Grading the offensive lines (1 Viewer)

[Despyzer]

TSN grades each unit in their annual preview guide. Here are the offensive lines:

A

Cowboys

A-

Patriots

Jets

Giants

B+

Browns

Vikings

B

Bills

Bengals

Colts

Jaguars

Chargers

Titans

Panthers

Buccaneers

Redskins

B-

Cardinals

Packers

Saints

Eagles

C+

Dolphins

Raiders

Bears

Seahawks

C

Ravens

Texans

Rams

49ers

C-

Broncos

Lions

D+

Chiefs

Steelers

F

Falcons

 

[sho nuff]

I was almost surprised with the Vikings ranking...and Im sure some will have a problem with it.

But its not just about run blocking...their pass blocking has been not so good the past few years.

 

[sholditch]

Why are the Raiders so low? They had the sixth-best rushing attack last year.

 

[Winning IS Everything]

For the sake of argument, C+ should be considered average. However, there are like 9 more above average teams than below. You would think the number would be more even........

 

[mbuehner]

A lot depends on how you weight your evalutations- ie the Patriots line is built to pass block, their ability to run block isnt as important. How heavily you weight depth is another major factor with no 'right' answer.

For instance the Bears are pushing it with a C+ no matter how you slice it, but if you factor in depth it would be tough to give them a passing grade at all.

The starting 5 are certainly the most important factors, but backups cant be ignored. The odds of going through a season without injury are long, and the old addage that a chain is only as strong as its weakest link is absolutely true in O-line context. Moreso, because chemistry comes into play. RBs read blocks and QBs need to have a feel for where and when the pocket is likely to break down, quite aside from the other linemen that invariably shift their style to account for weakness.

 

[Tybeeman]

Where is the Steelers grade? I know it won't be good with the loss of Faneca, but I'm guess a C.

 

[Despyzer]

Where is the Steelers grade? I know it won't be good with the loss of Faneca, but I'm guess a C.

Sorry. Added.

 

[MCguidance]

Again, I am a Jets fan, but they have to prove it before I give them an A-. On paper? I'd say B+, but no higher until I see the right side of the line hold their own. Brick, Faneca and Mangold really do give the Jets a great left side, however.

 

[Jeff Haseley]

Why are the Raiders so low? They had the sixth-best rushing attack last year.

And the 29th ranked rushing offense the year prior - before Greg Knapp got there. Knapp is to running games as Martz is to passing games.

 

[RBM]

Raiders are under C+ and D+

Steelers arent that bad

 

[TheFanatic]

I think I see a little too much of recency theory here. The most recent thing is the most memorable. The Rams were atrocious last year but were wrecked by injuries. But prior to that the Rams were one of the strongest lines in the league for years. If they are healthy this year, and all indications they are, then that line should be in the b range....

 

[Despyzer]

Raiders are under C+ and D+

Fixed. That probably means I left a team off. Thanks for pointing it out.

 

[Despyzer]

I think I see a little too much of recency theory here. The most recent thing is the most memorable. The Rams were atrocious last year but were wrecked by injuries. But prior to that the Rams were one of the strongest lines in the league for years. If they are healthy this year, and all indications they are, then that line should be in the b range....

Pace has missed 23 games the last two seasons. At his age, that suggests a problem. Alex Barron is up and down and frequently penalized. They're not even sure who their starting center is going to be. I'm sure all of this played into their grade.

 

[wadegarrett]

TSN give the Steelers OL a D+ and has them going 11-5 (from the other thread)?

 

[Kirby]

Wouldn't a C mean that they are avg. So then there should be a few teams at C.. and then the rest should be split evenly above C and below C?

 

[Reaper]

Again, I am a Jets fan, but they have to prove it before I give them an A-. On paper? I'd say B+, but no higher until I see the right side of the line hold their own. Brick, Faneca and Mangold really do give the Jets a great left side, however.

I'm an optomistic Jets fan but, last year they were an absolute F

Lets make baby steps here and hope for a solid B.

 

[Bankerguy]

As a Cowboy fan, I can honestly say this group is over-rated. Good, but vastly over-rated.

 

[renesauz]

As a Cowboy fan, I can honestly say this group is over-rated. Good, but vastly over-rated.

As an Eagles fan, I couldn't agree more!

 

[Despyzer]

Wouldn't a C mean that they are avg.

I don't think most grading systems have been like this in a long time. In most schools today, an A means you've done everything asked of you in a satisfactory manner. Everything less than that is just some measure of unsatisfactory.

 

[newteech]

What happened to the Bronco offensive line? For years they've churned out 1000yd backs like it was nothing..... and now they're rated C- ??

 

[Despyzer]

What happened to the Bronco offensive line? For years they've churned out 1000yd backs like it was nothing..... and now they're rated C- ??

Nalen tore his bicep, Hamilton has a problem with concussions, Lepsis retired, rookie starter at LT, transitioning away from the small/quick model, questionable depth...

 

[chris1969]

Raiders are under C+ and D+Steelers arent that bad

According to Football Outsiders, the Steelers line is probably worse than that this year.

 

[Tanner9919]

TSN give the Steelers OL a D+ and has them going 11-5 (from the other thread)?

TSN = useless information /TSN

 

[Tyrion]

As a Cowboy fan, I can honestly say this group is over-rated. Good, but vastly over-rated.

Hmm as another Cowboy fan I believe your mistaken. They have an excellent offensive line and I wouldn't swap it for any other in the league. The great thing about them is that they should be even better this year since they have another year of continuity and they have a top Oline coach in Houck who really knows how to work with big Olines. They also have excellent depth. Nothing over-rated about this line.

 

[Despyzer]

they have a top Oline coach in Houck who really knows how to work with big Olines.

Houck truly deserves the title of O-line guru. The Chargers offensive line took dramatic leaps forward while he was there, and then faltered after he was lured away by the Dolphins. Olivea still has yet to be even close to being as productive as he was when under Houck's tutelage.

 

[Rovers]

The Jets with an A-? LMAO..... and I'm a Jets fan. The Giants don't deserve an A- either.... maybe a B+, but the jets are at best a B-.... and that remains to be seen. Fancessa is getting old, D'Brick is unbelievably over rated, but the wild man snapping the ball is good, Mangold. The right side of the line is average at best until they prove otherwise. A Just Another Player at RG and a Detroit cast off at RT makes them a A-?

 

[Bills_Fan11]

B for the Bills seems a little generous. It was nice to see the QB not running for his life on every play last year for the first time in over a decade.

Still, I would hope the heaviest OL would suck a lot less in run-blocking, or else Lynch is in for a quick, poor-man's Earl Campbell type of career.

 

[BoltBacker]

TSN give the Steelers OL a D+ and has them going 11-5 (from the other thread)?

TSN = useless information /TSN

I actually agree with TSN.They gave up 47 sacks last season and that's with one of the most difficult QB's in the game to bring down. If they didn't have Ben back there they'd lead the league in sacks given up imo.They may have a good record but it will be based upon the talent of their skill position players.

 

[Despyzer]

The Jets with an A-? LMAO..... and I'm a Jets fan. The Giants don't deserve an A- either.... maybe a B+, but the jets are at best a B-.... and that remains to be seen. Fancessa is getting old, D'Brick is unbelievably over rated, but the wild man snapping the ball is good, Mangold. The right side of the line is average at best until they prove otherwise. A Just Another Player at RG and a Detroit cast off at RT makes them a A-?

They are predicting a rebound for Mangold and Ferguson and they really liked the addition of Faneca and Woody, believing that the improved skill level and veteran presence will really help the two youngsters. It kinda makes sense to me.