D-Line Props

[Lexvol]

I know it was just a scrimmage, but the more I reflect on the situation the happier I get about the D-line comming to play. By all accounts (both the press and the eye witnesses) the line was much quicker off of the ball.

I don't want to pump too much sunshine over the issue. We won't know exactly what they are made of for a while.

Bottom line in my Caveman brain: Improvement on DL good.

 

[thunder5]

I agree...and it's especially nice to see Langley and Thomas make some noise...considering our depth issues and all

 

[jakez4ut]

looking for some perspective on the 1st scrimmage.....can be summed up pretty easily in that..........it's the 1st scrimmage, what'd ya expect?

a few things that have stuck out from what i've read:
1. Turnovers......big issue, fumbles and int's are mistakes that can, and have to, be corrected.
2. I'm still not overly concerned about the offense. they've spent the majority of fall camp thus far installing the rest of the offense.....as they actually work it in practice from here on out, it will improve.
3. what was the point of the scrimmage anyway? to build depth. many starters only played 20 or so snaps.
4. position changes still to come....still a few guys out there that's final spots haven't been determined yet. again, the big issue right now and for this scrimmmage was to find people that could add depth.
5. which is good for the DT's. knowing what we know about our DT situation, i'd much rather see and hear what i've read/heard about Victor Thomas and Langley than the opposite.
6. this is the kind of thing that can be a killer, and could be a detriment to our defense in the long run. KO and punt coverage has to be a lot better this year compared to last.....the only good thing about this......let's hope we're doing a lot of kicking off next year.....:thumbsup:

1st scrimmage.....nothing to get up in arms about....take the positives about the D Line and run with it......eace2:

agreed Lex......i posted this in the scrimmage update thread, but figured it applied here too.......

 

[deaknasty74]

You have to remember the OL couldn't cut block, but I still love to here the DL making plays

 

[CICEROMESSIAH]

from what i hear, bolden tipped the pass that morley intercepted. ayers forced hardestys fumble. martin and langley made some plays. i seen a video of chris walker making a nice stop near the goal line. i am excited about the d-line but am starting to get worried about our run blocking. None of our backs did anything as far as yards per carry

 

[Lexvol]

from what i hear, bolden tipped the pass that morley intercepted. ayers forced hardestys fumble. martin and langley made some plays. i seen a video of chris walker making a nice stop near the goal line. i am excited about the d-line but am starting to get worried about our run blocking. None of our backs did anything as far as yards per carry

I understand the concern, but I am not too worried about it yet.

 

[utVOLman]

GREAT news on the D-line play...in fact, my biggest concern is no longer the D-Line, but the fact that our kickoffs are only going to around the 10 yard line...

that is a HUGE problem.

 

[vader]

I know it was just a scrimmage, but the more I reflect on the situation the happier I get about the D-line comming to play. By all accounts (both the press and the eye witnesses) the line was much quicker off of the ball.

I don't want to pump too much sunshine over the issue. We won't know exactly what they are made of for a while.

Bottom line in my Caveman brain: Improvement on DL good.

This make vader very happy.

 

[vols kick balls]

I understand the concern, but I am not too worried about it yet.

Agreed. The Defense always gels before the offense does. Happens every year. Defense shuts down the O in the first couple scrimmages and everyone freaks out. Give the O until the end of the month before you make any conclusions about anything... and you should probably wait until you get to see them in a live game.

 

[KB5252]

from what i hear, bolden tipped the pass that morley intercepted. ayers forced hardestys fumble. martin and langley made some plays. i seen a video of chris walker making a nice stop near the goal line. i am excited about the d-line but am starting to get worried about our run blocking. None of our backs did anything as far as yards per carry

The defense is always ahead of the offense this time of year. If the defense had a poor showing It would cause me much more concern than the offense not quite clicking at this point.

 

[jjay2518]

GREAT news on the D-line play...in fact, my biggest concern is no longer the D-Line, but the fact that our kickoffs are only going to around the 10 yard line...

that is a HUGE problem.

Agreed, that is the only glaring problem that stuck out to me. Things should get better when Culquitt comes back, but we've got a couple pretty important games before then.

 

[getyopopcornready]

Don't put the d-line on the high horse yet. Depth may still be a problem at end. Ayers and Brown will be solid but Martin and Walker did not show up Saturday. Gerald Williams would be nice at any lb spot but he may be moved to DE if Martin and Walker dont show up soon

 

[Lexvol]

Don't put the d-line on the high horse yet. Depth may still be a problem at end. Ayers and Brown will be solid but Martin and Walker did not show up Saturday. Gerald Williams would be nice at any lb spot but he may be moved to DE if Martin and Walker dont show up soon

Yes it is a work in progress...progress being the key word. I am much more concerned about the interior lineman than I am about the ends right now.

We obviously still have a ways to go.

 

[Vol423]

I know it was just a scrimmage, but the more I reflect on the situation the happier I get about the D-line comming to play. By all accounts (both the press and the eye witnesses) the line was much quicker off of the ball.

