I went back and re-watched the game, concentrating on the offensive line and what I believe was lacking in the O Line play. I found three things that came up again and again. All I'm sure are eminently fixable with tape review, refined technique and repetition.
1. Physicality - The announcers made a point of stating how "big" our line is, but I think a more defining point is how tall they are. 6'6" 310 pounds is not the same leverage-wise if a player does not bend enough and allows a defender to get "under" his pads. Everyone on the line was guilty of this problem way too often yesterday. Low usually wins in the trenches. The second main issue I saw in this area was "catching" blocks. We know we were bigger and stronger than Sam Houston, yet continuously, especially in the run game, we were not initiating contact and driving defenders out. As much as I despise penalties, I was waiting for someone, anyone to get a 15 yarder for being overly physical or aggressive.
2. Communication - There is no substitute for real game experience I know, but our line has had all spring and camp to work on how to work together. The essence of that work is communicating and executing the line calls. Yes, we had three new guys, but frankly that kind of play cannot blamed totally on the lack of experience. Zone blocking is built on controlling an area and passing off assignments based on who comes in and goes out. Those assignments and possible changes have to communicated, understood and executed. It simply didn't happen consistently enough yesterday.
3. Trust - Good offensive line play is built on trust. I saw a line yesterday where that trust was still being built. It wasn't lack of confidence or faith in each other's abilities. It was more a hesitancy in some play that reflected "I know what I should do here, but I don't want to leave anyone on an island," kind of inaction. Advantage defense. We saw a lot of this kind of hesitation from the new starters last year and it lessened as the year went on.
The good news on all this is that as I said earlier all this can be fixed. The talent is there and so is the coaching. Old adage, "Greatest improvement comes from game one to game two." I'm counting on it, Ags, and so should you be.
1. Physicality - The announcers made a point of stating how "big" our line is, but I think a more defining point is how tall they are. 6'6" 310 pounds is not the same leverage-wise if a player does not bend enough and allows a defender to get "under" his pads. Everyone on the line was guilty of this problem way too often yesterday. Low usually wins in the trenches. The second main issue I saw in this area was "catching" blocks. We know we were bigger and stronger than Sam Houston, yet continuously, especially in the run game, we were not initiating contact and driving defenders out. As much as I despise penalties, I was waiting for someone, anyone to get a 15 yarder for being overly physical or aggressive.
2. Communication - There is no substitute for real game experience I know, but our line has had all spring and camp to work on how to work together. The essence of that work is communicating and executing the line calls. Yes, we had three new guys, but frankly that kind of play cannot blamed totally on the lack of experience. Zone blocking is built on controlling an area and passing off assignments based on who comes in and goes out. Those assignments and possible changes have to communicated, understood and executed. It simply didn't happen consistently enough yesterday.
3. Trust - Good offensive line play is built on trust. I saw a line yesterday where that trust was still being built. It wasn't lack of confidence or faith in each other's abilities. It was more a hesitancy in some play that reflected "I know what I should do here, but I don't want to leave anyone on an island," kind of inaction. Advantage defense. We saw a lot of this kind of hesitation from the new starters last year and it lessened as the year went on.
The good news on all this is that as I said earlier all this can be fixed. The talent is there and so is the coaching. Old adage, "Greatest improvement comes from game one to game two." I'm counting on it, Ags, and so should you be.
