Graded the O-line from my game tape

[sensei]

I haven't posted on this board in over a year, although I read it everyday. I just had an experience I have never had before. I felt compelled to share it.

I just graded out my tape of the offensive lines 1st unit.

I will start with the positives.

1. I thought Victor Riley played a very good game. Better than I thought he was capable of.

2. Chester Pitts had a VERY GOOD game.

3. I am NOT a Mckinney fan by any strech of the imagination but he had a pretty good game. Again I was pleasantly surprised.

4. Wade did not have a very good game. I thought he was ALOT better player than he showed. I was very disappointed in his play.

5. I have no idea of how many tapes I have graded but it is a bunch. In all that time I HAVE NEVER SEEN A PLAYER GRADE AS POORLY AS SETH WAND GRADED OUT IN THIS GAME. Even on the positive plays, the plays away from him, or any other situation, he got his tail beat badly. They made him look like a high school player, playing against a Pro. I fail to see all this potential we read about. I cannot find even one single positive play he made.


If he is our 5th or 6th best lineman, WE HAVE A SERIOUS PROBLEM.

I also noticed on some of the negative plays, we were just outnumbered in the area the ball was going to. I'm hoping this was because of a pre-determined play being run, rather than an inability to recognize the need to check off. I think this explains a couple of situations where we looked so bad. (Such as the goal line run attempts.)

I also looked closely at the defense and overall was pleased. The only negatives I saw was the play of Peek and Babin. I really expected more out of both of them. We have a lot riding on their play and it was to say the least INADAQUATE. They both need to step up big time.

All in all I think we are just a few good players away from being a very good team. I hope we have them already and they step up and show themselves.

Anyway, these are my personal observations. I hope they give you some food for thought.

sensei

[nunusguy]

I enjoyed reading yours thoughts on the individual performance of team
members and appreciate your time and efforts. Thanks for the post.

[texasguy346]

Nice post. Seemed like a pretty fair evaluation overall.

[Nawzer]

Babin and Peek were almost invisible out there against the Raiders. I don't know if it was just the gameplan or did they just play that badly the other day.

[Double Barrel]

Great analysis!

5. I have no idea of how many tapes I have graded but it is a bunch. In all that time I HAVE NEVER SEEN A PLAYER GRADE AS POORLY AS SETH WAND GRADED OUT IN THIS GAME. Even on the positive plays, the plays away from him, or any other situation, he got his tail beat badly. They made him look like a high school player, playing against a Pro. I fail to see all this potential we read about. I cannot find even one single positive play he made.

If he is our 5th or 6th best limeman, WE HAVE A SERIOUS PROBLEM.

I agree with you. I never want to be chicken little, so I've kept quiet during the pre-season. But the OL is the one area that truly worries me. Our offense will remain pretty much one dimensional if we fail to control the trenches. SW is supposed to be a major part of that equation, but I just haven't seen the true potential. Glad I'm not the only one.

[Runner]

Originally Posted by sensei

If he is our 5th or 6th best limeman, WE HAVE A SERIOUS PROBLEM.

He is when he's playing tackle.

Originally Posted by Double Barrel

I agree with you. I never want to be chicken little, so I've kept quiet during the pre-season.

That is sad. This board has gone down hill because people feel scared to post their opinions because they feel bullied. I've noticed this more and more where people get called names by the moderators and yet can't do the same. Sad. No wonder this board has a slow user decline. Lighten up folks, everyone has their opinion.

[Texans86]

Given that the transition between tackle and guard should be easier with the zone blocking scheme, Wand had still only practiced at right guard for four days. So he made some mistakes. There's a lot of people who would have a problem at a completely new job if they were thrown to the wolves four days after taking the job. Give him at least a week to practice with the first team, if not a couple to get a handle on things. Then, maybe the evaluation would be a little bit more comprehensive.

[Double Barrel]

Originally Posted by SESupergenius

That is sad. This board has gone down hill because people feel scared to post their opinions because they feel bullied. I've noticed this more and more where people get called names by the moderators and yet can't do the same. Sad. No wonder this board has a slow user decline. Lighten up folks, everyone has their opinion.

It's not the mods, but rather my own perspective during a football season. I try to be an optimist (against my nature) during pre-season, because it's a "time of learning".

Come week 1, though, and my realist nature comes out and I'll call it like I see it.

I think many players are playing not to get hurt in pre-season (especially known starters), so it's tough to really get a bead on how they will fair in the regular season.

I appreciate your concern, though.

[Keldar]

At the game Saturday night, I paid attention to individal players for a series of plays each.

I observed no remarkable improvement in Babin. He seemed to have better positioning while covering the passing zones. His rushing moves/run coverage looked exactly like last year. I'm very discouraged so far.

P-Buc is either a rookie or is not very good, again....so far.

Tony Hollings looks exactly the same as two years ago. I was really hoping he would be the secret steal of the draft that year.

Greenwood, nothing spectacular at all. No better that Foreman. Hopefully he's still learning the system.

