O Line

[Brohm]

Whitacker tweaked a hamstring or whatnot and has been sidelined for awhile.

[KYPack]

I could have SWORN they moved whittaker to tackle.? anyone?

Whit's out with the hammy.
He is the back-up RT at this time.

Everything is so shuffled around, it's impossible to look at a depth chart.

Fer instance, JSO lists Cundiff as the 1st team FGK. He's, ah, GONE, JSO!

[4and12to12and4]

I don't understand why there are so many topics started and posts followed that express concern for our guard positions. It amazes me how our RB's, tackles, and tight ends are getting free rides from all of us, when they performed WORSE than the guards from my perspective. This o-line WILL look way more impressive Saturday because Atlantas d-line and blocking scheme is lightyears worse than SD's. SD was about the toughest possible team to go against for the first time these guys played together against real opposition. Their scheme was complicated and dominant. That's why Tauscher, Henderson, and Bubba all looked horrible also. Believe me, after Saturday's game, everyone here will be going on and on about how much improvement there has been in just one more week, and it will not be for improvement's sake, it will be for competition's sake.
Also, I watched Denver's o-line, because I wanted to see this scheme ran "properly" against a good d-line. Denver didn't seem to create many more holes than we did, but their running back was squeezing into very small holes, and was through them quickly. Also, they had ALOT of runs that only netted a couple of yards, but they stuck with it anyways. Another thing I noticed is that Bell and Williams created just as much pressure and problems in the middle as SD did. It's the nature of the scheme. Denver's line, like ours, is dependent on lighter, and more athlitic guys with good feet, but when matched up against the likes of HUGE guys like SD and Detroit have in the middle, who have speed to go along with thier gigantic bodies, it does create a mismatch. This scheme somewhat relies on the defenses larger bodies being slower, so when a GREAT athlete that is also huge comes up against it, they will succeed more times than not. But, then again, they also succeed against traditional man to man schemes also. That's why they end up in the Probowl. They are really good.

[esoxx]

In fairness to our O-line, which I've been very critical of, you make a good point in that it's a new scheme for everyone and will take some time. My understanding is Davenport missed some opportunities that were available against the Chargers. He needs to improve in this zone scheme too or will be waived. They all need to improve and have some type of cohesion.

It's just that my tolerance level for the O-line is low based on last year's debacle.

[Lare]

I agree that it takes a while to get a new blocking scheme down. They've only been practicing this one since April, what do you expect in four months. It's not like it's a simple thing to learn to block the guy in front of you.

[4and12to12and4]

As is everyone's. Yes, Davenport completely whiffed twice that I remember, Bubba whiffed on a LB on an outside move, Henderson got knocked straight backwards almost into Favre, Tauscher got schooled a few times, so this is why I am saying, lets back off the guards if we aren't going to hold all these other guys responsible also. It was just an all around bad game for ALL our blockers. Clifton and Spitz held their own better than anyone else, but that's not saying much. My bet is that they will all look much better against the Falcons. No where near the quality rush of SD. And, they will be going in expecting to HAVE TO play great just to be decent. So, I expect a solid performance from the line this week.

[BooHoo]

In fairness to our O-line, which I've been very critical of, you make a good point in that it's a new scheme for everyone and will take some time. My understanding is Davenport missed some opportunities that were available against the Chargers. He needs to improve in this zone scheme too or will be waived. They all need to improve and have some type of cohesion.

It's just that my tolerance level for the O-line is low based on last year's debacle.

My tolerance level is low for the O-Line also but we have only had one practice game so far. So there is still time to get our stuff together. I will save my negative comments about TT and the O-Line until later in the season.

[esoxx]

I agree that it takes a while to get a new blocking scheme down. They've only been practicing this one since April, what do you expect in four months. It's not like it's a simple thing to learn to block the guy in front of you.

I know it's sarcasm but you're understating things. Of course the zone scheme says block the guy in front of you at it's core level. However, the confusion comes when you have a team that zone blitzes and overloads a side with, say, three rushers. That's where the confusion comes in and SD, those bastards, ran these gimmicks in the first preseason game. I'm glad they didn't "play nice" like many teams do in preseason, running vanilla stuff. This exposed an obvious weakness and it's a good teaching tool on video. It should end up being a good learning experience. Still, I'm a bottom line guy and need to see some results of progress soon. "Throw me a frickin' bone here!"

[4and12to12and4]

I can't wait for the line to do better Sunday, so we can all start sleeping a little better, and renew our hope for a decent season.

[Packnut]

Line

I can't wait for the line to do better Sunday, so we can all start sleeping a little better, and renew our hope for a decent season.

That makes two of us!

[BooHoo]

Re: Line

I can't wait for the line to do better Sunday, so we can all start sleeping a little better, and renew our hope for a decent season.

That makes two of us!

Three of us!!!!!!!!!!

[vince]

I fully expect the o-line to struggle again this early against another stout pass rushing d-line. I also fully expect this week to offer another good learning experience for the youngsters and even the veterans implementing the new scheme. IT'S THE SECOND GAME OF THE PRESEASON WITH AN ENTIRELY NEW SCHEME! Right now, they're thinking about what they have to do, and that makes them slow. Soon they'll react, and their abilities will come out.

Wait until the regular season to get uptight. Stay off the emotional roller coaster. They're young, they're inexperienced, and they're learning. They will get it, but it will take some time. Give it to them - and give it to yourself.