I don't want to pump too much sunshine over the issue. We won't know exactly what they are made of for a while.

Bottom line in my Caveman brain: Improvement on DL good.

Of course, the flip side is that our D line may have looked great because our offensive line sucks at run blocking. Based on our offensive line and defensive line's performances last season, there is a very good chance that is the case.

 

[KB5252]

Of course, the flip side is that our D line may have looked great because our offensive line sucks at run blocking. Based on our offensive line and defensive line's performances last season, there is a very good chance that is the case.

Good point I'm not so sure our O-line is as good as some give them credit for.

 

[jakez4ut]

Of course, the flip side is that our D line may have looked great because our offensive line sucks at run blocking. Based on our offensive line and defensive line's performances last season, there is a very good chance that is the case.

as has been pointed out more than once, it certainly depends on your point of view.

the reality is, there's still no resaon to worry about the O Line.....if we can't take this veteran group that has been together for what will be the better part of 2 years and show improvement.........then we're in a lot more trouble than i ever thought.

i think at this point, Lex is correct, you take the positive news on the progress of the D Line and run with it.......

 

[Vol423]

as has been pointed out more than once, it certainly depends on your point of view.

the reality is, there's still no resaon to worry about the O Line.....if we can't take this veteran group that has been together for what will be the better part of 2 years and show improvement.........then we're in a lot more trouble than i ever thought.

i think at this point, Les is correct, you take the positive news on the progress of the D Line and run with it.......

The fact of the matter is that inter-team scrimmages don't tell you jack about how good your team is. You can't tell anything until you play a game against an opponent.

However, I have been warning for a while now that I think that our offensive line is going to get exposed this year, and this certainly doesn't do anything to alleviate my concerns in that area.

 

[Lexvol]

Of course, the flip side is that our D line may have looked great because our offensive line sucks at run blocking. Based on our offensive line and defensive line's performances last season, there is a very good chance that is the case.

If I remember correctly our O line pushed our D around a little last year.

I'm not saying we don't have anything to worry about. I am just pleased to see the improvement.

 

[jakez4ut]

i didn't say anything about the scrimmage except to take it for what it is.......the O line wasn't just awful last season. we all know they have to get better in the run game and who knows this quick and strong stuff they are doing this year may be what the dr. orderred......

but, like i said, if this O Line isn't better in the run game than it's been the past two years, then i don't know what to say........by all rights, a veteran group that's been together as long as they have should be pretty darn good.

as for the D line, it's no secret they';ve been challenged and it's no secret they have to develop some type of depth inside.

it's not like this isn't a priority for this staff......

 

[Lexvol]

The fact of the matter is that inter-team scrimmages don't tell you jack about how good your team is. You can't tell anything until you play a game against an opponent.

However, I have been warning for a while now that I think that our offensive line is going to get exposed this year, and this certainly doesn't do anything to alleviate my concerns in that area.

I have been hearing (for a while) that the concerns about the defensive line are not as big on the hill as they were last year, and this certainly helps alleviate some of my concern.

The offensive line needs push. We all agree to that. If we don't get it we are staring 8-4 right in the eyes.

 

[Vol423]

I have been hearing (for a while) that the concerns about the defensive line are not as big on the hill as they were last year, and this certainly helps alleviate some of my concern.

The offensive line needs push. We all agree to that. If we don't get it we are staring 8-4 right in the eyes.

If we don't get a better push, then I think 8-4 will be the ceiling for this season. The floor could be quite low.

 

[Lexvol]

If we don't get a better push, then I think 8-4 will be the ceiling for this season. The floor could be quite low.

If the D doesn't improve....could be. If they do, I think 8-4 can be reached with the same O line we had last year.

I think both will show some improvement. Arian didn't play in the scrimmage, and it was McNeil's first scrimmage under the new coordinator.

It may be a little too early to push the "exposure" button.

 

[slobberknocker]

I don't want to take the accomplishment of 4 sacks last year away from the guys, but can't we attribute much of that to dump and throw aways by Ainge? Just askin'.........

 

[getyopopcornready]

Yes it is a work in progress...progress being the key word. I am much more concerned about the interior lineman than I am about the ends right now.

We obviously still have a ways to go.

Progress is always good. And i see your point with being more concerned about the interior than the ends, but with the type of offenses we will face this year we will need as much as production from our ends as our interior

 

[Vol423]

If the D doesn't improve....could be. If they do, I think 8-4 can be reached with the same O line we had last year.

I think both will show some improvement. Arian didn't play in the scrimmage, and it was McNeil's first scrimmage under the new coordinator.

It may be a little too early to push the "exposure" button.

I have one question for you, Lex. When you say, "...with the same O line we had last year", do you mean from a statistical standpoint?

The reason that I ask is that I believe that our offensive line could improve significantly from last year to this year, and we are still going to take significantly more sacks this year than last year.