j_y19
ESPN Cast Off
- 11,882
- 2,076
- 173
- Joined
- Jul 2, 2013
- Hoopla Cash
- $ 1,000.00
- Fav. Team #1
- Fav. Team #2
- Fav. Team #3
There is no doubt that our OL is one of the best in the league at run blocking. Do I think that Morris and RG3 help them out a bit in this stat? Yes, but they still do a very good job in zone blocking. But they are one of the worst at pocket protection. While they have only given up 18 sacks, they have given up 54 QB hits which ranks them as one of the worst in the league. Honestly, if RG3 wasn't as athletic as he is, those sack numbers would be higher.
Most of these hits come from pressure right up the middle. Teams have figured out our weaknesses and apply max pressure up the middle. GK said it could be a communication problem. I'm sure that it is part of it. But this line has played together for almost 2 years straight, and that's very rare. SO if they have a communication problem then there is another problem. Realistically, they are too small and weak to handle the big nose tackles and DTs that eat them up. One big nose tackle requires both a center and a guard, leaving a gap if a LB blitzes or there is a stunt from the outside.
This middle pressure is compounded by RG3 who has yet not mastered the art of pocket passing, pre reading pressure and calling hot reads. Moreover, he doesn't handle pressure in his face well. Some of it may be related to his injury, but most of it is he just isn't experienced in sitting in a pocket and learning to slide to an opening. He tends to back pedal and then try and throw off his back foot. Rarely does this result in a positive outcome.
So my whole point is that we do need to upgrade our interior OL, over time, that finds a center and a G or 2 that can both zone block and pocket protect. In the meantime, and this is where I comment about RG3 remaining upright comes in, is that we can't continue to put RG3 in a position where we call for 7 step drops and not expect the defense to bring max pressure up the middle. My immediate concern is over the play calling. My longer term concern is finding better talent. I recognize the desire, and the need, for RG3 to develop into a premier pocket passer. But you have to have the tools to protect him and he needs an offseason, or a couple, to work on his skill set. To continue to force fit it this year seems idiotic to me. He is not ready and neither is our OL. He, and the OL, do just fine in play action, in rollouts, and in bootlegs. Then you mix in a few 7 step drops to keep them off kilter. So that's my position.
Most of these hits come from pressure right up the middle. Teams have figured out our weaknesses and apply max pressure up the middle. GK said it could be a communication problem. I'm sure that it is part of it. But this line has played together for almost 2 years straight, and that's very rare. SO if they have a communication problem then there is another problem. Realistically, they are too small and weak to handle the big nose tackles and DTs that eat them up. One big nose tackle requires both a center and a guard, leaving a gap if a LB blitzes or there is a stunt from the outside.
This middle pressure is compounded by RG3 who has yet not mastered the art of pocket passing, pre reading pressure and calling hot reads. Moreover, he doesn't handle pressure in his face well. Some of it may be related to his injury, but most of it is he just isn't experienced in sitting in a pocket and learning to slide to an opening. He tends to back pedal and then try and throw off his back foot. Rarely does this result in a positive outcome.
So my whole point is that we do need to upgrade our interior OL, over time, that finds a center and a G or 2 that can both zone block and pocket protect. In the meantime, and this is where I comment about RG3 remaining upright comes in, is that we can't continue to put RG3 in a position where we call for 7 step drops and not expect the defense to bring max pressure up the middle. My immediate concern is over the play calling. My longer term concern is finding better talent. I recognize the desire, and the need, for RG3 to develop into a premier pocket passer. But you have to have the tools to protect him and he needs an offseason, or a couple, to work on his skill set. To continue to force fit it this year seems idiotic to me. He is not ready and neither is our OL. He, and the OL, do just fine in play action, in rollouts, and in bootlegs. Then you mix in a few 7 step drops to keep them off kilter. So that's my position.
