unoriginal
In the Starting Line-Up
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I think it is safe to say right now there is no hotter topic concerning Patriot football than the current performance and prospectus of the offensive line. Specifically as it pertains to pass blocking.
I invite those who have a little time to spare to join me as I attempt to go into deeper detail of the offensive line's performance against the very good pass rush of the Miami Dolphins.
For those of you who remember my offensive line breakdowns from a few years ago, I will be taking a much more "as I go along" approach here, and may be hampered by time constraints this week, so please feel free to contribute, keeping in mind we are striving for useful, play-oriented details here. I will probably not have time to post picture breakdowns myself but we'll see.
Useful, play-oriented details to follow:
***************************************************************
Disclaimer first: my demerits and analysis occur without knowing the play call or blocking rules for said play call and I cannot really determine whether a lineman opened the wrong way, didn't pick up a stunt he should have, or some other mental aspect of the game. Also I didn't see the game, and am currently working through a recording, 2nd half first, as that seemed to be the more interesting half.
The 2nd half play breakdown I ended up with:
That may not be all that useful to you. Here's some takeaways in plain English:
1. The Pats opened the 2nd half with a line featuring Wendell at C and Connolly at RG. This four play drive began with Wendell being driven back into Brady's five step drop by the nose tackle, and ended with Cameron Wake's strip sack of Brady over and around Hoomanawanui, with Ridely not providing any help. In between were a running play, and a play where the Dolphins only rushed three.
Given Devey's subsequent frequent struggles it is somewhat surprising they did not pull him for Wendell, but perhaps because Wendell getting sumo-wrestled into the QB has historically been his big problem the coaching staff felt they might as well go with the devil they didn't know and get some tape on him.
1b. Incidentally, Connolly had his own problems anchoring against the nose on the fifth drive. But it was only one play out of a whole half of work and otherwise I thought he was solid. He's very quick to the second level still.
1c. Just to make sure it's clear: "unanchor" is when the lineman is engaged in a block but gets walked back into the QB. All other demerits involve the lineman somehow losing position and contact with the rusher.
2. There was (and this is a common theme since I've been on this board) a lot of complaining about not enough screens to slow down the Miami pass rush. You will note that above I have freely handed out blocking demerits to Solder, Cannon, and Devey for their contributions to the screen game. In Cannon and Devey's cases, they did not slow down their DT's, Starks and Odrick respectively, enough to stop the screen from getting chased down from behind, or from the DT getting into the pass lane.
The Pats did not screen as much as you wanted not because they didn't think of it, but because it didn't work. Miami's defensive line sniffed nearly every one of them out.
3. The difference between Pressure and Knockdown sometimes is whether I see contact with Brady when the ball's released.
4. There were at least two plays where a DT split the gap between Connolly and Devey, after making contact with Devey first, and Connolly being otherwise unoccupied and looking at something else. It's hard to tell whether Connolly is at fault for not providing better help. The "mike" call Brady gives at the line determines which "way" Connolly goes to split the line into 3/2 blocks, and when its obvious he's going away from the problem I don't count it.
5. Please note that all of Vollmer's negative plays came after the 3rd drive, where Solder and Devey both lost their men causing Brady and two rushers to crash into the back of Vollmer's legs. He had to be subbed out for Flemming on the next play. Flemming did not distinguish himself kicking out against Wake on the next play, which fortunately was an inside draw.
Here is the above tabulated for your enjoyment:
If anyone remembers the line play of Week 1 2008, aka the Bernard Pollard game, Devey's performance reminds me of Billy Yates. I would be very surprised if after film consultation he was in the starting lineup, or even active, for Week 2. Vollmer I interpret as an injury-affected performance, and Connolly and Cannon were serviceable for a debut in new positions. That leaves Solder and Devey as the real concerns, and of the two Solder has a track record, had the harder job, and had fewer problem plays. Huge number of problem plays for Devey and I didn't notice any decisive wins. Just seemed to be a warm body in there. To his credit his 4th quarter was less horrible than his 3rd.
If I had to pick the player with the most decisive "wins" it would be Cannon. Several times he was able to stand up his man solo. Please keep in mind that, just as back in the old Light/Mankins days, that does not necessarily make him the best player on the line. Guards have it easier than tackles. Which makes the ****show on the other side of the line pretty amazing really.
This is something of a positive takeaway here: I feel if the Pats can find a RG it will go a long way to solidifying the OL and letting the offense function. Cannon and Connolly, wherever he ends up playing, should be able to settle down after a couple of games, and Vollmer and Solder will hopefully bounce back from whatever is plaguing them. If the Pats have just a fifth JAG-level guy I think half the pressure in Brady's face we saw today goes away.
EDIT:
First half finally done.
Game totals:
I invite those who have a little time to spare to join me as I attempt to go into deeper detail of the offensive line's performance against the very good pass rush of the Miami Dolphins.
For those of you who remember my offensive line breakdowns from a few years ago, I will be taking a much more "as I go along" approach here, and may be hampered by time constraints this week, so please feel free to contribute, keeping in mind we are striving for useful, play-oriented details here. I will probably not have time to post picture breakdowns myself but we'll see.
Useful, play-oriented details to follow:
***************************************************************
Disclaimer first: my demerits and analysis occur without knowing the play call or blocking rules for said play call and I cannot really determine whether a lineman opened the wrong way, didn't pick up a stunt he should have, or some other mental aspect of the game. Also I didn't see the game, and am currently working through a recording, 2nd half first, as that seemed to be the more interesting half.
