Our EFFECTIVE Offensive line? Maybe...

[SCall13]

There are a lot of question marks surrounding our group of offensive linemen this year and rightfully so. The general consensus is that it is a work in progress with several rookies potentially on the starting unit and they will need time to gel. And this is true. But I think from an effectiveness standpoint, this line has a chance to surprise a lot of people.

It’s no secret that our offensive line has been in the lower third (probably the lower 4th) in the NFL, as far as talent goes, for the past 8 seasons or so. But there was one year in there where the offensive line looked better and that was the year Scott Linehan was our o-coordinator. That group was, IMO, much worse than the group we will be fielding this season. But what made them appear to be OK?

PLAY-Calling; Bad play calling not only harms the effectiveness of the skill players, but it makes an offensive line’s life miserable because the DEFENSE knows what’s coming because of predictability. When play calling lacks any degree of imagination and creativity, it puts an incredible amount of pressure on the offensive line. But when a defense is guessing and things are being mixed up, it makes things tougher on the defense and takes pressure off the offensive line. Last year’s play calling and previous years with Chris Foerster, Kippy Brown, and anyone else calling plays under Johnson or Wannstedt, the play calling has been atrocious. It was offense in its most vanilla and predictable form, which allowed for the defenses we faced to have their way with an already over matched O-line.

Is it coincidental that offensive lines who boast pro bowlers also have great offensive coordinators or offensive minded coaches? There were even plenty of question marks about San Diego’s o-line when Houck left to come to Miami, but with Cameron running the show, they didn’t appear to miss a beat.

Offensive play calling is a HUGE factor in effectiveness of the offensive line just as it is for the skill players. How can any group of players be successful if they are not put into a position to succeed? I believe with Cameron’s play calling, coupled with Houck’s ability to squeeze the best out of the offensive line, there is potential to have the best success from this unit than we’ve had in a very long time. Xs and Os are not only meant for the RBs, the QB, and WRs to out play and outsmart defensive backs and linebackers, but to also outsmart the defensive linemen (and LBs) and keep them guessing on what the play will be and where the blocks are coming from. This, IMO, will allow for the offensive line to be more in the attack mode as opposed to the protect mode and it will increase its effectiveness.

Thoughts?

 

[DolphinsFan23]

There are a lot of question marks surrounding our group of offensive linemen this year and rightfully so. The general consensus is that it is a work in progress with several rookies potentially on the starting unit and they will need time to gel. And this is true. But I think from an effectiveness standpoint, this line has a chance to surprise a lot of people.

It’s no secret that our offensive line has been in the lower third (probably the lower 4th) in the NFL, as far as talent goes, for the past 8 seasons or so. But there was one year in there where the offensive line looked better and that was the year Scott Linehan was our o-coordinator. That group was, IMO, much worse than the group we will be fielding this season. But what made them appear to be OK?

PLAY-Calling; Bad play calling not only harms the effectiveness of the skill players, but it makes an offensive line’s life miserable because the DEFENSE knows what’s coming because of predictability. When play calling lacks any degree of imagination and creativity, it puts an incredible amount of pressure on the offensive line. But when a defense is guessing and things are being mixed up, it makes things tougher on the defense and takes pressure off the offensive line. Last year’s play calling and previous years with Chris Foerster, Kippy Brown, and anyone else calling plays under Johnson or Wannstedt, the play calling has been atrocious. It was offense in its most vanilla and predictable form, which allowed for the defenses we faced to have their way with an already over matched O-line.

Is it coincidental that offensive lines who boast pro bowlers also have great offensive coordinators or offensive minded coaches? There were even plenty of question marks about San Diego’s o-line when Houck left to come to Miami, but with Cameron running the show, they didn’t appear to miss a beat.

Offensive play calling is a HUGE factor in effectiveness of the offensive line just as it is for the skill players. How can any group of players be successful if they are not put into a position to succeed? I believe with Cameron’s play calling, coupled with Houck’s ability to squeeze the best out of the offensive line, there is potential to have the best success from this unit than we’ve had in a very long time. Xs and Os are not only meant for the RBs, the QB, and WRs to out play and outsmart defensive backs and linebackers, but to also outsmart the defensive linemen (and LBs) and keep them guessing on what the play will be and where the blocks are coming from. This, IMO, will allow for the offensive line to be more in the attack mode as opposed to the protect mode and it will increase its effectiveness.

Thoughts?

