The Offensive Line: Should We Be Worried?

[Sheriff Gonna Getcha]

The offensive line looked less than spectacular in their first preseason outing against the Titans. Jon Jansen looked slow in pass protection and overmatched in run blocking. Quite simply, Jansen does not look like the "Rock" we knew in the years prior to 2004. Todd Wade looked exactly like a career RT who looked awkward playing guard and had serious problems with Albert "Turdfoot" Haynesworth. As a unit, nothing quite came together - Jason Campbell was under pressure throughout the first half and the line opened few, if any, sizeable running lanes.

So, my question is, should we be worried about the offensive line? Granted, it was just a preseason game and Chris Samuels was held out. Nevertheless, I think the line presents the biggest question mark for our offense given last night's performance.

[Daseal]

There should definitely be some concern. Wade was a huge question mark already, but Jansen looks like he just hasn't been the same for a couple years now. Injuries have happened, but he just doesn't seem like he's been playing at a high level. Todd Wade followed by Jon Jansen have me very concerned.

Granted, I think that the rookie at Tackle played okay. So that's a positive

[DynamiteRave]

Too early. It's just the first game. It's a matter of taking what we saw in this game and improving in the next. I'd say if the O-line looks the same in the second and third games, then there may be some cause for concern.

[Skins fan 44]

Bugel will fix them. Have faith.

[12thMan]

Well, I'm torn. As I've said in another thread, I don't think it's time to panic, but if we come out vs. the Steelers like we did yestersay, then it's time to worry. And I don't care what Gibbs and Bugel say or how they spin it.

The two hits Campbell took, were blown assignments. It seems like the line is missing rudimentary stuff at this point. I don't think it's time to panic, but it's not anything to blow off either.

We need Samuels, and I hate to be the one to say this or bring up, but you have to wonder if letting Dock go cost us in terms of progress or continuity. We can go back and forth all day about whether he was worth that fat contract, but let's hope hindsight doesn't bite us in the ass.

[skinsfan_nn]

It's way to early to speculate at this point. It's week one in the damn pre-season for cryin out loud.

IMO, they will inprove each week!

[RobH4413]

I think this could be our flaw this year. The loss of Dock, injury to Samuels, and the addition of patchwork Wade really may hurt us.

I'm very relieved we've got a semi mobile quarterback who may be able to compensate for some of the pressure. If we don't have a running game, we don't have an offense. We need Samuels healthy... soon.

[Skinsfan1967]

I think there is room for concern. Unabated hits on the quarterback are very bad to see even in the first preseason game.

[dmek25]

alittle, but way too early. plus alot of people really under estimate how good Samuels is

[TheMalcolmConnection]

Honestly I'm less worried about personnel than I am about schemes. Aside from run blocking, the pressure put on Campbell was generally looking like blown assignments.

This is what I hate about preseason. You don't know what blocking schemes were put in and how they wanted to evaluate players, so I don't know whether to be worried or not.

Cooley in blocking the whole night? And on Jansen's side? Weird.

[skinsguy]

It could be a concern, but I believe once we get Samuels back (hopefully healthy,) then we'll know more about whether if we should panic or not. Remember, one of those sacks on Campbell was more of the WR's fault than the offensive line.

[GusFrerotte]

Originally Posted by 12thMan

Well, I'm torn. As I've said in another thread, I don't think it's time to panic, but if we come out vs. the Steelers like we did yestersay, then it's time to worry. And I don't care what Gibbs and Bugel say or how they spin it.

The two hits Campbell took, were blown assignments. It seems like the line is missing rudimentary stuff at this point. I don't think it's time to panic, but it's not anything to blow off either.

We need Samuels, and I hate to be the one to say this or bring up, but you have to wonder if letting Dock go cost us in terms of progress or continuity. We can go back and forth all day about whether he was worth that fat contract, but let's hope hindsight doesn't bite us in the ass.

Totally agree 12th, if they look just as bad against the Steelers, we need to be worried. Samuels probably is going to be less than 100% all season also, so that has to be taken into account. I guess the Lions really spoiled me Wed night, they were very sharp at both ends of the ball. Cincy was pretty sharp also, but didn't have the depth at QB as the Lions seem to now. Dallas was very sharp as well. Was looking forward to the Philly Mon night game, but now Donovan isn't going to play we aren't going to get any feel for how they are doing.

[Bully Worm]

Well it is only the first game of the preseason, we didn't have Chris Samuels, Thomas just came off injury, and Wade is still getting used to playing the guard position. Just like DynamiteRave said, if the line looks like this the rest of the preseason, then we definitely have some cause for concern.

Although, the two times Campbell got sacked and fumbled the Titans were blitzing and it was not just down-lineman. It looked just like blown assignments where a wide receiver or tight end missed a chip and didn't stop the blitzing corner or linebacker from getting to the qb. This is something that will be viewed in the film-room and worked on. It'll have to improve if we want to look better against the Steelers next weekend.

[TheMalcolmConnection]

And I remember correctly, there were NO RBs in blocking for him.

[mooby]

I'm a little worried, but I hope once Samuels gets back in there things will get better. The rook played decent at left tackle, but Todd Wade clearly still needs to adjust to being a guard, and idk wtf was wrong with Jansen but he better fix it soon.