Why do people keep saying our O-line sucks?

[nosuchthingasapanther]

stewart was averaging 6.0ypc at one point in the game....if his 29 yard run wasn't called back, the end result would have been 6.0ypc.

williams struggled with under 2.0 ypc for most of the game.

the run game was there. the wrong person was carrying the rock.

arizona's dline may be weak, but no oline is going to hold off heavy blitzing the entire game...especially with a rookie qb under center. cam threw for over 400 yards...he didn't do that on his own.

the oline played very well for the first game of the season. the chemistry they have now is usually not seen for 2-3 more weeks.

[Anybodyhome]

"Suck" is a verb. A verb is a word that describes an act of doing. The tense of a verb can be a form of present or past; as in,

1. The O-line sucks (present)

2. The O-line sucked (past)

But, just to be very clear, the O-line sucked on Sunday against a very mediocre Arizona defense.

[Jackofalltrades]

I think they were a far cry from sucking givven te circumstances, but people are going to believe what they want to despite reason or explanation.

[MadHatter]

While I am not inclined to toss them to the wayside, they have yet to play to their collective contracts. The blitzing packages were dealt with by keeping in extra blockers via TEs or RBs through virtually the entire game. If they want the title of "world-beaters" they will get more chances against stiffer competition throughout the season.

AZs D-line is nothing to write home about and some of our big uglies were suckin wind before halftime was out. When they start getting their blocks out to the 2nd level against better competition, I'll feel better about their performance. Until then, our guys are playing mediocre.

You do understand that you will need to keep RB's and TE's in to pick up the blitzes. Do you actually think that 5 OLinemen can block 7 defenders?

Geesh

[MadHatter]

Well I have a few reasons:

2010. The entire season. And most recently....4 sacks, 56 yards rushing from our RB's. Against Arizona's D.

The point is since we DO have two of the better running backs in the game.....there's no excuse for us having such a sub-par run game two years in a row. It falls on the O-line's ability to push forward, which is simply not there.

I wouldn't go as far as saying they suck, but they're struggling to be an average NFL O-line at this point. I don't have the answers as far as who to replace them with. I wish I knew. I don't think it can really be fixed without either trading for another very solid player or through the draft.

I just believe that overall, as an O-line, you can't help but notice they get pushed around and that goes whether we are trying to run or pass. They don't seem to have enough power to push forward or block for the run, and not enough strength and skill to buy our QBs a much needed extra second or so when we need to pass. It happened all last year and it happened this past weekend.

I said it last year too. No QB is going to be able to overcome 4-5 sacks per game. Which is what made Newton's performance even more impressive. But if this doesn't get fixed , he will struggle. There' just nothing you can do in that situation. He may be able to make a great escape here and there, or complete a throw off of his back foot or on the run...but it can't become a norm. Those types of plays need to be an exception.

And this was against Arizona. I doubt it will get any prettier when we face one of the better defenses in the league. I was literally scratching my head at one point yesterday, on the nth attempt to run it up the middle when it had already become obvious no matter who was running it, Williams or Stewart, they kept running into a wall. You gotta give those guys a little bit of room to get some speed and momentum and create a hole. It just wasn't happening.

The Cardinals Defense run blitzed every time. It is VERY difficult to run agaisnt that. Cam will start to identify this and audible to a quick pass to the TE or a slant. You must throw them out of the scheme with short passes for 3-5 yards. You CANNOT successfully run into consistent run blitzes.

[twylyght]

You do understand that you will need to keep RB's and TE's in to pick up the blitzes. Do you actually think that 5 OLinemen can block 7 defenders?

Geesh

Nevertheless, there was no point during the game that our run-blocking got to the second level of AZs defense. Not a single time. Perhaps it is last year leaving a bad taste in my mouth as well as this year's pre-season, but color me unimpressed by the best paid O-line in the NFL today.

[MadHatter]

Nevertheless, there was no point during the game that our run-blocking got to the second level of AZs defense. Not a single time. Perhaps it is last year leaving a bad taste in my mouth as well as this year's pre-season, but color me unimpressed by the best paid O-line in the NFL today.

I will agree with you that they did not do an outstanding job. However, their performance (even in the run game) was not nearly as bad as some people are trying to make it out to be.

[PanthersPhan18]

Gross-Wharton-Kahlil-Hangman-Otah

Sure the depth isn't that great, but anyone who thought Hangman and Otah wouldn't need 2-3 weeks to adjust is crazy. Hangman needs to get back to playing guard and Otah is needing to get back to playing. But after they gel they should and hopefully will be miles better.

Honestly, people expect the qb to never get pressured and have all the time in the world to throw. They don't understand that the other team have men out there trying to do their job as well which is to pressure/sack the qb and not let him have all the time in the world to throw.

[twylyght]

I will agree with you that they did not do an outstanding job. However, their performance (even in the run game) was not nearly as bad as some people are trying to make it out to be.

Then, I don't see where we disagree. My only contention is that a world-beating O-Line as our guys are paid would have succeeded in the run better in spite of the blitzing.

[MGH1989]

Because they do suck. At least RIGHT NOW. Now it was their first game all together in a couple of years, Otah isn't in the best shape and was even subbed in a out, not to mention its a new system. However, their play doesn't equal their billing. We are suppose to have one of the most talented O-line in the NFL and they couldn't protect Cam or open up any running lanes for the runningbacks.

[SCP]

With Bernardeau in, they suck.

However, the line we had in on Sunday has the chance to be good. Keep in mind that they are still learning a new, complicated offense. They were facing a 3-4 defense that was sending 9 players half the time. Knowing blocking schemes and playing without thinking makes a huge difference. I promise if you ask the o-line to tell you what's wrong, they will say we are thinking instead of reacting. Expect more of the same from Green Bay. Capers is going to try and confuse the hell out of our o-line and QB. That is how you defeat a new offensive and defensive system at any level.

[Jackofalltrades]

Our line doesn't suck in any capacity and to say otherwise shows a complete lack of basic football knowledge.

[Panthercougar68]

What's that phrase we kept hearing all offseason?

Oh that's right "we have a new offense". Gross has said over and over again that everything is new. Give it time if we're struggling to run the ball by week 5 then panic mode can settle in.

Also even when we had Fox it took a few weeks for the run game to open up.

[Snake]

Allowing 4 sacks and opening up no running lanes. This offensive line needs to get it's poo together.

Kinda hard to open up holes when you have 8 in the box and zone dog and jail break blitzes coming at you all day. Thats why you have a passing game and you punish them for doing that and we did. It just so happens out Defense could not get there poo together enough. I fully expect out players will learn how to tackle or die with Rivera.