We have to build the interior of this OL to beat two teams, the Bills and the Jets. Their DL's are two of the best, we do that, we are in a good position in the rest of the games. We have to go 4 and 0 in these two games to have any chance of getting out of the division, be it as the winner or as a wild card. And we saw how the Bills manhandled our OL very easily in the first game.
If you can't run the ball [starts inside] and you can't pass protect from the inside, you will continue to struggle.
Run game - not being able to control and get a push inside means you are likely to see penetration on a very regular basis, this will invariably disrupt blocking schemes and the angles the backs take - the running game will not be as successful and especially on short yardage to keep drives going.
Pass game - we might have good tackles, but if a QB can't stand his ground or allowed to hitch step up into the pocket, then the passing game will be severely disrupted. We are now starting to see this - which could coincide with the return of Pouncey.
Run/Pass game combined - if we are able to run the ball with success inside, it means it opens up the outside run game which in turn, both elements open up the play action/movement game for the QB - which as we all know from the various stats - RT is very successful on the move. And in the straight drop back game, it will give RT more time to work through progressions - case in point, the red zone Wallace TD against Chicago.
At this level - OLmen are going to have a level of athleticism to be successful in the league no matter the scheme.
the Zone scheme for the interior three calls for a greater focus on footwork and technique on combo blocks - forget about all this 'can they get to the second level' garbage - if you can't control the first level, it really doesn't matter if a C/G can get to the second level quickly, your run play is already shot to hell as you have naturally created a gap in the OL by this in ability to 'time and move' on the combo stuff inside.
We are in a very unique position to have a Pouncey at Centre with his ability to pull to either side of the box on the outside - this creates greater balance versus him now being on one side.
I say bring back Shelly Smith - get that guy moving the pile inside, he can be covered/assisted in the pass game - but we have to be able to run the ball first.
Saying that though, we still are two big assed, mauler types at Guard that can move and are knowledgeable about the movement and flow of the Zone scheme, short of having a top tier OL.
