The O-Line Redemption
 

I think (oh yes, I'm starting it with the "I Think") that we will see much better O-line play when we see BUF in the Dome and onward into the gauntlet of the season. There are plenty of reasons why I am excited about this group that has been lambasted the first part of the season.

1. Guards & Center playing better: Evans looked like the Evans we all know and love against the Pats, plus he gets an extra week to rest what is ailing him. A rested and healthy Evans automatically makes the whole line better. Grubbs seems to be getting it together after rating average to below-average the first 5 weeks (and getting ridiculously embarrassed in the MNF Game). DLP with our 2 guards coming back to life makes him look much better than he is, but as an overachiever he fits. Evans' injury(ies) through the first 6 weeks set back this group, but we'll see a much better front 3 the rest of the way if Evans maintains his health.
2. Tackles are too: Brown is beginning to play better. Nothing spectacular, as he gave up the only sack @ NE, but helped keep Drew relatively clean. Sounds kinda like a Bushrod type of game. 6 starts into the season, and I believe we'll see these types of performances from here on out: not spectacular, but solid. Interested to see him versus Super Mario next week. Harris' name was barely even mentioned in the NE game, which is always good for an OT. Possibly he and Zach mix and match starts down the stretch? They are both solid in the run game, and it looks like all 3 of the tackles are beginning to "get it" on the zone blocking schemes we employ now. Zach has been solid in pass protection so far this year, and with Drew the OT's don't necessarily need to dominate to be effective.
3. Bye Week "Jelling" Therapy - These cats get more reps together against Ryan's D, so it's like an extra week of training camp to get the communication and trust between them where it needs to be.
4. First game back in action at the Dome (Home Dome Therapy). Where is a better place on the face of this Earth to come together and play solid than in the Dome? Build that confidence in pass protection and run blocking against a good BUF D-line then get that Jets Monster Front 7 the next week.
5. The Evans Factor (Did I mention Evans' health?): His ability week in, week out is the difference between good-to-great versus below average-to-turrible. Period. All other factors and therapies are null and void if he ain't healthy.

Bye Week Blues. And too much time on my hands.

Re: The O-Line Redemption
 

I wanna see it, and when I do, that's when I'll believe it.

Re: The O-Line Redemption
 

Yea. I dont know about redemption. They have improved but they are still pretty ****ty.

Re: The O-Line Redemption
 

I think we need to seriously upgrade our line this off-season.

Our run game stinks.

I did notice that teams seem to want to take away our run game in a couple of games so we take it to the air but come on we need to run at will.

Re: The O-Line Redemption
 

lets be honest they are getting better but still have a long way to go to get back to playing like the OL that won the super bowl

Re: The O-Line Redemption
 

Don't put that 2009 O-line Stank on this crew, 'cause that ain't close to fair. Only 1 of those 5 are still here, and that 1 (Evans) is dinged up a bit. Plus we ain't got the same O-line coach, so that 2009 comparison is unfair X 2.

All I was trying to claim (in my pain-killer euphoria last night) was that the best is still ahead for this group. It certainly could get worse than Weeks 1-4, and that would be simply awful to watch. But the line we witnessed in Weeks 5 & 6 showed obvious improvement. What's to say that trend continues? Of course the devil's advocate will say "what's to say it won't", which is fair...I get it. But I'll choose to let the perfumed rainbows fly out of my butt, thank you.

Re: The O-Line Redemption
 

I think a healthy Evans, add a stud Center and a year of expected development from Armstead may be all we really need for 2014.

Re: The O-Line Redemption
 

I am not sold on them... its about match ups week to week. To say someone did good one week and stunk 20 weeks before so they are getting better just doesn't hold water...

Not comparing them to 2009 but they aren't getting our run game going. I just don't see them getting the job done enough to warrant not upgrading them this off season. We need to get bigger and badder up front for the running game and better protecting Brees.

Re: The O-Line Redemption
 

What did ya'll think of Harris? He seemed a little weak to me.

Re: The O-Line Redemption
 

Played against New England's second team. Let's see what they do the next couple of weeks.

Re: The O-Line Redemption
 

i would love to see the saints address RT and line depth in the off season. OC is an area of concern and am watching it closely. i am leaning more to a seasoned vet possibly in the off season because i do not think we are going to resign our Oc for a reasonable price

Re: The O-Line Redemption
 

Could be the most idiotic post I've ever posted. Bills D-line is good, but it's blatantly obvious the O-line is over-matched so far in the first half.

I am one with my wrongness and have shat myself with this theory.

Re: The O-Line Redemption
 

O-Line played much better as the 1st half wound down

Re: The O-Line Redemption
 

Thanks for taking a little of the sting out of it for me, dude. Here's to a better second half of line play.

Re: The O-Line Redemption
 

The O line had super Mario to contend with today

Re: The O-Line Redemption
 

We are far from the worst oline in the league but I think that will be a major focus this offseason. Far too often I'm seeing our guards and tackles getting overpowered in one on one blocks. It's one thing to get beat by the speed rush but when guys are just shoving your blockers aside that is a problem.

Re: The O-Line Redemption
 

Mark Ingram agrees 100%

Re: The O-Line Redemption
 

lol I wouldn't go that far. I saw thomas make something out of nothing a few times today. Not so sure ingram would've been able to do the same thing. Let's just say I agree our oline makes it tough for any runner to have success

Re: The O-Line Redemption
 

still gave up 4 sacks and brees was under a lot of pressure all day

Re: The O-Line Redemption
 

Definately took a step back this week. Still it pretty encouraging we put up that many points against a very good Bills D. Especially since our O hasnt been hitting on all cylunders

Re: The O-Line Redemption
 

Brees was running around like Archie did back in the day as the ghosts of the 1980 O-line have come back 33 years later to possess the 2013 O-line.

OK, not that bad. But, again, my apologies for my original God-awful theory and misplaced optimism for this current crew.

Re: The O-Line Redemption
 

No. 4 sacks today. 77 frippen yrds rushing ain't gonna cut it. The lack of a run game cost us the Patsies game. It's gonna cost us again.

Re: The O-Line Redemption
 

Like Hagen says, time to address RT. Strief rated No. 1 in the NFL in pass efficiency and No. 10 overall according to PFF! Time to get rid of his fat a##
Brilliant!

Re: The O-Line Redemption
 

Strief isn't the problem. I'd rather address C and LT before we look at RT.

Re: The O-Line Redemption
 

Yes, this. The short yardage game and pass protection starts at Center. Going from Faine to Goodwin to BDLP from '06 to now is a pretty good downgrade of talent at the position and it shows. BDLP gets his named called too much in-game, and not for good things either. He's just getting blown up too often on short yardage runs; he just isn't strong enough or talented enough to push even average interior D-lineman off the line of scrimmage. Graded the lowest of all 5 O-lineman this week, too, which isn't shocking at all going against a good D-line.