MMQB - The Best and Worst O-Lines

Plankton

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http://mmqb.si.com/mmqb/2016/11/30/...oys-minnesota-vikings-thursday-night-football


Offensive line play is like wood craftsmanship: many can tell when it’s good or bad, but they don’t actually know why it’s that way. And that’s completely understandable. Television cameras don’t capture the offensive line’s spacing, and with at least five large-bodied players confined to the middle of the field, everything they do comes down to nuanced techniques. Unless you spend a week in a film room learning the guard/tackle/center positions from an expert who played or coached the game, there’s no way to grasp the intricacies of the trenches.

Not surprisingly, there are many misconceptions about O-line play. Analysis of it is often reduced to how many sacks the offense allowed or how many rushing yards it accumulated. The myriad variables that go into creating these numbers—things such as the receivers’ route running, a quarterback’s pocket movement and the defensive fronts—are often ignored. And did a back or tight end stay in to block? When those guys get beat, it's wrongly counted against the offensive line.

The point is that there’s always way more to O-line play than what appears on the surface.

Except with the Cowboys.
 

Crown Royal

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The Cowboys can afford the luxury of having a basic, execution-based passing attack, which is amplified by having the right kind of receiver at every spot.

One of the things that benefits Dak is that he doesn't have to squeeze a ton of balls or take risks - the offense is built so that it's dominant at every level. He just has to know the progressions and be accurate, and that makes the passing offense like novocaine.

**Disclaimer - I am not saying that Dake CAN'T make contested passes. Just that he doesn't have to - he can hit wide open WRs, regularly having time to find them. If necessary, he can absolutely make tough throws - see the third down throw to Beasley on Thanksgiving.
 

Craig

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One of the things that benefits Dak is that he doesn't have to squeeze a ton of balls or take risks - the offense is built so that it's dominant at every level. He just has to know the progressions and be accurate, and that makes the passing offense like novocaine.

**Disclaimer - I am not saying that Dake CAN'T make contested passes. Just that he doesn't have to - he can hit wide open WRs, regularly having time to find them. If necessary, he can absolutely make tough throws - see the third down throw to Beasley on Thanksgiving.
You should probably lead with that disclaimer around here haha.
 

JohnsKey19

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This OL in Minnesota is a complete mess. They've been completely ravaged by injuries. Boone at LG is their lone even average starter now. They've got backups at every other position.
 
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