The first part of this draft redo was posted last night.
Miami Dolphins
Quick hit: If Bill Parcells believes Jake Long was a better pick for the Dolphins than Chris Long, who am I to argue? I'll defer to Miami's Executive Vice President of Football Operations on this one.
Actual Draft
Round 1 (1): Jake Long, OT, Michigan
Round 2 (32): Phillip Merling, DE, Clemson
Round 2 (57): Chad Henne, QB, Michigan
Round 3 (66): Kendall Langford, DE, Hampton
Round 4 (110): Shawn Murphy, G, Utah State
Round 6 (176): Jalen Parmele, RB, Toledo
Round 6 (195): Donald Thomas, G, Connecticut
Round 6 (204): Lex Hilliard, RB, Montana
Round 7 (245): Lionel Dotson, DT, Arizona
Draft Redo
Round 1 (1): Jake Long, OT, Michigan
Round 2 (32): Phillip Merling, DE, Clemson
Round 2 (57): Chad Henne, QB, Michigan
Round 3 (66): Jeremy Zuttah, G/C, Rutgers
Round 4 (110): Martin Rucker, TE, Missouri
Round 6 (176): Ahtyba Rubin, NT, Iowa State
Round 6 (195): Donald Thomas, G, Connecticut
Round 6 (204): Cory Boyd, RB, South Carolina
Round 7 (245): Lionel Dotson, DT, Arizona
Minnesota Vikings
Quick hit: Two main things held the Vikings back last year: inconsistent quarterback play and the lack of a consistent pass rush from their front four. Tarvaris Jackson still has upside, so the Vikings can reasonably hope for improved quarterback play, and the addition of Jared Allen should go a long way toward generating a sufficient pass rush.
Actual Draft
Round 2 (43): Tyrell Johnson, S, Arkansas State
Round 5 (137): John David Booty, QB, Southern California
Round 5 (152): Letroy Guion, DT, Florida State
Round 6 (187): John Sullivan, C, Notre Dame
Round 6 (196): Jaymar Johnson, WR, Jackson State
Draft Redo
Round 2 (43): Tyrell Johnson, S, Arkansas State
Round 5 (137): John David Booty, QB, Southern California
Round 5 (152): Kellen Davis, TE, Michigan State
Round 6 (187): John Sullivan, C, Notre Dame
Round 6 (196): Jaymar Johnson, WR, Jackson State
New England Patriots
Quick hit: ESPN.com's instant draft analysis noted that “Mayo isn't quite as instinctive as Rivers.” I disagree strongly with that. Mayo's instincts might not be perfect, but he's better than Rivers in that department, which is why I don't think Rivers would have been a good fit at ILB in a 3-4 scheme.
Actual Draft
Round 1 (10): Jerod Mayo, ILB, Tennessee
Round 2 (62): Terrance Wheatley, CB, Colorado
Round 3 (78): Shawn Crable, OLB, Michigan
Round 3 (94): Kevin O'Connell, QB, San Diego State
Round 4 (129): Jonathan Wilhite, CB, Auburn
Round 5 (153): Matt Slater , WR, UCLA
Round 6 (197): Bo Ruud, ILB, Nebraska
Draft Redo
Round 1 (10): Jerod Mayo, ILB, Tennessee
Round 2 (62): Charles Godfrey, CB, Iowa
Round 3 (78): Shawn Crable, OLB, Michigan
Round 3 (94): Tyvon Branch, S, Connecticut
Round 4 (129): Jonathan Wilhite, CB, Auburn
Round 5 (153): Erik Ainge, QB, Tennessee
Round 6 (197): Bo Ruud, ILB, Nebraska
New Orleans Saints
Quick hit: The trade up for Sedrick Ellis was a great move that will pay major dividends for the Saints' defense in 2008. And I had Tracy Porter rated higher than most did, so of course I love that pick.
Actual Draft
Round 1 (7): Sedrick Ellis, DT, USC
Round 2 (40): Tracy Porter, CB, Indiana
Round 5 (144): DeMario Pressley, DT, North Carolina St.
