Is Grimm a good OL coach?

[Brian]

Bro, you can't even begin to compare Solomon and Grimm. Being friends isn't an issue as long as the friend can coach. Grimm can. Solomon absolutely, positively can not.

Yeah, I was very hesitant to write that and didn't mean it as though it was the same set of circumstances.

Solomon never could coach and Grimm can, it was the friendship thing I was drawing comparisons to.

Maybe it was a bad analogy...

 

[Redsz]

So Fitz dosent burn CB's? Ive seen him run that sideline many of times.

Yes, he burns CB's by using his size, strength and height. Throw the fade all day to him and he will use his vertical leap to school CB's. As much as I love Fitz, he isn't comparable to Torry Holt who will use his speed and cuts to get open and create seperation. I just don't see the comparison? They are both talented, but other than that I don't see the comparison your drawing here?

Edge IMO dosent want to be a bruiser, he knows the lifespan of a RB and bein a bruiser only shortens that. He would perfer to wait behind the line and pick a hole than just run full speed behind the line. He is a finese back not a power back.

That is the system they run in Indy. We don't run that here. We tried remember? And it didn't work because our linemen aren't finesse players. They don't have the speed and agility to trap and pull. We had the most sucess when running the ball straight ahead as demonstrated by our YPC up the middle.

Have a look here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VhQuxnMuiSs

0:14 Edge Bulldozers a Ram defender.

0:17 Edge pushes through a hole.

0:21 Edge bulldozers another Ram defender.

0:26 Edge spins out of tackle, gets hit and fights for another yd.

0:33 Edge charges a Ram defender.

Are you seriously telling me that Edge doesn't run with power?

Was lutui apart of a smashmouth team at USC...No,

The guy is 338lbs of bad ass. He doesn't have the feet to move in space. He is phone-booth guard who drives guys out of the way.

From his draft profile:

He has the size and natural strength to be a force at the point of attack when he blocks aggressively. He can drive defensive linemen off the ball on in-line run blocks and can jolt and stand up power rushers when he punches aggressively. The trouble is that despite his natural strength, he does not play strong consistently because he cannot get down to block with leverage, and rarely uses his hands to punch in pass protection. His smarts, competitiveness and instincts help him to do a solid job of moving his feet and blocking in a small area, but as soon as he has to move very quickly and block out in space, he struggles to maintain consistent production. Overall, Lutui is going to be drafted higher than GM Jr. rated him because he was a very good guard for a powerhouse, he has very good natural strength and always competes very hard. However, he reminds us of former Vikings guard David Dixon; he should develop into that type of a solid guard who blocks well in a "phone booth," but struggles outside of a small area. Because he is a "phone booth" guard, he is limited in regards to what teams he can play for; he must go to a team that relies upon huge offensive linemen who only zone block and do not have to move their feet a ton or block out in space often.

http://www.nfl.com/draft/profiles/2006/lutui_deuce

Sounds perfect for a physical smash-mouth team!

and BIG is too much of a wuss to play smashmouth football.

He is quite possibly one of the strongest guys in football and we had our 2nd highest YPC when running behind him. I don't think he is a wuss, but coaches haven't found the thing that 'gets him going' yet.

So lets compare, IMO Edge is like Faulk at this stage,

Edge doesn't have the speed or moves that Faulk did in his prime (atleast after his knee injury).

Fitz is like Bruce, and Q is like Holt.

Based on what? Both are smaller than Q and Fitz and have completley different styles! I have never seen Bruce out jump someone like Fitz has. Nor have I seen Torry Holt run over DB's like Q has.

Compare how the Cards are like the steelers? whos Willie Parker? Who is there second WR? The only comaprision is Ward and Q IMO.

In terms of playing a physical brand of football they certainly are.

Milford Brown, Nick Leckey and Duece Lutui are physical smash mouth players on the interior of the line. The Steelers love to run up the middle and we can do that too.

Q and Fitz thrive in contact and bullying DB's with their strength and size. And as I have shown, Edge is a grinder back who runs with power.

We aren't looking for clones of Buress, Parker and Ward. We are looking at players that can play in the power scheme, players who have the physical football mentality the Steelers have and I believe we are a perfect match for that.

We are not a finesse team at all IMO.

 

[Brian]

I just said all that.

(you just said it better)

 

[Redsz]

 

[Redsz]

Come on someone sway me the other way, I dont want to be this negative. I am in a glass box of emotion here.

Better talent? The Steelers have used ONE first round pick on the line in as long as I can remember.

I like Reggie Wells at T, good foot speed and maybe Grimm do something with Davis to get him playing better?

 

[Totally_Red]

We are much more like the Steelers and very far away from the Rams.

There is no speed on offense.

Let's clear up some things here:

1) Fitz never burns anybody down the sideline, he out jumps them.

2) Edge is nothing like Marshall Faulk, he is a grinder. He never had and never will have any speed.

3) Anquan is every bit as good a blocker as Hines Ward. Grimm won't do anything to change that, because Q already does it.

