Marpet Talks O-Line Fix
November 26th, 2017
Listening to nearly all the key offensive linemen talk this week, Joe heard a maddening and consistent theme.
They all believe the pass blocking has been stellar this season and the run blocking is oh, so, close to breaking out into a hole-opening force. “We’re right there,” Donovan Smith explained.
Right guard turned center Ali Marpet believes elementary details are holding the run blocking back.
“I think for us to take that next step, it’s details, especially in the run game. I think it’s really small stuff. But if we clean up our footwork just a little bit here, a little bit there, I think we’ll be able to start gashing some people and having some explosive runs,” Marpet said on the Buccaneers Radio Network.
Joe can’t help but start wondering what the heck is going on with offensive line coach George Warhop. His job is to get the most out of his players, and it seems he’s failing on getting run blocking through to these guys. They haven’t been strong, and it’s magnified by Doug Martin’s lack of vision, burst and willingness to hit holes and seams hard.
Most lines prefer to hammer away in the rushing attack versus pass blocking, but the Bucs’.
Joe thinks Kevin Pamphile going full-time today at left guard (Evan Smith is out with a concussion) will help bring more consistency. And the truly nasty dynamic duo up the gut of the Falcons defense, Grady Jarrett and Dontari Poe, should awaken Marpet and J.R. Sweezy to the importance of those footwork details.
Of course, if Sweezy is having the flexibility issues outlined by ex-Bucs tight end Anthony Becht, then it’s going to be a very long Sunday in Atlanta. Jarrett is a master of winning the leverage game.
November 26th, 2017 at 3:32 am
It’s mostly the o line. Doug doesn’t trust it
November 26th, 2017 at 6:15 am
Martin – 3.1 yds/carry. Barber – 3.2 ypc. Rodgers – 3.6 ypc. Sims – 4.5 ypc. Is I understand correctly Joe, only Martin needs glasses though – lack of vision. Got it.
November 26th, 2017 at 6:25 am
What seams…..what holes?…….Martin doesn’t have them….they aren’t there…..he is met with multiple tacklers in the backfield on many run plays….FYI, Dirk…..they know you are running…..
November 26th, 2017 at 6:38 am
Fix the interior Line 1st!
Possible Interior Line Upgrade(s)
• Draft – LG Quenton Nelson ←Beast
• Sign – RG Zack Martin ← Best In the Game
LG – Quenton Nelson (22) 6-5 335 || Notre Dame
OC – Ali Marpet (24) 6-4 305 || Hobart
RG – Zack Martin (26) 6-4 315 || Notre Dame
Note: Dallas has very limited capspace heading into 2018.
November 26th, 2017 at 6:43 am
2012: 29th. (ATL)
2013: 32nd. (ATL)
2014: 24th. (ATL)
–termination–
2016: 24th.
2017: 29th.
These are the rushing ranks for the last 5 years of Koetter/Smith teams.
It’s almost like the soft training camps produce soft teams.
Also, the duo was fired from Atlanta for….being soft. Here’s an interesting read…
https://www.thefalcoholic.com/2017/9/4/16251882/falcons-cut-last-of-terrible-mike-smith-moves-rashede-hageman-dan-quinn-tyson-jackson-paul-soliai
November 26th, 2017 at 6:47 am
If you look around the division and can’t recognize the sucker, chances are you are the sucker.
November 26th, 2017 at 7:24 am
LuvmyBucs
– sounds interesting. But with the Jameis situation, no free agent is gonna sign here
November 26th, 2017 at 7:53 am
The O line fix as I see it. Replace at least three starters, and bring in a coaching staff that knows what it’s doing. It would help having a G.M. that could sign the right F.A.,and draft better up front also.
November 26th, 2017 at 8:04 am
I can’t imagine Warhop not getting through to his players. He’s been good at coaching and has been around a long time. Should have left Marpet at Guard.
November 26th, 2017 at 8:12 am
The last hole I saw Doug Martin have was in the New
England game.
November 26th, 2017 at 8:34 am
Whatever, the Bucs have to control the LOS or this is going to be a long game, I need a win after watching the U go down
November 26th, 2017 at 9:06 am
How many successful runs have we enjoyed on 3rd and one or 3rd and two?
Case closed!
November 26th, 2017 at 10:02 am
Doug Martin may be the slowest feature RB in the league. I just do not get what you guy are seeing in this guy!!!
He is not the same guy who thrilled you as a rookie. He can no longer even get the edge when the OL blocks it for him…he has always been prone to getting hauled down from behind even when he was running free in a defensive backfield back in his “glory” days.
The guys is simply slow and not quick. Holes can open and close very quickly.
Quick is certainly not an adjective used when discussing the Muscle Turtle.
I get the dissatisfaction with our OL. If the OL started blocking and producing holes then ANY RB can run behind it not just the Muscle Turtle. Remember the great Bobby Rainey? A great OL can make almost ANY RB look good. A great OL and a great RB are a truly scary combination. Imagine our offense if our OL finally figured out their run blocking and Saquan Barkley was toting the rock.
THAT would be special!!!
November 26th, 2017 at 10:10 am
warhop should be canned after the season ,
November 26th, 2017 at 12:06 pm
Even to OL is saying they have badly underachieved in the run game.