Offensive linemen in the NFL fly under the radar. That’s just the way it is. The position isn’t flashy, and there’s no way around that fact. It’s their job to ensure everyone else on the team makes waves, ideally in the form of touchdowns.
So if an offensive lineman longs to gain attention, they might not enjoy the NFL too much. Or they might spend time off the field looking to turn heads, which could impact their career negatively.
The Las Vegas Raiders had that in mind when they drafted offensive tackle Alex Leatherwood in the first round of this year’s NFL Draft. Offensive line coach Tom Cable said that Leatherwoods’ no-frills demeanor was appealing, and as the rookie makes his way through training camp, Cable’s impression of Leatherwood has been solidified.
“He’s very introverted,” Cable said during media availability on Saturday. “Sometimes he can be even a little bit nerdy, which is cool for an O-lineman. I don’t have to worry about him out raising hell, or doing this or doing that, and he’s a pretty focussed guy.
“[He’s an] extreme competitor. I think that was probably my No. 1 characteristic that I loved about him; that he loved to play, and he loves to be great. As he fails, he learns. That’s the really cool part.”
The fact that Leatherwood “loves to be great” certainly has a nice ring to it.
But wait, did Cable call him “nerdy?” Cable meant it as a compliment, but still, very few people want to be labeled a nerd. Thankfully, someone asked Cable a follow-up question about Leatherwood’s personality.
“He’s extremely intelligent, first of all,” Cable said. “He’s quite well-read, studies, likes to read, things like that. That’s not necessarily typical for an athlete or for anyone. He likes to keep it real. If that’s the right word. He doesn’t really get outside his box, I guess is the right way to say it.”
Man, this just keeps getting better. Leatherwood keeps it real. That means he knows that it’s not his job to earn Monday-morning headlines. He’s tasked with being a steady mauler, simple as that.
And Leatherwood is smart enough to know that when his career is all said and done, he’ll earn his accolades if he keeps competing and getting better, as Cable said he is. Add Leatherwood’s impressive measurables to the equation, and the Raiders could have the toughest nerd in Las Vegas on their side on Sundays.