4) I never wanted Loney to leave and I think this was a piss-poor decision on Whisenhunt's part. The line played VERY well once the right pieces were in place. Giving Grimm the job when the Cards line outplayed the Steelers last year was foolish and I HATE the fact it was done because they are friends....see Richard Solomon.

5) Why all the excitement over this hiring??......Because he is a new name. Because it is something new to get excited over. Grimm wasn't offered the HC job here, or in Pittsburgh, or anywhere else for that matter. Loney should have been retained, or at least evaluated more by Whiz. I don't think Grimm was going anywhere.

6) I am WAY less than thrilled about the DB coach hiring. There had to be SOMEBODY out there with a more impressive resume.

end of rant.

I hope this franchise doesn't come to regret the decision to cut Loney loose. I already do.

 

[Cbus cardsfan]

Got this off the Steelers board from one of their fans:

I think Grimm will be missed though. I know the o-line was a disappoint last year, but it was still okay and consider the fact that for the last decade, there was only 1 first round pick used on an o-lineman (Simmons) and only 1 real FA signing (Hartings). Only 1 top pick and 1 FA signing and this team has been typically pretty good on the o-line, a ton of other teams would dream for that to be the case.

Bottom line, I think Grimm built a tough no nonsense line with a minimum amount of talent. The high draft choices were for the defense and playmakers. (Rothlisberger, Buress, etc.)
Additionally, the Steelers did not spend a lot of money on free agents.

Alan Faneca was a 1st round draft choice and is considered one of the top OL in the game. I don't think he's been around 10 years already. I think Grimm will do wonders with the interior of the OL.That's where Pitt guys excelled.Faneca, Hartings,and others who have left via free agancy all seem top notch players.

 

[JeffGollin]

1. Stats are overrated. For example, some maintain that the Steeler's sack stat was more because Roethlisburger came back too quickly, was rusty and indecisive and held onto the ball too long for most of the season.

2. Grimm is well thought of by folks who know football. (Hells bells! He was up for 2 or 3 head coaching spots).

3. I agree that perhaps his most impressive quality, is that he'll bring a nasty (chip on shoulder) personality to the team, and I like that.

4. My biggest concern is whether or not Russ will tear down the O-line and start over or whether he'll try to pick up where Loney left off? (If he starts over, we risk another slow start next season).

5. Another undrerrated "plus" is that Grimm and Whisenhunt have worked well together since 2001. Which means Whizzer will have another strong and credible guy on staff to help communicate Whiz's message to the players on a day to day basis.

 

[40yearfan]

Here is the one thing that nobody is pointing out. With the Steelers blocking schemes, the Receivers are REQUIRED to be good blockers. I am going to be curious to see how Fitz and Boldin respond. Hines Ward is considered one of the toughest and best blocking receivers in the NFL. I guarantee they have not seen blocking duty like they are going to with this staff. It should be interesting.

I think you will be pleasently surprised by Boldin's blocking abilities. Since I had him in my fantasy league this year, I spent a lot of time watching him during plays even when he wasn't involved. It seemed like he always would head for where the ball wound up and look for someone to block and when he blocked, he was very effective.

 

[gnomepete]

Don't forget that Grimm was one of the linemen on the Redskins team that holds the record for fewest sacks in a year (and they broke the Cardinal's record to do it). A perennial Pro Bowler. A finalist for HOF this year. Talk about street cred!

Also, Pittsburgh has been good almost every year with Cower, so they draft low and they don't spend money to retain people or on free agents.

Given the above (and many points made by other posters), I'm optimistic. Crazy about Loney leaving after the late turnaround? No, but I don't think it could have worked with both coaches.

Pete

 

[Divide Et Impera]

I think you will be pleasently surprised by Boldin's blocking abilities. Since I had him in my fantasy league this year, I spent a lot of time watching him during plays even when he wasn't involved. It seemed like he always would head for where the ball wound up and look for someone to block and when he blocked, he was very effective.

Old men fantasies?!?!? Yech!!!

 

[joeshmo]

1. Stats are overrated. For example, some maintain that the Steeler's sack stat was more because Roethlisburger came back too quickly, was rusty and indecisive and held onto the ball too long for most of the season.

Pass blocking wasnt any good in 2005 or 2004 either. What was the excuse for those years?

 

[john h]

I think the value of Grimm is much less the position which he will be coaching and much more about his personality. Grimm, will make the entire Cardinals team more disciplined, metally tough, and better coached. It is those skills, not his with the OL that made him a head coaching candidate.

He comes from a team with a culture of winning. With a number of teams looking at him as a HC he must be thought of highly in NFL circles. I am very pleased with the signing. I really never thought we would spring for the money. All he needs is one good year this year with the Cards and you can bet he will be a HC next year. Be happy we have him. I do not think we have EVER had the coaching staff with the credentials of those we have now. You can bet FA's and other players are paying attention. I think the Vegas odds improve considerable with the signing of our coaches.