Round 5 (164): Carl Nicks, OT, Nebraska
Round 6 (178): Taylor Mehlhaff, K, Wisconsin
Round 7 (237): Adrian Arrington, WR, Michigan
Draft Redo
Round 1 (7): Sedrick Ellis, DT, USC
Round 2 (40): Tracy Porter, CB, Indiana
Round 5 (144): Kellen Davis, TE, Michigan State
Round 5 (164): Carl Nicks, OT, Nebraska
Round 6 (178): Taylor Mehlhaff, K, Wisconsin
Round 7 (237): Adrian Arrington, WR, Michigan
New York Giants
Quick hit: I like what the Super Bowl champs did in the odd rounds, but don't agree very much with their picks in the even rounds.
Actual Draft
Round 1 (31): Kenny Phillips, S, Miami
Round 2 (63): Terrell Thomas, CB, USC
Round 3 (95): Mario Manningham, WR, Michigan
Round 4 (123): Bryan Kehl, LB, BYU
Round 5 (165): Jonathan Goff, MLB, Vanderbilt
Round 6 (198): Andre' Woodson, QB, Kentucky
Round 6 (199): Robert Henderson, DE, Southern Miss
Draft Redo
Round 1 (31): Kenny Phillips, S, Miami
Round 2 (63): Dan Connor, LB, Penn State
Round 3 (95): Andre Caldwell, WR, Florida
Round 4 (123): Trae Williams, CB, South Florida
Round 5 (165): Jonathan Goff, MLB, Vanderbilt
Round 6 (198): Andre' Woodson, QB, Kentucky
Round 6 (199): Brandon Keith, OT, Northern Iowa
New York Jets
Quick hit: I typically have liked the Jets' drafts the past few years, but I'm feeling luke warm about this one. In fact, I'm undoing the trade up to get Dustin Keller—I just don't value one-dimensional tight end prospects that much.
Actual Draft
Round 1 (6): Vernon Gholston, DE/LB, Ohio State
Round 1 (30): Dustin Keller, TE, Purdue
Round 4 (113): Dwight Lowery, CB, San Jose State
Round 5 (162): Erik Ainge, QB, Tennessee
Round 6 (171): Marcus Henry, WR, Kansas
Round 7 (211): Nate Garner, OT, Arkansas
Draft Redo
Round 1 (6): Vernon Gholston, DE/LB, Ohio State
Round 2 (36): Tyrell Johnson, S, Arkansas State
Round 4 (102): Lavelle Hawkins, WR, California
Round 4 (113): Dwight Lowery, CB, San Jose State
Round 6 (171): Cory Boyd, RB, South Carolina
Round 7 (211): Chris Brown, FB/TE, Tennessee
Oakland Raiders
Quick hit: Given the money that the Raiders put into re-signing Tommy Kelly, and given the question marks in Vernon Gholston's game, Darren McFadden really was a good value pick. Fargas's contract was not expensive and Lamont Jordan has not been able to stay healthy since signing with Oakland.
Actual Draft
Round 1 (4): Darren McFadden, RB, Arkansas
Round 4 (100): Tyvon Branch, CB/S, Connecticut
Round 4 (125): Arman Shields, WR, Richmond
Round 6 (169): Trevor Scott, DE, Buffalo
Round 7 (226): Chaz Schilens, WR, San Diego State
Draft Redo
Round 1 (4): Darren McFadden, RB, Arkansas
Round 4 (100): Jeremy Thompson, DE, Wake Forest
Round 4 (125): Lavelle Hawkins, WR, California
Round 6 (169): Josh Barrett, S, Arizona State
Round 7 (226): Peyton Hillis, FB, Arkansas
Philadelphia Eagles
Quick hit: Not a whole lot that I would have done the same here once you get beyond the great Trevor Laws pick.
Actual Draft
Round 2 (47): Trevor Laws, DT, Notre Dame
Round 2 (49): DeSean Jackson, WR, California
Round 3 (80): Bryan Smith, LB, McNeese State
Round 4 (109): Mike McGlynn, G, Pittsburgh
Round 4 (117): Quintin Demps, S, UTEP
Round 4 (131): Jack Ikegwuonu, CB, Wisconsin
Round 6 (184): Michael Gibson, G, California
Round 6 (200): Joe Mays, LB, North Dakota State
Round 6 (203): Andrew Studebaker, DE, Wheaton
Round 7 (230): King Dunlap, T, Auburn
Draft Redo
Round 2 (47): Trevor Laws, DT, Notre Dame
Round 2 (49): Earl Bennett, WR, Vanderbilt
Round 3 (80): Andre Caldwell, WR, Florida
Round 4 (109): Martin Rucker, TE, Missouri
Round 4 (117): Xavier Adibi, LB, Virginia Tech
Round 4 (131): Jack Ikegwuonu, CB, Wisconsin
Round 6 (184): John Sullivan, C, Notre Dame
Round 6 (200): Joe Mays, LB, North Dakota State
Round 6 (203): Matt Sherry, TE, Villanova
Round 7 (230): Darrell Robertson, DE, Georgia Tech
Pittsburgh Steelers
Quick hit: With all of the top offensive linemen off the board, Pittsburgh definitely did the right thing in selecting Mendenhall, who should be one of the league's top running back within a few years.
