Originally Posted by Gravedigger (Post 13825339)

I hope he retires and goes into coaching, would love his presence on the sidelines.

Originally Posted by O.city (Post 13825199)

It doesn’t really matter how smart he is. He’s to slow.

You can’t make up for that

Originally Posted by FAX (Post 13825313)

I've been watching a lot of film and the most conspicuous issue I see with the MLBs is hesitation at the snap. At first, I thought they were just having trouble shedding blocks. Then, I thought maybe they simply weren't hitting the correct gaps (which might explain why they were taking bad angles and the blocks were thusly more effective). Finally, I realized that the issue is more fundamental. They're guessing out there. Now, I don't know the calls, obviously, so I'm not completely certain that's the case. However, it appears to me that they are hesitating at the snap. Can't read ... can't react.

To me, that means one of two things; either they're presented with un-scouted formations or they're simply unsure of their responsibility. If it's the latter, that's on the coaches. If it's the former, they need to do more film work.

If any of that is true, it boils down to this; knowing and expecting is a ton better than guessing and indecisive. In that light, I view DJ as a net positive (if I'm right, of course).

Originally Posted by oldman (Post 13825831)

You hit the nail right on the head with this analysis, FAX. That 1st step is the key and our ILBs let the blockers get right on them before they react.

Originally Posted by htismaqe (Post 13825852)

It's the line's job to keep blockers off the LB's though.

Originally Posted by Rain Man (Post 13825857)

But we usually only have two linemen.

Originally Posted by htismaqe (Post 13825852)

It's the line's job to keep blockers off the LB's though.

Originally Posted by FAX (Post 13825867)

I don't know the percentages (have neither the time nor the willpower to attempt to count), but it seems like a lot of the problems are associated with pulling guards and TEs. Weak side, strong side, doesn't seem to matter.

I mean, you're right of course, but a down lineman isn't really expected to defeat a double team AND pick up a pulling guard to keep the LBs clean, is he?

I suppose you could expect them to bull-rush the o-lineman so far back that he disrupts the pulling player. That happens sometimes. Hard to ask a guy to do that consistently. I would think a MLB should be able to read his triangle keys (guard, center, RB) and figure it the hell out. Then again, I'm not an expert.

FAX