State of the Uglys

[Mr. Scot]

So after two games, where do we stand with the Big Uglys / Hog Mollies / Offensive Line?

 

The simple answer?  Better than most people expected.

 

Dave Gettleman's expressed approach to the offensive line is that he wants to put together a young group of guys, have them gel together into an effective unit and keep that unit going for several years.  It's a good plan, one that helped the Giants win a couple of Super Bowls. 

 

Here?  We're still in the early stages of that plan.

 

You've got Ryan Kalil, the bedrock foundation of the line in the center.  Kalil is arguably the best center in the league and as good a second level blocker as anyone I've seen in a decade.  He's smart, he's solid, and he's a good leader; exactly the kind of center you want to build your line around.

 

Beyond Kalil though, you've only got one guy who's in the same position with the team this year as he was the year before.  That's Amini Silatolu, and technically even he wasn't playing in the same spot last year because he was out on injured reserve.  Silatolu has looked to be developing into a good blocker, though he might have to shake some rust off from his year vacation.

 

Looking at the rest of the line, you've got one rookie (Trai Turner) and two guys (Byron Bell, Nate Chandler) who are playing new positions.  For one of those guys "new" is an even stronger word since he was actually a defensive lineman up until last year. 

 

Essentially, outside of Kalil, this year's crop of Uglys is an entirely new unit.

 

And yet through two games, they've looked at least half-decent pass blocking.  Certainly not dominant, but for the most part, competent.  Run blocking is still a work in progress, but they've had at least a flash or two of potential.

 

So all in all, not a bad start, but this coming week brings the challenge of the first 3-4 attack of the season.  How will they hold up there?

 

The bigger question though, is this:

 

Looking at Gettleman's desired approach (listed at the top) are you comfortable that this group is the unit you want to see us try to roll with for the next five to ten years?

 

Has the team built the right "core" group, or does it still need some tweaking?

[Peppers90 NC]

you can say that about all 3 units that were supposed to be vulnerable to us this year - OL, DB and WR

[Mr. Scot]

you can say that about all 3 units that were supposed to be vulnerable to us this year - OL, DB and WR

 

True.  They've pretty much all been rebuilt, none more so than the receivers.

[PntherPryd]

 

 

Looking at Gettleman's desired approach (listed at the top) are you comfortable that this group is the unit you want to see us try to roll with for the next five to ten years?

 

Has the team built the right "core" group, or does it still need some tweaking?

 

 

I think this is clearly a work in progress and one that is necessitated by the salary cap.  It really is an experiment that, other than run blocking has gone spectacularly well.

 

Success in the NFL these days involve so many tough decisions on where to spend the $$ vs. where to plug developmental guys.  So far Gettlemagic is the way.

 

This is the "core" group for this year, which in the NFL is pretty much SOP.

[Udogg]

I believe you can always improve and you always need depth.  There are certain players that no matter what I don't think you can find a comparable backup.  Cam,  Luke, Davis are the players that come to mind when I think there is a significant drop off with their backups. 

 

As far as the Oline, I know everyone here is sold on Silatolu but I am not.  Other than Kalil I feel every position on the line can be improved upon.  In some cases it may be the person who is there must get better.  In others we may need a new body.  

 

Positions of strength become positions of weakness very quickly in the NFL.  I mean look at the RB position this past weekend.   The key to sustained playoff runs/superbowl contention is depth.  We have to be able to have an injury to "almost" every position without a huge drop off.   Watching the backup OL in preseason was scary.   On the other hand our backup DL could start for 24 out of 32 teams. 

 

I think every successful team needs to ABT.  Always Be Tweaking.

[Mr. Scot]

I think this is clearly a work in progress and one that is necessitated by the salary cap.  It really is an experiment that, other than run blocking has gone spectacularly well.

 

Success in the NFL these days involve so many tough decisions on where to spend the $$ vs. where to plug developmental guys.  So far Gettlemagic is the way.

 

This is the "core" group for this year, which in the NFL is pretty much SOP.

