Offensive Line

Agreed, but the main issue is Scruggs cant stay healthy.

 

So, how did the OL outperform its season standard yesterday? What happened?
Is the San Diego DL just not very good?

 

Bobby finally figured out that quick slants exist which helped keep us out of 3rd and long situations

 

I liked DeMeco's answer to the sideline reporter at halftime when he was asked the same question, although it was directed at the offense as a whole. He simply said, 'CJ changed'.

The O-line was still getting fooled on stunts, but CJ started going through his progressions better and taking what the defense gave him. He began getting the ball out faster and opting for some of the shorter options. He also ran when the receivers were covered and he had space.

A side note about CJ running. I wish he would learn how to slide better.

Edit: I want to give some credit to the O-line too because they did step up on some of the running plays when they needed a yard.

 

Thanks! I missed that halftime bit. Anytime Mixon can get 100 yards, I think the OL is doing something right.

In terms of the Bolts, they weren't bad versus the run this year, but that's such a matter of competition and situation too. They gave up 111 yds/game, 9th in the league on that measure.
https://www.statmuse.com/nfl/ask/nfl-defense-rankings-against-the-run

I guess I desperately want to hope that the Texans O Line can be serviceable and that would really give you a chance versus many other playoff teams.

 

Those plays have been there all year. CJ just started taking the short stuff instead of always throwing the deep over routes.

 

It was like he flipped a switch after that lucky bounce and hitting X, and then when he went on that 27 yard run, I was like, who the F is this??? Hell of a game by 7 and the O Line............that was a confidence builder for sure

 

11 pressures in 2 playoff games last season, 19% of the drop backs


They have allowed 13 in just one game, 33% of the drop backs.

 

Not of this is surprising... but thanks for sharing.

Now... which sucker GM can we call and get something of value for Kenyon? flipping through imaginary rolodex

 

The single biggest Off season move would be acquiring an elite LG. It just so happens we play one who will be a FA this week. The Chief's Trey Smith is their Starting LG, only 25 to start the 25 season with 2 Lombardi teams. His addition not only gives us an experienced LG, but allows Howard to go back to his far better position at RT.

Speculative OL with the addition.

LT - Laremy Tunsil
LG - Trey Smith
C - Jarrett Patterson
RG - Shaq Mason
RT - Titus Howard

IOL - Juice Scruggs, Kenyon Green, Kendrick Green, Nick Broeker

OT - Blake Fisher, Austin Deculus,

This is an alternative to hoping we can get a solution in the draft and instead solving it by FA acquisition. But this means using the Draft for offensive play-makers instead of addressing those in FA.

I first suggested this before the regular season KC game, but the need to solve the LG problem hurts the entire OL.

Just a thought when we start fantasizing about Tee Higgins. If we do the opposite, my preference is drafting Tyler Booker, the LG from Alabama. But this is a risk as all OL are.

 

I'm glad Howard moving to OG has helped in pass protection. He's still a liability in the run game. He is a definite upgrade over Green/Scruggs.

 

Ryans needs to find this generations HOF'er Alex Gibbs.

 

Years of combine / pro day analysis on OL has led me to some keys for ZBS linemen.

First, ZBS linemen are mostly the same as other schemes, but ZBS places more focus on agility & explosion (i.e. get out of your stance and get to the spot to open lanes for the ball carrier). Most other schemes prioritize strength, arm length, & explosion - some movement, but not as much.

The measures are usually:
1) arm length = 34"+ for tackles (less than 31" = pretty much limited to center) // 32" - 34" for IOL
2) bench = usually more is better (range is susceptible to arm length b/c of how far you have to move the bar)
- Not as key for ZBS as long as you can engage a moving target and prevent it from getting to the ball carrier. Leverage is king!
3) vertical + broad = measure explosion (ZBS linemen usually need 30"+ on vertical & >108" / 9' on broad jump)
- 10 yard split also helps measure explosion (OL less than 1.77 seconds are exceptional)
4) shuttle = <4.5 seconds is ELITE (ZBS usually wants 4.6/4.7 or less)
5) 3-cone = <7.5 seconds is ELITE (ZBS usually wants 7.7/7.8 or less)
6) obvi size matters (TWSS) so someone like Lane Johnson is a freaking unicorn as were Brandon Brooks & Jason Kelce (notice a pattern here in re: the Eagles OL)
7) people can improve & their measureables do NOT always matter, but can give you a likelihood of success / reduce your risk

When you look at our roster:
- LT Tunsil - didn't perform most exercises in combine, but pretty good explosion & arm length
- LT Fisher - meh to mid in most areas; good broad jump
- RT Howard - good vertical, but mid to trash in most other areas; shuttle & 3 cone are esp. troublesome; that being said, he has held his own IRL

- RG Mason - great numbers, BUT that was when he entered the NFL & pre-injury; hopefully, can regain form
- LG Kendrick Green - great explosion & speed; just ok agility
- LG Kenyon Green - just bad; his numbers were bad and his play has been bad; this should have been obvi to everyone involved; his 10 yard split is prolly what many people focused on for a guy his size (good), but his shuttle time was one of the WORST & that usually translates to pass blocking (or a lack thereof) [no 3 cone time]
- G/T Broeker - meh to mid; good 10 yard split, but appears to be JAG
- G/C Scruggs - has good vertical & 10 yard split, but his agility is poor (so good run blocker b/c fires off ball, but bad pass blocker b/c agility is bad)
- G/C Patterson - good 10 yard split, but mid explosion measures & poor agility

By estimation, BDN was trying to find OL who can work all schemes (ZBS, Gap, Man / Power, etc.). So it looks like he focused on guys with excellent 10 yard split (fire off the ball). But that does you no good when you miss your target & they swim right past you to the QB. The other thing is if the OL is just able to tie up their blocking assignment on a run, you have to have a back that can cut back and avoid the trash (b/c there is no hole to run through, but the DL are other wise occupied).

That's my quick post in between classes.