Actual Draft
Round 1 (23): Rashard Mendenhall, RB, Illinois
Round 2 (53): Limas Sweed, WR, Texas
Round 3 (88): Bruce Davis, OLB, UCLA
Round 4 (130): Tony Hills, OT, Texas
Round 5 (156): Dennis Dixon, QB, Oregon
Round 6 (188): Mike Humphal, ILB, Iowa
Round 6 (194): Ryan Mundy, FS, West Virginia
Draft Redo
Round 1 (23): Rashard Mendenhall, RB, Illinois
Round 2 (53): Jason Jones, DE, Eastern Michigan
Round 3 (88): Bruce Davis, OLB, UCLA
Round 4 (130): Tony Hills, OT, Texas
Round 5 (156): Jonathan Goff, ILB, Vanderbilt
Round 6 (188): Donald Thomas, G, Connecticut
Round 6 (194): Steve Johnson, WR, Kentucky
San Diego Chargers
Quick hit: The Chargers have no real holes. Only a couple of starting jobs will even be contested. Obviously that's because they've drafted so well in recent years. So there's no need to change any of their picks, right?
Actual Draft
Round 1 (27): Antoine Cason, CB, Arizona
Round 3 (69): Jacob Hester, FB, LSU
Round 5 (166): Marcus Thomas, RB, UTEP
Round 6 (192): DeJuan Tribble, CB, Boston College
Round 7 (234): Corey Clark, OT, Texas A&M
Draft Redo
Round 1 (27): Tracy Porter, CB, Indiana
Round 3 (69): Brad Cottam, TE, Tennessee
Round 5 (166): Ahtyba Rubin, NT, Iowa State
Round 6 (192): Cory Boyd, RB, South Carolina
Round 7 (234): Chris Brown, FB/TE, Tennessee
San Francisco 49ers
Quick hit: Balmer will help bolster the defensive line, but I can't get behind the other picks they made.
Actual Draft
Round 1 (29): Kentwan Balmer, DT/DE, North Carolina
Round 2 (39): Chilo Racal, G, USC
Round 3 (75): Reggie Smith, DB, Oklahoma
Round 4 (107): Cody Wallace, C, Texas A&M
Round 6 (174): Josh Morgan, WR, Virginia Tech
Round 7 (214): Larry Grant, LB, Ohio State
Draft Redo
Round 1 (29): Kentwan Balmer, DT/DE, North Carolina
Round 2 (39): Tyrell Johnson, S, Arkansas State
Round 3 (75): Jeremy Zuttah, G/C, Rutgers
Round 4 (107): Lavelle Hawkins, WR, California
Round 6 (174): Donald Thomas, G, Connecticut
Round 7 (214): Cory Boyd, RB, South Carolina
Seattle Seahawks
Quick hit: GM Tim Ruskell typically does a good job and seems to have done so again this year, though I'm much lower on Red Bryant than most others are.
Actual Draft
Round 1 (28): Lawrence Jackson, DE, Southern Cal
Round 2 (38): John Carlson, TE, Notre Dame
Round 4 (121): Red Bryant, DT, Texas A&M
Round 5 (163): Owen Schmitt, FB, West Virginia
Round 6 (189): Tyler Schmitt, LS, San Diego State
Round 7 (233): Justin Forsett, RB, California
Round 7 (235): Brandon Coutu, K, Georgia
Draft Redo
Round 1 (28): Trevor Laws, DT, Notre Dame
Round 2 (38): John Carlson, TE, Notre Dame
Round 4 (121): Lavelle Hawkins, WR, California
Round 5 (163): Owen Schmitt, FB, West Virginia
Round 6 (189): Tyler Schmitt, LS, San Diego State
Round 7 (233): Marcus Monk, WR, Arkansas
Round 7 (235): Eric Foster, DE, Rutgers
St. Louis Rams
Quick hit: Chris Long's my overall top player in the draft. And I think Greco could be a good pro with a chance to make it at tackle though most see him as a guard. Decent picks in every round, although I think selecting Avery in the second round was an awful move.
