Thoughts On This Weeks O-Line Performance (Week 3) Vs. Last Weeks?

[Npane171]

This was a very manic-depressive game. There were some good points and some bad points. But, what are your thoughts on this weeks O-line performance vs. last weeks? Do you think were progressing? If so, in what areas are we progressing and in what areas should we concentrate on this week? Also, another rough game for Joe. I mean, not too bad but surely not playing to his excellence. I asked last week if you thought Joe was just "rusty", whether him struggling last week was due to the line or an intrinsic problem all his own. What are your thoughts on Joe's performance? Thanks for the comments.

[Reed the Raven]

Just want to point out that Matt Birk, Bryant McKinnie and Marshal Yanda didn't play. It's hard to not say to evaluate the offensive line, but I doubt these are the players that are going to be starting Week 1 against the Pittsburgh Steelers; which has me worried. Bryant McKinnie will have to learn the offense in 2 - 3 weeks, Marshal Yanda and Matt Birk need to come back and Michael Oher most likely will have to deal with a position switch. I am happy with the depth and individual talent on the offensive line, but I hope the starters will have the chemistry and rhythm to deal with the Pittsburgh Steelers' pass rushers.

[T3hRaven]

I think our OL was a little bit better than last week, but they were pretty bad on the whole. There are far too many missed blocks and bad blitz pickups on this unit. That being said, I think we can get by with an average line, but some guys need to step up their game a little bit. I'm more interested to see the unit next week where McKinnie is in the starting lineup though. The Bears last year had no OL last season and almost made it to the Super Bowl, and Jay Cutler isn't half the QB Joe is. I'm concerned about the OL, but I don't think it will destroy our season.

The plays where Joe looked bad were plays where the protection was lacking, at least for the most part. He managed to slip away from sacks once or twice on broken protections, which is something I'd like to see more of from him. I think the numbers speak for themselves though, Flacco had a pretty good game with the exception of that interception. He threw beautiful passes to Boldin and Evans for scores and had some lasers to Dickson, among other plays. He looked much better than last week, but I was never worried about Flacco heading into the regular season.

[Npane171]

[quote name='T3hRaven' timestamp='1314330057' post='766476']
I think our OL was a little bit better than last week, but they were pretty bad on the whole. There are far too many missed blocks and bad blitz pickups on this unit. That being said, I think we can get by with an average line, but some guys need to step up their game a little bit. I'm more interested to see the unit next week where McKinnie is in the starting lineup though. The Bears last year had no OL last season and almost made it to the Super Bowl, and Jay Cutler isn't half the QB Joe is. I'm concerned about the OL, but I don't think it will destroy our season.

The plays where Joe looked bad were plays where the protection was lacking, at least for the most part. He managed to slip away from sacks once or twice on broken protections, which is something I'd like to see more of from him. I think the numbers speak for themselves though, Flacco had a pretty good game with the exception of that interception. He threw beautiful passes to Boldin and Evans for scores and had some lasers to Dickson, among other plays. He looked much better than last week, but I was never worried about Flacco heading into the regular season.
[/quote]


Do you think that Flacco's performance in the pre-season differs from that of the regular season?

Thanks the comments (both of you).

[Reed the Raven]

[quote name='Npane171' timestamp='1314330348' post='766489']


Do you think that Flacco's performance in the pre-season differs from that of the regular season?

Thanks the comments (both of you).
[/quote]

I think it'll differ greatly, to be honest. I am hoping sooner than later though. It really sucks that we play one of the best zone-blitzing teams and pass rushing teams when we're still trying to mend the offensive line. I hope they get it together before Week 1.

[Reed the Raven]

Mike Duffy just posted on Twitter that John Harbaugh confirmed that Michael Oher will be moving to Right Tackle and Bryant McKinnie will be playing Left Tackle. This is great news, we've got 2 Pro Bowlers at Tackle and 2 of the best Guards in the League and a very good Center.

[Npane171]

Yeah, I think the line - with all out starters, Oher on the side he performs best at, and leviathan of a man in McKinnie - will be much better. My question, though, is how are we so sure and confident that Joe's mistakes are solely the mistakes of the line? It isn't a stretch to believe that he might not be as an elite of a quarterback as we might like to think. However, I want to say I'm not a Joe hater. I'm critical of his performance at times, sure, but I try to practice moderation (whereas others are on two extremes: delusionally positive or cruelly negative). I'm just curious: how are we so sure that his problems are most certainly a result of the line? If the line improves, and Joe doesn't will we then try and locate another problem? Maybe regress to Cam being the primary cause of Joe's mistakes? I just want to be sure that Joe is good to go when week 1 gets here and I'm asking people who are more knowledgeable than myself.

[Gordo52]

Mattison deserves alot of credit

[PuRock]

In all honesty, I'm confused as to who is out there at any given moment. Keep changing stuff up on us. Oher just isn't good as a pass-blocking LT (at least yet). LeVoir was good in run blocking situations but struggled a bit with the pass. Same goes for Reid.

