Offensive line. Whos the biggest liability?

Beastmode · 09-17-2013, 01:26 AM

I agree with JV on the wet field. I didn't hear any questions about it other than a comment about players cleaning their cleats often. We play that indoors and some of what Tampa was able to do gets nullified but no question they have talent. Our receivers were covered well. It's going to be interesting to see if they can repeat some of that against the Pats. I think our OL is good enough though. The last drive they stood their ground against a rested D and protected Brees when it absolutely mattered.

subguy · 09-17-2013, 01:32 AM

I too have concerns with the offensive line. Drew is also looking a bit more rushed than in the past. TB D is decent, but I feel there are more concerns than in past seasons. 2 weeks
does not a season make, I just don't want it to be a long season for our qb. I cannot see them getting stronger only more tired. I made this comment after watching week1.

AlaskaSaints · 09-17-2013, 01:45 AM

Our offensive gameplanning looks much more contrived than the rapid-fire, rapid strike, record-setting offense of the last two years. However, both of our opponents this year were first-rate defenses and Division rivals.

That has to count for "something".

Brees has stopped doing the tap dance that he was famous for in '09. He's flat-footed with head thrown back, attempting to see over the line. What used to be instinct is now taking longer and exposing him more often than in past years.

BUT, it's early, and we have TWO WINS that neither Tampa or Atlanta have.

Alaska

Crusader · 09-17-2013, 02:58 AM

I don't see there bein a problem with any certain player. Its more like the group hasn't really developed a chemistry yet.

spkb25 · 09-17-2013, 06:46 AM

I think Evans is hurt. He missed that game in Preseason. My guess is he is playing through an injury

Rugby Saint II · 09-18-2013, 08:09 PM

Brown is learning the ropes.......Strief is all but finished and we miss Kromer more than I thought we would.

Jack Vegas · 09-19-2013, 02:01 AM

Originally Posted by Rugby Saint II

Brown is learning the ropes.......Strief is all but finished and we miss Kromer more than I thought we would.

Don't know what your methods are for evaluating players, but Pro Football Focus (a pretty respected outfit) has consistently graded Strief as one of the better right tackles in football three years running (better meaning top half of the league, not top 10 or anything, but better than average.)

As for Kromer, what are you gonna do? Put a gun to his head, tell him he can't leave? I don't think people realize how lucky we have it. Being in the midwest I get to watch Colts, Lions, Packers and Bears games quite a bit and those teams have truly bad offensive lines. Any of those teams would love to trade their 5 guys for ours.

TheOak · 09-18-2013, 09:48 PM

No wonder it didn't click... How is Jamal Brown even relevant? He hasn't worn a Saints uniform since 2008 LOL...

SaintsBro · 09-18-2013, 10:30 PM

Well he was out there for a couple of games in 2009, then went down injured. But, we very decidedly won a Super Bowl without him, so.....not much to say there.

The problem with statements like, "Brown, Nicks, Bushrod are all gone" is that, you can't keep the band together forever. You just can't. There is no team in the league that has the same offensive line they had in 2008, I can promise you that.

Here's one thing I don't understand, Dude...if it takes 2-3 SEASONS of the same guys for them to gel (which basically, no team in the league has, everyone has changes all the time), then how can you turn around and say the Saints line won't improve as the year goes on? Are you saying it takes a whole 48 games, and on the 48th they are suddenly good? Of course there is a good chance they are going to improve, game by game.

Actually, replacing one guy a year is FAR better for continuity purposes, than replacing more than one. So if you accept the reality that change is a part of life, then the Saints are trying to do it right, with as little disruption as possible. I could be wrong but I don't think they've ever had 2 intentional line changes in one season, except maybe the Olin Kreutz Experiment, which was a fiasco and kinda proves my point. Also Atlanta's line, right now, proves the point, too -- they have had a bunch of changes this year, not just one guy. It's a mess.

I agree with you about losing Kromer but nothing you can do about that. The guy wanted to advance his career, and felt it was time. Not much the team can do to make him stay.

The Dude · 09-19-2013, 12:44 AM

Originally Posted by SaintsBro

Well he was out there for a couple of games in 2009, then went down injured. But, we very decidedly won a Super Bowl without him, so.....not much to say there.

