OLine Analysis

xwalker

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I can’t wait for training camp to see how the OL looks and see who practices at 2nd/3rd string OC and 1st/2nd/3rd string RG.

I think the biggest change to the OL will be the coach, Bill Callahan. Most expect him to use a lot more of the Zone Blocking Scheme. It appears that Garrett started acquiring players that fit the ZBS a year before he had a coach to implement the system. There is still a lot of 1-on-1 man blocking within the ZBS; however, if implemented correctly, the ZBS gives Olinemen some advantages over Dlinemen that they don’t have in a pure man blocking scheme.

OC Costa, Phil
Everybody’s favorite whipping boy. He makes the team unless 2 players outperform him in Training Camp. I’m not even certain who is 2nd team OC at this point.

OC Kowalski, Kevin
Performed well in limited snaps last year. Size/strength is his biggest issue. His pre-draft measureables indicate that he has excellent quickness/agility. His 7.15 3-cone is the best I’ve ever seen for an Olineman. If Callahan implements the Zone Blocking Scheme as expected, it should be helpful to smaller/quicker players like Kowalski.

OC/OG Nagy, Bill
He practiced at 2nd team OC in OTAs/mini-camp, but Bern and Kowalski did not practice due to injury.

OG/OC Bernadeau, Mackenzy
I don’t see him practicing at multiple positions (OC/OG) unless he is completely healthy to begin TC.

OG Livings, Nate
From Josh Ellis: “The thing that stands out most is just how big he is, especially as compared to Kyle Kosier, Bill Nagy and those guys that were starting last year. He just looked more athletic and powerful than Montrae Holland or Derrick Dockery. Obviously the Cowboys had a budget for the position, but there were a lot of guards on the market, and he's the one Bill Callahan wanted most. I think he will be better, and more durable, than Kosier would've been going forward, and that's what the move was about. “

OG Arkin, David
Mickey estimated that he was up to about 320 lbs from about 300 lbs last year. Broaddus reported that he still needed more upper body strength based on his performance in OTAs.

OG Leary, Ronald
From Mickey: “There is something to this Leary kid. Like his mobility and aggressive streak. And if he should emerge at right guard, that could push Bernadeau into a battle with Costa for the center job. The free-agent signee from Carolina has never played that position in a game, though, only in practice. Stay tuned.”
Broaddus reported that he looked significantly stronger than Arkin in OTAs.

OG Gunn, Harland
Practice Squad at best, IMO.

OT Free, Doug
I reviewed game footage from both 2011 and 2010. It appeared that Free either had an arm or shoulder problem in 2011 or he significantly changed his technique for the worse.

OT Smith, Tyron
Performed above expectations for a Rookie OT with no offseason with the team. Moving to LT will be an adjustment since the played RT in college also. With his immense talent, it shouldn’t really be a problem.

OT Parnell, Jermey
This guy is super athletic with long arms. I focused on him a lot during training camp last year and in preseason games. He appears to be fine in pass protection but needs a little more strength for run blocking. A full offseason with Wocik should have helped.

OT Adams, Jeff
He has very good quickness/agility measureables, but his 19 reps on the bench show that he has a long way to go in the strength department. He would be a good Practice Squad candidate.

OT Adcock, Levy
I’m surprised he didn’t get drafted. I thought he held his own at both RT and LT in college. He does need to get rid of the excessive gut. He projects to either RT or OG.

OT Novikoff, Tyrone
Based on his measureables, he appears a bit slow and short armed to play OT; however, at almost 6-7, he would be a very tall OG. He did have an impressive 33 reps on the bench.

OT/OG McQuistan, Pat
He did start 8 games for the Dolphins in 2010, but I think that was at OG. It was reported that he lined up at OT in the mini-camp. I would prefer a young player with more upside win a roster spot over MQ.
 
