ESPN RANKS LEAGUE O Lines
by titansfan615 on Aug 17, 2009 3:23 PM CDT
14 comments
AFC South
Houston (run rank: 12/pass rank: 17): This is not a group littered with big names, but it is very effective in both departments and extremely well coached under the tutelage of O-line legend Alex Gibbs. Left tackle Duane Brown flashed ability but was still the weakest link on the line in his first season. Expect Gibbs to coach him up and keepMatt Schaub's blind side better protected in 2009. Depth is certainly a concern here, however.
Indianapolis (run rank: 21/pass rank: 4): The Colts have a better offensive line than they did last season. Losing LG Ryan Lilja to a season-ending injury was a huge blow. The unit still is not where it once was, and LT Tony Ugoh isn't inTarik Glenn's class. Peyton Manning also makes this group appear better than it is in protection. But still, the run-blocking should be vastly improved.
Jacksonville (run rank: 15/pass rank: 16): Judging this line off what transpired last season simply isn't fair, as injuries completely destroyed any chance of success. Now, not only is everyone back to health, but many resources also were used to vastly improve the overall talent. Expect Jacksonville's offensive line to improve in 2009 more than any other team's from a year ago. There also is much depth here now.
Tennessee (run rank: 4/pass rank: 2): This is a very solid all-around unit led by stalwart CKevin Mawae. The true strength of the group comes in the form of its bookend tackles, who just might be the top pair in the league. This crew is better at pass-blocking than run-blocking, and its ability to maul and dominate is somewhat overblown, as Chris Johnson's pension for breaking long runs and the Titans' high number of carries have inflated the line's ground statistics to some degree. Still, this unit consistently keeps an immobile quarterback upright and produces against eight-man fronts when everyone in the stadium knows that a run play is coming.
www.espn.com
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The indy rank may be a little high
Their starting o-line gave up 3 sacks in 6 plays this week, they will have a rough season if this happens the rest of the year.
#4 OT in the game, who won't even make the roster
he gave up 2 of the 3 sacks (other one was a coverage sack, I blame Clark and Gonzo being out for that).
It's shocking what you can miss sometimes. The amazing color changing card trick.
by shake n bake on Aug 17, 2009 6:50 PM CDT up reply actions
Tony Ugoh couldn't carry Tarik Glenn's socks
and his demotion should only be a surprise to people who don’t realize how much Peyton covers for those guys by getting rid of the ball like clockwork.
Music City Miracles blogger and official Jon Bovi tour manager.
His rookie year Ugoh was a better run blocker than Glenn ever was
but Ugoh hasn’t shown he can hold a candle to Tarik’s pass pro.
It's shocking what you can miss sometimes. The amazing color changing card trick.
by shake n bake on Aug 17, 2009 6:51 PM CDT up reply actions
he was better moving around in the run game
but when I saw him he seemed to constantly struggle if he couldn’t get a running start. You guys saw him more than I did, but that was my impression after watching him a lot.
Music City Miracles blogger and official Jon Bovi tour manager.
last year he had issues in the run game as well
but as a rookie he was impressive in the run game. A good amount of it being that he was much more mobile than Glenn (who was a larger man with annual weight issues).
It's shocking what you can miss sometimes. The amazing color changing card trick.
by shake n bake on Aug 17, 2009 7:09 PM CDT up reply actions
Agree with the rankings.
I’d still say we’re number one in pass protection though after giving up the least sacks out of anyone last year with a very immobile QB. (Not counting the last “game” against the colts).
Oh, and also had to throw this real interesting tidbit from the one and only Peter King out there.
I hit a deer on the highway out here in Colorado Saturday night. Crunched up the car pretty well. Killed the poor deer. Scared the living heck out of me. Quite an experience. I think my heart rate is back down to near normal now, but just barely.Read more: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/writers/peter_king/08/16/mmqb/5.html#ixzz0OUTbObNT
Ummmmmmmm, OK…?
You have to consider the pass attempts though
6th least in the league. That’ll skew the raw sack totals.
It's shocking what you can miss sometimes. The amazing color changing card trick.
by shake n bake on Aug 17, 2009 8:32 PM CDT up reply actions
that really over rates our run blocking
titans running backs were tackled at or behind the line of scrimmage 22% of the time last season, 28th in the league.
The Dual Threat, Official Enforcer/Stat Geek of MCM.
Agree completely.
The O-Line is MUCH better at pass blocking. They are just slightly better than average for run blocking. Not enough credit is given here for some seriously good running from the RBs.
DannoE
"You may say I'm a dreamer, but I'm not the only one."
What percentage of that was Lendale?
King of the bling come to lay down the evidence//Not George Bush, L-Millz be da president
no way to tell
but i’d agree with dannoe. cj dances a lot more in the backfield. lendale usually gets at least something.
The Dual Threat, Official Enforcer/Stat Geek of MCM.
He's a lot more likely to get stuffed but also a lot more likely to gain 12 yards.
Last season it averaged out in his favor over time, and it probably will again this season. Problem with the preseason is the sample-size. Not enough time/effort to start to wear on the Defense.
DannoE
"You may say I'm a dreamer, but I'm not the only one."
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