The 2009 Lineman Yard Average Project: Results and Analysis

[GTripp0012]

Originally Posted by tryfuhl

Run Blocking tells about half of the story, maybe more as it's likely we'll lean on the running game this year to setup the pass. I'd be very interested in viewing a similar pass blocking metric, however there's obviously a lot more play in something like that as there are more options, outcomes, etc.

I'd agree about DT's blocking as it was a spot he was probably put in more often than he should have been, but you'd have to wonder that after tangling up with so many DBs that he's apparently having an issue getting a step on them through camp.

Not to turn this into a WR thread, but is there any possibility that he's not separating his umm, separation and initial contact between blocking and passing?

Thomas' best plays last year were screens (no release), and drags (you're not taking any steps at the DB), and pretty much any route run out of the slot. There are things we can do (and did do) to get the ball in his hands without requiring him to learn the receiver position. I don't think he runs with balance or vision (he gets smacked really hard all the time from very defensible running positions), but he seems to be plenty strong enough to break half-assed tackle attempts, which is as much effort as you'll get out of a lot of DBs. If he learned how to release, he could be a huge mismatch for defenses to deal with.

I'll take suggestions for a pass blocking metric using this year's game film, but based on last year, Dockery was good, Rinehart was good, Heyer could handle most left ends on our schedule, and the backs were largely a good-protecting group (Ganther...not so much). Fred Davis is too much of a weapon in the passing game to leave in there often, but if you take an outside rush against him, you're not getting to the quarterback.

Everyone else really sucked at pass blocking. Especially Sellers.