Evaluation of the Offensive Line

GoSkins · Post by **GoSkins** » Wed Sep 21, 2011 11:06 am

Interesting article in the WSJ. There is a company in the UK that rates each offensive player and team in the NFL. The Redskins OL is ranked 26 out of 32.

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB1000142 ... ideo_Third

aswas71788 · Post by **aswas71788** » Wed Sep 21, 2011 11:28 am

I have massive problems with this analysis. The Eagles and Giants are listed at #'s 10 and 11. Both have more glaring O-line problems than the Redskins. I would not give much credence to this article.

We lived through the O-line of last year. It was one of the worst O-lines I can remember in being a Redskins fan for 65+ years. This years version is still not The Hogs but is much better than last. If next years O-line improves as much as this years, it will be in the top five.

HarleyHog · Post by **HarleyHog** » Wed Sep 21, 2011 12:56 pm

John Madden awarded the skins OL for best performance by an OL in week 2. With all due respect, I think Coach Madden knows football a little better than folks who confuse it with soccer, start their day with tea instead of coffee, and drive on the wrong side of the road. Our young OL has room to improve, certainly, but is getting the job don better than at least 25 other units. (We are one of 7 unbeaten teams.)

HTTR

ATX_Skins · Post by **ATX_Skins** » Wed Sep 21, 2011 1:08 pm

I think our pass protection is clearly more efficient than our run blocking. If we start getting big chunks in the running game this team could surprise a lot of people in the second half of the season.

SkinsJock · Post by **SkinsJock** » Wed Sep 21, 2011 1:28 pm

The offensive line was showing some good promise late last season

we are still a work in progress but this line will become a force and be ready to help the future great QB in the near future

We will have a good front 7 on defense and a very good offensive line here by next season
VERY IMPORTANT to have good guys up front on both lines AND quality depth

the Shanaplan is working well

yupchagee · Post by **yupchagee** » Wed Sep 21, 2011 2:15 pm

What the He11 Brits know about American football. We don't go around pretending to be experts on soccer.

Doonz98 · Post by **Doonz98** » Wed Sep 21, 2011 5:52 pm

yupchagee wrote:What the He11 Brits know about American football. We don't go around pretending to be experts on soccer.

Well maybe some of us have grown up following the game all our lives. Come along to Wembley and see how much we know about it!

Skinsfan55 · Post by **Skinsfan55** » Thu Sep 22, 2011 10:43 am

Guys, this is based on LAST SEASON. Stop with the predictable and unfunny soccer/tea and crumpets jokes. (Besides coffee is rapidly gaining on tea as the breakfast drink of choice in the UK!)

Anyway, if you RTFA you'll see that it's a pretty good system (better than anything we have currently for grading the o-line) and that the ratings are based on last season's data and roster moves while ignoring continuity. In short it's grading Trent Williams' rookie year (up and down), with Jammal Brown's injury plagued season, with Kory and Monty learning the ropes and Chris Chester being graded on what he did in Baltimore.

The hope is, these guys actually perform well THIS season.

HarleyHog · Post by **HarleyHog** » Thu Sep 22, 2011 11:06 am

ATX_Skins wrote:I think our pass protection is clearly more efficient than our run blocking. If we start getting big chunks in the running game this team could surprise a lot of people in the second half of the season.

So 170 yards isn't a big chunk? What is?
Just wondering, because I'm looking forward to it!

markshark84 · Post by **markshark84** » Thu Sep 22, 2011 12:36 pm

It is completely obvious that the OL is performing at a higher level this year as opposed to the last. These UK ratings have to be seriously flawed.

That being said, Rex is still on pace to get sacked 40 times this year -- which is still very high. Even more concerning is that Grossman has been hit 15 times in the past two games. These are not acceptable numbers. You typically don't see these types of numbers from OL playoff teams.

But yes, I still believe the OL is playing much better. The only major issue I currently have with the OL is Lichensteiger -- however, he appears to be playing better this year (although given his performance last year, that's not too difficult). Overall, the guard play has not been as good as it needs to be -- which, I believe, it the reason for our inadequate yards-per-carry avg (although I would like to see the results if we gave Helu 20 carries in a game).

With all this being said, I am still happy with the improvement of the OL as compared to last year -- but am on the fence overall. The pass block, however, appears solid mostly in part to Grossman's ability (this year) to make quick decisions in the pocket and the fact that most teams have been preparing for a run-first offense. The run blocking needs to be improved -- although they have been seeing a ton of blitz packages this year -- so who knows, it make work itself out. Regardless, I anticipate seeing major changes to the type of defensive fronts we see moving forward.

FanofallthatisGibbs · Post by **FanofallthatisGibbs** » Thu Sep 22, 2011 2:02 pm

I have not seen the breakdown, but with an average 60 plays per game or so, we first must commit to running the ball. Simple stats tell us the more you run the ball, the less your QB gets sacked. If your passing plays are more strategic than desperate, the D will be less likely to tee off and get your man to the ground. A few simple changes to playcalling will dramatically change the numbers of sacks allowed.

To date, we are doing far better than last year.

ATX_Skins · Post by **ATX_Skins** » Thu Sep 22, 2011 3:28 pm

HarleyHog wrote:
ATX_Skins wrote:I think our pass protection is clearly more efficient than our run blocking. If we start getting big chunks in the running game this team could surprise a lot of people in the second half of the season.

So 170 yards isn't a big chunk? What is?
Just wondering, because I'm looking forward to it!

I'm speaking in terms of breaking big gains on individual plays. To answer your question though yes, 170 is very good, however I think we can do better.

HarleyHog · Post by **HarleyHog** » Thu Sep 22, 2011 4:10 pm

Why would you publish an assessment two weeks into this season based on LAST season's numbers? That is lame and pointless ( as well as lazy, inaccurate, misleading, and wrong).

PickSixerTWSS · Post by **PickSixerTWSS** » Thu Sep 22, 2011 5:00 pm

MMMMM...........I like the oline but im pretty sure lictenstegeir (spelled wrong) gave up 7 sacks witch is an awful lot for a gaurd. #-o

but hes was adjusting to a new scheme. whatevs , but are offensive lline isnt 26th in the leauge and how are the eagles at 11??? ](*,)

and buy the way no way are the giants at 10 losing shaun ohara and rich seburt. #-o

ATX_Skins · Post by **ATX_Skins** » Thu Sep 22, 2011 8:12 pm

PickSixerTWSS wrote:MMMMM...........I like the oline but im pretty sure lictenstegeir (spelled wrong) gave up 7 sacks witch is an awful lot for a gaurd. but hes was adjusting to a new scheme. whatevs , but are offensive lline isnt 26th in the leauge and how are the eagles at 11??? and buy the way no way are the giants at 10 losing shaun ohara and rich seburt.

I know what you are trying to say here, but reading your grammar makes me want to head butt my dog.