Offensive Tackles Need To Improve
July 18th, 2012
Joe is of the mind that the Bucs, potentially, could have a damned impressive run-blocking offensive line. But when it comes to pass blocking, the statistical geeks at ProFootballFocus believe the Bucs need to do some brushing up.
The spreadsheeters pored over tape of all games last season, and for pass blocking, the Bucs did not grade out so well.
Khaled Elsayed, who did the research, showed that Bucs tackles Jeremy Trueblood and Donald Penn were in the top three of tackles giving up the most quarterback pressures per snap. Levi Brown of Arizona was the worst culprit, per Elsayed.
Jeremy Trueblood take a bow, as even after earning a benching in 2010 you still snared second spot, with three total pressures more than Buccaneers teammate Donald Penn and the Vikings’ former left tackle (now left guard) Charlie Johnson.
Now Joe knows Trueblood has struggled with pass protection, but he was a whole lot better last year than in 2010. The listing of Penn stunned Joe. Penn has been able to lock up some of the best defensive ends in the game.
Now Joe knows Penn slipped a little bit towards the end of last year, but Joe attributes that more to the Bucs’ season blowing up amid a grotesque 10-game losing streak than any of Penn’s talents diminishing.
July 18th, 2012 at 11:57 am
Hopefully Penn hit a weight clause in his contract and wont let that happen again… He was just bad at the end of the year
July 18th, 2012 at 1:07 pm
Joe, I think that having Zutah at center with Nix at guard will make them all better. The line works as a team to keep DLs out unless it is a trap play.
Your thoughts?
July 18th, 2012 at 1:11 pm
joe when your behind by 14 points and abandon the run all together, every play becomes a pass play. That stupid website should put a percentage per snap, not just the number of pressures allowed.
July 18th, 2012 at 1:22 pm
Both are better run than pass blockers. Technically, so are DJ and Nicks. Doesn’t mean that they cant pass block it just means that their natural strengths are suited more to moving forward than backwards.
This is a MAJOR reason why the team needs Martin as the primary RB.
Blount fails to pick up the correct pressure spots at the correct times and in the correct way. This drove the prior staff, and knowledgeable fans, crazy.
RB pass blocking is a skill, EG and Caddy were very good at it – Blount is one of the worst that I have seen at it. Maybe the new staff can teach him but I doubt it – a lot of it is instinctive.
July 18th, 2012 at 1:41 pm
Yea this statiscal analysis doesn’t take into account the number of passes attempted and doesn’t even take into account what the offensive tackle was actually suppose to be doing on a particular play. Penn played the top two sackers in the game last year and I think gave up maybe one sack to the both. With one not even being his fault more on freeman when apennines executed a great chop block. Penn is a top 10 tackle in this league believe that.
July 18th, 2012 at 2:02 pm
@2.2 Blount was the primary back in 2010 and josh has his best year passing. Stop spreading your bs by saying it drove “knowledgable fans crazy” just because we see things differently doesn’t mean you are smarter because in my eyes I’m right and you are a moron
July 18th, 2012 at 2:43 pm
Trueblood will need work at pass blocking, but Penn will be solid. If all else fails, he may revert to his infamous “butt block” which he used on one occasion last year. If he adds a blast of frijoles and rice, no pass rusher in the NFL can withstand that!!
July 18th, 2012 at 3:02 pm
There are three kinds of lies: lies, damned lies, and statistics. This is a famous quote that reflects the common thought that all statistics can be made to fit your argument.
Joe will buy a pitcher of beer @ Mugs for the first right answer! 😉
July 18th, 2012 at 4:06 pm
NJBuc
Mr Clemens also said this about football:
“Well, say, this beats croquet. There’s more go about it!”
“I should think they’d break every bone they ever had!”
July 18th, 2012 at 4:26 pm
@NJBucsfan: Yeah, lets nitpick the flaws in PFF’s statistical analysis and conclude how our guys are better than they have been rated. Yet, magically, elite guys like Joe Thomas and Jake Long always end up among the very best even in their analysis. Coincidence, isn’t it?
July 18th, 2012 at 5:35 pm
tackles have a much harder job when the other team knows you will be throwing the ball most of the time from the second quarter onwards…..if this team had even a slightly below average defense (instead of historically bad), i think this OL would have graded out much better
July 18th, 2012 at 5:38 pm
Andrew: you are arguing a completely unrelated point. I did not say that Free played worse in 2011 bc of Blount’s poor blocking.
In both seasons Blount was taken out of the game on obvious passing downs – in 2010 caddy and EG got those reps, in 2011 mostly Lumpy.
Yes, losing Caddy made a difference, as did EG going down.
So in truth, Blount did not miss that many blocks bc he got few opportunities. The percentage of mistakes by Blount per passing pay is grossly high. Hence why he was usually off the field on obvious passing downs.
July 18th, 2012 at 6:01 pm
I agree with Jarret and KnucnBuc pff is stupid they remind me of that sports science show that makes no damn sense. Trueblood is the only week link on that line. Donald Penn has been then most consistent Buc for the last 3 years.
July 18th, 2012 at 7:18 pm
My choice for a dream line was Kalil at RT. Too bad he didn’t drop to #5. They probably wouldn’t have chosen him but a fan can fantasize. He would have solved so many problems for the next decade.
July 18th, 2012 at 7:49 pm
Totally agree losing Cadi was a major blunder. Cadi was block solid in 2010′ and they let him walk for what? Lumpkin, the worst back in NFL history. THis was one of Dom’s major missteps. They should be better this year, I hope.
Penn has played against the best during his tenure, but he does need to step it up, as does the entire team. Trueblood is hit and miss. You never know who is going to show up. He can play as good as anyone, but when he sucks, he is the king of suck.
Last point is: Khaled Elsayed??? Who the F@*k is this guy? Who did he play for? Can you trust a guy named Khaled Elsayed. I guarantee he gets strip searched every time he goes to the airport. 99% of all terrorists are named Khaled Elsayed. If I sound like a racist, I am pretty good at driving fast on a road course, dirt track too.