Which NFL teams make it most difficult for their O-Line in Pass Pro?

[AntonMcG]

This is a very interesting analysis from Neil Hornsby at Pro Football Focus.

 

He has assessed which offenses ask the most of their offensive line in pass protection by considering the types of plays they run.

 

 

Based on these metrics, we are second only to the Titans on how much we ask our O-Line to do.

 

Whilst I don't believe this data is entirely conclusive, it does tell us that the limited talent on our o-line is not being compensated for as much as it could be. This, coupled with the ineffectiveness of our man-blocking in the run game, really show that there are fundamental schematic issues that are potentially hampering our offense.

 

Should we have had more three-step drops and quicker throws?

 

Should we incorporate more roll outs given Luck's athleticism? Seattle O-Line was asked to do the least and had by far and away the most roll-outs.

 

Discuss...

[AntonMcG]

Can someone edit the typo in the title... it is really going to annoy me.

[Dustin]

Can someone edit the typo in the title... it is really going to annoy me.

 

If you're on a desktop/laptop, you can right click on "edit" and hit open in new tab and edit the title from there. 

[Dustin]

This is the stuff people were killing Bruce Arians for (me included) during the 2012 season.  

[AntonMcG]

This is the stuff people were killing Bruce Arians for (me included) during the 2012 season.  

 

It certainly was. The one thing Hamilton has incorporate more of is checkdowns.

[21isSuperman]

Yes, we should have incorporated more short passes and 3 step drops.  It was painful to watch during some of those games (the Pittsburgh one stands out) where the defense is blitzing like crazy and we can beat the blitz with a 3 step drop and a quick throw, but we didn't.

[BOTT]

This is the stuff people were killing Bruce Arians for (me included) during the 2012 season.

Arians has left a trail of injured/beat up quarterbacks going back to Cleveland. Love the guy, but his lack of concern for the QB drives me nuts.

[Superman]

It certainly was. The one thing Hamilton has incorporate more of is checkdowns.

 

Part of this is Luck. He likes to hold the ball and sit in the pocket until the last minute, when he could be taking off and running. Sometimes he misses wide open guys on the backside of the play. Not dogging him, just saying, it's not all about the scheme.

[AntonMcG]

Part of this is Luck. He likes to hold the ball and sit in the pocket until the last minute, when he could be taking off and running. Sometimes he misses wide open guys on the backside of the play. Not dogging him, just saying, it's not all about the scheme.

I don't think Luck's decision making is factored in to these numbers. It is purely play design, unless Luck is taking extra steps back to buy more time (we both know he's not).

No question Luck likes to hold onto the ball, but a significant portion of that is down to play design and getting guys deep. I think these numbers prove that there are some real schematic questions to ask when talking about our o-Line effectiveness.

[Superman]

I don't think Luck's decision making is factored in to these numbers. It is purely play design, unless Luck is taking extra steps back to buy more time (we both know he's not).

No question Luck likes to hold onto the ball, but a significant portion of that is down to play design and getting guys deep. I think these numbers prove that there are some real schematic questions to ask when talking about our o-Line effectiveness.

 

That's my fault. I assumed this was the time in the pocket / time to throw / time to sack chart from PFF, which I was looking at earlier today.

 

Now, having looked at it, you're right, the drop isn't really up to Luck (unless we're talking about plays he changes). I would combine both charts to come up with a better overall understanding of how teams ask their lines to pass block. I'd throw in the play action numbers, also.

[AntonMcG]

That's my fault. I assumed this was the time in the pocket / time to throw / time to sack chart from PFF, which I was looking at earlier today.

 

Now, having looked at it, you're right, the drop isn't really up to Luck (unless we're talking about plays he changes). I would combine both charts to come up with a better overall understanding of how teams ask their lines to pass block. I'd throw in the play action numbers, also.

No question... effective play action would alleviate a lot of the pressure, but so would spending a bit of time looking at how Josh McDaniels builds a playbook.

[NewEra]

Yes, we should have incorporated more short passes and 3 step drops. It was painful to watch during some of those games (the Pittsburgh one stands out) where the defense is blitzing like crazy and we can beat the blitz with a 3 step drop and a quick throw, but we didn't.

The failure to make teams pay for the blitz has drove me bananas. I don't know its a Luck thing or our offense but it happens often. You see other teams torch a D when trying to blitz.

[NewColtsFan]

This is the stuff people were killing Bruce Arians for (me included) during the 2012 season.  

 

I'd love to know how these 2014 numbers compare with 2013 and 2012?

[Track Guy]

More play action, more roll outs, and upgrade the personnel on the right side for next year.

[bertjones#1]

Would love to see some bootlegs like Gary Kubiac uses in his offense.

[TKnight24]

Would love to see some bootlegs like Gary Kubiac uses in his offense.

[akcolt]

I hate questioning coaching because you never know what is really going on but there have been some very interesting decisions when it comes to the O Line the last few years.

[Cynjin]

Looking at the numbers the Colts had significantly more drop backs than other teams and a higher percentage of 7 step drop backs.  You could argue that the Colts should use less 7 step drop backs, but I think the biggest issue the lack of a decent running attack which, IMO, led to the big difference in the total number of drop backs.

[akcolt]

Even in games we had the running game going we went pass happy

[Jdubu]

Yes, we should have incorporated more short passes and 3 step drops. It was painful to watch during some of those games (the Pittsburgh one stands out) where the defense is blitzing like crazy and we can beat the blitz with a 3 step drop and a quick throw, but we didn't.

that is all on pep calling plays or Luck not being able to process a blitz. I'm guessing Luck is smart enough to process a blitz after getting hit a few times. We didn't seem to really play the checks own game too much until the first 2 playoff games and then we went away from it with the pats.

[Jdubu]

Part of this is Luck. He likes to hold the ball and sit in the pocket until the last minute, when he could be taking off and running. Sometimes he misses wide open guys on the backside of the play. Not dogging him, just saying, it's not all about the scheme.

I agree about luck not running often enough. Even if it's 3 yards and a slide, he had some huge wide open holes to get through while he say there and patted the ball waiting for a deep play to open up and then get killed, through an incomplete ball, a pick or every once in a while, hitting the big play. He needs to run run run more next season when his guys downfield are blanketed and they dare the team to run the ball. Until we find a competent RB and build a better oline, this part has to be built in along with more dump offs. The OC and luck needs to learn a more control the ball 5-7 yards at a time early and then hit big late when the defense is worn out. How is this so hard in pro football to adjust to?