Ronnie said in an interview last week that he'll be in Arizona during his free time over the next few weeks at API getting in some extra training. It sounds like he's doing his part to get better for the running game this year.

http://www.athletesperformance.com/assets/s-10.pdf

He ought to come back lean and mean at about 225 lbs. or so with more agility, quickness and speed probably ... hopefully more than he's ever had in his life.

I bet Ronnie's going to have a breakout year in 2007 and surprise a lot of people. He can't do it all by himself though. LaDainian Tomlinson had a few Olinemen who made it to the Pro Bowl last year and a Pro Bowl fullback clearing the way for him. Hopefully, Houck will be able to squeeze the best out of our Oline this year like you said.

I hope that the trainers at API can work with Ronnie on his halfback passing skills and his receiver skills while he's there. I want him to make defensive coordinators jumpy in lots of ways ... like that guy Darren McFadden at Arkansas does. Cam did that with LaDainian Tomlinson with the Chargers. He throws a few halfback passes every year. With Cam calling the plays for us this year, I think he'll definitely be keeping defensive coordinators guessing. Good OCs get the most out of the players they have and call just the right plays at the right times. I think Cam has gotten pretty good at it over the years.

 

[Kinzua]

There are a lot of question marks surrounding our group of offensive linemen this year and rightfully so. The general consensus is that it is a work in progress with several rookies potentially on the starting unit and they will need time to gel. And this is true. But I think from an effectiveness standpoint, this line has a chance to surprise a lot of people.

It’s no secret that our offensive line has been in the lower third (probably the lower 4th) in the NFL, as far as talent goes, for the past 8 seasons or so. But there was one year in there where the offensive line looked better and that was the year Scott Linehan was our o-coordinator. That group was, IMO, much worse than the group we will be fielding this season. But what made them appear to be OK?

PLAY-Calling; Bad play calling not only harms the effectiveness of the skill players, but it makes an offensive line’s life miserable because the DEFENSE knows what’s coming because of predictability. When play calling lacks any degree of imagination and creativity, it puts an incredible amount of pressure on the offensive line. But when a defense is guessing and things are being mixed up, it makes things tougher on the defense and takes pressure off the offensive line. Last year’s play calling and previous years with Chris Foerster, Kippy Brown, and anyone else calling plays under Johnson or Wannstedt, the play calling has been atrocious. It was offense in its most vanilla and predictable form, which allowed for the defenses we faced to have their way with an already over matched O-line.

Is it coincidental that offensive lines who boast pro bowlers also have great offensive coordinators or offensive minded coaches? There were even plenty of question marks about San Diego’s o-line when Houck left to come to Miami, but with Cameron running the show, they didn’t appear to miss a beat.

Offensive play calling is a HUGE factor in effectiveness of the offensive line just as it is for the skill players. How can any group of players be successful if they are not put into a position to succeed? I believe with Cameron’s play calling, coupled with Houck’s ability to squeeze the best out of the offensive line, there is potential to have the best success from this unit than we’ve had in a very long time. Xs and Os are not only meant for the RBs, the QB, and WRs to out play and outsmart defensive backs and linebackers, but to also outsmart the defensive linemen (and LBs) and keep them guessing on what the play will be and where the blocks are coming from. This, IMO, will allow for the offensive line to be more in the attack mode as opposed to the protect mode and it will increase its effectiveness.

Thoughts?

Effective play-calling is good, but effective execution and self-discipline are even better. If the guard wiggles on 1st and 10 so the ref calls illegal procedure, that puts the offense at 1st and 15. If the LT holds on 1st and 10, it becomes 1st and 20. Right there, the defense is in the hole, and it's likely the next play will be a pass. WRs dropping easy passes, RBs missing blocks, QBs over/under throwing receivers or taking sacks rather than throwing the ball away, etc all put offenses in 3rd and longs.

 

[arsenal]

Effective play-calling is good, but effective execution and self-discipline are even better. If the guard wiggles on 1st and 10 so the ref calls illegal procedure, that puts the offense at 1st and 15. If the LT holds on 1st and 10, it becomes 1st and 20. Right there, the defense is in the hole, and it's likely the next play will be a pass. WRs dropping easy passes, RBs missing blocks, QBs over/under throwing receivers or taking sacks rather than throwing the ball away, etc all put offenses in 3rd and longs.

but the playcalling can help

for example with mularkey he would call the crap he would call regardless of anything else thats going...

so even when our offensive line is struggling to hold blocks, hed call a slow developing fake reverse play action pass... and then we lose 10 yards on a sack...

i think cameron will be better in the regards to calling plays that will maximize our talents and minimize our deficiencies...

