I recorded the Steelers game on my Tivo and wanted to take a closer look at our pass protection and run blocking. First let me start off by saying that these are my opinions and I'm trying to be as unbiased as I can. This is all based on the Steelers game and what I took from it. I'm going to start off with the first unit and plan on doing the same for certain players on the second team later in the thread. I'm usually not the one to be critical of our boys, but I wanted to find out what the deal is. Enjoy...
Randy McMichael: Seemed to be the last one off the ball alot. Got beat and overpowered at times in pass protection. Did not show great run blocking and didn't get much push. Does get in position to make the block, but whiffed on a few. We all know this wasn't Randy's best game, but I think his blocking has been suspect before. It was surprising to see how badly he was doing though.
Lorenzo Diamond: Seemed to get in position for blocks most of the time, but seemed underpowered and wasn't getting any push while run blocking. Did an adequate job of pass protecting for the most part.
These TE's are a very important part of our blocking for running and passing, and when they didn't do there job something bad happened every time.
Vernon Carey: Not his best game, but not a bad one either. Did get beat once or twice and one of those times it was most likely a mental error and blocked the wrong guy. Didn't give up a sack though just maybe a qb hurry. Was quick off the snap and is very strong, and finishes his blocks. Never gets overpowered and picks up his blocks very well. I have a good feeling Vernon is going to be a great player for us.
Jeno James: I think Jeno is getting better game by game, and this might have been his best of the preseason. Showed good run blocking, and doesn't get overpowered. Showed good quickness off the ball and in run blocking. Did a very good job in pass protect, but he did get beat once when he lost his balance on a good move.
Seth McKinney: Showed good quickness and seemed to block the right people. He whiffed on a few blocks and might have had a missed assignment. He did a decent job of pass protecting, but did get beat one good time or maybe two. My biggest problem with Seth is he seems underpowered and didn't get any push when run blocking.
Rex Hadnot: Showed good quickness and good pulling ability. Seems to block the right people and got good push at times. Doesn't seem to get overpowered and finished his blocks. He seemed to be doing a solid job of pass protection. This was a solid game for Rex and I really like his heart and drive. The second False start was more McDougle’s fault than it was his. He did slowly and smoothly rock back a little a half second before the snap though.
Stockar McDougle: Got beat alot in pass protection and didn't pick up blitzes fast enough. When not getting smoked he seemed to handle his blocking well. Seemed to be a good run blocker when he blocks his man, but whiffs on blocks in both pass and run blocking. He seems to have more trouble stopping an inside move, rather than an outside pass rush. He does not get overpowered however, so I guess that’s a good thing.
Running Backs and Full Backs: Seemed to be getting good chip blocks and bought some more time for the QB.
Randy McMichael: Seemed to be the last one off the ball alot. Got beat and overpowered at times in pass protection. Did not show great run blocking and didn't get much push. Does get in position to make the block, but whiffed on a few. We all know this wasn't Randy's best game, but I think his blocking has been suspect before. It was surprising to see how badly he was doing though.
Lorenzo Diamond: Seemed to get in position for blocks most of the time, but seemed underpowered and wasn't getting any push while run blocking. Did an adequate job of pass protecting for the most part.
These TE's are a very important part of our blocking for running and passing, and when they didn't do there job something bad happened every time.
Vernon Carey: Not his best game, but not a bad one either. Did get beat once or twice and one of those times it was most likely a mental error and blocked the wrong guy. Didn't give up a sack though just maybe a qb hurry. Was quick off the snap and is very strong, and finishes his blocks. Never gets overpowered and picks up his blocks very well. I have a good feeling Vernon is going to be a great player for us.
Jeno James: I think Jeno is getting better game by game, and this might have been his best of the preseason. Showed good run blocking, and doesn't get overpowered. Showed good quickness off the ball and in run blocking. Did a very good job in pass protect, but he did get beat once when he lost his balance on a good move.
Seth McKinney: Showed good quickness and seemed to block the right people. He whiffed on a few blocks and might have had a missed assignment. He did a decent job of pass protecting, but did get beat one good time or maybe two. My biggest problem with Seth is he seems underpowered and didn't get any push when run blocking.
Rex Hadnot: Showed good quickness and good pulling ability. Seems to block the right people and got good push at times. Doesn't seem to get overpowered and finished his blocks. He seemed to be doing a solid job of pass protection. This was a solid game for Rex and I really like his heart and drive. The second False start was more McDougle’s fault than it was his. He did slowly and smoothly rock back a little a half second before the snap though.
Stockar McDougle: Got beat alot in pass protection and didn't pick up blitzes fast enough. When not getting smoked he seemed to handle his blocking well. Seemed to be a good run blocker when he blocks his man, but whiffs on blocks in both pass and run blocking. He seems to have more trouble stopping an inside move, rather than an outside pass rush. He does not get overpowered however, so I guess that’s a good thing.
Running Backs and Full Backs: Seemed to be getting good chip blocks and bought some more time for the QB.
