Sturm - Decoding Linehan - OL Let-Down

[Future]

Yep. They just got beat, there's no getting around it. Our defense did, too.

Yes and no. Physically, it seemed like our D wore down in the second half

But I thought schematically, there were a couple of adjustments we could have made. Crawford, for instance, kept getting himself too far upfield allowing the back and a blocker underneath to the second level. That's the style of defense we play, so it's going to happen sometimes, but I think that's a thing where we weren't beaten physically at all.

 

[Idgit]

Yes and no. Physically, it seemed like our D wore down in the second half

But I thought schematically, there were a couple of adjustments we could have made. Crawford, for instance, kept getting himself too far upfield allowing the back and a blocker underneath to the second level. That's the style of defense we play, so it's going to happen sometimes, but I think that's a thing where we weren't beaten physically at all.

I haven't looked at the second half defensive snaps as closely yet. I was mostly thinking about the inability to cover 11 in the slot, even when doubled, and the missing run fits with some of the rotating DLs I thought I saw in live action. But maybe I need to look at it more closely.

 

[Kevinicus]

Parnell would have made this play.

I think there is a nice seam there if Frederick could have sealed his guy.

 

[Chuck 54]

A study of the defense would show the same thing. Dallas was dominated in the trenches on both sides of the ball in the 2nd half.
It wasn't all about adjustments...unless you mean that someone got an attitude adjustment at halftime. The Dirty Birds were playing with passion on both sides of the ball in the second half....they won the game in the trenches---no surprise on defense, big surprise on offense.

 

[Dodger12]

You will recall that last time he played, Weeden barely threw one ball to the left. He is as right-sided a QB as you can imagine. This usually stems from pocket presence and the feeling that the QB is uncomfortable and cannot maintain a downfield eye level if he scans the field to his blindside.

You might agree that Weeden never looks comfortable in the pocket. That is why he is throwing the ball quick and short so often. Now look at this throws. The two "deep" shots were the interception - that he only threw long by accident - and the seam he sailed to Witten. The Wide Receivers were props.

Was this by command or QB decision? In the end, it doesn't matter. The Falcons knew the WRs were just running routes and by the end of the game, the WRs were just going through the motions. In 2 games, Weeden has not thrown a downfield pass of substance to the left. He hasn't thrown downfield at all. This is "Check-Down Charlie".

Wow......talk about tendancies that defenses will capitalize on. Incredible.

 

[ShiningStar]

I'm not sure the problem is with the Coach. It's hard to say right now. That PHI game, I think the officiating crew went crazy. And we had Zack Martin missing a lot of camp. Leary and Free, too. It might just be it's taking them time to round into shape. It's still the case that the OL that was supposed to be the strength of the team gave up two sacks and multiple negative rushing plays in the second half yesterday on a team that was desperately trying to cover up for a couple of missing all pro skill players.

i agree, but i give Pollack a pass on the GIants and Philly, divisional teams should be harder.

 

[31smackdown]

I think there is a nice seam there if Frederick could have sealed his guy.

I agree. If he can hold him back then a you have a nice lane.

It looks like they just miss blocked one of the others and then the LB sheds both Martin and Clutts, making a really nice play which should probably never happen..

 

[iceberg]

Parnell would have made the blocks that Free can't make. They should have kept him

anyone ever tell you that you can be overly obsessive on someone?

 

[Word Mofo]

I'm worried about Free. With his injuries last year and his age creeping up, I think we could do better. We might have to use a high(ish) draft pick, but I want a complete OL, top to bottom, of top performers.

 

[iceberg]

I'm worried about Free. With his injuries last year and his age creeping up, I think we could do better. We might have to use a high(ish) draft pick, but I want a complete OL, top to bottom, of top performers.

great. now how do we pay for that OL?

 

[Word Mofo]

great. now how do we pay for that OL?

Money. I'm talking about in a future draft. Nothing we can do about it now.

 

[iceberg]

Money. I'm talking about in a future draft. Nothing we can do about it now.

yea, but to have that kind of talent at each position will make it just a tad difficult to pay for.

anyway - dream on.

 

[Yakuza Rich]

From what I saw, Free was awful in the 2nd half. Almost night and day different from the first half. I think Leary is more experienced and that's why he works better at this moment than Collins who is really a promising star because he's pretty darn athletic and has a vicious mean streak about him. Have to remember that Tyron's only weakness is when he has to block on runs that are going to the strongside and Leary may be better at blocking for that than Collins at this point. Hanna being banged up has been a problem as well.

I think the pass protection has been exceptional thus far which is funny because going into the season all critics were saying that they weren't a good pass pro O-Line. But we just can't get the run blocking there. We'll get some good run blocking in a few series, but nothing consistent.




YR

 

[Kaiser]

I'm worried about Free. With his injuries last year and his age creeping up, I think we could do better. We might have to use a high(ish) draft pick, but I want a complete OL, top to bottom, of top performers.

Giving Free 7.5MM for what will likely be one season wasn't going to be the best move under the salary cap. But that said, I think they can make a serviceable RT out of Chaz Green or the others they have on the roster.

Also given an offseason to prepare, Lael Collins could be an excellent RT, I don't know why they havent given him more reps there already.

 

[Yakuza Rich]

Funny how if it was suggested in the offseason that it was not an automatic that the OL dominate everyone, it got a board beat down. They have not played to their billing.

I think the irony is that the critics of the O-Line questioned the pass pro and said the run blocking was excellent. But this year the pass pro has been excellent and the run blocking has left a lot to be desired.

There were also people on this board suggesting that the Eagles had the best O-Line in football. And 21 carries for 11 yards later, they haven't played to their billing either.

If anything, I think it goes to show that people often overstate 'winning in the trenches.' The Browns have 'won in the trenches' over the years, but they don't have the playmakers...particularly at QB, to take advantage of that. Here we don't have the deep threat WR and now have a former Browns QB and are seeing an O-Line that has been disappointing thus far.





YR

 

[Toruk_Makto]

Funny how if it was suggested in the offseason that it was not an automatic that the OL dominate everyone, it got a board beat down. They have not played to their billing.

Could you produce your posts stating you knew this line would struggle?

I'd be curious to go back and read them.

 

[Wolfpack]

I don't like the predicability of the offense via the formation creeping back in.

 

[Zman5]

It's little odd Sturm suggests we need to be less predictable for us to be successful going forward yet he also says he can't blame Linehan for the second half melt down.

So if Linehan doesn't warrant any blame, who is calling these predictable plays? JG? WeDone?

 

[Yakuza Rich]

Giving Free 7.5MM for what will likely be one season wasn't going to be the best move under the salary cap. But that said, I think they can make a serviceable RT out of Chaz Green or the others they have on the roster.

Also given an offseason to prepare, Lael Collins could be an excellent RT, I don't know why they havent given him more reps there already.

It's a big move to make going from the left side of the O-Line to the right side of the O-Line. Not so much of a big move going from LT to LG. I think it's smarter to let Collins really master the LG position, get the technique down and get into NFL shape and then look to move him to RT. If you move him to RT, then you're really cutting him off at the knees and forcing him back to square one.






YR

 

[Pessimist_cowboy]

Randle had a couple options there , he chose the wrong one. I'm not really liking randle thus far. He just isn't physical.