Actual Draft
Round 1 (2): Chris Long, DE, Virginia
Round 2 (33): Donnie Avery, WR, Houston
Round 3 (65): John Greco, OT, Toledo
Round 4 (101): Justin King, CB, Penn State
Round 4 (128): Keenan Burton, WR, Kentucky
Round 5 (157): Roy Schuening, OG, Oregon St.
Round 7 (228): Chris Chamberlain, DB, Tulsa
Round 7 (252): David Vobora, OLB, Idaho
Draft Redo
Round 1 (2): Chris Long, DE, Virginia
Round 2 (33): Curtis Lofton, MLB, Oklahoma
Round 3 (65): John Greco, OT, Toledo
Round 4 (101): Lavelle Hawkins, WR, California
Round 4 (128): Jonathan Wilhite, CB, Auburn
Round 5 (157): Kellen Davis, TE, Michigan State
Round 7 (228): Cory Boyd, RB, South Carolina
Round 7 (252): David Roach, S, TCU
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Quick hit: Although I'm not quite sure about taking a cover two corner in round one, Talib is a playmaker when he gets his hands on the ball, so I can get behind that. And I love the rest of the draft, though that won't keep me from making a few changes.
Actual Draft
Round 1 (20): Aqib Talib, CB, Kansas
Round 2 (58): Dexter Jackson, WR, Appalachian State
Round 3 (83): Jeremy Zuttah, G, Rutgers
Round 4 (115): Dre Moore, DT, Maryland
Round 5 (160): Josh Johnson, QB, San Diego
Round 5 (175): Geno Hayes, ILB, Florida State
Round 7 (238): Cory Boyd, RB, South Carolina
Draft Redo
Round 1 (20): Aqib Talib, CB, Kansas
Round 2 (58): Earl Bennett, WR, Vanderbilt
Round 3 (83): Jeremy Zuttah, G, Rutgers
Round 4 (115): Dre Moore, DT, Maryland
Round 5 (160): Marcus Howard, DE, Georgia
Round 6 (175): Cory Boyd, RB, South Carolina
Round 7 (238): Marcus Monk, WR, Arkansas
Tennessee Titans
Quick hit: Tennessee selected a couple of my favorite prospects, namely Jason Jones and Lavelle Hawkins, but the first round is too high to draft a back like Chris Johnson.
Actual Draft
Round 1 (24): Chris Johnson, RB, East Carolina
Round 2 (54): Jason Jones, DT/DE, Eastern Michigan
Round 3 (85): Craig Stevens, TE, California
Round 4 (103): William Hayes, DE, Western Michigan
Round 4 (126): Lavelle Hawkins, WR, California
Round 4 (134): Stanford Keglar, OLB, Stanford
Round 7 (229): Cary Williams, CB, Washburn
Draft Redo
Round 1 (24): Brandon Flowers, CB, Virginia Tech
Round 2 (54): Jason Jones, DT/DE, Eastern Michigan
Round 3 (85): Cliff Avril, DE, Purdue
Round 4 (103): Martin Rucker, TE, Missouri
Round 4 (126): Lavelle Hawkins, WR, California
Round 4 (134): Jonathan Goff, MLB, Vanderbilt
Round 7 (229): Cory Boyd, RB, South Carolina
Washington Redskins
Quick hit: When the consensus top receiver in the draft falls to the second round you have to take him. But when another top receiver is still available seventeen picks later that doesn't mean you have to take him, too.
