The Redskins' offensive line comes into focus this week. R.J. of Clifton, Va., likes my column, "even though some of my fellow Redskins fans spit after they speak your name." While they're loading up for the next spit, they're asking me how much improvement the O-line will show now that Joe Bugel is back to coach it. In a less hysterical vein, Tom of Lafayette, La., would like me to analyze the changes in the Skins' offensive and defensive lines.
Changes in the O-line? What changes? Maybe I'm missing something, but it seems that it's been an area that's hardly been touched. The Skins gave up 43 sacks last year, way too many, but I blame the Spurrier scheme for a lot of that. From left to right the line consisted of Chris Samuels, Derrick Dockery, Lennie Friedman, Randy Thomas and Jon Jansen. It would be a pretty good unit if Samuels somehow would regain his old form, but he's been on a two-year slide. Some say injuries are the cause, some point to a love of shaggy-dog stories ... no, just kidding ... some point to a general wearing down. Whatever it is, Bugel's No. 1 task will be to restore this guy to the level at which he once played. Dockery is a great big drive blocker. Seemed kind of sluggish at times. Friedman is a journeyman tough guy. Thomas is close to all-pro level, and Jansen is a sturdy fellow who knows what he's doing.
Joe Gibbs won't let his quarterbacks get sacked 43 times, even if he has to max protect with a wall of tight ends. He has brought in a whole army of blocking TEs. Oh yes, R.J. informs me that the O-line is now nicknamed the Dirtbags. Not very original, and certainly open for ridicule if things go south ... like the Paper Bags, or even worse, the, uh ... better not take it any further.
D-line? Well, I don't know. There's been a complete shake-up. Where are the sacks going to come from? LaVar Arrington lining up on a wing in the nickel, and then what? Two of last year's top three sackers are gone, and the Skins only managed 27 for the year, third from worst in the NFC. The big name import is Cornelius Griffin, a tackle, whose 15 starts for the Giants produced one sack last year.
TheKey wrote:Jake he is right, both your lines are not that stellar. Remove the burgendy and gold glasses and try again.
the d-line i agree with. but the o-line got a bad name last year running spurriers schemes. 5 guys can't block 8 no matter how good they are. the line will do a lot better with the run first offense. and you can bet gibbs WILL NOT allow the qb to take the punishment ramsey took last year, even if it means two TE's and a fullback to stay in and block while 2 WR's run a pattern.
THN's resident jerk.
Glock .40 Model 22 - First* line of home defense.... 'ADT' is for liberals.
I agree with the Evil One, our Oline definitely got a bad reputation from last years' scheme. They will be vastly improved. I agree for the most part about the Dline; however, we also had less than proven defensive coaches. Spurrier used to say "I didn't coach the guys up enough" after a loss. Well, these coaches will coach our guys up on both sides of the ball.
The opinion of 10,000 men is of no value if none of them know anything about the subject.
74, i think coaching will make a difference on the d-line, but i'm still a bit nervous about it. we definantly can't afford another big injury this year like what happened to noble last year. we'd be bringing in another bunch of misfits to take the place of the fallen lineman.
THN's resident jerk.
Glock .40 Model 22 - First* line of home defense.... 'ADT' is for liberals.
My point was that we added a probable starting center and two draft picks. Those aren't significant? I never said anything about the d-line. And no, I'm never going to take off my burgundy and gold glasses.
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#60 Chris Samuels: 6-time 6-time 6-time 6-time 6-time 6-time Pro Bowl left tackle!
hailskins666 wrote:74, i think coaching will make a difference on the d-line, but i'm still a bit nervous about it. we definantly can't afford another big injury this year like what happened to noble last year. we'd be bringing in another bunch of misfits to take the place of the fallen lineman.
You've got that right man.
The opinion of 10,000 men is of no value if none of them know anything about the subject.
The offensive line will do fine because a lot of the problem last year was related to schemes and technique, both coaching problems. However, I do not believe it was due to "five trying to block eight". Even Spurrier's coaching staff eventually adjusted to that.
The problem was that our offensive line was always on the defensive, which happens with Spurrier's "chuck and duck" style of passing attack. Also Spurrier's offense relied heavily on audibles, which caused a lot of jumping early in the year and tentativeness later in the year so as not to jump. A stronger running game will allow the line to fire out and be on the offensive (hence the name offense). I think that is the strength for the guys we have.
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The offensive line will do fine because a lot of the problem last year was related to schemes and technique, both coaching problems. However, I do not believe it was due to "five trying to block eight". Even Spurrier's coaching staff eventually adjusted to that.
soooo, i'm assuming you didn't see the tampa bay game? or either of the dallas games? or any game where the whole defense blitzed, and spurrier sent four WR's out to catch?
yea, they adjusted to it after ramsey got killed, and we only had two quarterbacks left. it was either adjust or forfiet the rest of the season.
THN's resident jerk.
Glock .40 Model 22 - First* line of home defense.... 'ADT' is for liberals.
Everybody who questioned the O-line last year is going to eat their words this season. That was a year wasted for them.
Hailskins666 is totally right. Spurrier nearly got Ramsey killed in some of those games with his schemes and stubborness.
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Hailskins666, please note the slight touch of sarcasm in my note. However, they did get better toward the end of the season, hence the word eventually. Hell, Gibbs and Buges would have adjusted to it at halftime. It took at least half a season for Spurrier.
I am in a state of ecstasy! Never mind that nonsense about euphoria and so on. It is sheer, unadulterated, uncompromising ecstasy!
no doubt. it took three games for the league to catch on to spurrier. after that it was open season on ramsey. spurrier didn't adjust until TH went in. then he stopped with all the stupid audibles, and went to the short pass....which was totally opposite his "system".
THN's resident jerk.
Glock .40 Model 22 - First* line of home defense.... 'ADT' is for liberals.
Exactly my point: more people staying back to protect and less audibles caused them to be a lot better late in the season. They helped TH look pretty good. Imagine what will happen when they go to a more agressive run first scheme instead of the chuck and duck scheme.
I am in a state of ecstasy! Never mind that nonsense about euphoria and so on. It is sheer, unadulterated, uncompromising ecstasy!
