Troy Drayton's Thoughts on the O-Line from today's Finsiders Radio Show

[SkapePhin]

Today, on the Finsiders, Troy (I think it was Troy, if it wasn't him, it was Keith Sims) was talking about the OL and he said he wasn't worried. He said the OL's issues were "correctable". He seemed to think the poor performance had more to do with "DE Stunts" (I won't begin to pretend to know what OL jargon or plays are) the Buccs were using throughout. He said those plays are some of the toughest to play against as an OL because its all about timing. The Defense comes off quick in a bunch of different directions to create chaos. He said he didn't see anyone get physically beat by their man.

He said we should only worry if we see the OL being physically beaten consistently, which he says he did not see.

Being that none of us really watch OL play, or even know what to look for if we do, do you think we could all be over-reacting over this? We have a former NFL player who has experience blocking from the offensive line stating that all these issues were correctable. Even if he is on the OFFICIAL radio show of the team, should that count for something?

That discussion put me at ease a bit since I know I don't know the first thing about OL play since its really hard to pick up on screen.

 

[Austin Tatious]

No. I saw Vernon Carey physically beaten with quickness. So I respectfully disagree with Troy's "spin." Remember the Finsiders is a propaganda tool for the team. They excuse away and defend the organization.

 

[D0lphan72]

he's a moron then, i saw carey get beat like a drum and colombo get wrecked. thats not fixable unless you bench them

 

[LANGER72]

Just radio spin. They repeat the coach's comments to keep on the staff's good side. If they get controversial, they will lose some access and not get material from the coaches. Just playing the game.
I saw the OL get manhandled for most of the game. The right side was blubbery speed bump. Murtha was getting pushed back constantly and the TB nose tackle easily handled Pouncey. We were stone walled.
Those are the facts.

 

[SkapePhin]

I got NFL Rewind this season on NFL.com so I might go back and check out some plays to see if they are getting pushed back on one on ones.

I dont think he was saying they cant be beat, obviously the defense won some matchups, but more that he was saying the scheme was causing the problem, not strength and power. DE stunts create mismatches and confusion at the line and as such the OL guys will react slower as they try see where the stunts are going and coming from.

 

[MarshallFin1]

Im going to go with what troy drayton said and not listen to all these boneheads on these forums who think they are o-line gurus. Thanks troy.

 

[BARF]

any qb would have gotten killed if they had carey and columbo on there right side of the line, only exception vick.

 

[Nublar7]

I didn't like what I saw on the right side of the line, but I respect a former players view more than random people on a message board and Omar "oline guru" Kelly.

 

[Shouright]

Being that none of us really watch OL play, or even know what to look for if we do, do you think we could all be over-reacting over this?

Of course not. We're all experts here.

 

[mandal24]

I listened to that too. It was all BS. They were making so many excuses. Saying that the line hasn't had time to play long enough together bc of the lockout, and the scheme made it hard for the OL.. It's all bs.. TBs OL looked pretty solid against us. Pats OL looked awesome against those same Bucs last week. I don't like someone on the radio just sugar coating everything. Be critical when critiquing is due or don't be on the radio.

 

[dolpns13]

He's wasting his breath as Carey and Columbo were both getting physically beaten. Also, so yes, we cant defend stunts, so what happens when teams begin using stunts on ever play? Yup

 

[SkapePhin]

I listened to that too. It was all BS. They were making so many excuses. Saying that the line hasn't had time to play long enough together bc of the lockout, and the scheme made it hard for the OL.. It's all bs.. TBs OL looked pretty solid against us. Pats OL looked awesome against those same Bucs last week. I don't like someone on the radio just sugar coating everything. Be critical when critiquing is due or don't be on the radio.

NE's line got THRASHED by the Lions. So does that mean the Lions DL is that good? Or are the Buccs average and our OL is horric?

 

[Austin Tatious]

C'mon guys. Look at the results. Its ok to be a simpleton but five sacks and no running game against a marginal defense is a major problem. We all want the Dolphins to get better. We're on the same side. But facts are facts. This was not about stunting. This was a major problem.

Let's make a deal. If Sparano sticks with this O line and wins big this season (10 plus wins), I will admit I was wrong and too negative. If he either makes a drastic change or the team collapses, you finally admit that the guy did something wrong.

This is not a 20/20 hindsight thing. We are saying it now, today. We're on record.

 

[finfan54]

No. I saw Vernon Carey physically beaten with quickness. So I respectfully disagree with Troy's "spin." Remember the Finsiders is a propaganda tool for the team. They excuse away and defend the organization.

yeah, i think carey was actually worse than columbo but columbo is slow and stiff from knee.

Carey is playin lazy IMO. They got in quickly. and they were bringing heat.

I completely get what drayton is saying but I also am concerned about carey 's mental attitude. ever since he got his big paycheck, he has been lazy.

Columbo at least gets a little nasty and keeps going until he cant keep up or slips downward.

 

[SkapePhin]

C'mon guys. Look at the results. Its ok to be a simpleton but five sacks and no running game against a marginal defense is a major problem. We all want the Dolphins to get better. We're on the same side. But facts are facts. This was not about stunting. This was a major problem.

Let's make a deal. If Sparano sticks with this O line and wins big this season (10 plus wins), I will admit I was wrong and too negative. If he either makes a drastic change or the team collapses, you finally admit that the guy did something wrong.

This is not a 20/20 hindsight thing. We are saying it now, today. We're on record.

Im trying to get to the bottom of this too, but we could be overreacting based on a small sample size.

I was listening to Michael Irvin (I know, he's a crackhead, but he is a former NFL player) and he was saying how good of a defensive front TB has so not to worry to much about it. They are quick and physical. I don't know if I would say that they are a marginal defense. Id say above average based on what I have been hearing.