Is Brandon Albert proving some of the draftniks here right?

[Frankie]

So far this season he has not looked very good. What do you think it is? Is he a LG and not a LT (like some draftniks here insisted)? Is he going through sophomore jinx? Is it the weight loss?

You know what? I think I'll make a poll about it.

[milkman]

Originally Posted by htismaqe

It's also very possible that Albert had issues last year and they were masked by Gailey's offense because that's what it was designed to do.

That may well be true, but let's not forget that Gailey didn't bring that offense into play until the 4th(?) game, and Albert was dominating in the first three, including essentially owning Seymour in the first game.

[htismaqe]

Originally Posted by milkman

That may well be true, but let's not forget that Gailey didn't bring that offense into play until the 4th(?) game, and Albert was dominating in the first three, including essentially owning Seymour in the first game.

True.

[milkman]

Originally Posted by Tribal Warfare

It's alright when anyone represents an opinion that is opposite of his it's automatic the "he's an idiot mantra "

That is patently false.

I've disagreed with numerous posters over the years without calling them idiots, including Parker.

I only call idiots, idiots.

And as I pointed out, I didn't call you an idiot in this instance.

I only called into question your ability to focus on something other than your normal single minded focus.

[htismaqe]

Originally Posted by Tribal Warfare

It's alright when anyone represents an opinion that is opposite of his it's automatic the "he's an idiot mantra "

Just trying to keep it civil. I respect both of you.

[Chiefnj2]

Originally Posted by milkman

At the risk of being redundant, I'm going to say again, Albert is just learning technique, something he didn't have the chance to work on last year in OTAs and TC because of injuries.

The result was that he was able to show what he's capable of with his natural athletic ability.

But to ascend to the next level, he has to learn how to play the position.

The problem is that he is going to struggle for a few games as a result.

He didn't learn technique last year or at Virginia? He didn't get by with only 2 sacks all year without proper technique.

[milkman]

Originally Posted by Tribal Warfare

It's alright when anyone represents an opinion that is opposite of his it's automatic the "he's an idiot mantra "

And further, the only reason I have ever called you an idiot has little to do with opinion, because I actually think that you have very valid opinions.

It's that single minded focus that I find irritating, and sometimes feel compelled to say something about.

You actually bring good solid opinions to the table, but you sometimes need to give yor current obsessions a rest.

[BigMeatballDave]

Originally Posted by KnowMo2724

We owned the Bengals all day. It would have been completely BS if we lost that game. They couldn't do anything against us offensively until the last 2 minutes of the game.

We beat them with an injured QB, an injured first round RB, without our starting RG, Jabar Gaffney was playing with a broken thumb, and Brandon Marshall barely practiced this offseason. As the season goes on Denver will keep getting better, Denver is a playoff team.

Tool

[htismaqe]

Originally Posted by Chiefnj2

He didn't learn technique last year or at Virginia? He didn't get by with only 2 sacks all year without proper technique.

By that same token then, did he just forget all that technique between last year and now?

[milkman]

Originally Posted by Chiefnj2

He didn't learn technique last year or at Virginia? He didn't get by with only 2 sacks all year without proper technique.

Not for the LT position.

['Hamas' Jenkins]

Originally Posted by Tribal Warfare

but 1st rounders nonetheless, since it's a big "No-No" in your book lets ignore that shall we

When an attempt at sophistry fails, you come off as a ****ing reerun.

Why don't you look at the draft value chart and see the difference in points from 5 to about 21 or so.

[Tribal Warfare]

Originally Posted by 'Hamas' Jenkins

When an attempt at sophistry fails, you come off as a ****ing reerun.

Why don't you look at the draft value chart and see the difference in points from 5 to about 21 or so.

As I said before the mantra continues, I never retorted that I want an OG or RT in the top 5 the discussion was about the 1st round in general, and when I speak of "high round" picks I mean 15-20 overall

[Bane]

Originally Posted by Laz

Sorry, this is complete crap.

the rest of the line didn't make him get powned 1-on-1 against the Ravens 3 or 4 times. Now if he misses a stunt or something then you can blame the other guys but not having a DE just line up and blow right by him.

I'm sorry this is complete snake shit!If you're gonna quote me you could atleast show my whole post instead of just the part that makes you think your point is made.Typical liberal cock pukage!If Alberts head wasn't spinning like a top looking to see which arm was gonna have to block 2 guys cause the reerun next to him isn't gonna block anyone,he could center on his job and do just fine.Like I said with some dependable help he will be just fine and maybe even better than we think.
Posted via Mobile Device

[DaKCMan AP]

All the morons need to read this and then about Albert.

Don't be too hasty to write off Miami Dolphins' Jake Long, Dierdorf says

Ethan J. Skolnick Sports columnist September 17, 2009


It has happened to all of them, even the best of them, when they've faced the best. It happened back in the 1970s, when the Cardinals still represented St. Louis and the Rams still represented Los Angeles, and their matchups meant future Hall of Famers Jack Youngblood and Dan Dierdorf sneering at each across the scrimmage line. Dierdorf was so aware of Youngblood's ability that, during one game's first two pass sets, he retreated to set up nearly 3 yards deep. Sometimes, respect begets regret. Dierdorf was flat-footed. Youngblood sped around him unscathed.

