O-line pass blocking regressing as NFL adjusts to 'Skins Offense?

[NoCalMike]

Going into the season the O-line was a huge concern. For the first month or so, the unit was kind of surprising all of us by playing way above expectations.

However, I have noticed over the past few weeks, the pass blocking has seemed to get worse each week. Against Carolina RGIII seemed to be on the run after dropping back a lot. It led to the break down of a lot of plays way too early out of desperation by RGIII to get out of dodge.

I am wondering if the pistol formation and bait & switch offense that was confusing defenses earlier in the season was a big part of why the pass blocking was so successful. It had defenders on their toes, not sure what was coming on each play. It was slowing down their reaction time, instead of attacking at the snap of the ball, they had to almost wait to see where the ball was going.

This aspect has seemed to been slowly going away. Defense are no longer waiting, they are attacking again.

Without the "What the heck is coming our way now" affect, our O-line is being forced to actually man-up and block defenders, confident defenders, defenders that are not sitting back and waiting. It is now becoming YOU VS ME based on strength, speed, & technique. Besides Trent Williams, I am not sure if any of our current O-line starters can get the job done without that element to the offense that was there early in the season.

[DaGoonie55]

Well, we have a coordinator that tries something, it works - then he moves on. We were running all over people and we quit.

The pistol was confusing the crap out of defenses. That patented fake hand off, stall a sec, launch the ball - I haven't seen that since the Bengals. It was working. So Kyle stopped calling it.

Our line just can't pass block. We knew this during the off season. We run block like dozers, just cant slow down pass rushers. That's why the play action was killing defenses. We definitely need that back (the pistol).

Good point!

[Hitman21ST]

The pass pro from a ZBS-style OL generally isn't an impenetrable wall, just do to their smaller size. This is normally countered with PA and rolling the pocket. Skins haven't done much rolling the pocket, from what I've seen. That would help out a lot IMO.

[BRAVEONTHEWARPATH93]

I def think the pistol style offense helped out the O-Line immensely...

Now teams are making small adjustments and the O-line is being exposed

Kyle needs to add a few more wrinkles

[NoCalMike]

I wonder why there is such a difference in Pass/Run blocking? Is it perhaps because when run blocking, the O-line is actually the unit that is attacking, as opposed to protecting? Is an O-line built to run block in a zone scheme, by nature softer in pass coverage due to their generally smaller/more athletic size? Is this a tradeoff that has to be accepted, with the hopes that the Coordinator can figure out the right passing offense to cover the weaknesses?

Also, on a sidenote to the thread I started........Watching the Eagles/Saints MNF game....As bad as Vick looks at times, he would look a hell of a lot worse if it wasn't for some of the playmakers on his offense. It makes me think even more that RGIII is working his tail off to "make it work" with a lot of sub-par to average talent. For example, why do we rarely if ever see our WRs get behind a secondary? The few times it has happened, one resulted in a TD, the other few times, dropped passes. However it seems like every other team in the league find ways to get their WRs open, yet ours are always catching in traffic, or maybe have a half step on a defender. I hope the TINY sample size we saw of Garcon is an accurate reflection of what he will REGULARLY bring when he is healthy, because he seemed to make a huge difference, he was a WR that could take any pass to the house. That changes the entire WR core.....

Ok, sorry for that diversion.

[GhostRider]

I think the weakness in the o-line is having Tyler Polumbus pushed 5 yards into the backfield at the snap of the ball.

[Laxpunk2006]

I wonder why there is such a difference in Pass/Run blocking?

I'm sure someone like KDawg could do a much better job explaining this but in run blocking our guys are able to move laterally and take advantage of their athleticism. In pass blocking they're moving backwards and it appears that they're getting knocked off balance because they're over powered.

[Chump Bailey]

To me, the OL is still a huge concern. Whatever percieved improvment there is stems solely from the play of RG3. Aside from Trent, I honestly believe we could use upgrades everywhere along the line. I don't think Montgomery is doing all that great either personally. RT is a critical need obviously.

[The Robert Griffin Experience]

PFF says our line is playing at a VERY high level, except for Kory who's average, and Polumbus who's a train-wreck. Too bad we just had to have Brandon Banks.

I do think we need to roll the pocket a bit more, and I think Kyle overreacts to how his talent is playing - when the WRs start dropping passes, he starts dialing back the playcalling and calls easier passes that they don't have to make difficult plays on.

[RandyHolt]

Its nice to see folks getting on board with rolling the pocket. If enough beat the drum, we will see it next game. Book it.

Does a single fan think we are not a perfect team to do it? Our thin WR group needs time to open. The WCO staple, the slant, has the FS head hunting our ball dropping wideouts. The 3 step drop, is not working. Our OL is perfect to move around, as is the QB.

But there are some things Mike abhors, the end zone fade, hurry up, heck even throwing into the endzone to wideouts seems a rarity. Maybe rolling out the pocket / Griffin is just not in the playbook.

[KDawg]

I'm sure someone like KDawg could do a much better job explaining this but in run blocking our guys are able to move laterally and take advantage of their athleticism. In pass blocking they're moving backwards and it appears that they're getting knocked off balance because they're over powered.

You don't need me to explain it. You nailed it.

[planter]

Skins cannot protect a pocket passer. Morrison and running game remain pleasant surprise(s) but for how long?

Re "rolling the pocket". Good idea but it works best with all pro RTs & RGs.

[AzSkinsFan63]

This O-line was going to be shaky in "coming from behind" passing situations.

The key to the Skins success was scoring often and early with a great running game thus allowing play action to be successful.

But the Skins should definitely throw more on first down..and take a couple shots each half down the field because the last 2 defenses have come in with the plan to stop the run for the most part and contain RG...Easy victory!

[KDawg]

Re "rolling the pocket". Good idea but it works best with all pro RTs & RGs.

Good point.

A solid passing attack works best with 11 all pros. Hell, so does the run game!

[RandyHolt]

Remember that Griffin 4th down run, with Royster I am sorry, I am trying to not to laugh as I type this. "sealing" the edge?

Run passing plays doing things like that. Or at least have a pass option for the kid.

That is perhaps how a team committed to lightweight fast OL, coupled with our WRs getting no respect, Desmonded on the LOS, have to design some of their pass plays.

Having RG3 stand in the pocket plays to our own weakness. We don't even go Max Headroom protect either.

I fear Mike is too arrogant to admit his handselected and groomed OL are not good in pass pro. Eventually, we started to see RG3 missing badly on some throws. He is feeling the heat.

Can LeRib pass pro? Maybe we should beef up the line when the world knows we are passing.