Awful offensive line

[JoeCool#5]

Did anyone else see Gino flip Watt?

Yeah. That was pretty sick. He straight man-handled J.J. Swatt on that play. haha

[PurpleCityLights]

its not the O-Line, its the Run Blocking scheme. The Pass Blocking is good enough but we need to run the ball if we want to go deep into the play-offs.

[flaccopoe]

its not the O-Line, its the Run Blocking scheme. The Pass Blocking is good enough but we need to run the ball if we want to go deep into the play-offs.

 

The onus is on Juan Castillo to improve the run blocking.

[The Raven]

Today proved to me that the problem is the scheme. The ZBS just isn't working. Pierce's TD was man blocking. The big stretch run he had in the third quarter was an outside run with man blocking. Late in the fourth quarter, when it was time to run the clock, we just ran iso after iso up the middle, and we kept picking up first downs. As I said in the game thread, even Gino was getting a bit of push on man blocking plays, especially in that last offensive drive. Gino still looked great when getting to the second level.

 

Really hope to see more man and power blocking as we progress through the season. 

[GrimCoconut]

Today proved to me that the problem is the scheme. The ZBS just isn't working. Pierce's TD was man blocking. The big stretch run he had in the third quarter was an outside run with man blocking. Late in the fourth quarter, when it was time to run the clock, we just ran iso after iso up the middle, and we kept picking up first downs. As I said in the game thread, even Gino was getting a bit of push on man blocking plays, especially in that last offensive drive. Gino still looked great when getting to the second level.

Really hope to see more man and power blocking as we progress through the season.

I have no issue with ZBS on occasion but as a base it's killing our run game. Cam is gone but his nasty run blocking still exists and it needs to go now. I hope the coaches agree with us.

[The Raven]

I have no issue with ZBS on occasion but as a base it's killing our run game. Cam is gone but his nasty run blocking still exists and it needs to go now. I hope the coaches agree with us.

 

To me, the ZBS is only good for outside stretch plays, but there are man blocking variants of that, like we saw today, that work better at times. Outside of the outside zone and pass pro schemes, zone blocking is almost worthless. It's so easy to beat.

[rmw10]

I have no issue with ZBS on occasion but as a base it's killing our run game. Cam is gone but his nasty run blocking still exists and it needs to go now. I hope the coaches agree with us.

 

I agree here.  Our OL is primarily mauler types, and a power blocking scheme would suit them better.  The ZBS gives a different look, but I don't think it's something that should be used as a primary scheme.  With our struggles in the passing game, I think we need to revert pack to power running, at least more so than we are now.

[BloodRaven]

The pass protection is still poor but it seems like something that will just improve week by week, there is no quick fix out there.

[jdynamite]

The Oline has really underperformed. Thus far. Too many runs have contact before the line of scrimmage.
Flacco has been under pressure also.

[RavensFanMvp]

We have yet to play an average- to below average defense. So lets cut some slack.

 

I agree. Denver is a pretty good defensive team, plus we got behind in the 3rd quarter and we had to pass more. The Texans was run blitzing a lot in this game and it was clear, their goal was to take our run game out of it early, so they could try to force us to become one dimensional.

Although, I think we could have ran more off the edge and to the outside, I got to give Caldwell and Joe credit for sticking with the run, even though it was only producing a yard or two at times. JJ Watt and company was waiting to tee off on Joe, but we kept running it to keep them honest.

I really thought the O-line was going to be top 5 as a unit and they have been above average at best. They haven't been great, but they haven't looked completely horrible either.

I think the O-line will get better as the year goes on and by the time November and December rolls around, they should be playing up to their Top 5 potential.

[flynismo]

I really thought the O-line was going to be top 5 as a unit and they have been above average at best. They haven't been great, but they haven't looked completely horrible either.

I think the O-line will get better as the year goes on and by the time November and December rolls around, they should be playing up to their Top 5 potential.

 

Well, I dont want to say COMPLETELY horrible, but the run blocking has been horrid, and the pass protection has been mediocre...so....

[RavensFanMvp]

Well, I dont want to say COMPLETELY horrible, but the run blocking has been horrid, and the pass protection has been mediocre...so....

 

Yeah, the O-line has struggled at times... But to me, it all comes back to the drop passes... If the receivers catch the ball, we move the chains and Joe and the O-line won't be force in those tough 3 and longs. So to me, the pass blocking has been decent, just not great.

As for the run blocking... It hasn't looked good. Who knows what is going on there. Maybe Juan Castillo added a new twist to the scheme that's just not working. Maybe Birk was a huge part of the run blocking then we thought? Maybe the opponents defense aren't afraid of our passing game, so they are run blitzing more (which the Texans did a lot of). Maybe some of our guys are out of shape and they need time to get back into shape. Who knows.

What ever the case maybe...
 
