I am venting on randy thomas

I think Kendall has done extremely well as a late career vet who was disgruntled leaving the Jets. Kendall is money.

Bugs said in preseason that our line looked very strong and was blowing guys off the ball. I guess he was watching our O line blowing our D line off the ball so it all now makes good sense.

I don't see any problem with Randy Thomas specifically. Typically these kinds of things are contagious and there is no one true culprit. It seems like the whole line is tired and playing a step slower...let's face it they are old. I think Rabach has been the most penalized of the offensive linemen and i was noticing over the past few games that he is snapping the ball sooner than the rest of the linemen anticipate. That could be why the defenses look like they have a step on us. Also don't underrate the fact that we have played some really tough D-line/pass rushes over the past 5-6 games (Pittsburgh, NYG, Ravens, and Dallas)

Bottom line is that it's a systemic problem with everyone on the line.

Uhm. Ok. I'll run with it. Lets replace the whole line with younger, "healtier" linemen who are quicker and faster and maybe bigger to take on the bigger D-line. We'll just have to deal with them screwing up once and a while due to lack of playing time in the NFL and the speed of the game. Not to mention learning a new offense. but ....atleast we couldn't complain about not having younger guys on the field.

Well that's what rebuilding will do for you....although I think we can come up with something in between I believe...a healthy Samuels, a more experienced Heyer and Rineheart, a good young free agent, maybe Pete Kendall (?), and a couple of good draft picks as back ups would be a nice option in rebuilding the line.

ya i am not going to say randy is the weak link.the entire line is old which shows in there blocking they can run block(going forward making holes for portis)but when there trying to stop the pass rush there are no lanes for jason to throw and guys are in his face batting the ball down.

It's not so much the line, as it is the attitude or lack thereof. And I think this is true of the entire team right now. No heart or attitude. It's really hard to pin point why, but it's almost as if they expect to be playing from behind. No swagger whatsoever. I'm not sure if that's a coaching issue or just a players no heart in it issue.

I know this is probably the wrong thread and not the best topic to bring up, but Sean Taylor would always bring that spark when the team needed it most. Whether it was a jarring hit, an interception, or a touchdown. Hell, even a personal foul penalty. How many personal foul or roughing the passer penalties do we even have this year? Not that that's the measure, but I think you guys get what I'm trying to say. It's just too few and far between.

Just to clear up my pesonal foul comment. I think there's a difference between guys making bone headed mistakes and going full-tilt or playing with some edge.

They are all old and need to be replaced.

I hope Rhinehart turns out to be a beast.

samtskins:

If he is a beast, then he should dominate the game against the Bengals - - whose DL is simply terrible. By the end of the game, the TV coverage should have him isolated on every other down so you can see him making a fool out of his opposition.


That is what a "beast" will do against the Bengals' D-Line.


Don't hold your breath...