Actual Draft
Round 2 (34): Devin Thomas, WR, Michigan State
Round 2 (48): Fred Davis, TE, Southern Cal
Round 2 (51): Malcolm Kelly, WR, Oklahoma
Round 3 (96): Chad Rinehart, G, Northern Iowa
Round 4 (124): Justin Tryon, CB, Arizona State
Round 6 (168): Durant Brooks, P, Georgia Tech
Round 6 (180): Kareem Moore, S, Nicholls State
Round 6 (186): Colt Brennan, QB, Hawaii
Round 7 (242): Rob Jackson, DE, Kansas State
Round 7 (249): Christopher Horton, S, UCLA
Draft Redo
Round 2 (34): Devin Thomas, WR, Michigan State
Round 2 (48): Jason Jones, DE/DT, Eastern Michigan
Round 2 (51): Charles Godfrey, CB, Iowa
Round 3 (96): Oneil Cousins, OT/G, UTEP
Round 4 (124): Martin Rucker, TE, Missouri
Round 6 (168): Durant Brooks, P, Georgia Tech
Round 6 (180): Ahtyba Rubin, DT, Iowa State
Round 6 (186): Andre’ Woodson, QB, Kentucky
Round 7 (242): Marcus Monk, WR, Arkansas
Round 7 (249): David Roach, S, TCU
Showing posts with label Seahawks. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Seahawks. Show all posts
Tuesday, April 29, 2008
Sunday, April 06, 2008
In the Trenches: 2007 week three
Games Reviewed
Indianapolis Colts (30) at Houston Texans (24)
Cincinnati Bengals (21) at Seattle Seahawks (24)
Arizona Cardinals (23) at Baltimore Ravens (26)
San Diego Chargers (24) at Green Bay Packers (31)
New York Giants (24) at Washington Redskins (17)
Blocker Ratings
Left Tackle
Left Guard
Center
Right Guard
Right Tackle
Average BRs (through three weeks)
Indianapolis Colts (30) at Houston Texans (24)
Cincinnati Bengals (21) at Seattle Seahawks (24)
Arizona Cardinals (23) at Baltimore Ravens (26)
San Diego Chargers (24) at Green Bay Packers (31)
New York Giants (24) at Washington Redskins (17)
Blocker Ratings
Left Tackle
Left Guard
Center
Right Guard
Right Tackle
Average BRs (through three weeks)
Wednesday, April 02, 2008
In the Trenches: 2007 week two
Games Reviewed
Cincinnati Bengals (51) at Cleveland Browns (45)
Minnesota Vikings (17) at Detroit Lions (20)
Oakland Raiders (20) at Denver Broncos (23)
Indianapolis Colts (22) at Tennessee Titans (20)
Seattle Seahawks (20) at Arizona Cardinals (23)
Top Linemen (by position)
Left Tackle
In this high-scoring shootout with the Bengals, Joe Thomas played like the rookie of the year candidate that he was. I'm looking forward to watching the Browns again to see if he keeps up this level of play. The only other left tackle with a BR over 9 was Seattle's Walter Jones (9.18). Unlike Thomas, who was tenacious and typically giving his all right up to the whistle, Jones often seemed to be getting by on talent and experience alone, doing just enough to get his job done.
Arizona's Mike Gandy (8.93) stood out, playing exceptionally well for much of his game against the Seahawks before faltering a bit on the final few drives.
Detroit's Jeff Backus (8.43) became the third left tackle to post a Run Blocker Rating (RBR) over 9 (9.38 RBR), following Chris Samuels (9.68 RBR) and Flozell Adams (9.44 RBR) who did so in week one. Unfortunately there was relatively little opportunity for him to run block in Mike Martz's pass-happy offense, and his overall BR was heavily affected by his shaky pass blocking.
Indianapolis rookie Tony Ugoh (6.73) struggled in all phases of the game against the mighty Titans defense. He was the only left tackle this week to score below 8 and the first in the ten games reviewed so far to score below a 7 (last week's low BR for the position was Denver's Matt Lepsis's 7.96).
Left Guard
The second overall pick of the 2004 draft, Robert Gallery was supposed to be Oakland's starting left tackle for a decade. Instead, he has been considered a bust as he has been moved all over the line by his various coaches. Getting a chance to settle in at left guard, Gallery looked comfortable against the Broncos, consistently blocking well.
Arizona's Reggie Wells (8.93) stood out with some really great blocks. If he always plays the way he did in this Seattle game, then I'd say he's one of the most underrated linemen in the NFL. We'll see what happens.
Detroit's Edwin Mulitalo (8.86) was surprisingly stout in pass protection (9.63 PBR) but pretty bad in the running game (6.25 RBR).
The most well-known left guards—Indianapolis's Ryan Lilja (8.78), Cleveland's Eric Steinbach (8.54), and Minnesota's Steve Hutchinson (8.54)—all had pretty average games, though each stood out at times with a number of key blocks.
For the second week in a row, Cincinnati's Stacy Andrews (7.14) was the lowest rated left guard. In fact, he played worse against the Browns than he had against the Ravens. His 4.67 RBR was the second-worst I've recorded so far, ahead of only Jets right tackle Anthony Clement (4.17 against the Patriots in week 1).