Nice write-up. I'm really hoping Leary pushes for a starting job and impresses.
 
xwalker;4596687 said:
I can’t wait for training camp to see how the OL looks and see who practices at 2nd/3rd string OC and 1st/2nd/3rd string RG.

I think the biggest change to the OL will be the coach, Bill Callahan. Most expect him to use a lot more of the Zone Blocking Scheme. It appears that Garrett started acquiring players that fit the ZBS a year before he had a coach to implement the system. There is still a lot of 1-on-1 man blocking within the ZBS; however, if implemented correctly, the ZBS gives Olinemen some advantages over Dlinemen that they don’t have in a pure man blocking scheme.

OC Costa, Phil
Everybody’s favorite whipping boy. He makes the team unless 2 players outperform him in Training Camp. I’m not even certain who is 2nd team OC at this point.

OC Kowalski, Kevin
Performed well in limited snaps last year. Size/strength is his biggest issue. His pre-draft measureables indicate that he has excellent quickness/agility. His 7.15 3-cone is the best I’ve ever seen for an Olineman. If Callahan implements the Zone Blocking Scheme as expected, it should be helpful to smaller/quicker players like Kowalski.

OC/OG Nagy, Bill
He practiced at 2nd team OC in OTAs/mini-camp, but Bern and Kowalski did not practice due to injury.

OG/OC Bernadeau, Mackenzy
I don’t see him practicing at multiple positions (OC/OG) unless he is completely healthy to begin TC.

OG Livings, Nate
From Josh Ellis: “The thing that stands out most is just how big he is, especially as compared to Kyle Kosier, Bill Nagy and those guys that were starting last year. He just looked more athletic and powerful than Montrae Holland or Derrick Dockery. Obviously the Cowboys had a budget for the position, but there were a lot of guards on the market, and he's the one Bill Callahan wanted most. I think he will be better, and more durable, than Kosier would've been going forward, and that's what the move was about. “

OG Arkin, David
Mickey estimated that he was up to about 320 lbs from about 300 lbs last year. Broaddus reported that he still needed more upper body strength based on his performance in OTAs.

OG Leary, Ronald
From Mickey: “There is something to this Leary kid. Like his mobility and aggressive streak. And if he should emerge at right guard, that could push Bernadeau into a battle with Costa for the center job. The free-agent signee from Carolina has never played that position in a game, though, only in practice. Stay tuned.”
Broaddus reported that he looked significantly stronger than Arkin in OTAs.

OG Gunn, Harland
Practice Squad at best, IMO.

OT Free, Doug
I reviewed game footage from both 2011 and 2010. It appeared that Free either had an arm or shoulder problem in 2011 or he significantly changed his technique for the worse.

OT Smith, Tyron
Performed above expectations for a Rookie OT with no offseason with the team. Moving to LT will be an adjustment since the played RT in college also. With his immense talent, it shouldn’t really be a problem.

OT Parnell, Jermey
This guy is super athletic with long arms. I focused on him a lot during training camp last year and in preseason games. He appears to be fine in pass protection but needs a little more strength for run blocking. A full offseason with Wocik should have helped.

OT Adams, Jeff
He has very good quickness/agility measureables, but his 19 reps on the bench show that he has a long way to go in the strength department. He would be a good Practice Squad candidate.

OT Adcock, Levy
I’m surprised he didn’t get drafted. I thought he held his own at both RT and LT in college. He does need to get rid of the excessive gut. He projects to either RT or OG.

OT Novikoff, Tyrone
Based on his measureables, he appears a bit slow and short armed to play OT; however, at almost 6-7, he would be a very tall OG. He did have an impressive 33 reps on the bench.

OT/OG McQuistan, Pat
He did start 8 games for the Dolphins in 2010, but I think that was at OG. It was reported that he lined up at OT in the mini-camp. I would prefer a young player with more upside win a roster spot over MQ.

You Sir, are a brave brave man posting this.
 
I remember how Couchscout once posted how the ZBS is harder to play than the MBS. ZBS requires somewhat lighter, more athletic linemen than in MBS. With ZBS OLinemen also need to be smarter.