 

[40yearfan]

Old men fantasies?!?!? Yech!!!

Yeah and that was only fantasy football. You should have seen the lineup I had in my fantasy porn star league.

 

[john h]

Agreed i wish the team was meaner and had an attitude, especially the O-Line. Discipline is good i just hope they dont try to turn this team into the steelers. Two totally different styles and different personell.

Mean like the Bear player who gets out of house arrest to play in the Super Bowl. Now that is mean. Back to jail after the game.

 

[lobo]

5. Another undrerrated "plus" is that Grimm and Whisenhunt have worked well together since 2001. Which means Whizzer will have another strong and credible guy on staff to help communicate Whiz's message to the players on a day to day basis.[/quote]


very very (two very's) highly thought of around the league by those in the know....significant hire (duh)...i believe the way we go about business on the field next year is going to be significantly different on both sides of the ball..how about a hip hip hurray for the killer b's in their part in putting together a legit coaching staff

 

[Divide Et Impera]

Yeah and that was only fantasy football. You should have seen the lineup I had in my fantasy porn star league.

Man, you are a helluva sport!

 

[NuttinButTDs]

Grimm brings attitude, teaching capabilities and schemes.

The O-line still needs to have the ability to execute the schemes. Hopefully the schemes are tailored to the strengths of the O-line.

 

[Russ Smith]

Pass blocking wasnt any good in 2005 or 2004 either. What was the excuse for those years?

My first quess was it's a function of them running so much that it's obvious when they're going to throw because it's 3rd and long? But I checked and the sack stats are pretty even among first, second and third down so that doesn't wash.

Got me.

 

[Covert Rain]

I think you will be pleasently surprised by Boldin's blocking abilities. Since I had him in my fantasy league this year, I spent a lot of time watching him during plays even when he wasn't involved. It seemed like he always would head for where the ball wound up and look for someone to block and when he blocked, he was very effective.

I wouldn't be surprised at all. Boldin is a beast. However, with most teams, blocking on a play is just that... a play. The Steelers actually run blocking drills for the receivers in practice. That is what I meant by it will be a bit different from what they are used to.

 

[Pariah]

So lets compare, IMO Edge is like Faulk at this stage, Fitz is like Bruce, and Q is like Holt. Only difference is Leinart is more mobile than Warner. Compare how the Cards are like the steelers? whos Willie Parker? Who is there second WR? The only comaprision is Ward and Q IMO.

1. Edge is NOT like Faulk. Faulk could have been a WR he was so versitile. Edge is a "picker," he's very good at waiting for holes to develop and making the most out of nothing. But he doesn't do it by making a lot of people miss.

2. Bruce and Fitz? Holt and Boldin? Good lord, these WRs can't be much different. Bruce and Holt large;y use speed and quickness to beat their men--Boldin and Fitz use strength and leaping, respectively.

3. I'll give the yuo Warner Leinart comparison because they're both smart pocket passers.

4. The Cards CAN be an effective smashnouth team because Fitz and Boldin are both very capable blockers. Edge is suited for it because he can break the first tackle and will lower his head for the extra yard.

I think you'll see a balanced attack with some very smashmouth running and a very effective underneath passing game keeping defenses honest with the occasional fly route. I think we'll be a ball control offense that is crazy-good at moving the chains...slowly.

 

[D-Dogg]

The Steelers actually run blocking drills for the receivers in practice.

Well good. That way if one of them gets injured on a blocking play, they can't sue the team and the coach.

/friday night lights

 

[Skkorpion]

I hope this franchise doesn't come to regret the decision to cut Loney loose. I already do.

Me too.

 

[Skkorpion]

I wouldn't be surprised at all. Boldin is a beast. However, with most teams, blocking on a play is just that... a play. The Steelers actually run blocking drills for the receivers in practice. That is what I meant by it will be a bit different from what they are used to.

You have no idea what kinds of drills have been run here in practices.

 

[JC_AZ]

1. Edge is NOT like Faulk. Faulk could have been a WR he was so versitile. Edge is a "picker," he's very good at waiting for holes to develop and making the most out of nothing. But he doesn't do it by making a lot of people miss.

2. Bruce and Fitz? Holt and Boldin? Good lord, these WRs can't be much different. Bruce and Holt large;y use speed and quickness to beat their men--Boldin and Fitz use strength and leaping, respectively.

3. I'll give the yuo Warner Leinart comparison because they're both smart pocket passers.

4. The Cards CAN be an effective smashnouth team because Fitz and Boldin are both very capable blockers. Edge is suited for it because he can break the first tackle and will lower his head for the extra yard.

I think you'll see a balanced attack with some very smashmouth running and a very effective underneath passing game keeping defenses honest with the occasional fly route. I think we'll be a ball control offense that is crazy-good at moving the chains...slowly.

Doh! We are missing the personnel for the "fly route"... unless of course McCoy or Spurlock step it up next year!