ZOD
Ruler of the Universe
- Joined
- Jun 22, 2003
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I attempted to focus solely on the offensive line yesterday for some time. I wanted to make some notes on some individual players that I focused on a certain times during passing plays.
It was tough to keep my eye on one guy because once I saw a stunt I brought my attention back to focus on how the entire line reacted. The titans ran stunts against our 2nd team line on about every 4th or 5th play. At first the 2nd team guys reacted badly. Once even pointing out that 62 (Pierce) or 65 (Andrew) (fuzzy picture) missed his man who got the sack.
I don't know why
but my attention always seemed to start at Left Tackle. Mark Dixon still uses that low center of gravity that allows a defenders swatting hand to come over his shoulder. That has always scared the crap out of me. But in general Dixon was excellent in protection. On one drop back it simply amazed me of Dixon's ability to know where the QB was. He carried the defensive end all the way around Fiedler to the point that he and the defender were right behind Fiedler with Dixon's back to Fiedlers.
They gave Wade Smith a good look over there and he seemed to do fairly well. His footwork on forming the pocket was similar to Mark Dixons in that he let the defensive ends rush go straight back instead of attempting to halt the rush. It seemed he had the prescence of mind to let the pocket form using the defenders ability against himself. On one play that stood out though Smith got beat by a move where the end started upfield, placed his left hand under Smith's right arm, pushed Smith out of the way to the right, and opened up an inside rush. It was the only time I saw Smith actually tripping over his own two feet.
Borum got a long look at left tackle and his play was very different from that of Smith and Dixon. Whereas Dixon and Smith seemed to move backfield with their backs to the pocket or sideline, Borum would take a quick two or three step drop and plant for the first lick on the end. This method was successful when the end attempted to get to the QB fast to what seemed to be an open inside but Borum would plant his big body on him and the end continually got nowhere. Against the speed rush to the outside Borum didn't look too good though. I know he was playing against second or third team rushers and even they made him look silly when they started upfield and continuing to the backside of Rosenfels. He looks like he could be set up really easy by an end the caliber of JT. Overall he doesn't provide any confidence in his ability to protect his outside as he doesn't have a fluid movement back forming the pocket.
I hate that I didn't turn my attention to the other side as I would have liked to observe the right side too. But our QB is right handed and our LT is a guard so I guess I couldn't peel my eyes away. Overall I'd say that Dixon is still the best option at LT. I don't think Smith's footwork and balance will improve during the Preseason enough to take on the Left Tackle duties as he looked average against 2nd stringers.
Anyone else see something different or able to focus on the line elsewhere ?
It was tough to keep my eye on one guy because once I saw a stunt I brought my attention back to focus on how the entire line reacted. The titans ran stunts against our 2nd team line on about every 4th or 5th play. At first the 2nd team guys reacted badly. Once even pointing out that 62 (Pierce) or 65 (Andrew) (fuzzy picture) missed his man who got the sack.
I don't know why
but my attention always seemed to start at Left Tackle. Mark Dixon still uses that low center of gravity that allows a defenders swatting hand to come over his shoulder. That has always scared the crap out of me. But in general Dixon was excellent in protection. On one drop back it simply amazed me of Dixon's ability to know where the QB was. He carried the defensive end all the way around Fiedler to the point that he and the defender were right behind Fiedler with Dixon's back to Fiedlers.They gave Wade Smith a good look over there and he seemed to do fairly well. His footwork on forming the pocket was similar to Mark Dixons in that he let the defensive ends rush go straight back instead of attempting to halt the rush. It seemed he had the prescence of mind to let the pocket form using the defenders ability against himself. On one play that stood out though Smith got beat by a move where the end started upfield, placed his left hand under Smith's right arm, pushed Smith out of the way to the right, and opened up an inside rush. It was the only time I saw Smith actually tripping over his own two feet.
Borum got a long look at left tackle and his play was very different from that of Smith and Dixon. Whereas Dixon and Smith seemed to move backfield with their backs to the pocket or sideline, Borum would take a quick two or three step drop and plant for the first lick on the end. This method was successful when the end attempted to get to the QB fast to what seemed to be an open inside but Borum would plant his big body on him and the end continually got nowhere. Against the speed rush to the outside Borum didn't look too good though. I know he was playing against second or third team rushers and even they made him look silly when they started upfield and continuing to the backside of Rosenfels. He looks like he could be set up really easy by an end the caliber of JT. Overall he doesn't provide any confidence in his ability to protect his outside as he doesn't have a fluid movement back forming the pocket.
I hate that I didn't turn my attention to the other side as I would have liked to observe the right side too. But our QB is right handed and our LT is a guard so I guess I couldn't peel my eyes away. Overall I'd say that Dixon is still the best option at LT. I don't think Smith's footwork and balance will improve during the Preseason enough to take on the Left Tackle duties as he looked average against 2nd stringers.
Anyone else see something different or able to focus on the line elsewhere ?