In a MBS the lineman blocks one assigned man - simple with not much thinking; find your guy and block him. But in ZBS you block an area, not a specific defender, and you can shift blocking assignments based on line calls.

Rule of thumb is that the better scheme to play is ZBS because it gives the OL more options to dictate to the DL or adjust to what they are doing.

I'm curious to see how our linemen adjust to the scheme.
 
MichaelWinicki;4596968 said:
For the gruff he takes, Costa has some decent workout numbers.

My understanding is his problem isn't strength or agility which show up well in the Combine. The problem is his short arms let's defenders really get into his body and control him. Much of his falling down is apparently him overextending so that he gets into others to compensate for his short reach.
 
Eskimo;4597114 said:
My understanding is his problem isn't strength or agility which show up well in the Combine. The problem is his short arms let's defenders really get into his body and control him. Much of his falling down is apparently him overextending so that he gets into others to compensate for his short reach.

I wonder how Costa's arms compared to say former center Mark Stepnoski's arms
 
The one thing I'm really disappointed in so far is how little attention is being paid to the Killer. He was our best Center last year in the games but hardly anyone mentioned him in TC or the PS. Then he seemed to be our most effective sub during the season on the interior. I really think everyone underestimates him due to his lack of size but he uses good technique and leverage on the field and I don't recall people pushing him back much. He was also really good as a passblocker and I believe he didn't allowed only one sack, hit or pressure last year in 114 snaps. I really don't remember the sack they claim he allowed.

I think he will eventually show his mettle in game situations and rise on up the depth chart once the real action starts.
 
I look forward to the building of a good cohesive oline...it will be fun watching them come together
 
Eskimo;4597129 said:
The one thing I'm really disappointed in so far is how little attention is being paid to the Killer. He was our best Center last year in the games but hardly anyone mentioned him in TC or the PS. Then he seemed to be our most effective sub during the season on the interior. I really think everyone underestimates him due to his lack of size but he uses good technique and leverage on the field and I don't recall people pushing him back much. He was also really good as a passblocker and I believe he didn't allowed only one sack, hit or pressure last year in 114 snaps. I really don't remember the sack they claim he allowed.

I think he will eventually show his mettle in game situations and rise on up the depth chart once the real action starts.
Kowalski is actually one of Broaddus' pet cats. But Kowalski was playing OG in OTAs up until he hurt his foot and has been in a walking boot ever since. Which is why you haven't heard anything lately.
 
speedkilz88;4596971 said:
Novikoff has been playing OG in all OTAs and minicamps.

That would make sense.

I'm not questioning you, but can you tell me who reported that? I'm just curious why I missed it.
 
I have to admit I am a lot more optimistic regrading our O-line than I was even a few weeks ago. At first I was very disappointed that we did not appear to upgrade the line much in free agency or the draft.

However, after reading more about zone blocking schemes and assuming we can have a successful transition to it then it is quite possible we already have the necessary players for it on the roster. It may be that our supposed scrubs just were not suited for the type of blocking scheme we had them doing.

Now we have a coach that knows what he is doing with zone blocking and a full training camp to prepare. It remains to be seen I guess if it pays off. I can't wait for training camp to start so we can see the O-line in action.
 
without pads and full hitting you can tell very vlittle that really matters about linemen. You get hints and such; but we have lots of examples over the years of guys looking good in OTA's but when the pads come on they disapear.
 
AmericasTeam81;4597117 said:
I wonder how Costa's arms compared to say former center Mark Stepnoski's arms

Costa's arms are the same length as Jeff Saturday's - you can play with short arms, but you really need to master the technique
 
xwalker;4596687 said:
I can’t wait for training camp to see how the OL looks and see who practices at 2nd/3rd string OC and 1st/2nd/3rd string RG.