I hope we can get back on track with the run game, cause that will open things up for us in the passing game as well.
 

[flaccopoe]

Yanda>Osemele

[The Raven]

Yanda>Osemele

 

The sky is blue and grass is green.

[Purple Nurple]

How is line in the playoffs so bad now? How? Birk? This run game is pissing me off.

[SecretAgentMan]

How is line in the playoffs so bad now? How? Birk? This run game is pissing me off.

I blame it on Cam Cameron.

In all seriousness it's a combo between the system run and the young center

[flaccopoe]

I blame it on Cam Cameron.

In all seriousness it's a combo between the system run and the young center

 

It probably has more to do with the R-side struggles/Castillo mismanagement than Grad.

[SecretAgentMan]

It probably has more to do with the R-side struggles/Castillo mismanagement than Grad.

Center is the most important position on the oline. He's not only the leader, but he also calls out the patterns. Takes on the strongest guy on the d. He has to be strong and smart.

It had A LOT to do with it. He's young. And has played good defenses.

I'm not too worried

[good_n_purple]

I absolutely hate the zone blocking we are doing.  Could Gino on the line make that much of a difference?  I doubt it.  It has to be the scheme because all of a sudden K.O  is getting beat as well.

Yup!  This is the crux of the problem!  We tried the zone blocking scheme back when Leach first showed up, but we were not good at it.  The fact the personnel did not match up with the scheme was recognized, and they moved back to traditional man-on-man blocking.  Well what do you know?  The line was successful!  Now, Harbaugh's bud Castillo is once again trying to make them something they are not.  So, its not Gradkowski, as much as this stupid scheme and misplaced coach.

[jimmypowder]

How long are we going to try the zone blocking schemes that are clearly failing?

 

Will Castillo get the Cam treatment soon? I think so if our run game continues the way it has.

[FerrariFan87]

I have a feeling that when Ryan Jensen is healthy, he's gonna get a long look at C. Gino is just too small and can't really "move" anyone in the run game.

[The Raven]

I have a feeling that when Ryan Jensen is healthy, he's gonna get a long look at C. Gino is just too small and can't really "move" anyone in the run game.

 

Rewatch the last drive of the game, and the Cincy game last year. Gino is more than capable of moving players. 

 

Jensen has never played center before, and his measurables are just about the same as Gino's. I know he's the one not playing so he's the popular name, but that doesn't actually make him a better player.

[FerrariFan87]

Rewatch the last drive of the game, and the Cincy game last year. Gino is more than capable of moving players. 

 

Jensen has never played center before, and his measurables are just about the same as Gino's. I know he's the one not playing so he's the popular name, but that doesn't actually make him a better player.

I know Gino's listed at 300 lbs, but there's no way...

[The Raven]

I know Gino's listed at 300 lbs, but there's no way...

 

Gino has improved in every game, and that's why I still believe in him. The Gino who played yesterday played better than the Gino who played against Denver. Let's stick it out instead of benching him at the first sign of trouble. 

 

Besides, if he was that bad, I feel like we'd see Shipley in by now.

[FerrariFan87]

Gino has improved in every game, and that's why I still believe in him. The Gino who played yesterday played better than the Gino who played against Denver. Let's stick it out instead of benching him at the first sign of trouble. 

 

Besides, if he was that bad, I feel like we'd see Shipley in by now.

I'm not saying he's terrible, but the run game, especially between the tackles, has been nonexistent... I will say I was impressed with how he held up against JJ Watt, and how he even smashed him once.

[The Raven]

I'm not saying he's terrible, but the run game, especially between the tackles, has been nonexistent... I will say I was impressed with how he held up against JJ Watt, and how he even smashed him once.

 

It's all about improvement at this point. Gino hasn't been as horrid as some say, and he's done better lately. We should wait til later in the season to make a judgment on him.

[FerrariFan87]

It's all about improvement at this point. Gino hasn't been as horrid as some say, and he's done better lately. We should wait til later in the season to make a judgment on him.

Fair enough! The Bills have some beefy guys inside, which will be another good test.

[Alexir]

Growing pains. I liked Rick Wagner's block on the Pierce TD lol

[izvoodoo]

Growing pains. I liked Rick Wagner's block on the Pierce TD lol

Yeah, Wagner looks like he may start down the line.  Not to say he'll be a lights out steal, but he's an NFL lineman, which is the first step in being a starter.

[The Raven]

Wagner is the LT of the future if you ask me. He's already a better run blocker than McKinnie. 

 

His pass blocking will get there. I feel like he was just panicky when he was thrown into the fire against Denver. Typically, he doesn't get happy feet like that. He's usually very good with his footwork. 

 

I know it's rare for a fifth round tackle to be a long term LT guy, but I read that some GMs gave this guy a very high grade. Some had him rated as the third best LT in the draft.