Food for thought-------------------

[Catfish]

After watching the fruitless attempts by our O-line to create holes for running backs on short yardage situations Sunday, it was apparent that Cooper's absence was greatly felt despite his inconsistencies. What was less noticeable, however, (although it has been ongoing for a number of years now), is the fact that this line still does not have that dominant anchor center to solidify the middle, or to generate push when needed there.

Sendlein is playable, but not the answer to really anchor this, (or any), truly good offensive line. Time after time the middle of our offensive line is helpless to either stop a heavy push up the middle when trying to protect Palmer, or to generate its own push up the middle in order to create a crease for backs to exploit on short yardage situations. Our undersized, and unathletic centers have shown to be an easily exploited spot for a number of years now on this line.

If Keim and BA are to keep Palmer upright, and if they expect to generate a truly effective run game that can be relied upon, they simply must find a way to find a dominant center to anchor our offensive line. Having one truly dominant anchor to this O-line would prove to be so much better than carrying two or three simply adequate centers on our roster. While, any of them, (Sendlein, Larsen, or Shipley), would make terrific back-ups, until we manage to find a truly dominant center, we will continue to struggle to force our will on other teams by running when we want to, (or have to), and by stopping the push up the middle by opposing defenses that takes away Palmer's ability to step up into the pocket when his Tackles force the outside rush around behind him. In my opinion, this need can no longer be overlooked if this team wants to continue to improve and become truly a perennial SB contender.

 

[DeAnna]

You are preachin' to the choir, Cat.

Apparently, BASK don't see it as a pressing matter. Otherwise, how do you explain them bringing in AQ Shipley, a has-been, to compete with Sendelin. Baffling.

 

[slanidrac16]

I think BA used this game as a test. It seems most of our runs were to the right. Three tight end loaded on the right side and we still couldn't score. Finally we ran the ball to the left and Johnson had an easy cutback to the right for the TD.

When we need 1 yard I love Shipley lining up on the left and just handing off for a power dive over SHipley, Valdeer and Iupati.

 

[slanidrac16]

How do you explain the great running attack earlier in the year with Sendlein as our center?

We were all wrong about Butler who suddenly has learned how to punt.

I truly believe to win in this league a team needs to adjust week to week , quarter by quarter on the fly. The team that adjust to what the opponent is taking away usually prevails.

We've been very good at that. What we have to keep in mind the OTHER guy is doing the same thing.

There is no All Pro center walking through the door tomorrow. We are 9-2 with what we have. I'll take that and hope we can out-coach our opponents.

It's worked pretty good so far.

 

[Jetstream Green]

The line works as a whole. Larsen had a terrible game and Sendlein was affected by being next to Larsen... a OL is really only as good as its weakest link removed from left tackle which is a whole different can of hurt which we thankfully have stabilized

 

[Catfish]

How do you explain the great running attack earlier in the year with Sendlein as our center?

Our running attack was good, not great. I am talking about creating a great O-line for the future of this team. We have managed to seriously hurt two of our stable of fine running backs by constantly running them into holes that don't exist. We can't continue doing that. Last year we hurt our QB.



There is no All Pro center walking through the door tomorrow. We are 9-2 with what we have. I'll take that and hope we can out-coach our opponents

As I said, nothing will change this year, I am looking to the future of this team and am saying that with great offensive tools, we need a great offensive line. Otherwise we are simply going to continue hurting running backs and quarterbacks.

 

[Stout]

After watching the fruitless attempts by our O-line to create holes for running backs on short yardage situations Sunday, it was apparent that Cooper's absence was greatly felt despite his inconsistencies. What was less noticeable, however, (although it has been ongoing for a number of years now), is the fact that this line still does not have that dominant anchor center to solidify the middle, or to generate push when needed there.

Sendlein is playable, but not the answer to really anchor this, (or any), truly good offensive line. Time after time the middle of our offensive line is helpless to either stop a heavy push up the middle when trying to protect Palmer, or to generate its own push up the middle in order to create a crease for backs to exploit on short yardage situations. Our undersized, and unathletic centers have shown to be an easily exploited spot for a number of years now on this line.

If Keim and BA are to keep Palmer upright, and if they expect to generate a truly effective run game that can be relied upon, they simply must find a way to find a dominant center to anchor our offensive line. Having one truly dominant anchor to this O-line would prove to be so much better than carrying two or three simply adequate centers on our roster. While, any of them, (Sendlein, Larsen, or Shipley), would make terrific back-ups, until we manage to find a truly dominant center, we will continue to struggle to force our will on other teams by running when we want to, (or have to), and by stopping the push up the middle by opposing defenses that takes away Palmer's ability to step up into the pocket when his Tackles force the outside rush around behind him. In my opinion, this need can no longer be overlooked if this team wants to continue to improve and become truly a perennial SB contender.

I agree with you 100 percent, Catfish.

