Denver OL vs Atlanta OL

[Zeke0123]

I know they run very simular schemes...I also know the Fins BLEW UP Denvers OL what I am wondering is how talented is Atlanta vs Denver as far as O-linemen...It seems to me they are a bit of a finesse/speed team on both sides of the ball. IMO the Fins need to worry about W dunn most of all..Vick is going to get his and Duckett is not the type of back that gives us trouble..On O we need R&R to touch the ball 40 times again and this could be a good game for us.

 

[Joneal7]

isnt there whole line besides the RT undrafted players or selected in the 7th round...im sure they have flaws somewhere

 

[Phinanthropist]

They do run similar schemes...both installed by Alex Gibbs.

I think the Atlanta OL will have an advantage over the Denver OL in being able to watch the tape from the week one game.

Should be interesting to watch how they attack our D at the beginning.

I agree that Dunn is the key. He is underrated IMHO.

 

[Disgustipate]

It's the same system. Smaller, faster O-linemen zone blocking, and then trying to open cutback lanes for runners by cut-blocking on the backside of the play.

I think the big key is Keith Traylor. He was absolutely monsterous vs the Broncos, and literally tossed around the smaller Broncos O-linemen. Even on their zone sweeps, he was hustling along right there along with them, keeping cutback lanes closed.

Channing Crowder not overpursuing and Donnie Spragahan not blowing containment like in the Chiefs game would help, too.

 

[Mike13]

It's the same system. Smaller, faster O-linemen zone blocking, and then trying to open cutback lanes for runners by cut-blocking on the backside of the play.

I think the big key is Keith Traylor. He was absolutely monsterous vs the Broncos, and literally tossed around the smaller Broncos O-linemen. Even on their zone sweeps, he was hustling along right there along with them, keeping cutback lanes closed.

Channing Crowder not overpursuing and Donnie Spragahan not blowing containment like in the Chiefs game would help, too.

no good dirty SOBs.

 

[Remarkable]

We have one of the only four centers in the league with no sacks on them.

 

[Thanatos]

isnt there whole line besides the RT undrafted players or selected in the 7th round...im sure they have flaws somewhere

Well, when you rush for nearly 200 yds a game, that's not really out of the realm of possibility. In fact, our center hasn't given up a sack all year. Draft position means nothing when Alex Gibbs runs things. He just gets guy with brains and teaches them what to do. Our OL is much better than Denver's, imho...

The problem our running game presents is more than just stopping a RB or Vick at any rate. It's about trying to stop all three of them simultaneously. When you have three top notch runners, and they all have different abilities, it makes it nearly impossible to settle on one defense to counter it. Dunn is a between the tackles runner and Vick is an outside runner. What makes it so tough on defenses is, when Vick has the ball, who do you cover? If he hands off, he still goes out like he's running it and draws the defense. If he fakes the hand off, most of the defenders are in the middle of the field following the PA, leaving the edge open most of the time...

I think the Denver and Atlanta schemes are similar, but the Atlanta offensive weapons are such a unique combination, there is no way to compare them to other offenses in the league...

 

[Disgustipate]

no good dirty SOBs.

Personally, I dont feel there is anything wrong with cut blocking. It's a style of play which has a greater chance of hurting your opponent, but there are many players and styles of play which do the very same.

We have one of the only four centers in the league with no sacks on them.

The Falcons are middle of the road in terms of sacks given up total. What's the point?

 

[Thanatos]

Personally, I dont feel there is anything wrong with cut blocking. It's a style of play which has a greater chance of hurting your opponent, but there are many players and styles of play which do the very same.



The Falcons are middle of the road in terms of sacks given up total. What's the point?

I don't understand the issue with cut blocks. They are legal. All of the rules in the NFL are geared to help defenses, not OL do their jobs. It's really the only tactic they have to stop blitzing alot of the time...

We are in the middle of the road in sacks allowed on paper, but you have to keep in mind that if Vick is running and he gets stopped short, that counts as a sack, when really it's just a tackle for a loss. Sometimes he gets forced out of bounds when he has no intention of throwing the ball. Technically a sack, but not really. And considering our sack totals last year, the OL has improved dramatically in that area...

 

[Zeke0123]

I don't understand the issue with cut blocks. They are legal. All of the rules in the NFL are geared to help defenses, not OL do their jobs. It's really the only tactic they have to stop blitzing alot of the time...

We are in the middle of the road in sacks allowed on paper, but you have to keep in mind that if Vick is running and he gets stopped short, that counts as a sack, when really it's just a tackle for a loss. Sometimes he gets forced out of bounds when he has no intention of throwing the ball. Technically a sack, but not really. And considering our sack totals last year, the OL has improved dramatically in that area...