"The difference is that the quarterback got rid of the ball," Dierdorf said, three days after calling the Dolphins' loss to the Falcons for CBS, a loss that has made some Dolphins fans fret about left tackle Jake Long. "So I come to the sidelines and our OL coach walks over, takes one look at me with my eyes rolled up in my head and just says, 'I'll talk to you later.' I just had to settle down. Youngblood never got a sack. That could have been disastrous, but I got lucky. And that could have happened to Jake."

It didn't. Long didn't get lucky. So he got spotlighted, and criticized. After giving up only 2.5 sacks as a rookie, Long gave up two Sunday, including one that looked really bad — Falcons defensive end John Abraham knocking him flat with a bull rush.

Dierdorf took special notice from the booth. Biased? Well, he's a fellow Michigan man, so maybe a little. Still, his plea for patience should carry weight. He knows the position, the player, the feeling. And he believes this:

"It will be a long time before anyone runs over Jake again," Dierdorf said.

Dierdorf cautions the doubters by noting that, while Long was picked first overall, he is beginning just his second season, making him "a toddler by NFL standards." Sunday, that toddler faced a fully formed NFL star who is, in Dierdorf's opinion, "one of the top 10 pass rushers of the past decade, maybe top five." Was Long overmatched? No. But perhaps he did overthink.

"I have been there before," Dierdorf said. "When you think you are playing against a speed rusher, you worry so much about protecting the edge. The first couple of times, John tried to go around the corner against him and Jake handled it really well."

So well that Dierdorf illustrated it on the Telestrator.

"Sometimes when you play a speed rusher, you play him only as a speed rusher," Dierdorf said. "Jake was way too high on that one play, playing him to the outside. It was a classic bull rush, and Abraham speared him and put him flat on his butt. That's a great lesson. I assume Jake will learn from that, and learn that a great pass rusher is not a one-trick pony."

Long said after the game that he expected Abraham to try bull rushing, but he was just slow off the snap. Long, for sure, has already learned something else over the years: nobody really cares. Aside from the sweet salary, offensive line is largely a thankless position. And like cornerback play, much good work can be spoiled with one slip. You can stuff an opponent for 50 snaps. …

"Then all of a sudden he's on top of the quarterback, doing a dance," Dierdorf said. "It's the most unfair thing in the world. Yes, it is. But you better get used to it."

And better get over it. One suspects that Long will. Dierdorf conceded that sometimes he would panic inside when something went awry. He said Long needs to understand that he has only one friend: his technique.

"You've just got to keep telling yourself, 'If I am low enough, I am square, I've got my balance, I don't bend, I'll be fine,'" Dierdorf said.

Even if your next opponent is a step up even from Abraham. Wednesday, Dolphins coach Tony Sparano called the Colts' Dwight Freeney one of the NFL's top two pass rushers. Is it a good thing to get another shot at a stud so quickly?

"Only a guy who never played offensive tackle could look at Dwight Freeney and ask, "Could that be a good thing?'" Dierdorf said, laughing. "That will get Jake's attention, but no, that's not a good thing. If he says it's a good thing, then Abraham hit him harder than I thought he did."

Monday night, we'll see how good Big Jake is at hitting back.

http://www.sun-sentinel.com/sports/m...5700680.column

[Inspector]

Ask again about half way through the season.

[FAX]

Completely awesome article on the LT position. Of course, I would expect nothing less from Mr. DaKCMan AP.

Speaking of Jack Youngblood (who is well known for playing through the 1979 playoffs and Superbowl XIV with a broken leg), here is a great little anecdote about that Rams defensive line ... "Youngblood credits Merlin Olsen for his toughness. Youngblood said that Olsen had to be one of the toughest guys he'd ever played with. He recalled one time when a guy stepped on Merlin's hand with nylon cleats, ripping his hand wide open. Olsen came back to the huddle holding it. Youngblood looked over, could see all the bones, and almost fainted. Merlin said, 'Aw it's all right.' Merlin held it together and stopped the bleeding a little bit. That was first down. He stayed out there two more plays before we went to the sidelines."

Personally, I don't think defensive linemen are quite as tough as they used to be.

So far as Albert is concerned, based on the 1 on 1 matchups I've seen him lose, it looks as though two things are happening; 1) His footwork and balance are screwed up. Basically, he looks to be playing too high, to me. Maybe it's overcoaching, overthinking, or undereating, but whatever it is, it's messed up. 2) He isn't stopping his man with his first burst. It's as though he's expecting that, when he comes off the ball and hits his man, the guy will stop (or at least slow down) and that's not happening. Ergo, that technique is not working for him. Lack of strength? Practicing too much against our crap defensive line? Again, playing too high (that's my guess)?

I think he'll be okay, but he needs to play with his ass a little closer to the ground.

FAX