The OL is the Problem (AGAIN!)

[Shouright]

Watching all this ineptitude on offense this preseason, I'm about to conclude that our offensive linemen really just don't have much ability. You can't blame it on the QB -- tons of teams have mediocre QBs and average more than 2.9 yards per carry. I mean come on.

You can't blame it on the system -- we're doing the same crap this year even though we have a system and last year's coaching cluster**** is gone.

Can't blame it on the lack of RBs -- we have Ricky back and he's shown he can still run like he used to.

Our receivers (including TE) are among the best in the league.

Can't be the OL coaching -- we have Houck now. It has to be the ability of the linemen, their cohesion with each other, or both.

But then think about it for a minute -- other than Carey, how many highly-drafted or highly-regarded free agent OLs have we gotten in the past 5 years? And I'm not talking about the Jeno Jameses and Taylor Whitleys of the world -- I'm talking about the Olin Kreutzes and Robert Gallerys.

DW and company really did patchwork with the OL. And it's ridiculous -- they were trying to replicate what they did in Dallas in the 90s, and what was always the strength of those Dallas teams?

The OL.

Boneheads....

 

[SuperDuperFan]

I agree with you 100-percent....for many years I was mad because DW (and even JJ) seemed to put very little emphasis on the O-Line. They took an approach where if you can get skill position players you can win, but I dont think that's the case. Every good offense starts with the line IMO. And the biggest worry is that it's something you cant fix in a season or two, it takes a while. Some people expect Houck to magically fix these inept players this season but it just aint gonna happen.

 

[BenchFiedler]

I believe in 2002, we had one of the best Offensive Line in the league with Jamie Nails(he was at his best), Mark Dixon, Todd Wade, Tim Ruddy and co..I can't blame Wanny completely in that department...

 

[finfan54]

sounds like youve given up. sheesh. glad your not the coach. I say we have two very capable Tackles in Mcintosh and Carey, James will be good for this year. Hadnot will stick and will get better over time. It is Mckinney that I worry about although if you take a closer look he is better than last year by miles but still many miles to go. It is as Saban says, it is our depth. St. Clair is probably the only guy who could come in on the fly and do well. I am waiting to see if Middleton can get into game shape and if Ephraim will stick. If these guys can start to step it up come game 4, then we may have something going. but I am not giving up just becuase of some lame as preseason game and you would have to be an idiot to assume such drastic measures so soon.

 

[FanMarino]

I believe in 2002, we had one of the best Offensive Line in the league with Jamie Nails(he was at his best), Mark Dixon, Todd Wade, Tim Ruddy and co..I can't blame Wanny completely in that department...

That O line also had a certain Dan Marino behind em which makes a heck of a diffence imo. JJ shud have known better cos he had an excellent O line in Dallas.

 

[Shouright]

I believe in 2002, we had one of the best Offensive Line in the league with Jamie Nails(he was at his best), Mark Dixon, Todd Wade, Tim Ruddy and co..I can't blame Wanny completely in that department...

I'd put that line middle of the pack (14-18th best in the league) and chalk most of their accomplishments up to Ricky. Then again those were some good run blockers. Now if DW hadn't tried to replace Dixon and Nails with super glue (Wade Smith and Taylor Whitley), we might've had something. We should've shelled out for Wanye Gandy and drafted a guard or center #2.

 

[Shouright]

sounds like youve given up. sheesh. glad your not the coach. I say we have two very capable Tackles in Mcintosh and Carey, James will be good for this year. Hadnot will stick and will get better over time. It is Mckinney that I worry about although if you take a closer look he is better than last year by miles but still many miles to go. It is as Saban says, it is our depth. St. Clair is probably the only guy who could come in on the fly and do well. I am waiting to see if Middleton can get into game shape and if Ephraim will stick. If these guys can start to step it up come game 4, then we may have something going. but I am not giving up just becuase of some lame as preseason game and you would have to be an idiot to assume such drastic measures so soon.

Where's the proof that James is any good? Are you basing that on his contract and what you expected because of it? Where's the proof that McIntosh will be at least an AVERAGE left tackle in the NFL? You're already worried about McKinney, so that leaves Hadnot and Carey. I'll concede that Carey is good -- he's a 1st (and 4th) round pick. Hadnot was a steal in the 6th. Other than that, we're punting, pal.

 

[Dol-Fan Dupree]

Robert Gallary was the 2nd pick in the draft last year. How can you mention him?

Miami drafted a bunch of guards.

Line's generally take time.

 

[Shouright]

Robert Gallary was the 2nd pick in the draft last year. How can you mention him?

Miami drafted a bunch of guards.

Line's generally take time.

Time AND an investment in them. When you're drafting nothing higher than 3rd round picks for it, it takes MORE time. And when you're signing guys who've never played at a pro-bowl level, it takes MORE time. I mentioned Gallery as an example of a highly-drafted OL -- that's all. I'm not saying we could've gotten him, per se.

 

[Dol-Fan Dupree]

Time AND an investment in them. When you're drafting nothing higher than 3rd round picks for it, it takes MORE time. And when you're signing guys who've never played at a pro-bowl level, it takes MORE time. I mentioned Gallery as an example of a highly-drafted OL -- that's all. I'm not saying we could've gotten him, per se.

Gallery is a VERY highly drafted OL. Miami never had a 2nd pick in the draft till this year.

Some of the better offensive lines in the league, the only 1st round picks generally are the tackles, and it is generally only the left tackle. Mostly they are 2nd, 3rd round picks. Heck the Patriots have a guy who didn't play college football on their line.

The main problem with the line is that they need more experience, need to work together better and need to trust each other.

 

[arsenal]

how are you comparing this year to last year? we haven't even played a real game yet this year... if its the same problems after game 2, then yes you can start to worry

 

[Shouright]

how are you comparing this year to last year? we haven't even played a real game yet this year... if its the same problems after game 2, then yes you can start to worry

Do you remember how we looked running the ball (and passing the ball really, for that matter) last preseason? It's not looking much different this year.

 

[djfresh47]

So because the team did not draft linemen in the 1st rd every year, that's why they've looked bad? Most of the guys who were drafted, were still 1st day picks, who for one reason or another, just don't seem to be very good. It's not like the team neglected the position, it tried bringing in guys, but it just didn't happen.

 

[Shouright]

So because the team did not draft linemen in the 1st rd every year, that's why they've looked bad? Most of the guys who were drafted, were still 1st day picks, who for one reason or another, just don't seem to be very good. It's not like the team neglected the position, it tried bringing in guys, but it just didn't happen.

1st day ain't getting it. 1st ROUND would've been better. You don't go into a season with Wade Smith as a rookie projected as your starting left tackle. Either that or you sign big-named free agents. The line was neglected, plain and simple. You're telling me that if we'd drafted a LT in the 1st instead of Jamar Fletcher (we had Madison and Surtain) and a center in the 2nd instead of Eddie Moore (who KNOWS why he was drafted), we wouldn't have a better line right now?

 

[NJPHINFAN]

That O line also had a certain Dan Marino behind em which makes a heck of a diffence imo. JJ shud have known better cos he had an excellent O line in Dallas.

Marino was not the QB in 2002