Offensive Line Struggles

[Brady6]

Tom Brady has been sacked 20 times in the first 7 games of the season, to put that in perspective he was sacked 27 times all of last season. This is clearly having an effect on Brady; he is erratic with his accuracy, he is forcing balls that he would not have forced in the past and overall he just has to make far too many throws without being able set his feet.

It has been the same starting 5 the entire way but only Vollmer seems to be playing at the level he has in the past and even he has not been at his best.

So what gives?

 

[DocHoliday]

I think it's pretty clear the C and RG suck.

 

[Archeryaddict12]

Brady6, we saw the same things. I think its the oline holding this offense back. They won't allow Tom the sufficient time especially with a new corp to gel. And were gonna lose if Tom keeps getting sacked.

 

[brdmaverick]

With the struggles of the wide receivers the offensive line has actually seemed to escape most of the criticism.

After today's game, though, their struggles were EXTREMELY apparent especially in that third quarter. I felt like each drive started with a sack and ultimately led to an eventual punt (or worse, pick six).

This is mind boggling because the offensive line was supposed to carry us this year.

 

[Ozymandias]

Wendell has been getting manhandled in pass protection.

 

[RayClay]

Most of it's likely Brady having to spend more time in the pocket.

 

[Archeryaddict12]

Most of it's likely Brady having to spend more time in the pocket.

Can't tell if serious.........

 

[SHOWTIME15]

Solder too has not impressed me tnis season.

 

[RayClay]

Can't tell if serious.........

Let's see, Brady drops back, throws to Hernandez - no Gronkowski - no Welker, no Woodhead, no Vereen. I didn't see Amendola out there either.

If he doesn't get rid of the ball quick, and he's not throwing it up for grabs, the possibility of a sack goes way up.

What do you do on a blitz? You hit a hot read from your favorite receiver who reads it and knows right where to go.

What isn't serious about that? It makes a lot more sense than basically the same five guys suddenly forgetting how to block.

 

[scout]

I mentioned earlier in the week that this might be an issue facing the Jets. My bad for posting it on the "Jets Suck" thread.

 

[Archeryaddict12]

Let's see, Brady drops back, throws to Hernandez - no Gronkowski - no Welker, no Woodhead, no Vereen. I didn't see Amendola out there either.

If he doesn't get rid of the ball quick, and he's not throwing it up for grabs, the possibility of a sack goes way up.

What do you do on a blitz? You hit a hot read from your favorite receiver who reads it and knows right where to go.

What isn't serious about that? It makes a lot more sense than basically the same five guys suddenly forgetting how to block.

Well I wasn't sure what you meant. It could have gone several different ways. Now that you mentioned your meaning, I know why you said that.

 

[RayClay]

Well I wasn't sure what you meant. It could have gone several different ways. Now that you mentioned your meaning, I know why you said that.

Oh, OK. I thougt you were kidding. I'll concede there has been questionable line play, but over a long season, with good athletes, the play calling and receivers execution can make the line and QB targets and I would say that's the main problem. Run better, set up good screens and hit the long pass and I bet those OL look at least somewhat better. And, catch the damn ball.

 

[Archeryaddict12]

Oh, OK. I thougt you were kidding. I'll concede there has been questionable line play, but over a long season, with good athletes, the play calling and receivers execution can make the line and QB targets and I would say that's the main problem. Run better, set up good screens and hit the long pass and I bet those OL look at least somewhat better. And, catch the damn ball.

Well the no huddle was almost flawless. Part of t I think tires the dline. Or they can't get the penetration. But we haven't run it. But when we have, we are unstoppable almost. Maybe we have to do that. But the oline hasn't been like it usually has. And that's affecting Tom.

 

[Brady6]

Let's see, Brady drops back, throws to Hernandez - no Gronkowski - no Welker, no Woodhead, no Vereen. I didn't see Amendola out there either.

If he doesn't get rid of the ball quick, and he's not throwing it up for grabs, the possibility of a sack goes way up.

What do you do on a blitz? You hit a hot read from your favorite receiver who reads it and knows right where to go.

What isn't serious about that? It makes a lot more sense than basically the same five guys suddenly forgetting how to block.

Clearly that plays a part in some of the blocking issues but there have also been plays where players are coming through completely unblocked, or the lineman is getting beat decisively and immediately.

It may not be as simple as do the same 5 guys forget how to block:

• Solder and Wendell have a full season of game tape available for other teams to study and find ways to exploit them, Solder and Wendell in my opinion need to be conscious of that and make the necessary adjustments because right now they’re being exploited on a weekly basis.
• Mankins and Connolly are both in their 30’s and both have struggled with injury’s over the past few years, in my opinion Mankins is nowhere near the player he used to be.
• Cannon has not progressed as a player, the fact that after 3 years in the NFL and is still making rookie mistakes is something that I consider to be a major disappointment. Cannon is an incredibility talented player and he should have made his way into the starting lineup by now, the reason he has not is because his play has been poor as a reserve.
• The loss of Donald Thomas goes mostly unnoticed but I see it as one of the biggest free agent losses of the offseason, he was very good last season and covered up a lot of the diminished play of players like Mankins and Connolly.

