The Top 35 Right Tackles from 2015
 

The Top 35 Right Tackles from 2015
By Matt Miller, Mar 16, 2016

9. Zach Strief, New Orleans Saints

http://img.bleacherreport.net/img/sl...630&h=420&q=75

Pass Protection 32/45

At this point in Zach Strief's career, pass protection doesn't come easy. He has to be efficient with his pass-protection technique to have consistent success against the NFL's dynamic pass-rushers.

Strief is at his best when he can set firm and get his hands on defenders to end the fight early, but he can expand his set points and get to his landmark to punch and anchor rushers who are attempting to get upfield. Where he struggles is in facing wide edge-rushers with an elite first step, as it puts constant strain on him to get vertical and set his feet.

Strief still shows the patience and punch timing to deliver a violent strike and the overall strength to consistently anchor, though. He does a good job of maintaining depth relationship to pass off line games and displays the mental processing and awareness to sort through pressures.

Run Blocking 41/45

Even at 32, Strief is still a mauler in the run game and plays with good physicality. He has great square power and generally explodes out of his stance, quickly engaging to hit, lift and drive defenders off the point of attack on base blocks or angled drive blocks. There are times, though, when he plays with too much weight forward and stops his feet, resulting in him falling off blocks.

Strief violently collapses 3-techniques on deuce blocks when he is the post man and is able to stand defenders up on combo and duo double-teams. He does a good job of climbing to the second level and fitting up on linebackers as well. His biggest issue on film is in cutting off the backside when runs go away from him.

B/R NFL 1000: Ranking the Top 35 Right Tackles from 2015 | Bleacher Report

Re: The Top 35 Right Tackles from 2015
 

Bleacher Report? Yeah right!

Re: The Top 35 Right Tackles from 2015
 

Appears more knowledgeable than a few posters here. ;)

Re: The Top 35 Right Tackles from 2015
 

Mr Under-rated.

Re: The Top 35 Right Tackles from 2015
 

It may be Bleacher Report, but I believe Pro Football Focus had a similar rating for Strief.

I don't have a subscription, so I'm unable to check for 100% certainty

Re: The Top 35 Right Tackles from 2015
 

I think he was about the 35th ranked OT in the league according to PFF. Of course, the vast majority of those ranked higher would have been LT's. Armstead was ranked #3.

Re: The Top 35 Right Tackles from 2015
 

PFF rated Steif 23rd in the NFL among tackles. Pretty good considering there are 64 starting guards.

Re: The Top 35 Right Tackles from 2015
 

Show me a real football website and then maybe I'll care what they say

Re: The Top 35 Right Tackles from 2015
 

I dont believe it,he rubbish. He must be cause that what everyone keeps yelling

Re: The Top 35 Right Tackles from 2015
 

Very good read. I would agree with most everything. And since that is no secret, game planning becomes crucial. If he has a speed rusher, send a FB to chip or a TE stay in an extra second before going on a route. There are so many ways to help an OT out but teams on every level are bad at doing it.

Re: The Top 35 Right Tackles from 2015
 

The title to your post is "The top 35 right tackles from 2015"...there are only 32 teams

Re: The Top 35 Right Tackles from 2015
 

Several teams played more than 1 RT

Re: The Top 35 Right Tackles from 2015
 

You realize they stopped being a fan blog site several years ago right?

Re: The Top 35 Right Tackles from 2015
 

Strief almost got Brees ripped in half last year. Of course when you have no running attack pure pass rushers will abuse older/slower tackles. Even out the offensive plays and we will see Strief come back to form.

Re: The Top 35 Right Tackles from 2015
 

and they still don't know jack **** about what they are talking about

Re: The Top 35 Right Tackles from 2015
 

I'm pretty sure Mike Miller knows more than you do, or pretty much any one of us here.

Which football websites do you like?

Re: The Top 35 Right Tackles from 2015
 

He has lost a little but he has been good enough to keep the young guns from taking over so either they stink or he's not that bad. Going against a JJ Watts almost all tackles get abused but he does fend off Jordan every time they line up in practice.

Re: The Top 35 Right Tackles from 2015
 

Could see Strief sliding to the inside at right guard and letting the younger Andrus Peat deal with the speedier rushers...

Plus, you'd have an ideal situation where Strief could counsel Peat in-game, expediting the younger players acclimation...

Re: The Top 35 Right Tackles from 2015
 

And also Roushar replaced Ingalls (sp) as O line coach. It will be interesting to see how these guys are lined up.

Change could be a good thing.

Re: The Top 35 Right Tackles from 2015
 

I don't need a website when I can see with my eyes someone get beat like a drum on a regular basis. I really can't stand how the NFL has become and only watch Saints game for the most part. I really don't remember SB 50, I remember where I went but not much of the game. I don't know if that was the game or my lose interest in it

Re: The Top 35 Right Tackles from 2015
 

He wasn't beaten like a drum on a regular basis. He had 2 or 3 bad games that way too many people are trying to claim that he was that bad in all 16 games. He wasn't.

And if you only watch Saints games, how can you say he's any worse or any better than the other 31 teams' RT?

Re: The Top 35 Right Tackles from 2015
 

I'm not saying he is/was garbage, but he is far from dominant in his position.

Whether it be because of age and/or injuries - I don't know, but the Saints need to find a replacement at the very least after this uocoming season.

Re: The Top 35 Right Tackles from 2015
 

Strief will make an excellent swing tackle! Peat will make a better right tackle than Strief. But we may have to play Peat at guard because the front office dropped the ball on brining in a guard.

Re: The Top 35 Right Tackles from 2015
 

whatever gets the best players on the field...

Re: The Top 35 Right Tackles from 2015
 

I've been critical of his play as of late (e.g. moving in space, sealing off smaller, faster 3-4 type edge rushers), but that is more on the team and front office being long overdue in drafting his replacement...

That said, he's probably, correction, Strief is the most underrated right tackle in the league...

And as I said earlier in the thread, if moving him to guard will keep that experience, attitude and fire in the offensive line, and have him "right-there" to guide and ease the transition for Peat, then make it happen...