This is the biggest problem this team has...

[jamze132]

Success and failure starts in the trenches.

On the offensive side of the ball we have no one capable of playing C. Fowler sucked and Preston shouldn't even be on an NFL roster. Not to mention the fact that our depth is seriously lacking. We need to draft someone for the O-line on Day 1 of the draft and try to get the best C available through FA who isn't over 30. We need some stability with talent.

On the defensive side, we generate no pass rush whatsoever and that leads to every team we play beating us, especially on third downs. Stroud is playing pretty good but after him, who is left? The ambiguously gay duo of Kelsay and Denney suck. Their play doesn't justify the contracts. Kyle Williams shouldn't be a starter and that goes for Spencer Johnson. I like both DTs but we need an upgrade. We need to find Schobel's replacement on Day 1 of the upcoming draft as well.

This team is never going to be worth a **** if we keep installing second rate and low draft picks on the lines. Success in this league costs money.


On another note, Dick Jauron is the wrong type of coach for this team. He is more suited to coach a team loaded with veterans. His temperament is more suited to deal with more mature players, not young players that are found all throughout our roster. Most young players need a coach who can get in their ass if needed. It doesn't appear that Dick likes to even change the expression on his face. This organization needs a face lift, ala "The Swan".

[Mitchy moo]

Nice J!!

[Jan Reimers]

Success and failure starts in the trenches.

On the offensive side of the ball we have no one capable of playing C. Fowler sucked and Preston shouldn't even be on an NFL roster. Not to mention the fact that our depth is seriously lacking. We need to draft someone for the O-line on Day 1 of the draft and try to get the best C available through FA who isn't over 30. We need some stability with talent.

On the defensive side, we generate no pass rush whatsoever and that leads to every team we play beating us, especially on third downs. Stroud is playing pretty good but after him, who is left? The ambiguously gay duo of Kelsay and Denney suck. Their play doesn't justify the contracts. Kyle Williams shouldn't be a starter and that goes for Spencer Johnson. I like both DTs but we need an upgrade. We need to find Schobel's replacement on Day 1 of the upcoming draft as well.

This team is never going to be worth a **** if we keep installing second rate and low draft picks on the lines. Success in this league costs money.


On another note, Dick Jauron is the wrong type of coach for this team. He is more suited to coach a team loaded with veterans. His temperament is more suited to deal with more mature players, not young players that are found all throughout our roster. Most young players need a coach who can get in their ass if needed. It doesn't appear that Dick likes to even change the expression on his face. This organization needs a face lift, ala "The Swan".
I agree. And it's ironic, in that we have really tried to upgrade both lines, with Fowler having been brought in as a free agent, and then $78 million having been spent on Dockery, Walker and Whittle the next year, and still our O-line is average at best. We moved up to take McCargo in the 1st round, and took Stroud and Johnson in FA, and still our DTs are far from great. DE is the one place where we haven't tried too hard, mostly overpaying our existing guys, apparently with the hope that more money would make them better.

[Typ0]

it's all about putting the puzzle together for the system. We do still need upgrades on OLine. What pieces need to be added is what the coaches and talent evaluators job is but they need to do better.

[shelby]

:goodpost:

[jamze132]

It comes down to our front office making bad decisions the majority of the time when trying to improve the trenches. Granted, when Schobel is 100% healthy, he makes the duo of Kelsay/Denney look really good. But when those guys have to play opposite one another, they stink up the joint. Kelsay absolutely sucks in the run game.

[HughC]

I absolutely agree. While networks promote the games with "stars" (i.e, QB, RB and WR) and many fans focus too much on those same positions, the most important areas of any football team are the offensive line and defensive line. If the OL can't pass protect, the QB has no time to throw the ball, and he and the WR look bad. If they can hold their blocks then even a mediocre QB will put up good numbers with enough time to throw, and give an average WR good stats. The stats for a RB are as much, if not more, of a reflection of the job jis line is doing opening up holes for him.