 

So you think there will be changes next year.  Where do you see it?

 

Keep in mind, a constantly changing OL lineup is exactly what Gettleman doesn't want.

[Lemory]

So far, Bell has played way better than expected. Very pleased with the way the o-line has played.

[carolina-chuck]

KEEP ROTATING THESE FAT@SS!!!!!

[Mr. Scot]

I believe you can always improve and you always need depth.  There are certain players that no matter what I don't think you can find a comparable backup.  Cam,  Luke, Davis are the players that come to mind when I think there is a significant drop off with their backups. 

 

As far as the Oline, I know everyone here is sold on Silatolu but I am not.  Other than Kalil I feel every position on the line can be improved upon.  In some cases it may be the person who is there must get better.  In others we may need a new body.  

 

Positions of strength become positions of weakness very quickly in the NFL.  I mean look at the RB position this past weekend.   The key to sustained playoff runs/superbowl contention is depth.  We have to be able to have an injury to "almost" every position without a huge drop off.   Watching the backup OL in preseason was scary.   On the other hand our backup DL could start for 24 out of 32 teams. 

 

I think every successful team needs to ABT.  Always Be Tweaking.

 

I can understand that, but arguably no unit on any team is more about 'chemistry' than the offensive line.

 

As mentioned above, an ever shifting lineup on the front five is the last thing Gettleman wants.

 

So can we roll with this group?  If not, who needs to go?

[PntherPryd]

So you think there will be changes next year.  Where do you see it?

 

Keep in mind, a constantly changing OL lineup is exactly what Gettleman doesn't want.

 

 

out of curiousity, what has DG done for you gather that a constantly changing OL is exactly what he doesn't want?  I mean, obviously you want the line to be successful enough to where you don't HAVE to make changes but so far the line play has been adequate in pass blocking and inadequate in run blocking.   Cam's mobility helps the pass blocking (once the line is comfortable with him) but what is going to make them better run blockers?

 

And fwiw, it's TE's and RB's and FB's as well that are falling down in the run blocking scheme.

 

Change can be good or change can be bad.  I'm just happy DG is the one in charge of said changes and is working well with the coaching staff with both the tools we have and the tools we want.

[rmoneyg35]

Our run blocking needs to improve but as our line continues to create chemistry together that should improve.

I know we gave up a bad amount of sacks this week but I feel at least one if not two sacks could of been avoided if Cam wouldn't of held on the ball as long. I wonder if we will consider to sub in linemen like we did against Tampa once Gary Williams is healthy.

Sent from my iPhone using CarolinaHuddle

[hepcat]

Bell and Chandler have played decent so far, but the Panthers have yet to face a good pass-rush.  The Bengals will be the first tough test.

[Udogg]

If I was planning long term as of today, 

 

Bell because of run blocking (however if we are judging the switch from RT to LT as a complete position switch then I would have to hold).

Silatolu because of pass blocking.

 

Possibly Chandler however I have to hold on that one.   Need to see more I guess.

 

Let it be known I have never been a Bell is the worst player in the league and Cam is going to die if he starts person.   I think Bell has Bell has been unfairly labled.   That being said, when I look at tackle play , I compare everyone to Jason Peters.  I know all pro LT is an unfair comparison but I am looking for some of that ability.  I don't see Bell moving anyone.  He hold blocks well but I want to see the LT move people out of the play.  However I will say the Tampa game I saw improvement on plays where he was sealing to outside so maybe it will be much better by end of year.

 

Silatolu doesn't hold up well in pass blocking.  There also seems to be a least 2 plays a game where he gives a free release up the middle.   So I am not sure if it's Kalil or his fault ..but I would think the guy making some of the Oline adjustments wouldn't be the one making the mistakes.

 

So if I had to pick today ...that would be the two on the Oline I would replace.

[L-TownCat]

I'm truly astonished at the level of skill G-Man has at seeing talent and how well the coaching staff is at listening and finding ways to put that talent in the right spots.  It has taken a little bit and the financial wizardry that we have seen is nothing short of amazing.