So what do we do with our OL now?

I think Marcus Pollard will help in key situations like blocking and picking up a safety or corner blitz on plays as obvious as 3rd and long passing downs

That superbowl was a fluke. That same O-line held up pretty well againt the Giants in week 17. I do agree that they need to start looking for an upgrade at RG and maybe RT.

It's unfortunate when some here want to polarize these discussions. Nobody wanted to blow up the OL, just upgrade it where it is weakest. I for one will continue to be concerned, and I have been all along because I watch those hits and don't let the final score create selective memory. I think the way the draft unfolded there wasn't an opportunity to upgrade. There was quite a run on OL and CB, and with pressing need to get younger and faster on D, particularly with LB (which is a tough slot to fill in this system) and CB prioritized we had to do what we could do given the gulf we faced from ultimately drafting at #10 and not again until the end of the second. By the time we got to the third the opportunities to upgrade the line were really negligible.

I don't think there's anything wrong with the O line, the only thing that was wrong was Tom's ankle. The protection in week 17 game against the Giants, wasn't a lot better then the SB, just because Brady was able to slide around. In SB, because of his sprain ankle he couldn't move very well, that's the difference.

pats1 said:

What is there to do? You have 3 Pro Bowlers and two otherwise solid players who all had one bad game last season.

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what happens when they rush four guys in on brady like the giants did? our oline collapsed. other teams couldn't get to brady because they either rushed only 2 or 3 guys (like San Diego) or dropped back into coverage. other teams will try the same thing like the giants and may succeed...assuming they have the personnel to do so.

Run the ball.

A top line + blitzers and rotation to stay fresh being allowed to tee off for 60 minutes will crumble any line.

RayClay said:

Run the ball.

A top line + blitzers and rotation to stay fresh being allowed to tee off for 60 minutes will crumble any line.

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The problem is that this offensive line was inconsistent with the zone blocking last season. That needs to be addressed or this team will just continue to abandon the run against good run defenses, because the coaching staff has made it clear that they aren't going to waste time battering walls they can't knock down.

Deus Irae said:

The problem is that this offensive line was inconsistent with the zone blocking last season. That needs to be addressed or this team will just continue to abandon the run against good run defenses, because the coaching staff has made it clear that they aren't going to waste time battering walls they can't knock down.

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I would agree. They also had to absorb new Moss, Stallworth and Welker.

Then they lost Morris and emphasized the pass so much The line and Maroney couldn't get a rhythm.

Both RBs and a full training camp should help get that zone blocking down.

I think our line is built to run more than pass size and talent wise.

Our line is talented and young, but we do not have a premier pass protecting LT. I'm not saying I want a high priced line, but this line is good, but not great at pass protection. They miss Graham (not that I do) helping out.

I remember watching the KC line with Roaf a few years ago. We don't have that and we don't want to spend that much either.

RayClay said:

I would agree. They also had to absorb new Moss, Stallworth and Welker.

Then they lost Morris and emphasized the pass so much The line and Maroney couldn't get a rhythm.

Both RBs and a full training camp should help get that zone blocking down.

I think our line is built to run more than pass size and talent wise.

Our line is talented and young, but we do not have a premier pass protecting LT. I'm not saying I want a high priced line, but this line is good, but not great at pass protection. They miss Graham (not that I do) helping out.

I remember watching the KC line with Roaf a few years ago. We don't have that and we don't want to spend that much either.

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Graham was a huge loss, and he should have been retained. Given the current TE situation, his absence will likely be felt again this year. Assuming Neal is healthy (admittedly a dangerous assumption given his history) this team would be all set offensively if they'd kept Graham and drafted the best OT on their board this weekend instead of going for the LB.

Watson
Light
Mankins
Koppen
Neal/Kaszur
Clady/Albert (likely Clady, given that Denver picked him)
Graham

Put that line out on the field along with Moss and Welker, and I think this team would have been able to run at will.

unoriginal said:

Shane Olivea is Ryan O'Callaghan quality with a bigger salary and an attitude, so the Chargers fans tell me.

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Hmm, good to know.

Rob0729 said:

No matter if they were overrated because of Brady or not, it is still the best line Brady ever had. Past o-lines with journeymen like Andruzzi, Compton, Klemm, Gorin, Ashworth, Woody, etc. all benefitted from Brady and his quick release. It doesn't change that this group as constituted is the best of the bunch.

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No, I agree, the 3 pro bowlers earned their spots for sure, and Neal is a great run blocker, and Kaczur seems at least adequate or better. I just always like to throw in the caveat that Brady makes them more effective...just as he does his receivers.

An 18-1 o-line, yes, let's build a new one. They burnt out in the last game, and it was bound to happen. Too bad it happened in the most important game.