The problem with statements like, "Brown, Nicks, Bushrod are all gone" is that, you can't keep the band together forever. You just can't. There is no team in the league that has the same offensive line they had in 2008, I can promise you that.

Here's one thing I don't understand, Dude...if it takes 2-3 SEASONS of the same guys for them to gel (which basically, no team in the league has, everyone has changes all the time), then how can you turn around and say the Saints line won't improve as the year goes on? Are you saying it takes a whole 48 games, and on the 48th they are suddenly good? Of course there is a good chance they are going to improve, game by game.

Actually, replacing one guy a year is FAR better for continuity purposes, than replacing more than one. So if you accept the reality that change is a part of life, then the Saints are trying to do it right, with as little disruption as possible. I could be wrong but I don't think they've ever had 2 intentional line changes in one season, except maybe the Olin Kreutz Experiment, which was a fiasco and kinda proves my point. Also Atlanta's line, right now, proves the point, too -- they have had a bunch of changes this year, not just one guy. It's a mess.

I agree with you about losing Kromer but nothing you can do about that. The guy wanted to advance his career, and felt it was time. Not much the team can do to make him stay.

There have been replacements at center and guard as well. Youre right that it wouldnt be so bad if it was just one position at a time over a period of time but we have downgraded just about every position except for Evans AND lost their coach.

09-17-2013, 01:26 AM	#1
Beastmode 5000 POSTS! + Join Date: Jul 2010 Posts: 9,126	Re: Offensive line. Whos the biggest liability? I agree with JV on the wet field. I didn't hear any questions about it other than a comment about players cleaning their cleats often. We play that indoors and some of what Tampa was able to do gets nullified but no question they have talent. Our receivers were covered well. It's going to be interesting to see if they can repeat some of that against the Pats. I think our OL is good enough though. The last drive they stood their ground against a rested D and protected Brees when it absolutely mattered.
Beastmode 5000 POSTS! + Join Date: Jul 2010 Posts: 9,126

09-17-2013, 01:32 AM	#2
subguy 1000 Posts + Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: FL Posts: 2,105	Re: Offensive line. Whos the biggest liability? I too have concerns with the offensive line. Drew is also looking a bit more rushed than in the past. TB D is decent, but I feel there are more concerns than in past seasons. 2 weeks does not a season make, I just don't want it to be a long season for our qb. I cannot see them getting stronger only more tired. I made this comment after watching week1.

09-17-2013, 01:45 AM	#3
AlaskaSaints 1000 Posts + Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Anchorage, AK Posts: 2,484 Blog Entries: 2	Re: Offensive line. Whos the biggest liability? Our offensive gameplanning looks much more contrived than the rapid-fire, rapid strike, record-setting offense of the last two years. However, both of our opponents this year were first-rate defenses and Division rivals. That has to count for "something". Brees has stopped doing the tap dance that he was famous for in '09. He's flat-footed with head thrown back, attempting to see over the line. What used to be instinct is now taking longer and exposing him more often than in past years. BUT, it's early, and we have TWO WINS that neither Tampa or Atlanta have. Alaska
	HERE WE COME, TA GE' CHU!!!!

09-17-2013, 02:58 AM	#4
Crusader Resident Swede Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Märsta, Sweden Posts: 8,051	Re: Offensive line. Whos the biggest liability? I don't see there bein a problem with any certain player. Its more like the group hasn't really developed a chemistry yet.

09-17-2013, 06:46 AM	#5
spkb25 10000 POST CLUB Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Baltimore, MD Posts: 13,145	Re: Offensive line. Whos the biggest liability? I think Evans is hurt. He missed that game in Preseason. My guess is he is playing through an injury

09-18-2013, 08:09 PM	#6
Rugby Saint II Bounty Money $$$ Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: 5800 Airline Dr. Metairie, LA. Posts: 24,200	Re: Offensive line. Whos the biggest liability? Brown is learning the ropes.......Strief is all but finished and we miss Kromer more than I thought we would.

