OL = Weakness = Possible Season Killer

[DBoys]

Well guys I look back at all our loses and one thing keeps sticking out and that is the OL. It could very well kill our season if we don't counter punch. Gurode is a better run blocker than Al hands down I have seen it in the series he has played. When Al is in there we are backing up more than we are sustaining. I have been happy with Petitti and Tucker the problem is when someone does get around them Bledsoe can't step up because teams are bull rushing the center of our line. This is also disrupting the blocking from TE's, FB's and even Spears on goal line.

We have 2 options we either put our biggest center in so we can run or we leave Al in there and run the shotgun. The last 3 game plans did not work Philly, Lions and the Broncos did the same thing against us and destroyed our running game.

Definition of insanity is trying to do the same thing over again and expecting different results. I can understand not having time to change things because of 3 games in 11 days but there is no excuse to do the same thing against the Giants. If we do the same thing it will be another close game and we have a 50 50 shot to win. If we change things I feel we will win our remaining games.

 

[Rockytop6]

I have not seen any of Dallas's games in person. I have only seen them on tv and I was not able to record them so I havn't studied any of the games. But I have noticed that the opponent's rush has been very successful up the middle.

What I have heard however, is that Al never makes a mental mistake as he always calls the right plays contrary to Gurode's play. My fear is that neither are the answer. Maybe a good off season in the weight room may cure Al's problems but that is for next year.

What the answer is for the rest of this season, I don't know. I keep hoping that the problem will be fixed but it hasn't improved which seems to indicate that neither Al or Gurode is the answer.

It bothers me that the last three teams all seem to know the snap count and are in the back field by the time Bledsoe gets the ball. A team should be able to make a team pay when they constantly blitz but we have not been able to make them pay. The blitz seems to continue to work; both the run blitz and the pass blitz.

I realize that we have basically two rookies at tackle although Tucker has been on board for 3 years. While that is a problem, I would think that with the two pro bowl guards flanking the center that opponents would have a little difficulty putting pressure up the middle but they keep having success up the middle.

Defenses have shut down our running game. Whether it is only one or two of our OL, or the entire OL, the difficult remains.

 

[bbgun]

My biggest fear is that there will only be one new starter on the line next year, when we all know it needs to be blown up.

 

[DBoys]

I have not seen any of Dallas's games in person. I have only seen them on tv and I was not able to record them so I havn't studied any of the games. But I have noticed that the opponent's rush has been very successful up the middle.

What I have heard however, is that Al never makes a mental mistake as he always calls the right plays contrary to Gurode's play. My fear is that neither are the answer. Maybe a good off season in the weight room may cure Al's problems but that is for next year.

What the answer is for the rest of this season, I don't know. I keep hoping that the problem will be fixed but it hasn't improved which seems to indicate that neither Al or Gurode is the answer.

It bothers me that the last three teams all seem to know the snap count and are in the back field by the time Bledsoe gets the ball. A team should be able to make a team pay when they constantly blitz but we have not been able to make them pay. The blitz seems to continue to work; both the run blitz and the pass blitz.

I realize that we have basically two rookies at tackle although Tucker has been on board for 3 years. While that is a problem, I would think that with the two pro bowl guards flanking the center that opponents would have a little difficulty putting pressure up the middle but they keep having success up the middle.

Defenses have shut down our running game. Whether it is only one or two of our OL, or the entire OL, the difficult remains.

Good post

 

[DBoys]

My biggest fear is that there will only be one new starter on the line next year, when we all know it needs to be blown up.

Amen to that.

Well guys let's talk next year. Flo would be back and Allen would be next to him. Is there any good Centers up for FA next year?? Of course Rivera would start next year are you guys happy with Petitti at RT do you think a good offseason would make him a dominant player?

 

[Eddie]

Amen to that.

Well guys let's talk next year. Flo would be back and Allen would be next to him. Is there any good Centers up for FA next year?? Of course Rivera would start next year are you guys happy with Petitti at RT do you think a good offseason would make him a dominant player?

I think Pettiti has played to the point where he deserves to be the leading candidate to start at RT next year.

But come on guys ... how much money do we have tied up in our OL??? Bringing in a FA Center is gonna cost money.

The OL will start to show some age if we don't change it up next year. LA is great, but how much longer does he have? Rivera hasn't blown me away.

I'd like to see Peterman given a chance at OG. We need some youth in there. The geriatric OG's and kindergarten OT's are killing us.

 

[big_neil]

Didn't it seem like in the Denver game that Drew always had defenders coming in from behind him? Not a good sign.

