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dzrams
Well, if there were more than two stat sites we would have their info but I don't know of any others with metrics that measure OL effectiveness.
I don't buy into the idea that one can just look at the OL and make a determination of where it ranks in the league. It falls flat to me to see the goal line situation and say top 10 OLs don't do that. Really? Have you studied in depth all 32 OLs? Cause if not, that's way to subjective for me.
I subscribe to FO and already told you how they ranked the line. The Adjusted Line Yards relates to the run blocking and we ranked 7th. The Adjusted Sack Rate obviously relates to pass pro and we ranked 2nd.
I already made a valid argument why the OL was top 10 and supported it with metrics from sites which you've already acknowledged that you accept as being in the ball park. Unless of course you want to subjectively toss out their metrics when it doesn't fit your narrative. I've seen you routinely use PFF and FO in support of positions when it aligns with your position. Don't play both sides of the fence.
OTOH, you've provided the weakest of arguments. 'It's just not top 10. You can tell by watching' is not an argument and it's certainly not evidence. The only evidence you provide is pointing to two goal line failures with a bogus and unsubstantiated statement that top OLs don't do that.
What you have provided just doesn't stack up against objective metrics from two reliable sources that evaluate every play, from every team (something that you don't do even for one team.)
I think it's more the case that for whatever reason you need to/want to believe this OL was bad because it conveniently fits your narrative of 'it's everyone else but Goff that is the problem.' It's alright. We don't have to agree so keep on believing that. Just don't be surprised if moves are made at QB.
But that leaves you in the awkward position of saying that stats no real game watcher accepts should count because you can't tell about an OL from watching. But--that's the only way to tell about an OL. I mean go to the thread here about Blythe and tell all the veteran game watchers in that thread they are wrong about Blythe because of what PFF says (that's here: [
ramsrule.com] ).
Like I said I didn't buy PFF when they said the Rams were 31st last year either. It just might be that a stats site ranking an OL is a bad idea. I think it's much more likely that stats sites do not have the right approach to judging OLs. Like FO counting sacks--that's absurd. The qb has as much to do with avoiding sacks and sacks are no measure. PFF inexplicably ranks the Rams OL way high while simultaneously offering lower grades on the pass blocking for everyone but Whitworth. In that case the numbers for pass pro come closer to measuring what we're actually seeing than their individual player rankings.
I say this OL was solid for stretches but has problems and is too up and down and was particularly down against tough DLs that could attack them. I say that because that what we saw happen. Here are the teams that clearly gave that line trouble. SF twice. Miami once but to me that game was playcalling--they could have run on them. The Jets. Seattle in game 2 (Seattle blitzed the first game, the 2nd game they augmented the DL with LBs on the LOS to attack the OL). Green Bay.
Here's some good readings on that from 2 old veteran games watchers. It;s not just the veteran game watchers here who are saying this stuff.
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Blue Boy
McVay (and Kromer) did everything possible scheme-wise to cover up offensive deficiencies…
This is is not a physically overpowering o-line… Yes, they performed better than 2019… And they were indeed better running this year than last… Better (healthier) running backs… More line consistency…
But note: 4 of their 6 losses were against top 10 rush defenses…
And when it came to passing and they faced defenses with a strong push up the middle (between the guards), the line could not keep the pocket from collapsing…
And having a traditional drop-back passer put the unit at risk… Thus they employed a lot of short-drop and / or heavy play-action to buy the blockers more time… As well as the rollouts…
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ramsman34
Here’s how I watch a lot of the games: I focus on line play. Simply put, our zone scheme helps our OL perform better than their skill set, or lack thereof. The interior of our OL is (a) Not physically strong at the point of attack, and (b) not athletically gifted. That combination makes their combined/in-concert technique critical in the run game. Thankfully we have a couple shifty and instinctive runners in Hendo and Akers to offset deficiencies.
However, in pass pro the problems surface. None of our interior OL can anchor and stone or redirect quality inside rushers. That leaves JG no way to climb the pocket bc the pocket is gettin shoved down his throat. When your most athletic and strongest OL is a 41 year old big whit, ya might have some issues. A gap pressure coupled with DL who can set the edge create real problems for ANY QB, let alone a slow footed, pocket passer.
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All the talk about a deep threat is fine. However, on a 7 step drop, it is critical that the rush be pushed out and around the pocket allowing the QB to “climb” and launch deeper throws. We simply did not have that last season or this season. Defenses compressed the field vertically forcing MCV to work horizontally. We all saw it, game after game. That was all he could call and hope to execute.
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I will be shocked if the interior OL is not heavily addressed this off season, regardless of QB.
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Ask AD about the importance of strong interior OL play. He knows what that does against the rush and for a QB.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 01/22/2021 06:30PM by zn.
