Joniak's Journal: Offensive Line Problems Abound In NFL
By Jeff Joniak--
(CBS) The Bears (0-2) visit the Seahawks (0-2) for a 3:25 p.m. contest Sunday. Here are my observations heading into the game.
First impression
Giving an entire drive to rookie running back Jeremy Langford against the Cardinals in Sunday's loss was important for the bears. Even better was that he finished it off with an explosive burst from the 1-yard line for his first NFL touchdown. Running backs coach Stan Drayton explained on the Bears Coaches Show on WBBM on Monday night that Chicago wants a stable of backs behind Matt Forte to take the pressure off and preserve the veteran's explosiveness.
"Some guys have got to step up, and we as a coaching staff need to find out who that's going to be," Drayton said.
Second thought
One of the underrated plays on that drive was Langford blocking up blitzing Arizona linebacker Kevin Minter, allowing Jay Cutler to scramble six yards for a first down and keep the chains moving on that scoring drive. Most college programs have only two to three protection schemes, as Drayton explained, but in the NFL the playbook is loaded with protection schemes.
"You better study some demeanor," Drayton said. "What kind of rusher is he? Is he a bull rusher or is he finesse? You've got to know that going in. What are your disadvantages? Are they long-arm guys versus a short-armed guy? So, we study this. This is something we put a lot of time and work in, and once we get it identified, we work it on the practice field."
Drayton said a lot of success in pass pro is anticipation. It has to be executed at full speed. Meeting a blitzing defender near the line of scrimmage as opposed to meeting them in the backfield means the success rate on blocking it goes up.
Third degree
Drafting offensive linemen guarantees nothing in the NFL at this time. Many teams are struggling with their lines, including some preseason Super Bowl contenders. Hall of Fame executive Bill Polian is among many experts calling it an "epidemic."
Incoming players are in two-point stances in a preponderance of spread schemes at the college level. In order to learn the proper fundamentals and techniques in the NFL, they need more instruction and more reps. Tighter restrictions on offseason on-field instruction, training camp and regular-season practice time in pads all hurt the development of even the most decorated college linemen.
At a position that requires so much repetition, players aren't getting enough reps or the instruction because of the NFL timeline and the complication of pro schemes. It's a dangerous proposition. Incomplete offensive lines are dangerous. Skill position players, namely quarterbacks, are in harm's way with underdeveloped and ill-prepared offensive linemean.
Both offensive line selections by first-year Bears general manager Ryan Pace are backups and have been inactive through two games. Center Hroniss Grasu and tackle Tayo Fabuluje have potential, and the time spent learning their craft will be a process. Eighteen offensive linemen have been selected in the first round from 2012-'14, including eight in the top 10. Only three have played in a Pro Bowl. Bears tackle Kyle Long is one of them, earning the trip twice.
Fourth-and-short
After watching the New York Jets viciously pound Colts quarterback Andrew Luck on Monday night, Hall of Fame quarterback Steve Young on ESPN said he would rather have a great offensive line and average receivers than the other way around. I think everyone would agree that's exactly how you build a consistent winner.
Jeff Joniak is the play-by-play announcer for the Bears broadcasts on WBBM Newsradio 780. Follow him on Twitter @JeffJoniak.
