You know who Akselsen's favorite player was growing up? It doesn't matter! Childhood heros are for losers! Akselsen only has respect for the greatest players at his position of present day.
The man he has most respect for in this game is Marshal Yanda, Ravens guard. The reason for the respect is two-fold. The man is tough as nails, playing through any and all injuries. He played through a torn labrum almost all of last season. As anyone who has played OL knows, a torn labrum does not allow you to be your best. You can't generate a good punch with that hand, and the punch is key in pass pro. Yanda was still the best guard in the NFL last season.
The second part of the respect is the insane technical knowledge he possesses. There is no one quite as technical at the guard position as Yanda. He pulls on power moves and times his steps to the exact moment he wants to engage his blocks. His footwork is a thing of pure ecstasy. You will not see another guard with quite that level of technical knowledge. Except maybe Larry 'War Daddy' Warford.
This is why Marshal Yanda is the man Akselsen respects.
The man he has most respect for in this game is Marshal Yanda, Ravens guard. The reason for the respect is two-fold. The man is tough as nails, playing through any and all injuries. He played through a torn labrum almost all of last season. As anyone who has played OL knows, a torn labrum does not allow you to be your best. You can't generate a good punch with that hand, and the punch is key in pass pro. Yanda was still the best guard in the NFL last season.
The second part of the respect is the insane technical knowledge he possesses. There is no one quite as technical at the guard position as Yanda. He pulls on power moves and times his steps to the exact moment he wants to engage his blocks. His footwork is a thing of pure ecstasy. You will not see another guard with quite that level of technical knowledge. Except maybe Larry 'War Daddy' Warford.
This is why Marshal Yanda is the man Akselsen respects.