[sensei]

Originally Posted by Texans86

Given that the transition between tackle and guard should be easier with the zone blocking scheme, Wand had still only practiced at right guard for four days. So he made some mistakes. There's a lot of people who would have a problem at a completely new job if they were thrown to the wolves four days after taking the job. Give him at least a week to practice with the first team, if not a couple to get a handle on things. Then, maybe the evaluation would be a little bit more comprehensive.

I don't presume to know the intricacies of the Texans offense. I don't know all their schemes. If I did I would be one of their coaches. I have been involved with football for a long time, though. I'm not anything special but I'm not blind nor stupid either.

I'm not talking about missed assignments or being in the wrong place at the wrong time. I'm talking about missing your block entirely. Whiffing at your man as he goes by. Getting knocked flat on your behind by a LINEBACKER. Being pushed all over the field. Just plain being MANHANDLED. These things have NOTHING to do with being in a new position or scheme.

Of course I have been known to be wrong.

sensei

[aj.]

Wand isn't used to shorter, more powerful guys delivering blows to his solar plexus. He needs to learn how to keep those guys out from under his shoulder pads otherwise he will fare no better inside than out.

[GP]

P-Buch missing the tackle on an early play was very discouraging. I re-winded that play over and over, trying to figure out how and the heck he did that. He had absolutley no angle to make an interception (NONE WHATSOEVER) and it appeared he was diving with a hand for the ball, instead of just form tackling the guy. That por judgment gave up a big play on the Raiders scoring drive.

Now I can see what some critics are saying about how P-Buch makes too many questionable moves. Later on in the game, he began to starighten up and form tackle like he's supposed to.

I dunno, maybe he'll learn from D-Rob about how to know when to go for the pick and when to give up the catch to the receiver and just make a solid tackle.

[Porky]

Seth needs a magic Wand to ever be a legit starter. I watched him carefully on about 8 plays last week. On pass blocking, he was non existant. We better pray that Weigert gets back and healthy, because we have zippo at RG after him. Weary might be a better choice. Wand might not even make the team next year. He isn't all that and a bag of chips. He isn't even a bag of moldy Doritos. Good run blocker, that can't pass block doesn't make it in this league.

OTOH, I thought Riley more than held his own out there. It's really no surprise that this supposed epic training camp battle was almost over before it started.

Yet another 2nd or 3rd round Casserly bust....

[dalemurphy]

Originally Posted by aj.

Wand isn't used to shorter, more powerful guys delivering blows to his solar plexus. He needs to learn how to keep those guys out from under his shoulder pads otherwise he will fare no better inside than out.

I've likely been Wand's biggest supporter on this board. Last season, outside of Freeney (which I blamed Palmer for), I never saw Wand get beat badly. He often gave ground which led to sacks when Carr was flushed back. I was disapointed last year with Pitts' play, along with McKinney and Weigert. I thought Wand was the least of our problems going in to this season.

That being said, he should be embarrassed and ashamed of that ridiculous performance on Saturday. I don't care if he's never played guard in his life. If he was blind-folded it wouldn't have been an adequate excuse for his play. As was said earlier, it wasn't missed assignments. LBs were tossing him aside like a ragdoll. He was pouting and hanging his head. I have an idea, how about getting a little angry and hitting someone hard. What he was doing was barely a freakin' handshake. And, I'm talking about run blocking, not even his pass blocking, which was poor as well.

I woud cut him to make an example of him for the rest of the team if he doesn't come out against Dallas and beat the heck out of whoever he's blocking. Man, it was the lack of effort and agressiveness that was just outrageous. Surely he got his butt reamed in film study today. Let's hope he responds like a man and not like an 8 year old against Dallas.

God God this sounds pretty bad, I get to watch the tape tonight so I will be keeping my eye on Wand. The guy is being shifted around like a rag doll just by the coaching staff alone.

[Dime]

I dont see why you all are complaining... I am able to win at Madden now with the Texans (barely) is newbie mode.. So we are MAKING Progress... rofl

[aj.]

He was ... hanging his head

I saw this in camp at the public practices and commented on it a couple of times - not sure if it was here or elsewhere. It struck me as unusual since I hadn't seen him like that before. His body language is telling and his lack of confidence is showing.

[Texans86]

Originally Posted by Dime

I dont see why you all are complaining... I am able to win at Madden now with the Texans (barely) is newbie mode.. So we are MAKING Progress... rofl

I like the Texans in newbie mode. My entire offensive line is giong to the pro bowl. Actually almost the entire offense is going to the pro bowl. If the team played that well in real life, we'll go 16-0 and win the super bowl.

[jppaul]

Originally Posted by Texans86

I like the Texans in newbie mode. My entire offensive line is giong to the pro bowl. Actually almost the entire offense is going to the pro bowl. If the team played that well in real life, we'll go 16-0 and win the super bowl.

I just picked up several free agents Terry and Dixon on All-madden mode and my offensive line is all going to the probowl.

Oh and I cut seth wand