Saints Right Tackle Zach Strief Rated As League's Best At Midseason

AsylumGuido · 11-10-2016, 07:48 AM

Originally Posted by dizzle88

I'll admit I was wrong about two guys, Strief and Peat, both have played incredible so far, especially to say our O line looked very dodgy in preseason.

At least you are man enough to admit it. There were two or three others that had the Saints offensive line pegged as the worst ever at the start of the season that have mysteriously disappeared.

jlaw8920 · 11-10-2016, 08:08 AM

I have been critical of Strief in the past, and I think I have finally realized why. He plays great a lot of the time, but it feels like many of the plays in the past where Drew gets lit up or dinged up, the rusher comes from his side. I guess Strief is unlucky that the few times he gets beat the rusher gets a better hit on Brees?

Not sure if that is a correct assessment, but I'm glad to admit I was wrong and happy he is playing well.

Ashley · 11-10-2016, 08:09 AM

I'm one of the ones that has hated on him since the beginning. Glad to see he is making me run and hide, like a little...
Hope he can continue to play at the level he is, so I don't have to come out and bash on him again

AsylumGuido · 11-10-2016, 08:16 AM

Originally Posted by jlaw8920

I have been critical of Strief in the past, and I think I have finally realized why. He plays great a lot of the time, but it feels like many of the plays in the past where Drew gets lit up or dinged up, the rusher comes from his side. I guess Strief is unlucky that the few times he gets beat the rusher gets a better hit on Brees?

Not sure if that is a correct assessment, but I'm glad to admit I was wrong and happy he is playing well.

Strief had one memorable bad outing against Houston that many people cling to. But, that was J. J. Watt and Watt was destroying EVERY tackle in the league. And don't forget, Jahri Evans was was playing one armed beside him with the bad wrist.

rezburna · 11-10-2016, 10:35 AM

Originally Posted by jlaw8920

I have been critical of Strief in the past, and I think I have finally realized why. He plays great a lot of the time, but it feels like many of the plays in the past where Drew gets lit up or dinged up, the rusher comes from his side. I guess Strief is unlucky that the few times he gets beat the rusher gets a better hit on Brees?

Not sure if that is a correct assessment, but I'm glad to admit I was wrong and happy he is playing well.

I guess that was the case for me as well. I'll leave the guy alone. Perhaps I was wrong. Go Strief. And if he's the best RT they need to reflect it in his Madden rating. An 85 is too low.

burningmetal · 11-10-2016, 11:04 AM

Laughable. Nothing against Strief, I say it over and over.

People made the same arguments for Bushrod, who famously (and ridiculously) made a pro bowl here, and when he left we pretty much never heard from him again. He either gets help, or he peels off toward the inside and lets the running back or tight end take the edge rusher a lot of the time, from what I have seen. Yet that is ignored by all of these people with their rating systems.

The Saints have found a way to make this offensive line work enough for them. I don't believe for a second that it can't be drastically improved in spots.

burningmetal · 11-10-2016, 11:10 AM

Originally Posted by AsylumGuido

At least you are man enough to admit it. There were two or three others that had the Saints offensive line pegged as the worst ever at the start of the season that have mysteriously disappeared.

Nobody ever said worst ever. That is your typical hyperbole to make yourself feel better.

The line was garbage a year ago, and they brought the entirety of it back, with Peat being the only one young enough to make the inexperienced excuse. Peat has improved in the run game, still not that great at pass blocking. Our running game comes and goes, and our QB still has to get rid of the ball early. Is it as bad as it could have been? No. It's been decent. But we have players on offense who mask a lot of would be issues, in my opinion.

AsylumGuido · 11-10-2016, 11:32 AM

Originally Posted by burningmetal

Nobody ever said worst ever. That is your typical hyperbole to make yourself feel better.

The line was garbage a year ago, and they brought the entirety of it back, with Peat being the only one young enough to make the inexperienced excuse. Peat has improved in the run game, still not that great at pass blocking. Our running game comes and goes, and our QB still has to get rid of the ball early. Is it as bad as it could have been? No. It's been decent. But we have players on offense who mask a lot of would be issues, in my opinion.

Do you remember this?

