Reading articles from around the league it appears there are very few teams in the NFL that are happy with their entire Oline. Also the backups around the league appear to make their HC stay awake at night. Seriously, it seems like the entire NFL is looking for lineman and they are just not out there to be had. Is this like a stage the NFL is going thru ? I realize how important a good Oline is but have been watching Pro Football since the early 60s ( black and white tv ) and cannot remember this many teams needing Olineman.
I haven't watched football that long (wish I have) but the league is poor all around, really. Been watching teams like the Saints, Texans and Giants recently just to see what kind of OL play they are getting and it's not always pretty. Houston is much better than the other two but they haven't won anything recently in terms of Super Bowls. Very interesting to see, especially guys like Jermon Bushrod who get beat because they've got soft hands and are bending at the waist, and it kind of makes you thankful for players like Jake Long, who is arguably the league's best when healthy. I realize this conversation could go a different direction, such as the value of Long and wins, but seeing guys like Eli Manning having to constantly side-step pressure or check down early because of it says a lot.
And he's a guy that actually has the physical talent to be a good one. He just has to put it together from a technique standpoint.
I think that's a big part of why the QB has become even more important. Basically, the play will break down a large percentage of the time. The best QBs are the guys that can adjust and still make the play work. It also puts into perspective the complaints from many fans. For example, "Sparano could never build an O-line". Reality is that almost nobody can. You almost have to get lucky. The failure is not in not building an O-line, but rather in not accounting for a certain amount of break-down.
Someone quoted Mike Shanahan the other day when he said something like, "everyone keeps telling me I can't fill the right tackle spot with a good player. Look around the league, nobody else can either."
I did not quote him but it was in an article I posted a link to the other day. I mean I read all around the league and almost the entire NFL has Oline problems. San Francisco is one of the few. They have 4 of their 5 starting Olineman from 2011 back this year. Been studying this the last few years, Olineman. I do know one thing, defensive lineman and Defensive ends have gotten considerably more athletic and faster in the last decade. I am not sure anymore if there is a shortage or the Ds have gotten that good or a combination of both. These days if you have an Olineman that can stay healthy, contribute the whole season you do whatever it takes to keep them. It just blows my mind how a lot of these young kids come out of college, get drafted high and just plain ol stink it up out there. Sure there are some that come out and play decent immediately but they are surely far and few inbetween. You look at some current Olineman in their 30s. For the most part they kick the young kids ***. Yes they have the experience but sometimes its not even close if the player kept his body in good shape thru the years.
Well it also doesn't help that a DL rotates players...but teams don't rotate OL. You can't tell me those boys aren't tired as hell by the time the 3rd quarter is over.