Center
Cleveland's Hank Fraley was clearly the best center in the games reviewed this week; however, his 9.27 BR would have been just fifth last week. Center is still a high-scoring position, but whereas last week's lowest rated center (minimum ten plays) was 8.6, this week saw four centers score below that. And last week's top center, Tom Nalen, was just above that with a 8.67.
Two centers had a BR below 8. Arizona rookie Lyle Sendlein (7.86), who got off to a rough start but played better as the game wore on. And Detroit's Dominic Raiola (7.86): another Lion lineman who struggled terribly with run blocking (5 RBR) against the Vikings.
Right Guard
The recently retired Benji Olson of the Titans was second among guards this week with a 9.27 BR. His 9.58 RBR was the best of any lineman.
Detroit's Damien Woody's (9) looked like he knew it was a contract year all along, while Seattle's Chris Gray (8.98) and Oakland's Cooper Carlisle (8.94) also had good weeks.
Minnesota's Artis Hicks (7.5) was the only right guard to rate below an 8.
Right Tackle
Last week, six of ten right tackles scored 9 or higher. This week brought none. David Stewart's quietly efficient 8.91BR led the way, while Cleveland's Kevin Shaffer (8.54) was the only other right tackle to rate above 8.5.
Detroit's George Foster (7.14) was the lowest rated right tackle, and two others also had BRs below 8: Indianapolis's Ryan Diem (7.35), who clearly benefits (in terms of sacks allowed numbers) from having Peyton Manning as his quarterback, and Denver's Erik Pears (7.83) who dropped off quite a bit from his 8.7 performance against the Bills in week one.
One More Thing
Having reviewed offensive line play in detail for ten games now, one thing already stands out: the amount of yards lost because of linemen not even attempting to stay on their blocks, or linemen who just stop on a play because they feel like the QB should have gotten rid of the ball by then or the running back should have made his cut and shot through the hole already. Well, yes, maybe those things should have happened in the first four seconds of the play, but they didn't, and now you're man in running by you and slamming your QB into the ground, or he's caught the running back and stopped him for a five-yard gain, but it could have been ten yards or more if you'd just stayed with that defensive end and kept him slowed down for another step or two.
I haven't counted the times I've seen these sort of things, but it's surprisingly high. If I were a coach or GM who wanted to improve his team's offense I would make this a point of emphasis. And even though I'm hesitant to make sweeping pronouncements about players on this account (again, I'm not tallying such instances), I make that "suggestion" with great confidence because it's apparent that this is more of a problem with some teams than it is with others.
For instance, from what I have seen so far of the Browns and the Cardinals (and going back to week one, I'd have to say the Cowboys and Redskins as well), their linemen stand out as staying at it till the whistle blows. They always seem to be hustling and the only time they let up is when their job really is done, when it's clear their man will not be a factor in the play.
With such a small sample I'm not going to finger particular players or teams that have exhibited this problem consistently so far, but you can bet that many of the players given to letting up early (though not all) have lower Blocker Ratings, even though it's not a specific criterion in the scoring.
Cincinnati Bengals (51) at Cleveland Browns (45)
Minnesota Vikings (17) at Detroit Lions (20)
Oakland Raiders (20) at Denver Broncos (23)
Indianapolis Colts (22) at Tennessee Titans (20)
Seattle Seahawks (20) at Arizona Cardinals (23)
Top Linemen (by position)
Left Tackle
In this high-scoring shootout with the Bengals, Joe Thomas played like the rookie of the year candidate that he was. I'm looking forward to watching the Browns again to see if he keeps up this level of play. The only other left tackle with a BR over 9 was Seattle's Walter Jones (9.18). Unlike Thomas, who was tenacious and typically giving his all right up to the whistle, Jones often seemed to be getting by on talent and experience alone, doing just enough to get his job done.
Arizona's Mike Gandy (8.93) stood out, playing exceptionally well for much of his game against the Seahawks before faltering a bit on the final few drives.
Detroit's Jeff Backus (8.43) became the third left tackle to post a Run Blocker Rating (RBR) over 9 (9.38 RBR), following Chris Samuels (9.68 RBR) and Flozell Adams (9.44 RBR) who did so in week one. Unfortunately there was relatively little opportunity for him to run block in Mike Martz's pass-happy offense, and his overall BR was heavily affected by his shaky pass blocking.