 

[oaken1]

After watching the fruitless attempts by our O-line to create holes for running backs on short yardage situations Sunday, it was apparent that Cooper's absence was greatly felt despite his inconsistencies. What was less noticeable, however, (although it has been ongoing for a number of years now), is the fact that this line still does not have that dominant anchor center to solidify the middle, or to generate push when needed there.

Sendlein is playable, but not the answer to really anchor this, (or any), truly good offensive line. Time after time the middle of our offensive line is helpless to either stop a heavy push up the middle when trying to protect Palmer, or to generate its own push up the middle in order to create a crease for backs to exploit on short yardage situations. Our undersized, and unathletic centers have shown to be an easily exploited spot for a number of years now on this line.

If Keim and BA are to keep Palmer upright, and if they expect to generate a truly effective run game that can be relied upon, they simply must find a way to find a dominant center to anchor our offensive line. Having one truly dominant anchor to this O-line would prove to be so much better than carrying two or three simply adequate centers on our roster. While, any of them, (Sendlein, Larsen, or Shipley), would make terrific back-ups, until we manage to find a truly dominant center, we will continue to struggle to force our will on other teams by running when we want to, (or have to), and by stopping the push up the middle by opposing defenses that takes away Palmer's ability to step up into the pocket when his Tackles force the outside rush around behind him. In my opinion, this need can no longer be overlooked if this team wants to continue to improve and become truly a perennial SB contender.

I was saying this about sendlein way back before it was cool....

everyone for the most part will agree we need a stronger center,.....but watch all of the howling if they actually do what is needed to get that solid anchor........ I kinda like Dan Volz from Wisconsin...
we will need to draft a C high to get our needs filled...these guys rarely become free agents.

 

[Brak]

Cooper may eventually move to center. Definitely a problem position that needs to be addressed. Hopefully we can find a stud or two who can step in and play right away next year. To whiff on our first round pick this year was brutal - at that spot in the draft, the kid has to be able to come in and play (and play WELL) right away - and he doesn't even dress on game days.

 

[frankeegee1]

Well, hopefully, next year will be like getting two first round picks?

Sent from my XT1254 using Tapatalk

 

[Zeno]

Cooper may eventually move to center. Definitely a problem position that needs to be addressed. Hopefully we can find a stud or two who can step in and play right away next year. To whiff on our first round pick this year was brutal - at that spot in the draft, the kid has to be able to come in and play (and play WELL) right away - and he doesn't even dress on game days.

Why do you think Cooper will move to Center? Has he EVER played there? Did they even try him there during TC (Honest question, I don't know)?

Agree on the first round whiff, Humphries must be so far behind mentally because he can't even be active on game days and Sowell is. I truly hope the light goes on this offseason with him because he will probably be counted on to replace Massie.

 

[crisper57]

Why do you think Cooper will move to Center? Has he EVER played there? Did they even try him there during TC (Honest question, I don't know)?

Agree on the first round whiff, Humphries must be so far behind mentally because he can't even be active on game days and Sowell is. I truly hope the light goes on this offseason with him because he will probably be counted on to replace Massie.

When he was drafted, there was a lot of talk that C might be his eventual landing spot. I think I heard it was because he is so smart, so he can call out the blocking schemes, which is an extra wrinkle no other OL position has.

 

[Russ Smith]

I think the guard injuries and CJ slowing down have combined to hurt the running game. Will be interesting to see if DJ and Taylor are able to run this week against that Rams front.

Hopefully we get Cooper back.

It will also be interesting to see if DJ can handle 15-20 touches without wearing down and get the tough yards to move the chains.

But I think we're going to run less, maybe quite a bit less without CJ and AE, I think we'll play a bit more like the Pats, throw on run downs, play 4 WR sets or 2 TE's and throw the ball.

DJ's main job is don't fumble and pick up the blitzes.

 

[CFLredzoned]

But I think we're going to run less, maybe quite a bit less without CJ and AE, I think we'll play a bit more like the Pats, throw on run downs, play 4 WR sets or 2 TE's and throw the ball.

DJ's main job is don't fumble and pick up the blitzes.

That's what I'm thinking too. I think it's been BA's plan all along to ride CJ as long as possible, hopefully through the end of the season. Then start using DJ more in the playoffs, hopefully with fresh legs, avoiding the rookie wall by staying out of the lineup. This CJ injury really screws things up. BA may say DJ will be the starting RB. But I don't think he's ready to expose him to a full load of carries this early in the season. There's still too many games left. It's a conundrum.

It's interesting that BA and Keim are both saying that the problems up front are all problems with scheme and missing stunts and gains (or games, whatever that means) - nothing to do with being physically dominated. I guess they have to say that and be on the same page with it.

 

[DeAnna]

I think BA used this game as a test. It seems most of our runs were to the right. Three tight end loaded on the right side and we still couldn't score. Finally we ran the ball to the left and Johnson had an easy cutback to the right for the TD.

Hmmm... you might be on to something.