I think the biggest change to the OL will be the coach, Bill Callahan. Most expect him to use a lot more of the Zone Blocking Scheme. It appears that Garrett started acquiring players that fit the ZBS a year before he had a coach to implement the system. There is still a lot of 1-on-1 man blocking within the ZBS; however, if implemented correctly, the ZBS gives Olinemen some advantages over Dlinemen that they don’t have in a pure man blocking scheme.

OC Costa, Phil
Everybody’s favorite whipping boy. He makes the team unless 2 players outperform him in Training Camp. I’m not even certain who is 2nd team OC at this point.

OC Kowalski, Kevin
Performed well in limited snaps last year. Size/strength is his biggest issue. His pre-draft measureables indicate that he has excellent quickness/agility. His 7.15 3-cone is the best I’ve ever seen for an Olineman. If Callahan implements the Zone Blocking Scheme as expected, it should be helpful to smaller/quicker players like Kowalski.

OC/OG Nagy, Bill
He practiced at 2nd team OC in OTAs/mini-camp, but Bern and Kowalski did not practice due to injury.

OG/OC Bernadeau, Mackenzy
I don’t see him practicing at multiple positions (OC/OG) unless he is completely healthy to begin TC.

OG Livings, Nate
From Josh Ellis: “The thing that stands out most is just how big he is, especially as compared to Kyle Kosier, Bill Nagy and those guys that were starting last year. He just looked more athletic and powerful than Montrae Holland or Derrick Dockery. Obviously the Cowboys had a budget for the position, but there were a lot of guards on the market, and he's the one Bill Callahan wanted most. I think he will be better, and more durable, than Kosier would've been going forward, and that's what the move was about. “

OG Arkin, David
Mickey estimated that he was up to about 320 lbs from about 300 lbs last year. Broaddus reported that he still needed more upper body strength based on his performance in OTAs.

OG Leary, Ronald
From Mickey: “There is something to this Leary kid. Like his mobility and aggressive streak. And if he should emerge at right guard, that could push Bernadeau into a battle with Costa for the center job. The free-agent signee from Carolina has never played that position in a game, though, only in practice. Stay tuned.”
Broaddus reported that he looked significantly stronger than Arkin in OTAs.

OG Gunn, Harland
Practice Squad at best, IMO.

OT Free, Doug
I reviewed game footage from both 2011 and 2010. It appeared that Free either had an arm or shoulder problem in 2011 or he significantly changed his technique for the worse.

OT Smith, Tyron
Performed above expectations for a Rookie OT with no offseason with the team. Moving to LT will be an adjustment since the played RT in college also. With his immense talent, it shouldn’t really be a problem.

OT Parnell, Jermey
This guy is super athletic with long arms. I focused on him a lot during training camp last year and in preseason games. He appears to be fine in pass protection but needs a little more strength for run blocking. A full offseason with Wocik should have helped.

OT Adams, Jeff
He has very good quickness/agility measureables, but his 19 reps on the bench show that he has a long way to go in the strength department. He would be a good Practice Squad candidate.

OT Adcock, Levy
I’m surprised he didn’t get drafted. I thought he held his own at both RT and LT in college. He does need to get rid of the excessive gut. He projects to either RT or OG.

OT Novikoff, Tyrone
Based on his measureables, he appears a bit slow and short armed to play OT; however, at almost 6-7, he would be a very tall OG. He did have an impressive 33 reps on the bench.

OT/OG McQuistan, Pat
He did start 8 games for the Dolphins in 2010, but I think that was at OG. It was reported that he lined up at OT in the mini-camp. I would prefer a young player with more upside win a roster spot over MQ.

Nice writeup. The biggest thing that has been missing from our O-Line for years now is cohesion, they simply don't play well as a group. I am very hopeful that Callahan is the right guy for the job and can get these guys to function as a unit and not a bunch of individuals.
 
AbeBeta;4599775 said:
Costa's arms are the same length as Jeff Saturday's - you can play with short arms, but you really need to master the technique

I agree 100%
 

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