Re: Fix the Line Thread
 

We need to spend the next two drafts getting the trenches together. Draft OL and DL because no protection and no pressure = no wins. Along with coaches that bring the best out of players. I read someone posted Bacarri Rambo picked off Aaron Rodgers twice and looks like a different player now he is not in DC. I remember no one thought he would play another down in the league and damn sure didn't believe he would pick off a top 5 QB twice in one game.

Re: Fix the Line Thread
 

Wait wait wait..

YES. Our offensive line definitely needs help / redrafting / etc.


BUT:
1) RB/TE: Many of the sacks during the year were due to the RB / TE who SUCK at pass protection. It's our fault for drafting RB who can't block, and the RB/TE coaches fault for not teaching it better. Come on.
2) QB: Many of the sacks are from QB's holding the ball too long.
3) Bad offense/defense: Lack of offensive production leads to 3rd and longs and bad defense leads to playing from behind -- and both lead to more blitzing / more sacks.
4) Scheme - I wonder if more roll outs, more focus on run game, more variety of screen passes -- all would help decrease the sacks.


It's easy to say the O-line sucks and at times they do -- but it's not always their fault.. And finally, we REALLY need to develop our own talent. Bruce hasn't done much, but also hasn't gotten much help from his coaches in developing talent.

Re: Fix the Line Thread
 

Our Oline has giving up 53 sacks already this year, the skins record is 61 for a season. Folks, every single player and coach job should be on the line, including silverback.

Re: Fix the Line Thread
 

As much new blood as possible will be beneficial. New coaching alone is not going to solve this problem. Chris Foerster, thanks for your time, now here's the door.

It is ridiculous to me that three third round OL haven't been able to break into the starting lineup.

Any free agent signing should be a guy who is 27 or younger. I personally think they should target trading down once to add an additional pick this year in the first three rounds. IMO, unless they are dead set on Scherff or Ogbuehi, trading down makes the most sense. The only way to "win" at the draft, is to have as many picks as possible.

Re: Fix the Line Thread
 

If Gruden returns as reports say and him and RGIII can't co-exist and they trade him. I would look to see if an RGIII for Kyle Long is possible.

Re: Fix the Line Thread
 

Cooley would disagree with a lot on this board. He seems to be of the opinion that our offensive line as a whole is actually solid... pins a lot of the blame on the QBs, RBs, and TEs.

I think Trent and Lavuao for sure are going to be starters next year, both because they fit what Gruden wants and because they've been getting the job done. Lichtensteiger has been our best lineman at times, but he's smaller and not as powerful as Trent and Lavuao. I think there's a decent chance he starts next year. Chester I can't see starting. I don't care what Gruden and Cooley say, he needs to hit the road. At RT, Compton has been better than Polumbus, but of course that's not setting the bar very high. I think Moses(depending on health) and Compton battle for the job next year, with maybe someone else thrown in the mix.

Re: Fix the Line Thread
 

Well then Cooley is a shitty analyst because you can see the pocket collapse almost immediately on most plays.

Re: Fix the Line Thread
 

2015
Polumbus is a UFA.
Compton is an RFA.
2016
Williams is a UFA.
Chester is a UFA.
LeRibeus is a UFA.

Re: Fix the Line Thread
 

[quote=drew54;1100115]2015
Polumbus is a UFA.
Compton is an RFA.
2016
Williams is a UFA.
Chester is a UFA.
LeRibeus is a UFA.[/quote]

IMO, Compton (city of) should stay. Moses and Long obviously should be back. Kory L and Silverblunt should be back. I dont think we can cut Lauvo, but I think a decision should be made to bring in competition to challenge his spot. LeRibeaus has had opportunity, he should be cut. My plan would be too draft a Tackle with our first pick if one is there (should be). I think the plan should be to first him to start at RT with a plan to replace Silverblunt if the blunted one thinks he is gonna get a Tryon Smith-type deal.

