Lousy Oline Play = Lousy Team

[jramsey4]

If you want to know the single greatest reason our Team is struggling look no further then the Big Uglies. Last year we had a massive road grading Oline that was IMO the best by far we have ever had (probably the 2nd best in the league last season). We had our "#1" back average 5.5 YPC and led the league in total TD's. So you would think with continuity with all 5 starters returning you would think our Line would only get better. Oh if only.

This year our Line has looked horrible on numerous occasion, especially in Pass Pro. 2 or 3 seconds to throw is no enough for Peyton Manning let alone Choke Delhomme. But what surprises me more then anything is before yesterdays game our Run Blocking had been suspect as well. Not creating those massive holes that we got last year. This is most likely due to a coach who refuses to change his gameplan coupled with a whole year of game film for D's to study. Even against the bucs the first half our line was not playing well and this was against a team who had just traded one of there best dlineman.

IMHO the number 1 agenda every offseason should be to upgrade the Lines. We not only neglected the Dline we neglected our Oline. We lost one of the most complete versatile backup on the OLine we have ever had, Geoff Hangartner. Peps 17 million cap number made it impossible to get the depth we desperately needed (this will come back to bite us big time sometime this year) as well as the big contract extension of Gamble (yet another mistake).

All this adds up to a 2-3 record that will soon be 3-3 but will finish with 7 or less wins. As well as a HC and GM that will be looking for work this off-season.

[nosuchthingasapanther]

i've said it before, and i'll say it again...it's this season's opposing defenses that make the o-line look bad.

they do fine against subpar defenses, just like they did last season...just like they've progressively done over the past couple of weeks, and just like will over over the next few weeks.

unless they put in some serious work over the next few weeks to take advantage of the soft spot in the schedule, they're going to look like a train wreck during the tail end of the season.

[Mr. Scot]

I still have to put a lot of it on Vincent, but regardless of the cause the overall product is an issue.

[Udogg]

After watching the Denver/Chargers game. Kyle Orton looked like garbage last year. There is no one hear who last year would have taken Kyle Orton over Jake. Or at the very least would think Kyle Orton = Jake Delhomme. However in Denver he looks like a superstar/prowbowler/franchise QB. He has crazy time in the pocket. Carolina(we) have a total team failure on the passing game and that's probably what Fox and company see when they watch the film.

[Jangler]

Josh McDaniels is making Orton look good. I should say better... And evidently our Oline is built for running the ball not pass protection. Which makes no sense when you have a QB that has no pocket presence.

[bleys]

Josh McDaniels is making Orton look good. I should say better... And evidently our Oline is built for running the ball not pass protection. Which makes no sense when you have a QB that has no pocket presence.

we were 6th in the league last year in pass protection (IIRC)... so we had it last year. Not the case this year. Just like our run blocking, we are failing to be as successful as expected.

[goodlay]

Are you serious? The only reason we won against TB was because of the massive holes that were opened up by our OL.

[AKPantherFan]

football is about confidence

plain and simple

the player have to BELIEVE in themselves

when you lose 8 straight (dating back to the playoff game) your in a funk.

They have seemed to get on some page together, and the future looks brighter.

if they continue to build on it, its going to be ok!

[bleys]

Are you serious? The only reason we won against TB was because of the massive holes that were opened up by our OL.

this was the first time we witnessed those holes. This was also an extremely, sadly horrible defense we played.

Show me this against .500 and better teams, then we'll talk.

1 game doesn't suddenly make them dominate again. It just shows we were better than one of the worst teams in the league.

[Jangler]

we were 6th in the league last year in pass protection (IIRC)... so we had it last year. Not the case this year. Just like our run blocking, we are failing to be as successful as expected.

This whole team is an enigma. One week it's one thing, they fix that, then it's two other things. :conf:

[pantherj]

Are you serious? The only reason we won against TB was because of the massive holes that were opened up by our OL.

The problem is turnovers, Jake's bad decisions, confused defense in the first 3 games, revolving door at DT, Moose' ability fading, level of competition, ect. But not much blame should be placed on the o-line. They need to improve, but my god they are not a major problem.

[bleys]

This whole team is an enigma. One week it's one thing, they fix that, then it's two other things. :conf:

so true.. thing is, this isn't any different than in years past.. Our identity over the last 5 years and more isn't so much defense 1st with a good run game so much as it is "what team is going to show up today"... That is one aspect we have always been consistent about.

[Udogg]

This whole team is an enigma. One week it's one thing, they fix that, then it's two other things. :conf:

:iagree:

The run D appears to be fixed. The secondary hasn't shown up any game yet this year so I think it's still broken. The run blocking showed up in Atlanta and Dallas some, a little against the Redskins and was huge against the Bucs so I think that may be fixed. The pass blocking is steadily improving, but it was so horrible to start in the Philly game that I'm not sure what that means. Passing is horrible(that includes smitty and moose) and excluding King. He is the only consistent. Special teams was pretty bad last year too, still isn't better. I see us getting at least 2 more punts blocked this year. 1 more punt return and probably no more kick off returns. There is nothing I think is irrevocably broken.

[bleys]

The problem is turnovers, Jake's bad decisions, confused defense in the first 3 games, revolving door at DT, Moose' ability fading, level of competition, ect. But not much blame should be placed on the o-line. They need to improve, but my god they are not a major problem.

If you have the ability, I would highly recommend you go back and watch each game.

Philly, turnovers came from pressure. Our OLine would have made Brady look like poo. Watch most of those turnovers in all the games and pay attention to whether Jake has time to plant and throw the ball. I'll go ahead and tell ya, most of the fumbles/INTs came from major pressure on the QB. The Tampa Bay game was one of few games where Jake just straight up f**ked up without any help from the OLine. (Jake's biggest problem has been accuracy in my opinion)

Look at the running game. Notice how there are no holes to run through and no push to create those holes. Tampa Bay was the 1st time we dominated the line. I would be very cautious to give an award when we played one of the worst teams in the NFL.

Our OLine has been the biggest reason for our lack of success. Granted, it's not the only reason. But it is by far the weakest part of our game.

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If you cannot go back and watch any games... Pay attention from now on to the push our OLine has and the holes that are open for the run game. See how long Jake really has to throw, how they pick up the blitz, and how bad Gross has been so far. Just pay attention to the pressure applied to Delhomme.