I dont have a problem with the scheme...Unfortunatly ive seen some Denver O-lineman dive into the back of defenders knees when the play is 30 yards upfield when there is no need for it...THAT I have a problem with.. using the letter of the rule as a weapon..I remember a few complaints from coaches about Atlanta in the Pre-season but not a lot since so im guesssing/hoping they (line coaches) dont condone that type of play.

 

[Disgustipate]

All of the rules in the NFL are geared to help defenses, not OL do their jobs.

Not even close. The NFL wants offense, and constantly implements rules to help, and protect offensive players. 10-15 years ago, what was allowed by defenses was radically different then what it is.

It's really the only tactic they have to stop blitzing alot of the time...

That's not where the problem stems from. It's running plays, defenders not having their "heads on a swivel" and not being aware of their own pursuit. Cut blocks on pass plays are not a big deal.

We are in the middle of the road in sacks allowed on paper, but you have to keep in mind that if Vick is running and he gets stopped short, that counts as a sack, when really it's just a tackle for a loss. Sometimes he gets forced out of bounds when he has no intention of throwing the ball. Technically a sack, but not really. And considering our sack totals last year, the OL has improved dramatically in that area...

"But not really"... Give me a break. Being forced out of bounds is a sack. In fact, it's almost more embarassing then a regular sack because the quarterback doesnt have the skill and awareness to get rid of the ball before going out of bound.

 

[Thanatos]

Not even close. The NFL wants offense, and constantly implements rules to help, and protect offensive players. 10-15 years ago, what was allowed by defenses was radically different then what it is.



That's not where the problem stems from. It's running plays, defenders not having their "heads on a swivel" and not being aware of their own pursuit. Cut blocks on pass plays are not a big deal.



"But not really"... Give me a break. Being forced out of bounds is a sack. In fact, it's almost more embarassing then a regular sack because the quarterback doesnt have the skill and awareness to get rid of the ball before going out of bound.

Sigh...

Once again from the top. Many times, Mike will run outside with no intention of throwing it. We have plenty of DESIGNED RUNS in our offense, where all the receivers are blocking. If Vick threw it as you suggest, he'd be hit with an illegal contact penalty downfield by our WRs who are engaged in blocking. Man, learn the rules of the game, people...

Now, if he gets strung out to the sideline and can't get back to the line of scrimmage, that will go down as a sack. In reality, it is not a "sack" because Vick never had any intention of throwing the ball. The play isn't designed to throw it.

Can this be any clearer? :eek:


This is exactly why it is difficult to talk about our offense with other teams' fans. It is nearly impossible to get people to stop applying what they see from other offenses to ours. It is a completely unique style of offense that has not been run before by anyone. Why? Because Vick's abilities have never been duplicated, and they represent a "X" factor that completely changes how a defense can scheme...

 

[Phinanthropist]

There is a variance in the way the cut block is implemented throughout the league. On one end it is a relatively benign technique, on the other, it has ended the career of many a defensive lineman. Vickerson's season was ended early in the last preseason game by these very Falcons.

Gibbs is known for specifically going for the knees...He seems to target one or two guys every game and attack them over and over until he either hurts the guy or gets him to loose discipline and focus more on protecting himself than on his assignment.

And while I love a smashmouth game of football...I hate the cut block...more than anything else in the game. The NFL would have outlawed it years ago if not for the success Gibbs has had in turning out rushing champions year after year. I think the reason I hate it so much is because I view it as cowardly technique...almost the same as a sucker punch from behind. If the head slap is illegal, if the leg whip, tripping, etc...why is the cut block a legal technique?

Needed to vent...sorry.

 

[Zeke0123]

There is a variance in the way the cut block is implemented throughout the league. On one end it is a relatively benign technique, on the other, it has ended the career of many a defensive lineman. Vickerson's season was ended early in the last preseason game by these very Falcons.

Gibbs is known for specifically going for the knees...He seems to target one or two guys every game and attack them over and over until he either hurts the guy or gets him to loose discipline and focus more on protecting himself than on his assignment.

And while I love a smashmouth game of football...I hate the cut block...more than anything else in the game. The NFL would have outlawed it years ago if not for the success Gibbs has had in turning out rushing champions year after year. I think the reason I hate it so much is because I view it as cowardly technique...almost the same as a sucker punch from behind. If the head slap is illegal, if the leg whip, tripping, etc...why is the cut block a legal technique?

Needed to vent...sorry.

Forgot about that...that was a cheap use of the technique.