Originally Posted by burningmetal

I, for one, am not on any ledge. But do I think the line sucks? Abso-freaking-lutely.

I watched the replay, too. Protection was just as bad as ever, and so was the run game. And being that it IS pre-season, defenses aren't exactly firing away out there. Plus, there was no JJ Watt.

I'm all for giving guys time to gel, but this is the same group from last year. How long does it take to gel? I think the defense will be improved, and depending on how far the pass rush has come (of which, there is no true barometer until the real season starts) they could even be vastly improved. But on offense, everything hinges on that O-line, and nothing is indicating to me that it is heading in the right direction.

That said, it wasn't you I was addressing. WillSaints81 and saintshrimp were the two I was referring to and both have become more and more scarce as the Saints have looked better.

Utah_Saint · 11-10-2016, 12:12 PM

Originally Posted by hagan714

Zach is a player that earns your respect on the field. shame he is not 25 years old still. need a prospect to groom at RT.

This is where I keep underestimating Strief. For the last three years I've been thinking "this is his last season". I hope he proves me wrong again next year.

Rugby Saint II · 11-10-2016, 12:35 PM

He's getting lots of help and it is smart coaching. Dan Roushar(?) rocks!!!

11-10-2016, 07:48 AM	#11
AsylumGuido 10000 POST CLUB Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Bossier City, LA Posts: 24,392	Re: Saints Right Tackle Zach Strief Rated As League's Best At Midseason Originally Posted by dizzle88 I'll admit I was wrong about two guys, Strief and Peat, both have played incredible so far, especially to say our O line looked very dodgy in preseason. At least you are man enough to admit it. There were two or three others that had the Saints offensive line pegged as the worst ever at the start of the season that have mysteriously disappeared. dizzle88 likes this.

11-10-2016, 08:08 AM	#12
jlaw8920 100th Post Join Date: May 2013 Posts: 123	Re: Saints Right Tackle Zach Strief Rated As League's Best At Midseason I have been critical of Strief in the past, and I think I have finally realized why. He plays great a lot of the time, but it feels like many of the plays in the past where Drew gets lit up or dinged up, the rusher comes from his side. I guess Strief is unlucky that the few times he gets beat the rusher gets a better hit on Brees? Not sure if that is a correct assessment, but I'm glad to admit I was wrong and happy he is playing well. skymike likes this.
jlaw8920 100th Post Join Date: May 2013 Posts: 123

11-10-2016, 08:09 AM	#13
Ashley Site Donor Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Colorado Springs Co Posts: 2,760	Re: Saints Right Tackle Zach Strief Rated As League's Best At Midseason I'm one of the ones that has hated on him since the beginning. Glad to see he is making me run and hide, like a little... Hope he can continue to play at the level he is, so I don't have to come out and bash on him again skymike likes this.

11-10-2016, 08:16 AM	#14
AsylumGuido 10000 POST CLUB Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Bossier City, LA Posts: 24,392	Re: Saints Right Tackle Zach Strief Rated As League's Best At Midseason Originally Posted by jlaw8920 I have been critical of Strief in the past, and I think I have finally realized why. He plays great a lot of the time, but it feels like many of the plays in the past where Drew gets lit up or dinged up, the rusher comes from his side. I guess Strief is unlucky that the few times he gets beat the rusher gets a better hit on Brees? Not sure if that is a correct assessment, but I'm glad to admit I was wrong and happy he is playing well. Strief had one memorable bad outing against Houston that many people cling to. But, that was J. J. Watt and Watt was destroying EVERY tackle in the league. And don't forget, Jahri Evans was was playing one armed beside him with the bad wrist.

11-10-2016, 10:35 AM	#15
rezburna 5000 POSTS! + Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Kenner, LA Posts: 7,650	Re: Saints Right Tackle Zach Strief Rated As League's Best At Midseason Originally Posted by jlaw8920 I have been critical of Strief in the past, and I think I have finally realized why. He plays great a lot of the time, but it feels like many of the plays in the past where Drew gets lit up or dinged up, the rusher comes from his side. I guess Strief is unlucky that the few times he gets beat the rusher gets a better hit on Brees? Not sure if that is a correct assessment, but I'm glad to admit I was wrong and happy he is playing well. I guess that was the case for me as well. I'll leave the guy alone. Perhaps I was wrong. Go Strief. And if he's the best RT they need to reflect it in his Madden rating. An 85 is too low.