09-19-2013, 02:01 AM	#7
Jack Vegas 1000 Posts + Join Date: Jul 2011 Posts: 2,254	Re: Offensive line. Whos the biggest liability? Originally Posted by Rugby Saint II Brown is learning the ropes.......Strief is all but finished and we miss Kromer more than I thought we would. Don't know what your methods are for evaluating players, but Pro Football Focus (a pretty respected outfit) has consistently graded Strief as one of the better right tackles in football three years running (better meaning top half of the league, not top 10 or anything, but better than average.) As for Kromer, what are you gonna do? Put a gun to his head, tell him he can't leave? I don't think people realize how lucky we have it. Being in the midwest I get to watch Colts, Lions, Packers and Bears games quite a bit and those teams have truly bad offensive lines. Any of those teams would love to trade their 5 guys for ours.
Jack Vegas 1000 Posts + Join Date: Jul 2011 Posts: 2,254

09-18-2013, 09:48 PM	#8
TheOak 10000 POST CLUB Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Cypress Tx. Posts: 19,059	Re: Offensive line. Whos the biggest liability? No wonder it didn't click... How is Jamal Brown even relevant? He hasn't worn a Saints uniform since 2008 LOL...

09-18-2013, 10:30 PM	#9
SaintsBro Site Donor Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: in line with my ridiculous CLEAR PLASTIC BAG Posts: 3,650 Blog Entries: 3	Re: Offensive line. Whos the biggest liability? Well he was out there for a couple of games in 2009, then went down injured. But, we very decidedly won a Super Bowl without him, so.....not much to say there. The problem with statements like, "Brown, Nicks, Bushrod are all gone" is that, you can't keep the band together forever. You just can't. There is no team in the league that has the same offensive line they had in 2008, I can promise you that. Here's one thing I don't understand, Dude...if it takes 2-3 SEASONS of the same guys for them to gel (which basically, no team in the league has, everyone has changes all the time), then how can you turn around and say the Saints line won't improve as the year goes on? Are you saying it takes a whole 48 games, and on the 48th they are suddenly good? Of course there is a good chance they are going to improve, game by game. Actually, replacing one guy a year is FAR better for continuity purposes, than replacing more than one. So if you accept the reality that change is a part of life, then the Saints are trying to do it right, with as little disruption as possible. I could be wrong but I don't think they've ever had 2 intentional line changes in one season, except maybe the Olin Kreutz Experiment, which was a fiasco and kinda proves my point. Also Atlanta's line, right now, proves the point, too -- they have had a bunch of changes this year, not just one guy. It's a mess. I agree with you about losing Kromer but nothing you can do about that. The guy wanted to advance his career, and felt it was time. Not much the team can do to make him stay.
	Last edited by SaintsBro; 09-18-2013 at 10:32 PM..

09-19-2013, 12:44 AM	#10
The Dude 5000 POSTS! + Join Date: Jul 2011 Posts: 9,066	Re: Offensive line. Whos the biggest liability? Originally Posted by SaintsBro Well he was out there for a couple of games in 2009, then went down injured. But, we very decidedly won a Super Bowl without him, so.....not much to say there. The problem with statements like, "Brown, Nicks, Bushrod are all gone" is that, you can't keep the band together forever. You just can't. There is no team in the league that has the same offensive line they had in 2008, I can promise you that. Here's one thing I don't understand, Dude...if it takes 2-3 SEASONS of the same guys for them to gel (which basically, no team in the league has, everyone has changes all the time), then how can you turn around and say the Saints line won't improve as the year goes on? Are you saying it takes a whole 48 games, and on the 48th they are suddenly good? Of course there is a good chance they are going to improve, game by game. Actually, replacing one guy a year is FAR better for continuity purposes, than replacing more than one. So if you accept the reality that change is a part of life, then the Saints are trying to do it right, with as little disruption as possible. I could be wrong but I don't think they've ever had 2 intentional line changes in one season, except maybe the Olin Kreutz Experiment, which was a fiasco and kinda proves my point. Also Atlanta's line, right now, proves the point, too -- they have had a bunch of changes this year, not just one guy. It's a mess. I agree with you about losing Kromer but nothing you can do about that. The guy wanted to advance his career, and felt it was time. Not much the team can do to make him stay. There have been replacements at center and guard as well. Youre right that it wouldnt be so bad if it was just one position at a time over a period of time but we have downgraded just about every position except for Evans AND lost their coach.
The Dude 5000 POSTS! + Join Date: Jul 2011 Posts: 9,066	Last edited by The Dude; 09-19-2013 at 12:51 AM..

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