Quote:
Originally Posted by #56fanatic
it is funny how things turn so quickly on here. Just a few weeks ago everyone was praising our offensive line on how great is was playing. They did play phenominal early in the season, against those same cowboys. Now, they may have done some different things this time around, and maybe Joe and boys didn't plan on it so they were a bit confused, and technique wise, we just weren't prepared. Most of our success this season has been running the ball, and Dallas took that away from us, as did pittsburg. We haven't had to drop back and throw the ball 30+ times very often, again subjecting Jason to more potential hits. Dallas did to us what we like to do against teams. Stop the run, play up on the corners and disrupt timing. I tip my hat to their defense for doing exactly what they wanted to do.
To dog the offensive line may be a bit harsh. They didn't play well the last two weeks, but the previous 7 weeks and even against the Giants they didn't play all that bad. They may be a bit old, but they are not so far over the hill they have to be considered past the capability of playing good enough to get to the playoffs. I think their may need to be some adjustments to some playcalling early in the game so teams aren't just pinning their ears back and coming after him. This is the NFL, DT and DE's are more than capable of getting to the QB when all they are asked to do is go after the QB. Until we show the ability to do more than run the ball we will probably see a ton more of this. The last two games teams have successfully been able to run blitz into our running gaps and with the 3-4 style its a little more difficult to handle. I think our offensive line is very capable until and will play better down the stretch.
But Zorn has to be able to call better plays early to get teams out of that mode, we have to make plays early down the middle of the field of 20+ yards to cooley, thomas, randel el to move those LB's back from the line of scrimmage, and at least try to hit some deep balls early to move the safeties back. That will take some pressure of the offensive line and make us a little more of a two headed monster.
as far as more screens go, its hard to run when no one really respects our down field game. Screens dont work all that well when you have 8 - 9 defenders only worried about a 15 yard area.
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Well, the line wasn't pass blocking any better early in the season, it's just that on 3rd down and 4 in the fourth quarter with the game on the line, Zorn used to just run right at them, which is our best offensive play.
Now, he feels like our best play is compromised due to Portis' health and such that when we need yards, he feels like we have to throw.