The man called 'Groot' is trying to become tallest NFL player in more than 40 years

Attached Thumbnails · 08-15-2018, 10:57 PM

One of the best parts about being Nate Wozniak, according to Nate Wozniak, is the nicknames.

They come easily for the New Orleans Saints' rookie offensive tackle, because it is not often a player comes around who towers over the rest of the large humans on the roster -- and yes, at 6-foot-10, Wozniak's helmet is easy to spot amongst the rest of the trees in the Saints offensive line group.

Wozniak's current favorite nom du jour: Groot, a reference to the large, tree-like character in the "Guardians of the Galaxy" series.

"Some people think I sound like him, too," Wozniak said in his measured baritone voice. "So that's a funny one."

Like the Groot character, Wozniak is a rarity. Though size may be part of the job requirement for an NFL offensive lineman, it is usually not the type of size Wozniak brings to the table.

According to Pro Football Reference, there have only been two players in NFL history to stand 6-foot-10 or taller and make a regular-season NFL roster -- Morris Stroud, who stood 6-foot-10 and played for the Chiefs from 1969-74, and Richard Sligh, who became the only 7-foot player in NFL history when he played one season with the then-AFL Oakland Raiders in 1967.

"I really try not to think about it," Wozniak said. I feel like I'm another tackle out there just trying to do his job and make a spot."

read more on NOLA

jnormand · 08-15-2018, 11:48 PM

I forgot about this guy. I'm still wondering why we didn't at least see if he could play TE for us. But if he can develop into a good tackle...hell yeah.

Crusader · 08-15-2018, 11:51 PM

I just got a feeling that it will pay off if we keep this guy around.

jeanpierre · 08-16-2018, 01:14 AM

He's definitely added some bulk since I last saw him - fingers crossed...

Beastmode · 08-16-2018, 03:34 AM

Originally Posted by jnormand

I forgot about this guy. I'm still wondering why we didn't at least see if he could play TE for us. But if he can develop into a good tackle...hell yeah.

From what I recall, he's not very good at TE and even stated he did not like playing TE. I was reading some comment boards and people that watched him play TE in college called him hoof hands. In three years he caught a total of 28 passes so that is probably the most telling sign.

voodooido · 08-16-2018, 07:38 AM

Originally Posted by Beastmode

From what I recall, he's not very good at TE and even stated he did not like playing TE. I was reading some comment boards and people that watched him play TE in college called him hoof hands. In three years he caught a total of 28 passes so that is probably the most telling sign.

I remember early in Zach's career he would come in as a TE in big packages. I wonder if that's the plan for this guy. Someone who could possibly catch if needed to but is more suited to play smash.

jeanpierre · 08-16-2018, 08:04 AM

Beastmode · 08-16-2018, 08:17 AM

Need to get him on SP kick blocking packages of anything over 45.

Rugby Saint II · 08-16-2018, 11:53 AM

Originally Posted by Beastmode

Need to get him on SP kick blocking packages of anything over 45.

I wonder what his vertical is? He like a strong practice squad candidate who has potential.

AsylumGuido · 08-16-2018, 12:37 PM

Originally Posted by Rugby Saint II

I wonder what his vertical is? He like a strong practice squad candidate who has potential.

At his pro day his vertical was 32".