Indianapolis rookie Tony Ugoh (6.73) struggled in all phases of the game against the mighty Titans defense. He was the only left tackle this week to score below 8 and the first in the ten games reviewed so far to score below a 7 (last week's low BR for the position was Denver's Matt Lepsis's 7.96).
Left Guard
The second overall pick of the 2004 draft, Robert Gallery was supposed to be Oakland's starting left tackle for a decade. Instead, he has been considered a bust as he has been moved all over the line by his various coaches. Getting a chance to settle in at left guard, Gallery looked comfortable against the Broncos, consistently blocking well.
Arizona's Reggie Wells (8.93) stood out with some really great blocks. If he always plays the way he did in this Seattle game, then I'd say he's one of the most underrated linemen in the NFL. We'll see what happens.
Detroit's Edwin Mulitalo (8.86) was surprisingly stout in pass protection (9.63 PBR) but pretty bad in the running game (6.25 RBR).
The most well-known left guards—Indianapolis's Ryan Lilja (8.78), Cleveland's Eric Steinbach (8.54), and Minnesota's Steve Hutchinson (8.54)—all had pretty average games, though each stood out at times with a number of key blocks.
For the second week in a row, Cincinnati's Stacy Andrews (7.14) was the lowest rated left guard. In fact, he played worse against the Browns than he had against the Ravens. His 4.67 RBR was the second-worst I've recorded so far, ahead of only Jets right tackle Anthony Clement (4.17 against the Patriots in week 1).
Center
Cleveland's Hank Fraley was clearly the best center in the games reviewed this week; however, his 9.27 BR would have been just fifth last week. Center is still a high-scoring position, but whereas last week's lowest rated center (minimum ten plays) was 8.6, this week saw four centers score below that. And last week's top center, Tom Nalen, was just above that with a 8.67.
Two centers had a BR below 8. Arizona rookie Lyle Sendlein (7.86), who got off to a rough start but played better as the game wore on. And Detroit's Dominic Raiola (7.86): another Lion lineman who struggled terribly with run blocking (5 RBR) against the Vikings.
Right Guard
The recently retired Benji Olson of the Titans was second among guards this week with a 9.27 BR. His 9.58 RBR was the best of any lineman.
Detroit's Damien Woody's (9) looked like he knew it was a contract year all along, while Seattle's Chris Gray (8.98) and Oakland's Cooper Carlisle (8.94) also had good weeks.
Minnesota's Artis Hicks (7.5) was the only right guard to rate below an 8.
Right Tackle
Last week, six of ten right tackles scored 9 or higher. This week brought none. David Stewart's quietly efficient 8.91BR led the way, while Cleveland's Kevin Shaffer (8.54) was the only other right tackle to rate above 8.5.
Detroit's George Foster (7.14) was the lowest rated right tackle, and two others also had BRs below 8: Indianapolis's Ryan Diem (7.35), who clearly benefits (in terms of sacks allowed numbers) from having Peyton Manning as his quarterback, and Denver's Erik Pears (7.83) who dropped off quite a bit from his 8.7 performance against the Bills in week one.
One More Thing
Having reviewed offensive line play in detail for ten games now, one thing already stands out: the amount of yards lost because of linemen not even attempting to stay on their blocks, or linemen who just stop on a play because they feel like the QB should have gotten rid of the ball by then or the running back should have made his cut and shot through the hole already. Well, yes, maybe those things should have happened in the first four seconds of the play, but they didn't, and now you're man in running by you and slamming your QB into the ground, or he's caught the running back and stopped him for a five-yard gain, but it could have been ten yards or more if you'd just stayed with that defensive end and kept him slowed down for another step or two.
I haven't counted the times I've seen these sort of things, but it's surprisingly high. If I were a coach or GM who wanted to improve his team's offense I would make this a point of emphasis. And even though I'm hesitant to make sweeping pronouncements about players on this account (again, I'm not tallying such instances), I make that "suggestion" with great confidence because it's apparent that this is more of a problem with some teams than it is with others.
For instance, from what I have seen so far of the Browns and the Cardinals (and going back to week one, I'd have to say the Cowboys and Redskins as well), their linemen stand out as staying at it till the whistle blows. They always seem to be hustling and the only time they let up is when their job really is done, when it's clear their man will not be a factor in the play.
With such a small sample I'm not going to finger particular players or teams that have exhibited this problem consistently so far, but you can bet that many of the players given to letting up early (though not all) have lower Blocker Ratings, even though it's not a specific criterion in the scoring.
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