O Line

[Longtimefan]

Perhaps the O-line will play better when we establish an identity as a team. I'm trying to figure out whether we want to be a running team, or a passing team, and the O-line suffers as a result. The running plays we utilize this year are not the same plays Portis ran us to the playoffs with last year. I'm not so sure our linemen are the type to run many of the stretch plays Saunders likes to utilize. In KC he had lighter, active linemen with more of an ability to run to the edge. I don't know that we nedd to change personel as much as we need to change the method of attack.

In defense of Samuels I think in most games he acredits himself well. He did a great job today of riding his man far to the outside, and beyond the pocket. The only time he has trouble is with the speed rushers, as do most OT. He had trouble with Dwight Freeney mainly because of his speed. I think once the team actually establishes itself as arunning team once again, the pass blocking will improve, however they must commit to the run, and stay with it. We had far too few rushing atempts today.

[Beemnseven]

Originally Posted by Longtimefan

Perhaps the O-line will play better when we establish an identity as a team. I'm trying to figure out whether we want to be a running team, or a passing team, and the O-line suffers as a result.

The problem is that professional football players who play the offensive line are supposed to be able to do both. I've had enough of the "identity crisis" crap. Let's not mistake Redskins football with the pre-Bill Callahan Nebraska Cornhuskers.

The way we hear it sometimes you'd think these guys can run block, but they can't be expected to pass block. They'd prefer to run it, be smashmouth, that sort of thing -- but they're not showing they can be good at that.

You cannot pound the ball 50 times and expect to win in this league. You must have balance. You must give the quarterback time to throw, and yes, occasionally, it would be nice if they could pick up a blitz or two.

[cpayne5]

Originally Posted by Longtimefan

We had far too few rushing atempts today.

What? Do you mean passing attempts?

In any case, going into the final drive, the Skins had run 44 plays. 22 Runs and 22 passes. Pretty balanced, don't you think?

It all comes back to the D. The D let the Bucs control the game with the run. 54 offensive plays in a game is terrible.

[firstdown]

Originally Posted by cpayne5

What? Do you mean passing attempts?

In any case, going into the final drive, the Skins had run 44 plays. 22 Runs and 22 passes. Pretty balanced, don't you think?

It all comes back to the D. The D let the Bucs control the game with the run. 54 offensive plays in a game is terrible.

Our converting only 4/16 3rd downs did not help either.

[firstdown]

Originally Posted by Longtimefan

Perhaps the O-line will play better when we establish an identity as a team. I'm trying to figure out whether we want to be a running team, or a passing team, and the O-line suffers as a result. The running plays we utilize this year are not the same plays Portis ran us to the playoffs with last year. I'm not so sure our linemen are the type to run many of the stretch plays Saunders likes to utilize. In KC he had lighter, active linemen with more of an ability to run to the edge. I don't know that we nedd to change personel as much as we need to change the method of attack.

In defense of Samuels I think in most games he acredits himself well. He did a great job today of riding his man far to the outside, and beyond the pocket. The only time he has trouble is with the speed rushers, as do most OT. He had trouble with Dwight Freeney mainly because of his speed. I think once the team actually establishes itself as arunning team once again, the pass blocking will improve, however they must commit to the run, and stay with it. We had far too few rushing atempts today.

Is your real name Bill Maas that exactly what he said yesterday.