08-15-2018, 10:57 PM	#1
Threaded by SmashMouth I donated, did you? Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Mandeville, LA Posts: 38,044 Blog Entries: 29 Rating: (0 votes - average) One of the best parts about being Nate Wozniak, according to Nate Wozniak, is the nicknames. They come easily for the New Orleans Saints' rookie offensive tackle, because it is not often a player comes around who towers over the rest of the large humans on the roster -- and yes, at 6-foot-10, Wozniak's helmet is easy to spot amongst the rest of the trees in the Saints offensive line group. Wozniak's current favorite nom du jour: Groot, a reference to the large, tree-like character in the "Guardians of the Galaxy" series. "Some people think I sound like him, too," Wozniak said in his measured baritone voice. "So that's a funny one." Like the Groot character, Wozniak is a rarity. Though size may be part of the job requirement for an NFL offensive lineman, it is usually not the type of size Wozniak brings to the table. According to Pro Football Reference, there have only been two players in NFL history to stand 6-foot-10 or taller and make a regular-season NFL roster -- Morris Stroud, who stood 6-foot-10 and played for the Chiefs from 1969-74, and Richard Sligh, who became the only 7-foot player in NFL history when he played one season with the then-AFL Oakland Raiders in 1967. "I really try not to think about it," Wozniak said. I feel like I'm another tackle out there just trying to do his job and make a spot." read more on NOLA Attached Thumbnails
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08-15-2018, 11:48 PM	#2
jnormand 5000 POSTS! + Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: The Free State of Idaho Posts: 5,647	Re: The man called 'Groot' is trying to become tallest NFL player in more than 40 years I forgot about this guy. I'm still wondering why we didn't at least see if he could play TE for us. But if he can develop into a good tackle...hell yeah. Papa Voodoo likes this.

08-15-2018, 11:51 PM	#3
Crusader Resident Swede Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Märsta, Sweden Posts: 8,017	Re: The man called 'Groot' is trying to become tallest NFL player in more than 40 years I just got a feeling that it will pay off if we keep this guy around.

08-16-2018, 01:14 AM	#4
jeanpierre Site Donor 2018 Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Thibodaux Posts: 43,543 Blog Entries: 39	Re: The man called 'Groot' is trying to become tallest NFL player in more than 40 years He's definitely added some bulk since I last saw him - fingers crossed...

08-16-2018, 03:34 AM	#5
Beastmode 5000 POSTS! + Join Date: Jul 2010 Posts: 9,126	Re: The man called 'Groot' is trying to become tallest NFL player in more than 40 years Originally Posted by jnormand I forgot about this guy. I'm still wondering why we didn't at least see if he could play TE for us. But if he can develop into a good tackle...hell yeah. From what I recall, he's not very good at TE and even stated he did not like playing TE. I was reading some comment boards and people that watched him play TE in college called him hoof hands. In three years he caught a total of 28 passes so that is probably the most telling sign. jnormand likes this.
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08-16-2018, 07:38 AM	#6
voodooido 1000 Posts + Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 2,761	Re: The man called 'Groot' is trying to become tallest NFL player in more than 40 years Originally Posted by Beastmode From what I recall, he's not very good at TE and even stated he did not like playing TE. I was reading some comment boards and people that watched him play TE in college called him hoof hands. In three years he caught a total of 28 passes so that is probably the most telling sign. I remember early in Zach's career he would come in as a TE in big packages. I wonder if that's the plan for this guy. Someone who could possibly catch if needed to but is more suited to play smash.
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08-16-2018, 08:04 AM	#7
jeanpierre Site Donor 2018 Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Thibodaux Posts: 43,543 Blog Entries: 39	Re: The man called 'Groot' is trying to become tallest NFL player in more than 40 years Twitter

08-16-2018, 08:17 AM	#8
Beastmode 5000 POSTS! + Join Date: Jul 2010 Posts: 9,126	Re: The man called 'Groot' is trying to become tallest NFL player in more than 40 years Need to get him on SP kick blocking packages of anything over 45.
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08-16-2018, 11:53 AM	#9
Rugby Saint II Bounty Money $$$ Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: 5800 Airline Dr. Metairie, LA. Posts: 24,043	Re: The man called 'Groot' is trying to become tallest NFL player in more than 40 years Originally Posted by Beastmode Need to get him on SP kick blocking packages of anything over 45. I wonder what his vertical is? He like a strong practice squad candidate who has potential.

08-16-2018, 12:37 PM	#10
AsylumGuido 10000 POST CLUB Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Bossier City, LA Posts: 26,044	Re: The man called 'Groot' is trying to become tallest NFL player in more than 40 years Originally Posted by Rugby Saint II I wonder what his vertical is? He like a strong practice squad candidate who has potential. At his pro day his vertical was 32".