What is the 2012 ceiling for this oline?

It's gonna take a little bit to digest all of those stats but just at a glance it seems to be telling us what we already suspect. The line run blocks pretty well and they did last year too. So that's not our biggest problem.

The two biggest problems are still pass blocking and stupid drive stalling penalties which end up costing us points. We get one guy playing better and another has a bad game. The OG's block well but the OT's don't and etc. What is comes down to is a lack of consistency and a lack of discipline but I do believe the talent and desire are there to overcome those two issues.

If by the time the playoffs roll around we can handle playoff caliber teams as well as we've handled these guys we've been facing the last three game (5 sacks in three games and good yardage totals) then we can win in the playoffs but if we can't then we lose.

The defense alone isn't gonna get us to a SB game. We need an offense capable of scoring 30 points per game AND the defense playing take away like they have been. So that's what I'm looking for from the line and the rest of the offense. An ability to play the "big boys" as well as we play the second tier teams.

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Originally Posted by soulman

It's gonna take a little bit to digest all of those stats but just at a glance it seems to be telling us what we already suspect. The line run blocks pretty well and they did last year too. So that's not our biggest problem.

The two biggest problems are still pass blocking and stupid drive stalling penalties which end up costing us points. We get one guy playing better and another has a bad game. The OG's block well but the OT's don't and etc. What is comes down to is a lack of consistency and a lack of discipline but I do believe the talent and desire are there to overcome those two issues.

If by the time the playoffs roll around we can handle playoff caliber teams as well as we've handled these guys we've been facing the last three game (5 sacks in three games and good yardage totals) then we can win in the playoffs but if we can't then we lose.

The defense alone isn't gonna get us to a SB game. We need an offense capable of scoring 30 points per game AND the defense playing take away like they have been. So that's what I'm looking for from the line and the rest of the offense. An ability to play the "big boys" as well as we play the second tier teams.

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The run blocking seems to have improved significantly since the beginning of the season. I believe moving Rachal into the LG slot helps us on that left side. Webb has always been a better run blocker than pass blocker (I guess that's obvious). Initially I thought Rachal was not a good player, but the more he plays, the better he improves.

If this line can stay healthy (same 5 play together the rest of the year) then it could certainly improve & be solid this year. I am pleasantly surprised.

The important thing is having the same 5 playing together throughout the season. Continuity is going to make them better as time goes by.
:18_1_205:

I'm definitely optimistic, but am reserving judgement until I see them playing someone with a really good pass ruch. They played Dallas and handled them well. I want to see if that was a bad week for Dallas, a good week or us, or an honest gelling of the line. When they play the Giants and do well, I will believe that they are good.

Right now, I'm just happy to see the improvement that they have made even if it has not been against top tier teams. All of this builds confidence, and they need that. Hopefully, by the time they get into the playoffs, their technique and confidence will both have grown to the point that they can handle it. I am really happy to see how far they have come. Now I want to see it against teams that matter. I'm still a little jaded and leary as far as crowning the OL with any sort of "top OL" award yet.
I'd sure like to do it though!!!