 

[SoDakDolfan]

It takes good play calling AND good execution. It's not one or the other. I, being an optikmist, happen to believe both will improve this year.

 

[Finfan53]

Can't wait for the training camp & the season to start!

I think all the players, defense and offensive guys, will be more excited about the play calling but certainly more confident in the guy calling the plays this year. I just hope we can get off to a good start, play well throughout the year and be playing our best football come December...like any fan would think.
I can't wait to see the Bills, Jets, and Pats defenses just gettin tired in the 4th quarter, not getting off blocks, Ronnie breaking 3 yd runs into 6 & 7 yd runs

 

[PhinfanUK]

Our line under Scott Linehan was one of the better units in the league. I think any offensive line in the NFL can perform well with the right coaching. Football is the true team sport, a well disciplined, well drilled defense can get by without superstar talent, and it goes the same for offensive line.

 

[dolphinsjayshaw]

You know...the funny thing about the Linehan talk is that for the first weeks that Linehan was calling hte plays everyone here was calling for his head...they all hated what he was doing. It was not until one game (and right now I forget against who) when he joined the coaches on the sideline that things started to change at all.

In the end, we tend to remember only the things we want to.

 

[slickj101]

It takes good play calling AND good execution. It's not one or the other. I, being an optikmist, happen to believe both will improve this year.

I know plans got plenty of plays to choose from and our team has plenty of weapons for those creative plays. I also dont think Cam would be stupid enough to call plays in games that he doesnt think our team can successfully run.

 

[LarryFinFan]

Ronnie said in an interview last week that he'll be in Arizona during his free time over the next few weeks at API getting in some extra training. It sounds like he's doing his part to get better for the running game this year.

http://www.athletesperformance.com/assets/s-10.pdf

He ought to come back lean and mean at about 225 lbs. or so with more agility, quickness and speed probably ... hopefully more than he's ever had in his life.

I bet Ronnie's going to have a breakout year in 2007 and surprise a lot of people. He can't do it all by himself though. LaDainian Tomlinson had a few Olinemen who made it to the Pro Bowl last year and a Pro Bowl fullback clearing the way for him. Hopefully, Houck will be able to squeeze the best out of our Oline this year like you said.

I hope that the trainers at API can work with Ronnie on his halfback passing skills and his receiver skills while he's there. I want him to make defensive coordinators jumpy in lots of ways ... like that guy Darren McFadden at Arkansas does. Cam did that with LaDainian Tomlinson with the Chargers. He throws a few halfback passes every year. With Cam calling the plays for us this year, I think he'll definitely be keeping defensive coordinators guessing. Good OCs get the most out of the players they have and call just the right plays at the right times. I think Cam has gotten pretty good at it over the years.

23, Ronnie is an excellent receiver...in fact, Tommy Tuberville, his coach at Auburn said before the draft that year that Brown was their best receiver on the team...We've just never utilized that part of his skill set...Perhaps with a more creative mind in Cam, we'll see that...but I don't think he needs to work on his receiving skills...

 

[p-double]

'blame on culpepper", most people on the site blame him for everything else, so when they line gets green non-mobile butt killed, thats the new saying "blame in on culpepper"

 

[DolphinsFan23]

23, Ronnie is an excellent receiver...in fact, Tommy Tuberville, his coach at Auburn said before the draft that year that Brown was their best receiver on the team...We've just never utilized that part of his skill set...Perhaps with a more creative mind in Cam, we'll see that...but I don't think he needs to work on his receiving skills...

I'm not saying that Ronnie needs work on the fundamentals or anything. Trent Green watched film of Ronnie and already commented that he thought Ronnie was a better receiver than he thought.

He just needs to make sure his receiver skills stay sharp and he's working on all the different kinds of plays Cam has in mind for him this year. From what I've seen, Ronnie has pretty good hand-eye coordination and all that. He was utilized better as a receiver in his rookie year with Linehan. The play in my avatar was a pretty good pass play. He was an outfielder in high school and he probably could have made it in major league baseball ... the Seattle Mariners drafted him. If he can run after line drive baseballs and catch those pretty good, he ought to be pretty good at catching a football.

Hopefully he has an arm like most outfielders do and he can make those long throws to the plate from the outfield. I'd love to see him run a sweep and then set his feet quick and throw a nice spiral long ball to Ted Ginn streaking down the sidelines for a TD. That would be sweet. Ted Ginn should get separation from just about any DB in the NFL. I hope he's super smooth, fast and focused on those over the shoulder deep balls. He'll get famous quick if he is. :D