SB Nation User Blog: vherub

How do you get a dominant o-line?

vherub — Tue, 23 Dec 2008 16:07:32 -0000

Every team wants one (or should if they are run well), but it's a little late in the season to get new blood on the line, gifts from St. Nick not withstanding.

Last season, quite a few teams decided they needed to improve the line, and want after the postions in the draft with a vengence. So far, the Broncos and Panthers' choices have paid off. But it is a little early to grade things like this. Instead, it pays to look at the teams that have dominant lines now, because of what they have done in the last few years. The Giants have a great line, but it is the Titans that deserves high praise. A combination of drafting, free agent acquisition and coaching have been their foundation.

Who are these guys:

Kevin Mawae (C)

Michael Roos (LT)

David Stewart (RT)

Jake Scott (RG)

Eugene Amano (LG)

Before examining each, it is important to point out these guys have started all 15 games. They are both talented and durable. This is not a patchwork squad, and working as a cohesive unit if not trumping individual ability, then at least augments individual performance in a way stats cannot meaningfully measure. Still, Collins has been sacked 8 times! Would that Ben had such a luxury. And Chris Johnson is a talent, but LenDale and his TD total greatly benefits from the 5 guys doing the hardwork.

Mawae-

This guy is 37. In the 2005 season, a torn tricep limited his effectiveness and he was released by the Jets. An injured (and 35 at the time) center doesn't get to rest on pro bowl laurels. (By-the-by, the Jets are pretty happy with replacement Nick Mangold).

The Titans signed him in the 2006 offseason- a move that became necessary when their center Justin Hartwig (yup) turned down an offer and went to Carolina. Mawae's leadership/experience was talked about as a strong plus given the Titans' relative inexperience. His play was nothing special last season, but this year, with Collins in the pocket, Mawae has shown a resurgence. Casey Hampton would certainly agree.

Roos and Stewart were 2005 draft picks 41st and 113th overall, respectively. The Steelers selected Trai Essex with the 93rd selection. Roos has started every game, while Stewart became the starter in 2006. Both have remained healthy, and are unsung talents. If you were wondering why the Steelers were not getting sacks, well, keep in mind this tandem also held Mario Williams without a sack in both meetings this year.

Jake Scott signed with the team this past offseason for 4 years at $5 million. The Titans snatched him from the Colts after losing Jacob Bell to the Rams (signed for 6 years/$36 mil with $16 mil guaranteed). Bell has struggled with injuries. Scott has been a fantastic pulling guard and the Colts have struggled to run the ball as effectively this year in his absence. The Colts would have loved to still have him, but they didn't have the money. *Did the Steelers show any interest? I don't recall hearing anything.

Amano was a backup last year, but beat out Leroy Harris to take the starting job. He was selected in '04 239th overall as a center and has been a career backup with the team until this season. It's nice that they had such talent practically wasting away on the bench. Given his chance, Amano has risen to the task at hand. A strong consideration for a pro bowl nod.

Aside from the players, it needs to be mentioned that the o-lin coach Mike Munchak (himself a HOF guard inducted in 01) gets very little praise, but he is a tremendous coach. He is great at developing young talent, and he has revitalized Mawae in the twilight of his career.

Division Leaders

vherub — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 02:16:23 -0000

That was a tough loss, a winnable game, and without bias, I think the better team lost.

The tipped pass touchdown is a fluke, the interception by ben at the end of the 1st half was brutal.

But the o-line offered solid pass protection, and the Steelers are still division leaders and have the 2nd best record in the AFC along with the Jets, Pats and Ravens.

This is still a team that can, and at a neutral site, probably should beat any team in the league. 7 games is an eternity, and there quite a few teams in worse shape.

Next up is a Chargers team even more desperate than the Colts.

tough loss

vherub — Mon, 27 Oct 2008 01:50:20 -0000

That was a winnable game, not that the Steelers had a victory that was stolen, but the Giants didn't impose their will.

The positives: Moore comes to play. The rush defense was astounding, when you shutdown Brandon Jacobs, that is impressive. He is one of the best backs in the league. The secondary played well, especially since the pressure brought o Eli wasn't that great. Plaxico was a nonfactor.

The negatives: Ben held the ball too long and made poor reads, Colon struggled, Ward disappeared, Davenport brings nothing to the special teams' game. Injuries (hopeful they are not bad). The offense was crazy bipolar, looking unstoppable at points and then going into punt mode. The first half could have been a blowout, but the second half the steelers had a great chance to cement a lead. I said the secondary played well, but Boss always was open and there TEs could have been more troublesome if they didn't keep dropping passes

A quick look at the 08 O-line class

vherub — Thu, 02 Oct 2008 17:53:14 -0000

This is by no means an indepth examination of the centers, guards and tackles taken in 2008, rather a brief summary to see how things are shaping.

The Steelers were one (of many) teams thought to target the oline going into the draft as a pressing need. As most people on this site know, instead their early picks went to Mendy (now lost for the year) and Limas (not on the radar). While it is unfortunate Mendy is out for the season, it is too early to consider either pick in terms of good or bad. It's also too early to judge most anyone from the 2008 class. Still...

Jake Long- 1st overall

Was considered a disappointment before the Dolphins handled the Pats game. has started every game.

