Packer OL - a decent start

I'm so impressed with EDS, I benched Geno Atkins in my IDP league.

Another big test for the pass pro this week with Michael Johnson and Geno @ Cincy. 

I think they've clearly improved in run blocking. Tough match up vs. SF, incredibly easy matchup with Washington...it's difficult to gauge where the line is at this point but this week should be a good indicator. Cincy's run defense is solid but it's not world-beater. Hopefully they show they can take control.

Pro Bowler

Watching Barclay and Lang in the run game last week was inspiring.  That was a road grader front.

EDS and Quarless were huge in the run game as well.

Playing well considering we are starting, by far, the least talented (coming out of college) offensive line in the league: http://www.packersnews.com/art...0919/pkr01/309190437

Least talented based on draft points is an idiotic line of thinking for the writer to use.

I guess that means GB has by far the least talented starting CB's in the league as well, since neither Williams nor Shields were even drafted.

[sarcasm]At that rate they'll only give up 48 sacks this year, there's a kick-ass line. [/sarcasm]

It's not like there aren't good pass rushers in the division, Pittsburgh, etc. Unfortunately, most of the better exterior talent on the line is on IR/PUP.

quote:

Least talented based on draft points is an idiotic line of thinking for the writer to use.

According to that article, we've been missing the fact that Campen making silk out of several sows' ears. His allowing EDS free rein to run down the field as a decoy is nothing short of brilliant. 

EDS was just taunting the SF DL saying "I don't even have to block anybody and we're still good.  We could take you on with four OL!"

Packers offense is also either first or second in:

points per game

yards per game

yards per play

red zone TDs per game and many more.

Decent start after 2 games and as they settle into their new spots, I predict they'll get better on the OL

http://www.teamrankings.com/nf...ing-offense-category

Heard a similar line of thinking on the radidio yesterday - "GB OL being least talented". Basing these types of comments on draft position is convenient. Today's sports journalists and radio/TV analysts are for the most part lazy, even though there is so much more analytic information available. For the most part they are no different than the chicken-little's who rant about how it seems this or that. 

There are 1st round busts and 7th round gems. The NFL is full of talent from all rounds of the draft and even UDFAs. I recall a stat from the beginning of the season that 2013 registered the most ever UDFAs on rosters.

For a time Bush was the Packers fan whipping boy, but all he did was make the roster year after year. Top notch ST player and emergency DB. Nothing special as a defender, just accountable and available.  UDFA

Next came Hawk. Again, he makes the roster year after year and while the Packers have brought players in who have shown more on the field, their inability to stay on the field was their downfall. Hawk - nothing special as a defender, just accountable and available.  1st round bust in some eyes.

For 2013 it is EDS. His QB likes him. His HC likes him. The GM likes him. He gets to the 2nd level in the run game light-years better than what Saturday did. Again, not really special, just accountable and available.  UDFA

Many wanted Thompson to go after Titans cast off Velasco. Yet, after sitting on the street for a week+ and through the 1st weekend he was only signed to a 1yr deal by PIT, and only after they lost Pouncey. 

"Journalists" It's becoming a contradiction.

Re: Hawk: Not a bust but everyone expects a difference maker from a #5 overall draft pick. Hawk is just an average football player. I guess he does well with the communication. That's nice

Hawk peaked at 22/23... who knew he wouldn't improve? It happens.

Acquiring players isn't an exact science.  Sometimes players picked high (Hawk @ #5) don't become superstars.  Sometimes UDFAs (like Tramon Williams) turn into very good starters for several seasons.

If it was easy to replace EDS with a CLEARLY better player, wouldn't TT do it?  Most of us think he's a fantastic GM so why wouldn't he improve the team if possible?

That's why he drafted Tretter.  EDS is available, that's the argument.  Default starter.  

Velasco is unfamiliar with the scheme and there isn't a huge upside over EDS.  The point being depth on the interior of the line is poor, especially after Tretter was hurt.  Having Velasco come in to push EDS while possibly adding depth over Van Roten isn't a horrible idea.  

It's a decision that is six of one, half a dozen of another.  Two scrubs "starters" at center.  And yes, Tretter definitely was drafted with C position in mind.

I am waiting for EDS in the old "lonely end" play.  That will go for an 80-yard TD easily.

Can't wait for EDS to pancake Geno Atkins tomorrow. 

Need to start sending Evan out in the slot, get him down the seam vs. a LB...that's a mismatch. 

Rogers likes EDS (for whatever that's worth).  I guess EDS puts up with his verbal abuse, selfishness and lack of accountability.

He keeps playing like the last game and I'll be eating crow.

If we fired James Campen now, do you think we could hire Andy Reid to finish the rest of the season for us.

I see the stat of how the Packers are on pace for 44 sacks given up this year.  Still, the Packers are 14th in the NFL in fewest sacks allowed.  14 through five games.  Granted some teams have not had their bye yet.  With 23 QB hits, the Packers are tied for third fewest in the NFL.  Meanwhile they have played two of the top ten sack producing defenses (Baltimore, second, 22 sacks; Cincinnati, sevent, 18 sacks).  We also played 13th ranked WAshington and 19th ranked San Francisco (who's pass rush has tanked since Aldon Smith has become unavailable).  Detroit is the only bad pass rush this year with their 12 sacks (26th ranked).  Offensive line is holding up okay.  The biggest problem is still the times when Rodgers has clearly gone through all his progressions and the receivers are just not open.  I would be interested in seeing how many sacks occured after three seconds.

The best thing for the line is the run blocking has been very good.  Pro Football Focus has the Packers offensive line ranked 7th in the NFL with a +10.9 rating.  Bakhtiari is the only guy who actually got a minus rating.  Packers are also second in the league in yards per carry (5.2).  I have been feeling pretty good about a very young line (whith two first round pick tackles sittingon IR). https://www.profootballfocus.c...nes-first-quarter/4/