 

[RayClay]

Clearly that plays a part in some of the blocking issues but there have also been plays where players are coming through completely unblocked, or the lineman is getting beat decisively and immediately.

It may not be as simple as do the same 5 guys forget how to block:

• Solder and Wendell have a full season of game tape available for other teams to study and find ways to exploit them, Solder and Wendell in my opinion need to be conscious of that and make the necessary adjustments because right now they’re being exploited on a weekly basis.
• Mankins and Connolly are both in their 30’s and both have struggled with injury’s over the past few years, in my opinion Mankins is nowhere near the player he used to be.
• Cannon has not progressed as a player, the fact that after 3 years in the NFL and is still making rookie mistakes is something that I consider to be a major disappointment. Cannon is an incredibility talented player and he should have made his way into the starting lineup by now, the reason he has not is because his play has been poor as a reserve.
• The loss of Donald Thomas goes mostly unnoticed but I see it as one of the biggest free agent losses of the offseason, he was very good last season and covered up a lot of the diminished play of players like Mankins and Connolly.

There's no doubt rushers have been walking in at times. Hard to tell play to play but better execution means burning defenses for taking risks. It's a chicken or egg issue, no doubt.

 

[ausbacker]

Clearly that plays a part in some of the blocking issues but there have also been plays where players are coming through completely unblocked, or the lineman is getting beat decisively and immediately.

It may not be as simple as do the same 5 guys forget how to block:

• Solder and Wendell have a full season of game tape available for other teams to study and find ways to exploit them, Solder and Wendell in my opinion need to be conscious of that and make the necessary adjustments because right now they’re being exploited on a weekly basis.
• Mankins and Connolly are both in their 30’s and both have struggled with injury’s over the past few years, in my opinion Mankins is nowhere near the player he used to be.
• Cannon has not progressed as a player, the fact that after 3 years in the NFL and is still making rookie mistakes is something that I consider to be a major disappointment. Cannon is an incredibility talented player and he should have made his way into the starting lineup by now, the reason he has not is because his play has been poor as a reserve.
• The loss of Donald Thomas goes mostly unnoticed but I see it as one of the biggest free agent losses of the offseason, he was very good last season and covered up a lot of the diminished play of players like Mankins and Connolly.

After 7 games, I am struggling to see anything to counter your opinion with Brady6. Really, it is incredible that the team enjoys a 5-2 record given the dysfunction of the OL in 2013. Danté has his work cut out.

 

[Brady6]

After 7 games, I am struggling to see anything to counter your opinion with Brady6. Really, it is incredible that the team enjoys a 5-2 record given the dysfunction of the OL in 2013. Danté has his work cut out.

Fortunately outside of Belichick there is no coach I have more confidence in than Dante.

I think Solder and Wendell can be turned around, teams have probably just found specific ways to win 1on1 matchups against them, if they can make the adjustments they should be fine, Mankins and Connolly I have long term concerns with, they both seem to be declining.

 

[Archeryaddict12]

Fortunately outside of Belichick there is no coach I have more confidence in than Dante.

I think Solder and Wendell can be turned around, teams have probably just found specific ways to win 1on1 matchups against them, if they can make the adjustments they should be fine, Mankins and Connolly I have long term concerns with, they both seem to be declining.

I watched some mankins highlights last week, and he has been on fire on some protections. I think we either have a weak link in Wendell or cannon. I think Dante could turn it around, and sure as heck hope, we need it.

 

[PATRlOT]

Broncos o-line has allowed just 5 sacks!

 

[Canuck]

Tom Brady has been sacked 20 times in the first 7 games of the season, to put that in perspective he was sacked 27 times all of last season. This is clearly having an effect on Brady; he is erratic with his accuracy, he is forcing balls that he would not have forced in the past and overall he just has to make far too many throws without being able set his feet.

It has been the same starting 5 the entire way but only Vollmer seems to be playing at the level he has in the past and even he has not been at his best.

So what gives?

Lack of passing threats. Edelman our 6th rated receiver last year is now our top receiver. Under pressure Brady is struggling to find an open receiver.

The rookie receivers are just that, rookies. Dropping balls, running wrong routes, failure to adj routes correctly when Brady is under pressure.

Mostly the defenders don't have to fear getting burned when they pass rush.

Teams are attacking the weakest part of our offensive line which is the center and RG.