http://www.profootballfocus.com/blog/2011/06/17/2010-pass-blocking-efficiency-running-backs/ No surprise, though at one time I thought Ricky Williams was one of the better all around running backs in the NFL, Lou's lack of height and reach does not serve him well in pass blocking situations. Quinn Johnson, led the NFL in the category, really liked him coming out of LSU in 08 as did Deej, and apparently he is in roster trouble in Green Bay, not uncommon for full backs, and Clinton Portis, who I would not mind as Vet Insurance for Dan Thomas, led the NFL in efficiency from 08-10. Things such as this, and the #2 Te not having a reception until gm #15, are a part of the reason why they offense just was not sharp in 2010, two many soggy corn flakes out on the field.
Saying Polite is not good at blocking is a understatement. 3rd and 1 give him the ball but wasn't Jason Taylors biggest on field celebration because P0lite basicaly stepped aside for him to cream Henne? That one sticks in my head and I don't like it.
Lou's problem on that play was Taylor basically used his reach to stiff arm him, then toss him aside, Lou was to short and was not moving. 6'6 Taylor just used those long arms to turn Polite into a steering wheel. Things such as that is one of the reasons why I think Lou COULD be in roster trouble, especially with ex Browns FB Larry Vickers on the market, and they put Lexxy at FB for snaps in 2010, but Williams is the real surprise to me, a Vet Rb has to be able to be on the field for 3rd downs as in theory they know the blitz pickup schemes, RW did not.
Having 3rd and 1 success as an essential certainty is nothing to give up lightly. But Lou does need to re-establish the devastating run blocking skills he showed in 2009, or they might have no choice but to let him walk. I wouldn't be happy about losing him. There's some pretty good company in that bottom 15 pass blocking list.
Putting Polite on Taylor as frequently as they did was disrespectful. It sort of bit them in the ***, but you don't put a fullback on an edge rusher 1v1 multiple times if you think he has anything left.
IDK how they expected Polite to succeed in that role, he is much better on the move and when you make him a stationary protector the rusher has height/length advantage that I'm not sure how Polite can overcome.
On the plus side Ronnie Brown is in the top 5 ,one of several reasons I would prefer to keep him over Ricky.
I remember the talk about how good Ronnie was picking up the blitz as a rookie. I still think it would be a mistake to lose Ronnie. Ricky doesn't have it anymore, but Ronnie can still put LB's on their backs.
Ronnie is 5th for number of snaps, but 13th in efficiency. Still the best one we had in that regard last season.
Johnson could be a possibility. Kuhn is a short yardage monster and the 7th ranked Run blocking RB. They may move away from a FB to add another weapon considering the injury trouble they went through last year.
If Clay & Gates can show something in camp & preseason I think we'll see more 2 TE, 3WR, 4WR sets & less of the FB whoever it is. I like him on short yardage but he's a liability any other time IMO. I think Kuhn would def be an upgrade. Younger, cheaper, and good on ST.
Maybe he had a bad year, but for most part he's a pretty damn good blocker. He picks up the blitz very well.
There's something I don't think you guys are being fair about. Take Ricky Williams 95 pass blocking plays...add that to Lou Polite's 109 passing block plays called and then add that to Ronnie Brown's 135 pass blocking plays called...that's 339 passing plays!! Sooner or later guys, that offiensive line is going to wear down and put added pressure on the RB's to pick up the rushers. Remember how I used to ***** and complain last year about us NOT running the ball? Remember the Cleveland game I believe it was? Facing the league's 29th ranked defense against the rush and we threw the ball 45times that game? When the coaching staff, particularly the OC (May Dan Henning have reserved seats next to Nick Saban in that special place in hell) mis-manages the game, you're going to end up with stats like this.
Someone earlier mention that Ronnie got lit up a few times last year. Everybody gets lit up from time to time. Everyone has bad years, it's part of being human.
IMO RW has always been overrated as pass blocker. He got pub early on b/c he lit up some pass rushers (he's a physical beast after all), but I always felt he made poor decisions too often. I also thought he was overrated as a receiver. That's part of the reason that I don't see him as a legit option going forward. IMO it is far more likely than not that we'll pass on Brown as well, but he at least is an option b/c he has more of an all-around game.