 

[parchy]

I honestly don't think center is where the need lies. Look for Rivera's replacement and LA's replacement and hope Pettiti evolves, but both Johnson and Gurode are serviceable enough to spend money elsewhere.

 

[Alexander]

I honestly don't think center is where the need lies. Look for Rivera's replacement and LA's replacement and hope Pettiti evolves, but both Johnson and Gurode are serviceable enough to spend money elsewhere.

I would take any upgrade at any position.

What the OL is doing is distressing to say the least. I would say no one is safe.

We took the approach this year that RG was solved, center was not an issue, Larry Allen was back and RT would just take care of itself. So far, we are having problems and that was well before the injury to Flozell Adams.

 

[Eskimo]

We very stupidly gave Rivera a $9M signing bonus this past offseason so we are probably stuck with him for at least two more years.

I think the most important thing is to develop an organizational philosophy regarding the OL and then stick to it. It seems as though Parcells wants to build a mobile OL that can run traps, sweeps and get out on screens. The problem is that a lot of our OL don't really fit into that mould and this has caused the whole unit to perform below expectation.

 

[Alexander]

We very stupidly gave Rivera a $9M signing bonus this past offseason so we are probably stuck with him for at least two more years.

I think the most important thing is to develop an organizational philosophy regarding the OL and then stick to it. It seems as though Parcells wants to build a mobile OL that can run traps, sweeps and get out on screens. The problem is that a lot of our OL don't really fit into that mould and this has caused the whole unit to perform below expectation.

Rivera used to be excellent. Allen hasn't done so for years and is now like a walrus in mating season when he tries to pull.

You are right about the philosophy. Back in the 1970s and early 1980s, we relied on mobile players who were athletic and could move. In the 1990s, the bigger the better and we went simple man on man and our blobs controlled the action in space.

Right now, I find it hard to say what personality this OL has except schizophrenic. It can look good on some plays, but then the execution is so sloppy for so long, it is sickening.

 

[TheGoat73]

Rivera used to be excellent. Allen hasn't done so for years and is now like a walrus in mating season when he tries to pull.

You are right about the philosophy. Back in the 1970s and early 1980s, we relied on mobile players who were athletic and could move. In the 1990s, the bigger the better and we went simple man on man and our blobs controlled the action in space.

Right now, I find it hard to say what personality this OL has except schizophrenic. It can look good on some plays, but then the execution is so sloppy for so long, it is sickening.

I thought we pulled our guards a lot in the 90's. We had big guys but they were an athletic group - that's what made them special. We even had our best success with a smart, undersized center. The turning point was when E. Wms. got in the car wreck and then Paul Tagliabu (sp?) crafted a penalty especially for him. He had trouble sealing off that right edge after that and we ran left over and over.

 

[Alexander]

I thought we pulled our guards a lot in the 90's.

I don't recall Newton and Gogan pulling much.

 

[Zman5]

Parcells would like to "attack the corners" when we run. It ain't gonna happen with this line. Our OLinemen aren't athletic enough to attack anything but a box of donuts.

 

[Billy Bullocks]

Money wise, I think Flo stays. He's also a pretty good LT. Allen probably plays at least 1 more year. I wish we hadn't given Rivera so much money, because he's looked average.

Pettiti hasn't been great, but far better than most 6th rounders would be. I think once he gets another off season of strength training he will be more capable of handling the power DE's. He's also only going to get more comofortable on the Right. The footwork would throw me off for sure, it's like writing with your non dominant hand, you can get good at it, but itll take some time.

Johnson needs to get stronger..He's obviously the better player, otherwise we would see more of Gurode. I consider mental ability, especially at Center, a huge factor in skill.

 

[burmafrd]

I don't think that Johnson can get any stronger- just not likely. He had a whole year to work out his upper body when he was rehabbing. He has reached the limit of his physical abilities. About the only thing that MIGHT help is learning better leverage, and moves and such. But how much that would matter when you just do not have the bulk and the strength is a big question.

 

[dbair1967]

I think part of the problem is the blocking scheme doesnt seem to fit the players we have on the field...4 of the 5 guys we start (and all 5 if Gurode ends up having to start for Johnson) are big, physical mauler type OL's...they would be best served by manning up on the guy in front of them and drive blocking...instead most of our run blocking seems to involve alot of pulling and trapping...too many times it seems we just out and out miss people because IMO, the OL are confused more often than not about who their target is supposed to be or they cant "find" the target in time to make the play work

just an opinion

David