Ryan Clady- 12th overall

May become the best of the class. Has done a great job in Denver.

Chris Williams- 14th overall

injured, has yet to play

Brandon Albert- 15th overall

injured in the preseason and injured again recently

Gosder Cherilus- 17th overall

recently hit the starting lineup, played decently

Jeff Otah- 19th overall

injured

Sam Baker- 21st overall

On an Atlanta line that created some big holes for Turner, now injured

Duane Brown- 26th overal

Gotten mixed reviews, but getting playing time

Chilo Rachal- 39th overall

backup

Mike Pollack- 59th overall

inactive

John Greco- 65th overall

backup

Jeremy Zuttah- 83rd overall

Filled in well when Stanton was out

Chad Rinehart- 96th overall

backup

Oniel Cousins- 99th overall

backup

Cody Wallace- 107th overall

backup

Kory Lichtensteiger- 108th overall

backup

Mike McGlynn- 109th overall

backup

Shawn Murphy- 110th overall

backup

Anothony Collins- 112th overall

backup

***Tony Hills- 130th overall

backup

David Hale- 133rd overall

backup

Josh Sitton- 135th overall

started in the preseason, currently injured

What stands out is guys taken after the 1st round weren't drafted to start. They may still start before the season ends, they may become great talents, but they were not drafted to fill an immediate need. In fact, aside from Zuttah filling for an injured player, none of the guys taken in the 2nd-4th rounds has signifcant or sometimes any playing time that I could tell.

SI/Lombardi on Uncapped Season

vherub — Wed, 28 May 2008 20:27:27 -0000

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2008/writers/michael_lombardi/05/27/uncapped.strategy/index.html Interesting insights, and a bit more involved than the cookie cutter analysis of owners going wild with ceiling-less spending. There are huge unknowns approaching the game. Some of it is the nuts and bolts under the hood that many fans don't care about. But it will have an impact and maybe a large impact. Also, the comments regarding the draft were the first I had read on the subject. Yikes! It almost seems as if the owners have chosen chaos rahter than pay slight salary premiums.

Browns release Eric Young ol

vherub — Tue, 06 May 2008 01:59:05 -0000

http://admin.clevelandbrowns.com/article.php?id=8430

Here is a guy who went undrafted and a number of fans were hoping their respective teams would pick him up.

There was a time many thought he would be 1st or 2nd round talent (and this past year, who knows, the Steelers might have taken him with their first or second pick).

Unfortunately, he had an ankle injury, then tore the quad in his left leg, missed the last 6 games of his senior year and no teams took him in the draft.

When the Browns signed him, I thought they were getting a steal. True, it is unclear the extent of the injury and that recovery process. But when healthy, this guy can play, and he plays with an intensity. Another guy I would like to see the Steelers bring in for a look.

This was the nfldraftscout report on him-

2007: Started the team's first eight games at left offensive tackle, earning second-team All-Southeastern Conference honors, despite sitting out the final six contests after suffering a torn quadriceps muscle in his left leg vs. South Carolina…Also hampered early in the season by an ankle sprain that he suffered in the Florida clash…With Young in the lineup, the team averaged 147.6 yards per game rushing (130.43 average with him sidelined), 268.9 yards passing (256.1 ypg without Young) and 416.4 yards in total offense (386.57 ypg without Young)…In 495 offensive snaps that he appeared in, Young registered 58 knockdowns with eleven touchdown-resulting blocks and seven more blocks down field, leading SEC offensive linemen with an 86.38% grade for blocking consistency…He graded at least 90% in each of the Southern Mississippi, Arkansas State and Georgia contests, as he did not allow any quarterback sacks or pressures in any of the games he started…Led an offensive line that allowed only four quarterback sacks for the season. Had arthro shoulder surgery in Jan. '07. Started all 13 games at right tackle in '06. Played nine games, including last six in a row in '05. Appeared in three games, including Cotton Bowl vs. Texas A&M in '04. Redshirted in '03.

shane olivea?

vherub — Mon, 05 May 2008 15:33:30 -0000

This guy was heralded as one of the better linemen out there just one year ago. Now that he has been cut, why aren't the steelers interested in him?

From what I read, it might be he got a big payday and his play dropped off, then again, it could be he clashed with the coaching style of turner.

I think the steelers benefit from bringing this guy in, and if the fire is still there, this is a team and coaching stuff- with a chance for redemption- that could get the most out of him again.

si article on the 98 draft

vherub — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 15:41:24 -0000

I read this in the latest issue and didn't realize p. king was behind it, surprisingly decent it also appears here: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2008/writers/peter_king/04/22/lesssons.of.98/index.html It's an interesting opinion that if not for manning/leaf, Ward would be the guy most remembered from the draft. Also had this great Donahoe quote: "There is only one way to do this job," says Tom Donahoe, who drafted Ward as Pittsburgh's director of football operations at the time. "You have to put the tape on and watch play after play, to see if the guy can play football. Hines proved he could play without the ACL, and play at a high level, and run away from corners. He was a victim of what still plagues a lot of players 10 years later -- a good player, but [after the season] people start poking holes in him. "The process is not getting better," Donahoe adds. "There'd be fewer mistakes if the league drafted at the end of January and eliminated all those workouts and most of those player interviews, which are a waste because they're so scripted. Turn the tape on. Can the guy play or not?"