Cornerbacks get all the glory - and blame - for pass defense, but that has pass defense stats have more to do with the amount of pressure on a QB than it does with the coverage skills of the CB. The key to an effective pass defense is not finding a shutdown corner' it's finding a quality pass rusher at DE (and/or OLB).

[Ebenezer]

The biggest problem?? Ralph. Always has been.

[jamze132]

The biggest problem?? Ralph. Always has been.
Can't really argue. I'm glad we still have a team though...

[Oaf]

Mostly agreed there Jamezz.. except for one thing. In my mind, Kyle Williams has proved to be a legitimate starting DT in this league. He has been just as huge as Stroud in run defense and has created occasional pressure as well (which is more than we can say for our ends). If we get a upgrade in talent all-around at DE, LB, and C, I see Butler and Williams making Pro Bowl bids next year.

[Mr. Pink]

inconsistent QB play
+
inferior talent

Those are the biggest problems.

[jamze132]

inconsistent QB play
+
inferior talent

Those are the biggest problems.
I think if the O-line could block a mofo in the run game, our QBs would look a lot better.

[Mr. Pink]

I think if the O-line could block a mofo in the run game, our QBs would look a lot better.

Ever actually watch the QBs exclusively for what they are doing?

Losman = poor mechanics cause passes to sail or dive into the turf, poor ball security causes him to fumble, no internal clock causes him to hold the ball too long and take some sacks that could/should be avoided, inability to read defenses causes him not to be able to read blitz or throw into coverage.

Edwards = poor mechanics plus weak arm causes him not to be able to stretch the field. He seemingly since the concussion is "gun shy," as well.

Now, both QBs are weak in reading coverages and going through their progressions to find the open receiver. There are plenty of example of this in a game by game reference. Such as Losman missing a WIDE open Lee Evans crossing the field last week in the red zone.

This offense has two weapons...Lynch and Evans. Problem is neither are great and neither are game-changers.

So, until we can get consistent QB play and a game-changing weapon on offense, we'll be mediocre and unpredictable from one week to the next on offense.

Which is why you saw us hang 50 on KC one week then score a paltry 3 points the next.

Would our QBs look better with a better running game? Sure. Would they benefit from a better pass blocking line? Sure. Would they benefit from having more weapons? Sure. But they both have fatal flaws that will hinder their chances of ever being able to perform at a level high enough to take us or another team to that next level.

[jamze132]

Ever actually watch the QBs exclusively for what they are doing?

Losman = poor mechanics cause passes to sail or dive into the turf, poor ball security causes him to fumble, no internal clock causes him to hold the ball too long and take some sacks that could/should be avoided, inability to read defenses causes him not to be able to read blitz or throw into coverage.

Edwards = poor mechanics plus weak arm causes him not to be able to stretch the field. He seemingly since the concussion is "gun shy," as well.

Now, both QBs are weak in reading coverages and going through their progressions to find the open receiver. There are plenty of example of this in a game by game reference. Such as Losman missing a WIDE open Lee Evans crossing the field last week in the red zone.

This offense has two weapons...Lynch and Evans. Problem is neither are great and neither are game-changers.

So, until we can get consistent QB play and a game-changing weapon on offense, we'll be mediocre and unpredictable from one week to the next on offense.

Which is why you saw us hang 50 on KC one week then score a paltry 3 points the next.

Would our QBs look better with a better running game? Sure. Would they benefit from a better pass blocking line? Sure. Would they benefit from having more weapons? Sure. But they both have fatal flaws that will hinder their chances of ever being able to perform at a level high enough to take us or another team to that next level.
I agree with the majority of your post but everything starts with the lines. A bad QB can look average behind a good line and Bryan Scott can look average behind a good D-line. :lol: Bryan Scott... Just another reason why this team sucks. Half of our team would be backups on 25 other teams.