The 2nd half play breakdown I ended up with:
Code:
1st Drive 3rd 10:46
Solder - Cannon - Wendell - Connolly - Vollmer
1. Pressure Wendell 90 Unanchor
2. Three rush
3. Run
4. Hoomanawanui/Ridley Sack 91
2nd Drive 3rd 6:55
Solder - Cannon - Connolly - Devey - Vollmer
1. Pressure Devey 94
2. WR Screen left - Solder 50 Demerit
3. Pressure Devey Connolly 91 Stunt
3rd Drive 3rd 2:58
Same
1. Run
2. Clean pocket
3. Run / Holding Hoomanawanui
4. Screen Right / Devey 94 Demerit
5. Sack Devey 98 (Possible Connolly) Sack Solder 58
6. Run (Fleming in for Vollmer)
4th Drive 4th 14:02
Same
1. Three Rush
2. Pressure Devey 94 Unanchor
3. Sack Solder 50 Spin Move Inside Vollmer 91 Vereen
5th Drive 4th 11:02
Same
1. Pressure Connolly 90 Unanchor
2. Quick out OPI LaFell
3. Draw
4. Great pocket
6th Drive 4th 3:29
Same
1. Cannon Knockdown Rip/Swim move 98 Pressure Vollmer 91
2. Pressure Solder 50 Unanchor
3. Pressure Solder 50 Step Up Pressure Devey 94 Unanchor
4. Sack Vollmer 91
7th Drive 4th 2:44
Same
1. Demerit Devey 90 Swim
2. Screen left Cannon 98 Demerit
3. Cannon Knockdown 98
4. Clean
5. CB dog left
6. Devey Knockdown 94 Unanchor
7. Devey Pressure 94 Unanchor Missed Stunt 91
8. CB dog right
9. 3 man rush
10. Draw
11. Sneak
12. Overload blitz right
13. Solder Stunt Pressure 98
14. CB dog right
15. Pressure Vollmer 91
That may not be all that useful to you. Here's some takeaways in plain English:
1. The Pats opened the 2nd half with a line featuring Wendell at C and Connolly at RG. This four play drive began with Wendell being driven back into Brady's five step drop by the nose tackle, and ended with Cameron Wake's strip sack of Brady over and around Hoomanawanui, with Ridely not providing any help. In between were a running play, and a play where the Dolphins only rushed three.
Given Devey's subsequent frequent struggles it is somewhat surprising they did not pull him for Wendell, but perhaps because Wendell getting sumo-wrestled into the QB has historically been his big problem the coaching staff felt they might as well go with the devil they didn't know and get some tape on him.
1b. Incidentally, Connolly had his own problems anchoring against the nose on the fifth drive. But it was only one play out of a whole half of work and otherwise I thought he was solid. He's very quick to the second level still.
1c. Just to make sure it's clear: "unanchor" is when the lineman is engaged in a block but gets walked back into the QB. All other demerits involve the lineman somehow losing position and contact with the rusher.
2. There was (and this is a common theme since I've been on this board) a lot of complaining about not enough screens to slow down the Miami pass rush. You will note that above I have freely handed out blocking demerits to Solder, Cannon, and Devey for their contributions to the screen game. In Cannon and Devey's cases, they did not slow down their DT's, Starks and Odrick respectively, enough to stop the screen from getting chased down from behind, or from the DT getting into the pass lane.
The Pats did not screen as much as you wanted not because they didn't think of it, but because it didn't work. Miami's defensive line sniffed nearly every one of them out.
3. The difference between Pressure and Knockdown sometimes is whether I see contact with Brady when the ball's released.
4. There were at least two plays where a DT split the gap between Connolly and Devey, after making contact with Devey first, and Connolly being otherwise unoccupied and looking at something else. It's hard to tell whether Connolly is at fault for not providing better help. The "mike" call Brady gives at the line determines which "way" Connolly goes to split the line into 3/2 blocks, and when its obvious he's going away from the problem I don't count it.
5. Please note that all of Vollmer's negative plays came after the 3rd drive, where Solder and Devey both lost their men causing Brady and two rushers to crash into the back of Vollmer's legs. He had to be subbed out for Flemming on the next play. Flemming did not distinguish himself kicking out against Wake on the next play, which fortunately was an inside draw.
Here is the above tabulated for your enjoyment:
Code:
Name Sack Knockdown Pressure Demerit
Solder 2 3 1
Cannon 2 1
Connolly 2
Devey 1 1 5 2
Vollmer 2 2
Wendell 1
If anyone remembers the line play of Week 1 2008, aka the Bernard Pollard game, Devey's performance reminds me of Billy Yates. I would be very surprised if after film consultation he was in the starting lineup, or even active, for Week 2. Vollmer I interpret as an injury-affected performance, and Connolly and Cannon were serviceable for a debut in new positions. That leaves Solder and Devey as the real concerns, and of the two Solder has a track record, had the harder job, and had fewer problem plays. Huge number of problem plays for Devey and I didn't notice any decisive wins. Just seemed to be a warm body in there. To his credit his 4th quarter was less horrible than his 3rd.
If I had to pick the player with the most decisive "wins" it would be Cannon. Several times he was able to stand up his man solo. Please keep in mind that, just as back in the old Light/Mankins days, that does not necessarily make him the best player on the line. Guards have it easier than tackles. Which makes the ****show on the other side of the line pretty amazing really.
This is something of a positive takeaway here: I feel if the Pats can find a RG it will go a long way to solidifying the OL and letting the offense function. Cannon and Connolly, wherever he ends up playing, should be able to settle down after a couple of games, and Vollmer and Solder will hopefully bounce back from whatever is plaguing them. If the Pats have just a fifth JAG-level guy I think half the pressure in Brady's face we saw today goes away.
EDIT:
First half finally done.
Game totals:
Code:
Name Sack Knockdown Pressure Demerit
Solder 2 6 3
Cannon 4 1 1
Connolly 2 4 3
Devey 1 1 7 3
Vollmer 2 2 2
Wendell 1
Last edited: