169097' first='Jahwan' last='Gass'] served as the Tigers' primary tight end and a reserve defender, turning his opportunities into 1 catch for 14 yards and 8 tackles (1 solo), 2 tackles for loss, and 2 sacks. Gass is blessed with an absolutely huge body that allows few to out-muscle him On offense he works double-teams adequately and does a solid job of sealing the second level. Defensively he is an aggressive tackler who pursues every play. He is often used to plug gaps when slanting. If I were coaching Gass, I would work with him to improve his get off and weaponizing the snap count to get off the ball sooner.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65eb1a98e1ac3"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/16481156/654165489a90f20524ef20c8' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65eb1a98e1bca"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1169098"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"[player_tooltip player_id='1169098' first='Joe' last='Mesko'] might be one of my favorite under-the-radar offensive line prospects available in the class of 2025. For a team that slashed 354/2691/31 on the ground as a team last fall, Mesko was their anchoring left tackle. For someone who is as tall as he is, approximately 6'5u0022, he plays with exceptional pad level. Also a pleasant surprise, Mesko moves extremely well when he is asked to pull, as he pulls with a purpose and keeps his eyes peels inside for the first threat. There are instances where we see Mesko cock back and load his arms before he strikes a defender's chest, but when push-comes-to-shove he has the upper body strength to out-muscle opponents who play high. With a gap-hinge block on a 4i being one of the toughest for an offensive lineman to achieve, Mesko does a great job getting chest-to-chest and belly-to-belly with backside 4i's to prevent them from blowing up plays from the backside when his adjacent guard pulls. Mesko also does a great job setting a hard seal in sprint out. Mesko can solidify himself on college recruiting boards this spring as he works to improve how quick is feet are.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65eb1a98e1c59"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/16481184/653b048b1600bc0a90c10d24' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65eb1a98e1cc2"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1054407"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"Practice might be a case of iron sharpening iron if Mesko is forced to line up against [player_tooltip player_id='1054407' first='Kevin' last='Taylor'] each day. Last fall Taylor was credited with 66 tackles (19 solos), 21 tackles for loss, 10 sacks, 3 forced fumbles, and 1 fumble recovery. The first key to Taylor's production is his outstanding get off. Many times he is able to gain the edge of the offensive matchup where they cannot recover. Robotically, Taylor routinely gets his hands on the man in front of him, which prevents him from being reached. We see him demonstrate the arm-over and pursue with purpose from the backside. It also appears that Taylor possesses a second, sudden burst when he is closing in on ball carriers, which prevents them from escaping and also adds extra force to his tackles. An area for Taylor to improve would be his discipline when pass rushing. I noticed him take the risk by taking the inside rush lane at times.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65eb1a98e1d48"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/16481168/65402130c11a240bd8243683' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65eb1a98e1d7e"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1054403"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"Another defender with his hand in the dirt is [player_tooltip player_id='1054403' first='Shahad' last='Brown']. Hoping to follow up a breakthrough junior campaign that saw him make 66 tackles (9 solos), 11 tackles for loss, 5 sacks, 4 fumble recoveries, and 1 forced fumble, Brown is a violent slasher who slants very hard to his adjacent gap. Once he is in the backfield we see that Brown is disciplined and maintains appropriate depth in the backfield. A skill that Brown seems to have strong mastery of is feeling and playing off of an offensive lineman's leverage. Film shows Brown feel, and spin against, their over leverage to come through unblocked and in position to pursue and make a tackle. Also a selfless player, we see instances were Brown is lined up in a 4i, off the edge, a 5/7 against tight end sets, and even at guard. I would love to see what he can accomplish if he cleans up his technique a bit. Brown is more physical than technically sound right now with oncoming blockers. Hone in on those two skill sets, and blocker beware.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65eb1a98e1de7"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/16482822/6556560415f6060584495aa2' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65eb1a98e1e16"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1203856"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"Much like Brown, [player_tooltip player_id='1203856' first='Fuquan' last='Moore'] has been asked to play a little bit of everything for the team. As a defender he was credited with 18 stops' however, he makes his bones on offense as the team's primary sniffer/h-back or at guard. We see that Moore is capable achieving outstanding hand placement, as he has shown flashes of instances where he is in control and has his way with defenders. Moore has the benefit of having a lower center of gravity, which naturally allows him to play under peoples' pad level despite how high me may play. Similarly, this allows him to generate enough force and power to move pile forward. Although Moore throws solid blocks and does a good job, I am curious to see how he responds when the fight is taken to him. His tape would benefit from clips of owning kick out defenders who think they are big, bad, and mighty.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65eb1a98e1e9a"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/16481183/61b17ee606622c039c0f8667' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65eb1a98e1ecb"} /-->