I think we go into free agency looking for a solid Right Guard and a Vetern Guard who can push Lauvo. We would be replacing 2 starters, and possibly a third starter.

Before all of this is done though, we have fired our current Oline coach

Re: Fix the Line Thread
 

[quote=SirLK26;1100096]Cooley would disagree with a lot on this board. He seems to be of the opinion that our offensive line as a whole is actually solid... pins a lot of the blame on the QBs, RBs, and TEs.
[/quote]

Well, I do agree with Cooley on the issues of the RBs & TEs blocking. I would also add in the wide receivers. I also agree in terms of the quarterbacks holding onto the ball too long.

But, I don't agree that the offensive line is solid. It needs a lot of work.

Re: Fix the Line Thread
 

[quote=SirLK26;1100096][B]Cooley would disagree with a lot on this board. He seems to be of the opinion that our offensive line as a whole is actually solid... pins a lot of the blame on the QBs, RBs, and TEs.
[/B]
I think Trent and Lavuao for sure are going to be starters next year, both because they fit what Gruden wants and because they've been getting the job done. Lichtensteiger has been our best lineman at times, but he's smaller and not as powerful as Trent and Lavuao. I think there's a decent chance he starts next year. Chester I can't see starting. I don't care what Gruden and Cooley say, he needs to hit the road. At RT, Compton has been better than Polumbus, but of course that's not setting the bar very high. I think Moses(depending on health) and Compton battle for the job next year, with maybe someone else thrown in the mix.[/quote]

I think offensive line and DB is priority #1 and #2.
I tend to agree with this up to a certain point. That point being we need a new RT and Guard. It is unfair to fully evaluate players when there are such huge holes in the starting line up (O-line & secondary). Trent (great), Lavauao (ok) and Lichtensteiger (ok) should stay. Lavauao could always be moved to RG if a better guard is found, he is more of a RG type anyway. The other OLineman on the roster should not thrown out in the trash just yet, especially the young guys.

We better not get spend significant cap space/money on more Qb's or WR's until the O-line and secondary is repaired. It is unfair to fully evaluate players when there are such huge holes in the starting line up

Re: Fix the Line Thread
 

[QUOTE=SirLK26;1100096]Cooley would disagree with a lot on this board. He seems to be of the opinion that our offensive line as a whole is actually solid... pins a lot of the blame on the QBs, RBs, and TEs.



I think Trent and Lavuao for sure are going to be starters next year, both because they fit what Gruden wants and because they've been getting the job done. Lichtensteiger has been our best lineman at times, but he's smaller and not as powerful as Trent and Lavuao. I think there's a decent chance he starts next year. Chester I can't see starting. I don't care what Gruden and Cooley say, he needs to hit the road. At RT, Compton has been better than Polumbus, but of course that's not setting the bar very high. I think Moses(depending on health) and Compton battle for the job next year, with maybe someone else thrown in the mix.[/QUOTE]


I'd agree a lot of blame has to go on the backs and TE's who have done a shitty job all year at picking up their assignments. Indecisive decision making at QB is also a factor. That said we definitely need to continue to improve the line.

Re: Fix the Line Thread
 

We do decent going forwards for run blocking, but no one can block going backwards(except trent).

We need Scherff!

Re: Fix the Line Thread
 

We need a blocking TE, we don't have that player on the roster. I also think the coaching staff has often left weak players on an island to be destroyed. We need to see what we have in Spencer Long. He needs the game reps. Also, I think Russ Grimm needs to be hired as a coach or a consultant to assist with the development of this line.

Re: Fix the Line Thread
 

Our biggest area of need is interior OL, not RT as most presume. As SirLK26 and Matty pointed out, you can thank shitty blocking by RB (alfred in particular) and TEs for a horrendous job on pass pro as well. I still think the biggest issue is QB play, which has to be much more decisive and get the ball out faster. QB play can make it look like you have the best OL in the world or the worst. It's no coincidence that the teams with QBs having the slowest release times are hammered by fans for having a shitty OL.