Running game - Is it really the guys up front?

[Harlan Huckleby]

you can't start a block below the waist. I believe you can finish below the waist, the thinking being sometimes you slip. This last point is critical to protect lousy linemen, aka "Packers"

I think you still can block below the waist near the line of scrimmage. Below the waist is illegal in open field, and that rule has been around for a few years. Maybe somebody else remembers more clearly.

The recent rule change I was thinking of is they made a "peel back" block illegal. Looking again at that reach-back block, it is still legal because the defender is moving upfield, but it's damn close to a peel-back. You can't block low (even near line of scrimmage) when the sucker has started to pursue downfield.

http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/2013/3/19/4125046/nfl-rule-changes-peel-back-block

"If a player who is aligned in the tackle box when the ball is snapped moves to a position outside the box, he cannot initiate contact on the side and below the waist against an opponent if: (a) the blocker is moving toward his own end line; and (b) he approached the opponent from behind or from the side."

[pbmax]

http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/2013/3/1...eel-back-block

"If a player who is aligned in the tackle box when the ball is snapped moves to a position outside the box, he cannot initiate contact on the side and below the waist against an opponent if: (a) the blocker is moving toward his own end line; and (b) he approached the opponent from behind or from the side."

Would be hard pressed to say EDS is outside the tackle box on that play.

[pbmax]

Sometimes, despite appearances, you make the right call:

Giacomini isn’t making the same money as Bushrod — $3.5 million in 2013 in the second year of a two-year deal — but he started all of the 2012 season at right tackle for a team most think has a legit shot at a Super Bowl this year. In 2012, he ranked second in the league in blown blocks with 33, behind Indy’s Anthony Castonzo. Only Dallas’ Doug Free had more penalties than Giacomini’s 13, and no player in the NFL had more penalty yards than his 130. Pete Carroll loves tough guys, but he’s also obsessed with extending drives on a consistent basis. Giacomini would not seem to be the ideal fit in the long term.

http://nfl.si.com/2013/08/20/the-audibles-all-overrated-team-the-offense/

[pbmax]

And sometimes, rep and contract get ahead of results:

No guard allowed more sacks than Lang’s 8.5 — in fact, Lang tied for fourth in the entire league in that category, regardless of position, and he did play some tackle last year, as well. Yes, Aaron Rodgers holds onto the ball too long too often, but Lang also struggled in the run game, and the Packers need more from the man they gave a contract extension before the 2012 season.

Just to show fairness about that run blocking comment, here is Lang having his lunch handed to him by a Ram.

[mraynrand]

^^^^ Bet Campen had a lot of fun with that play in the film room. I think people have posted it or referenced it sixty eight times since Saturday. Get that coach's clicker going!

[bobblehead]

Wow, really good run by Lacy. Unfortunately he won't be able to consistently do that, that spin move will get him stuffed once defenders learn to recognize it. Hopefully he doesn't over-use it and it stays effective.

Blocking looked horrible. Not sure about the claim that there were 2 ST-L DL right there, EDS was pushing one from behind and it looked like he didn't have much of a chance to make a play on Lacy.

some guys get away with doing things that you "can't" do in the NFL. I am not ready to annoint his spin move as that special, but he used it all through college, so just maybe......

[denverYooper]

some guys get away with doing things that you "can't" do in the NFL. I am not ready to annoint his spin move as that special, but he used it all through college, so just maybe......

Good point. I think his spin move is effective in part because he also has no problem trucking guys. So it's not his only move and his raw power makes it a lot more effective.

[Patler]

Funny thing about Lacy and his spin move, he said he doesn't think about it, he just does it. He also said he would try to NOT do it for a while until he got a better feel for the NFL game. I guess it really is just a natural reaction on his part!

[pbmax]

Good point. I think his spin move is effective in part because he also has no problem trucking guys. So it's not his only move and his raw power makes it a lot more effective.

Its usual to use in crowded spaces, like he LOS is supposed to be and like the backfield was on that particular play versus the Rams. but he is big and steady enough that even while he is spinning he cannot be easily knocked down or into other tacklers.

[Upnorth]

So after reading bobblehead's comments in the depression thread I read this article with espn

http://espn.go.com/nfl/trainingcamp13/story/_/id/9601152/eddie-lacy-draft-biggest-steal

and had two thoughts.
1) Does this guy even look at line play?
2) What has he seen in preseason play that I haven't?

[HarveyWallbangers]

So after reading bobblehead's comments in the depression thread I read this article with espn

http://espn.go.com/nfl/trainingcamp13/story/_/id/9601152/eddie-lacy-draft-biggest-steal

and had two thoughts.
1) Does this guy even look at line play?
2) What has he seen in preseason play that I haven't?

You don't think Lacy has looked good? I'd look past his performance against Seattle. He had two plays for -13 yards where Harrell panicked and threw backwards passed to him and he was tackled immediately. I'd expect a little more running room when Rodgers is in the game. There won't be 8 men in the box with Rodgers in the game.

[Upnorth]

I've seen him look okay, but I don't expect much with our ol. Also I pray Rodgers sees eight in the box.

[HarveyWallbangers]

I'm not expecting to get a lot of 8 in the box, but I'm just hoping we can run when there is 7 in the box. We had trouble even doing that last year.

[denverYooper]

I'm not expecting to get a lot of 8 in the box, but I'm just hoping we can run when there is 7 in the box. We had trouble even doing that last year.

Aye.

The math should work out a little better when Rodgers is in there calling the offense with Lacy in the backfield.

[run pMc]

This is also the reason we should hope for JC Tretter's return to form

Do we know yet if Tretter can play C or if he can execute a reach-block on the pro level? I heard some scouts liked him more than Bakteria and others never heard of him. Personally, I'm very curious to know if this guy can play. The Greg Van Rot(t)en experience worries me, and EDS has not been the model of consistency either.

If defenses put 8 in the box against Rodgers, Cobb/Finley/Jordy/Jones should carve them up.