C oC, you started a decent thread, but I have to disagree with a few fans, that RIGHT NOW, this OL is not performing anywhere near what the OLs from 2000-2003.
For shure not even JF can perform anywhere near the level of performance he has had since starting for this team.
We can argue that JF can scramble and make things happen with this OL, better than Feeley, and that JF had a better win record in the past so he should do well if playing. But the big BUT in my opinion is that this line is not blocking for the run like it used to with the past OLs.
Case in point
2000- the OL blocked for 3.82 ypc; 2001- the OL blocked for 3.52 ypc; 200- the OL blocked for 4.72 ypc and in 2003- the OL blocked for 3.83 ypc. JF had enough time at times to move around the pocket and make something happen with his arm or legs.
Now with this OL is blocking for 2.25 ypc, that's an avg of 1.5 yds less than the previous 4 years. What you saw from JF in the first half of the Tenn game, is the performance drop off due to the OL's execution. What hurts him is that now we cannot run block, he will find no place to scramble through, there is not enough time to throw, like we used to and he does not have the arm to make the throws needed to help this OL overcome its short falls, till the OL gels.
Feeley will deliver the ball with more speed and can at times if allowed, by OL protection, complete the ball downfield. He has shown a better sense of pocket presence (when there has been a pocket), and has shown to be a ****y guy. Feeley will not need to scramble with the way this OL is executing now, because there is no place he can run through, the same goes for JF.
Bottom line is that until this OL matures and gels, there will be no holes for the RBs to run through, very little room if any for the QBs to scramble through, and very little time to pass when needed. A vocal QB with an attitude, and an arm, is the only way to go until then.