Protecting Bradford: Offensive Line a 'Waste Of Money'

[r8rh8rmike]

Protecting Bradford: Offensive line a 'waste of money'

BY ROGER HENSLEY | Posted: Friday, October 21, 2011

QUESTION: What is your thinking on why the Rams have had so many problems protecting Sam Bradford this season?

BERNIE MIKLASZ

First of all, the Rams’ offensive line represents the worst investment of money, and the biggest waste of money, in the history of St. Louis professional sports. It must be hard to pass block when your uniform is lined with all of those 100-dollar bills.

Next, there’s the Josh McDaniels’ downfield-passing offense. One problem with that: Rams wideouts can’t get open downfield. Bradford waiting for them to get open is about as futile as a guy trying to catch a taxi in the rain. Gonna get hit. Gonna get wet. (Hopefully, Brandon Lloyd will help in this area).

When the receivers do get open, there’s a chance they’ll catch the ball. Maybe, maybe not.

Lastly, Bradford has to get rid of the football with a little more urgency. There’s no need to take a hit or a sack when there’s no chance of making a downfield connection. Throwing it away is a better alternative.

JIM THOMAS

Contrary to popular belief, the pass blocking has been pretty good against the New York Giants and Green Bay. But if you had to name one thing, it would be the play of young offensive tackles Rodger Saffold and Jason Smith. After his strong play last season, Saffold has experienced a sophomore slump; he was much better pass-blocking last week in Green Bay (although he did hurt the team with penalties). And Smith played one of his better games.

And before you line up the offensive line and line coach Steve Loney before a firing squad, consider this: More than a third of the sacks allowed this year have had nothing to do with the o-line. There have been blocking breakdowns by the tight ends, the running backs, and there have been several times when QB Sam Bradford has simply held the ball too long waiting for receivers to get open in a scheme that features more downfield throwing.

JEFF GORDON

Jason Smith is a pass blocking liability at right tackle. Left tackle Rodger Saffold has channeled his inner Alex Barron and become a human penalty machine – forcing Bradford into unfavorable down-and-distance situations. The Josh McDaniels offense features more deep patterns . . . and the Rams receivers haven’t been getting open consistently enough, leaving Sam holding the ball. Throw in an unhealthy number of protection mix-ups and Bradford has taken a beating.

JOE LYONS

Seems like the O-line is having trouble adjusting to Josh McDaniels’ offense. Bradford’s deeper drops take more time, which puts more pressure on the line. In addition, since the Rams have been playing from behind so much, opposing defenses can take more chances and set their sights on getting to the quarterback.

[AvengerRam]

Hyperbolize much, Bernard?

[Fettmaster]

The line sucks, period.

[sonnyjames]

Hyperbolize much, Bernard?

True, but his points - however flowery they're made - are valid.

Line not consistently blocking well enough. Receivers not getting open. Receivers not catching balls. Sam needing to get rid rather than take the hit. McD's offense reliant on skills we don't have.

Nothing we don't know but all valid.

[AlphaRam]

Despite the RB and TE blocking failures, the O-line makes me mad.

[snackdaddy]

McD needs to change his philosophy for this line and receivers. There's no way the line is good enough to keep the pressure off the QB on the deep passes. Its that plain and simple. As a group, they've been healthy the last year and half. So chemistry should not be an issue. Its gotta be lack of ability. Line Bernie said, money is wasted on that line. That investment is worse than the stock market. Which spells bad news for Bradford's improvement.

[GROUND DOG 39]

It's called trying to make a play Bernie, he would be throwing the ball away, every other down.?

[r8rh8rmike]

McD needs to change his philosophy for this line and receivers. There's no way the line is good enough to keep the pressure off the QB on the deep passes. Its that plain and simple.

He finally did against Green Bay by shortening the routes, using more quick hitters, getting Jackson involved in the passing game, and rolling Bradford out more. The addition of Lloyd should help and hopefully the line gets it's act together so McDaniels can eventually open things up. At this point though, I'm all for small ball, getting the execution down and keeping Bradford upright.