Offensive line still waiting to click
Sports divers mercredi, 22 août 2001. 16:17 vendredi, 13 déc. 2024. 16:05
Last season, the Carolina Panthers' offensive line was so bad that finally, there seemed to be nothing to do but tear it apart and start over. So the Panthers did just that, dismantling the unit that had surrendered an NFL-high 69 sacks. The club spent precious salary-cap dollars on three veteran starters, juggled their holdovers a bit and waited for the new unit to click.
After two exhibition losses, the clicking isn't audible yet. And a unit that is still trying to force its pieces into place must face the defense of the NFL champion Baltimore Ravens Thursday night at 7:30 in PSINet Stadium.
The results have been less than impressive so far, with six sacks allowed and a ground game that has averaged 100.5 yards. But behind the numbers, progress is being made.
"I think the protection has been very good," said right guard Kevin Donnalley, one of the new guys. "We have a lot more depth this year, and guys are learning the techniques very well. But we really need to improve the running game. We have a lot more work to do.
Coach George Seifert, who watched last year's line self-destruct, sees progress.
"The offensive line hasn't totally been together," he said. "But I think we're going to be better at some of the things we had problems with a year ago. I think overall the pass protection even in these early stages has been better."
Run blocking, though, is tougher to get down.
"The passing game, once you pick up your blitzes, is basically blocking the guy you're assigned to block," said Donnalley. "In the running game, there are so many blocks when you're working together to try and drive guys off the ball, coming off onto the second level, getting linebackers, getting up to safeties if need be.
"That takes work. If your steps aren't quite right, you're hitting the guy sideways, the other guy doesn't fit on him quite correctly and you end up not blocking the first guy very well and you don't get off to the second guy. You have to be on the same page."
They're getting close.
"Todd is back this week and hopefully we'll have a good game Thursday," said Mitchell. "Then we'll pick our starting five and build on that for that last preseason game and get things ready to go for the season."
After two exhibition losses, the clicking isn't audible yet. And a unit that is still trying to force its pieces into place must face the defense of the NFL champion Baltimore Ravens Thursday night at 7:30 in PSINet Stadium.
The results have been less than impressive so far, with six sacks allowed and a ground game that has averaged 100.5 yards. But behind the numbers, progress is being made.
"I think the protection has been very good," said right guard Kevin Donnalley, one of the new guys. "We have a lot more depth this year, and guys are learning the techniques very well. But we really need to improve the running game. We have a lot more work to do.
Coach George Seifert, who watched last year's line self-destruct, sees progress.
"The offensive line hasn't totally been together," he said. "But I think we're going to be better at some of the things we had problems with a year ago. I think overall the pass protection even in these early stages has been better."
Run blocking, though, is tougher to get down.
"The passing game, once you pick up your blitzes, is basically blocking the guy you're assigned to block," said Donnalley. "In the running game, there are so many blocks when you're working together to try and drive guys off the ball, coming off onto the second level, getting linebackers, getting up to safeties if need be.
"That takes work. If your steps aren't quite right, you're hitting the guy sideways, the other guy doesn't fit on him quite correctly and you end up not blocking the first guy very well and you don't get off to the second guy. You have to be on the same page."
They're getting close.
"Todd is back this week and hopefully we'll have a good game Thursday," said Mitchell. "Then we'll pick our starting five and build on that for that last preseason game and get things ready to go for the season."
