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I have a lot to say, so this is going to be a long recap and comment about Bakhtiari. I apologize for the length in advance.
There have been lots of comments in many threads about Bakhtiari's apparent decline this year, including:
- he was never really that good to begin with, we expect too much
- he is being exposed by miscommunications from playing next to a rookie
- he has always relied on cleverly disguised holding, which is being more closely called this year
- he is past his prime, and isn't physically talented enough to continue dominating
- he is playing hurt
I always watch the games long after they are done, already knowing the result before I start watching. I normally listen to or follow the game live while doing other things, so I already know key plays, game trends etc. before I watch my recording of the game. This allows me to watch the game differently, I focus on different things.
I've watched Bakhtiari in pass pro quite closely, not just when he gets beat or commits a penalty. He is really struggling this year, play after play. Unlike previous years, he rarely looks like he is in control, he is constantly playing "catch-up" to a pass rusher on the verge of beating him cleanly. Things I have seen:
- His "claim to fame" in the past was his quickness off the snap. At times he was called for false starts both rightly and wrongly. Either quickness or anticipation allowed him to move with the ball, usually a flash before any other OL (making it look like a false start even when it wasn't) and well before his opponent. This gave him control of the confrontation from the start. I don't see that with any consistency now, and his opponent often beats him at the snap.
- He has struggled with power rushers in the past, but this year seems to be overpowered at times by just about anyone. I have seen him completely run over, put on his back on the ground at least three times in recent weeks.
- He had a good feel in the past for directing wide speed rushers well past the pocket where Rodgers should be, at least initially. This year, often he can't keep up with speed rushers and they get to their target. He struggles to keep contact with the rusher at times.
- He looks stiff.
Loss of quickness, power, speed and flexibility. Based on my life experiences, he looks to me like a guy struggling through a back issue that is really bothering him.
There have been lots of comments in many threads about Bakhtiari's apparent decline this year, including:
- he was never really that good to begin with, we expect too much
- he is being exposed by miscommunications from playing next to a rookie
- he has always relied on cleverly disguised holding, which is being more closely called this year
- he is past his prime, and isn't physically talented enough to continue dominating
- he is playing hurt
I always watch the games long after they are done, already knowing the result before I start watching. I normally listen to or follow the game live while doing other things, so I already know key plays, game trends etc. before I watch my recording of the game. This allows me to watch the game differently, I focus on different things.
I've watched Bakhtiari in pass pro quite closely, not just when he gets beat or commits a penalty. He is really struggling this year, play after play. Unlike previous years, he rarely looks like he is in control, he is constantly playing "catch-up" to a pass rusher on the verge of beating him cleanly. Things I have seen:
- His "claim to fame" in the past was his quickness off the snap. At times he was called for false starts both rightly and wrongly. Either quickness or anticipation allowed him to move with the ball, usually a flash before any other OL (making it look like a false start even when it wasn't) and well before his opponent. This gave him control of the confrontation from the start. I don't see that with any consistency now, and his opponent often beats him at the snap.
- He has struggled with power rushers in the past, but this year seems to be overpowered at times by just about anyone. I have seen him completely run over, put on his back on the ground at least three times in recent weeks.
- He had a good feel in the past for directing wide speed rushers well past the pocket where Rodgers should be, at least initially. This year, often he can't keep up with speed rushers and they get to their target. He struggles to keep contact with the rusher at times.
- He looks stiff.
Loss of quickness, power, speed and flexibility. Based on my life experiences, he looks to me like a guy struggling through a back issue that is really bothering him.
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