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11-10-2016, 11:04 AM	#16
burningmetal 1000 Posts + Join Date: Mar 2012 Posts: 3,905 Blog Entries: 3	Re: Saints Right Tackle Zach Strief Rated As League's Best At Midseason Laughable. Nothing against Strief, I say it over and over. People made the same arguments for Bushrod, who famously (and ridiculously) made a pro bowl here, and when he left we pretty much never heard from him again. He either gets help, or he peels off toward the inside and lets the running back or tight end take the edge rusher a lot of the time, from what I have seen. Yet that is ignored by all of these people with their rating systems. The Saints have found a way to make this offensive line work enough for them. I don't believe for a second that it can't be drastically improved in spots. Rugby Saint II likes this.
	If I had a nickel for every time I heard that, the NFL would fine and suspend me.

11-10-2016, 11:10 AM	#17
burningmetal 1000 Posts + Join Date: Mar 2012 Posts: 3,905 Blog Entries: 3	Re: Saints Right Tackle Zach Strief Rated As League's Best At Midseason Originally Posted by AsylumGuido At least you are man enough to admit it. There were two or three others that had the Saints offensive line pegged as the worst ever at the start of the season that have mysteriously disappeared. Nobody ever said worst ever. That is your typical hyperbole to make yourself feel better. The line was garbage a year ago, and they brought the entirety of it back, with Peat being the only one young enough to make the inexperienced excuse. Peat has improved in the run game, still not that great at pass blocking. Our running game comes and goes, and our QB still has to get rid of the ball early. Is it as bad as it could have been? No. It's been decent. But we have players on offense who mask a lot of would be issues, in my opinion.
	If I had a nickel for every time I heard that, the NFL would fine and suspend me.

11-10-2016, 11:32 AM	#18
AsylumGuido 10000 POST CLUB Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Bossier City, LA Posts: 24,392	Re: Saints Right Tackle Zach Strief Rated As League's Best At Midseason Originally Posted by burningmetal Nobody ever said worst ever. That is your typical hyperbole to make yourself feel better. The line was garbage a year ago, and they brought the entirety of it back, with Peat being the only one young enough to make the inexperienced excuse. Peat has improved in the run game, still not that great at pass blocking. Our running game comes and goes, and our QB still has to get rid of the ball early. Is it as bad as it could have been? No. It's been decent. But we have players on offense who mask a lot of would be issues, in my opinion. Do you remember this? Originally Posted by burningmetal I, for one, am not on any ledge. But do I think the line sucks? Abso-freaking-lutely. I watched the replay, too. Protection was just as bad as ever, and so was the run game. And being that it IS pre-season, defenses aren't exactly firing away out there. Plus, there was no JJ Watt. I'm all for giving guys time to gel, but this is the same group from last year. How long does it take to gel? I think the defense will be improved, and depending on how far the pass rush has come (of which, there is no true barometer until the real season starts) they could even be vastly improved. But on offense, everything hinges on that O-line, and nothing is indicating to me that it is heading in the right direction. That said, it wasn't you I was addressing. WillSaints81 and saintshrimp were the two I was referring to and both have become more and more scarce as the Saints have looked better.

11-10-2016, 12:12 PM	#19
Utah_Saint Site Donor 2019 Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Salt Lake City, Utah Posts: 3,521	Re: Saints Right Tackle Zach Strief Rated As League's Best At Midseason Originally Posted by hagan714 Zach is a player that earns your respect on the field. shame he is not 25 years old still. need a prospect to groom at RT. This is where I keep underestimating Strief. For the last three years I've been thinking "this is his last season". I hope he proves me wrong again next year.

11-10-2016, 12:35 PM	#20
Rugby Saint II Bounty Money $$$ Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: 5800 Airline Dr. Metairie, LA. Posts: 23,722	Re: Saints Right Tackle Zach Strief Rated As League's Best At Midseason He's getting lots of help and it is smart coaching. Dan Roushar(?) rocks!!! K Major likes this.