Tonight is the most just test for O-line

[ChicagoPhinFan]

I know we have been hard on the O-line up to now, but tonight is a good test and a great measuring stick for the season. The first game was against the Bears and to cut the line some slack - it was the first game of the year after only a couple of weeks of practice. They should have been able to do well against the Bears, but didn't. Then they played the Jags who were the 11th ranked run defense last year with many predicting them to be better this year. It was a tough task and also remember a couple of players had been moved around with only a few days of practice at the specific positions. Then they had to play the top ranked run defense in Pitt. Definitely not an easy task, and frankly, not many O-lines looked good against them last year. With that being said, tonight they play the 19th ranked run defense which isn't any better than last year (IMO and haven't read anything to the contrary). If the O-line flounders tonight, then we can expect a long season for them. If they do well, then I think they have a chance to at least be an average line. Let's hope for the latter.

 

[ASCII]

I know we have been hard on the O-line up to now, but tonight is a good test and a great measuring stick for the season. The first game was against the Bears and to cut the line some slack - it was the first game of the year after only a couple of weeks of practice. They should have been able to do well against the Bears, but didn't. Then they played the Jags who were the 11th ranked run defense last year with many predicting them to be better this year. It was a tough task and also remember a couple of players had been moved around with only a few days of practice at the specific positions. Then they had to play the top ranked run defense in Pitt. Definitely not an easy task, and frankly, not many O-lines looked good against them last year. With that being said, tonight they play the 19th ranked run defense which isn't any better than last year (IMO and haven't read anything to the contrary). If the O-line flounders tonight, then we can expect a long season for them. If they do well, then I think they have a chance to at least be an average line. Let's hope for the latter.

i'll be keeping my eye on the o-line tonite...definetly the most important factor for the fins

 

[Taco Bob]

I thought Tampa had a good D-Line with Simeon Rice and Chris Hovan? Don't jump on me if I'm wrong :confused:

 

[JoeRobStad4ever]

agreed. let's see if they can open any holes for ricky and ronnie to run through tonight. 'cuz ronnie being in there won't matter if he can't get some blocking. also, of course i'll be wanting to know how we do pass blocking. oh, i really hope they play well on the o-line tonight! ray:

 

[ChicagoPhinFan]

I thought Tampa had a good D-Line with Simeon Rice and Chris Hovan? Don't jump on me if I'm wrong :confused:

Sim had 12 sacks I believe (?) and certainly helped their pass defense which was ranked 15 and, but their run defense was suspect giving up 123 yds per game (compared to miami's 143 yds/game and Pitt's 81 yds/game) at a 4.1 yd/carry clip.

I'm a believer that the run game opens the passing game. That is why I am hoping so badly that the Fins can run against them tonight.

 

[ChicagoPhinFan]

I also expect Saban to play the starters longer than most team's starters next week against Atlanta (my guess), but Atlanta's run defense is also tough being ranked 8th last year. Miami's preseason schedule certainly didn't give them much of a chance to develop slowly.

 

[PassRush]

Agreed, tonight a questionable offensive line with a ton of youth and potential yet severe lack of experiance will face a Bucs Defensive line with two of the ten best defensive linemen in the league