Thread: Oline is coming together (Carimi did struggle yesterday though)

Originally Posted by MPBears68

Yes, true. Funny thing is...why was Rachal so undistinguished in preseason if he's been such a big upgrade? Is it all just a few games more experience? That seems hard to believe.

Playing the OL is all about effort. Hustle, hustle, hustle, and more hustle!

You wouldn't believe how many talented guys out there are loafers (as would say Urlacher). Its something about the mentality of being a big (sometimes massive) person that makes you think you don't have to try hard. When I played in college I started over guys that where way more physically gifted than I am simply because I had a "high motor."

(As a side note, I would say this is Webbs biggest problem, he's dumb AND lazy, a dangerous combination.)

Some guys just don't have what it takes mentally. They don't have the discipline to understand that your assignment matters on every play (no matter which side the play is on and no matter what you think) and if you aren't willing to block every play until the whistle blows then GTFO!!

Its attrition on the O-line. You have to say to yourself "not this play, not any play, I'm not going to be the guy that gets beat this time, its not going to be me."

You have to be the man of steel, you have to be the one that doesn't wear down, get tired, give up late when those boys are counting on you to come through. You gotta hold that block 'till the whistle blows EVERY TIME.


So to finally answer your question, no its not experience. I'm sure you guys have heard Cutler refer to Rachal as a "mauler," well what he is really saying is what I just said above. You tell yourself "its not going to be me they get around this play" and you make it happen. Sounds easier than it really is lol. But its about as simple as that.

Makes sense. But why then did Rachal not put forth this level of effort in preseason when he was fighting for the starting job with spencer?

Sometimes it takes getting benched to light that fire.

Most of these guys have played football since pop warner and never been second string ever, never been benched.

I think Rachal may be one of those guys who was smart enough to know that he wont get another chance to be a starter if he doesnt take advantage of this opportunity, which he has.

Good for him, good for us.

Originally Posted by short faced bear

Considering last season where Cwill was the best LG Webb should have been an all pro. It's only going to take one or 2 games where Webb tanks that the general opinion of him goes right out the window again.

I still say it's going to take about 3 draft picks or FA just to right the ship on the left side and fill the void of Spencer and Cwill leaving which I think they will.

The void being left by Spencer and Chris Williams is an empty apple cart of nothing. Louis can play RG. Garza can play center. Scott plays swing tackle. Williams was not a good guard. He was just an athletic guy holding down the spot.

All things considered, I watch GB and appreciate the way our line has been playing. Look at Roger's face now because of their crap line play. He's got that "look" now.

Originally Posted by MPBears68

Yes, true. Funny thing is...why was Rachal so undistinguished in preseason if he's been such a big upgrade? Is it all just a few games more experience? That seems hard to believe.

My guess? Maybe Rachal took (at least) the preseason to really learn the line calls and discipline himself. Some stuff is simple (and perhaps not even done at NFL level) but you sure want to know 'instinctively', are you blocking Big-on-Big, so that OLs let LBs come through inside (or outside) for the RB/H-back to pick up? Or are you blocking inside out with the RB picking up the rusher farthest away from center, regardless of size? That is just one obvious example, but you sure don't want to have to think long to get it and get it deeply ingrained enough that you can just react. Martz is said to have had almost 50 line calls. That is a LOT! Perhaps Tice has a mere 20 or 30, but it may take a while to get instinctive.