[quote name='Ravens<3' timestamp='1314331756' post='766569']
Mattison deserves alot of credit
[/quote]

This indeed. Its a tough position to play and he's held his own. I tip my hat off to him.

[ravensfan2430]

This week holds almost no weight as to how our line will look 2 weeks from now. Grubbs will be the only one to stay in the same position.

[Ravens Beast]

Hats off to Mattison. The kid did great.

[colljb9]

Very good topic idea and great comments, but as mentioned no critical evaluations can be made of our offensive line as 3 of 5 starters were not in and Oher will be moving to the right side. Questions i have though are

1. how was grubbs play tonight, did he look worthy of a long term contract when his ends i believe after this year or next?
2. How about mattison at center, i know im gonna get some crap for this but...is it worth keeping Birk when we could have mattison and boren or batholemew there and possibly harewood earn a roster spot?

[funky141]

Still a work in progess but have time to fix the issues at hand.

[PWNEDbyDEANO]

[quote name='colljb9' timestamp='1314336514' post='766799']
Very good topic idea and great comments, but as mentioned no critical evaluations can be made of our offensive line as 3 of 5 starters were not in and Oher will be moving to the right side. Questions i have though are

1. how was grubbs play tonight, did he look worthy of a long term contract when his ends i believe after this year or next?
[b]2. How about mattison at center, i know im gonna get some crap for this but...is it worth keeping Birk when we could have mattison and boren or batholemew there and possibly harewood earn a roster spot?[/b]
[/quote]

The whole point of keeping a rookie center is so that he can sit behind Birk for a year and hold the clipboard. Birk's already said that he's more than willing to help tutor a rookie to take over when he retires, which will likely be the end of this season.

I honestly thought the offensive line did pretty good for the most part, especially when you consider that our ideal starting lineup will feature three different players and another at a different position. Some blitz pickups were pretty poor but the Redskins came often with a lot of good effective blitzes.

[POE]

[quote name='Npane171' timestamp='1314331163' post='766531']
Yeah, I think the line - with all out starters, Oher on the side he performs best at, and leviathan of a man in McKinnie - will be much better. My question, though, is how are we so sure and confident that Joe's mistakes are solely the mistakes of the line? It isn't a stretch to believe that he might not be as an elite of a quarterback as we might like to think. However, I want to say I'm not a Joe hater. I'm critical of his performance at times, sure, but I try to practice moderation (whereas others are on two extremes: delusionally positive or cruelly negative). I'm just curious: how are we so sure that his problems are most certainly a result of the line? If the line improves, and Joe doesn't will we then try and locate another problem? Maybe regress to Cam being the primary cause of Joe's mistakes? I just want to be sure that Joe is good to go when week 1 gets here and I'm asking people who are more knowledgeable than myself.
[/quote]
My answer to your questions is very obvious, watch Joe when he has time for the play to create itself. He throws lasers at any spot on the field. He has the ability to burn defenses on any pattern but he needs time and the WR's have to do their job as well to get open. Then look at Joe when the play breaks down, the oline gives up penetration or the WR's don't get separation. He isn't as nimble as Ben or even our own Tyrod Taylor but his footwork has improved. He is able to make plays when things aren't ideal but his accuracy falls off a bit and sometimes he tries to force it to places he shouldn't. Overall, Flacco's game is solid and well above average.

[Gtown Purple]

The line started out shaky but did better as the game went on. This was a constant theme last year with the slow starts in games. I don't put alot of stock in it seeing as our line will look much different against the steelers.

[UxbridgeRaven]

Wasn't too bad, blitz recognition and pick up were poor at times, couple of mental lapses, but when people got hands on defenders they did pretty well on the whole, especially considering the makeshift nature of the line. Don't sleep on that defense either, I think the Redskins will play some defense and give a lot of O-lines fits this year. Kerrigan will be a beast especially with Orakpo on the other side.

[mhead66]

[quote name='Reed the Raven' timestamp='1314329825' post='766462']
Just want to point out that Matt Birk, Bryant McKinnie and Marshal Yanda didn't play. It's hard to not say to evaluate the offensive line, but I doubt these are the players that are going to be starting Week 1 against the Pittsburgh Steelers; which has me worried. Bryant McKinnie will have to learn the offense in 2 - 3 weeks, Marshal Yanda and Matt Birk need to come back and Michael Oher most likely will have to deal with a position switch. I am happy with the depth and individual talent on the offensive line, but I hope the starters will have the chemistry and rhythm to deal with the Pittsburgh Steelers' pass rushers.
[/quote]
Agreed.

Usually the 4th preseason game the starters hardly play, but I think this next game, the starting OLine needs to play together.

1. It's been more than a year since Oher's played RT, and even though he did well his rookie year, he only played there that one season - he was a LT in college.
2. McKinnie has (obviously) never played with this line, and has yet to practice, after missing TC.
3. Birk is still wearing a sleeve on his knee at practice, has missed most of TC and all 3 preseason games.
4. Yanda missed the game this week.

Our starting OLine should play vs. Atlanta, and try to mesh. We don't want their first game time together to be against the NFL sack leaders on Week 1.