[Rajmahal33]

While it was a good stretch for us and a stat that people often refer to, if u really look at our 6-2 start last year you realize a couple of things:

1) We won a lot of close games (ALL one possession differences)

2) We played a lot of poor teams including three of the worst: DET(0-16), CLE (4-12), and STL (2-14)...and actually lost to St. Louis largely because of poor offensive line play.

3) We only beat two playoff teams, eeking out victories against Philly and Arizona (at home). Also it was pretty apparent that neither of those teams were in their playoff form at that point in the season.

4) The only team we beat with a formidable pass rush/D-line during that stretch was Dallas (by 2 points)...basically our 6-2 record wasn't necessarily indicative of superior offensive line play. In fact whenever we played teams with good D-lines we consistently failed: Baltimore, Pittsburgh, first time against Philly (the 2nd time we beat them in an ugly 10-3 defensive struggle), both times to the Giants, and the 2nd time Dallas.

I forgot who said it (maybe Randle El), at the bye week, it was pretty apparent that our 6-3 record was deceptive and we were lucky to be in the position we were. I think it was pretty clear by the way we finished that we were a mediocre team (including the offensive line) in 2008.

Certainly, our offensive line has turned out many great, clutch performances over the years but i guess my main point is that they have lacked consistency and reliability over the past few years. This has hurt us down the stretch in becoming a perennial playoff contender. I think as a group they are aging and their play will begin to drop off quickly. Their best days are definitely behind them...