Originally posted by Wubbie:
Originally posted by JTsBiggestFan:
Originally posted by Giedi:
Personally, just my take on Kyle's Achillies heel on this offense.
First of all he's really a genius on the offensive side. That's really important for my point to be understood. Secondly his scheme is brilliant. It starts with his zone run. It's an outside run, very similar in concept to Bill Walsh's green bay sweeps, but instead of pulling the OLinemen, he's executing the zone blocking concepts which share *a lot* of the run blocking concepts with the pass protection concepts. I.e. passing the DLinemen to the other guy if you don't have a good blocking angle etc... that's good for the zone run *and* pass blocking too (with regards to stunts and blitzes etc...) The zone run and the naked boot play-action pass *LOOK* the same and so it's hard for linebackers to tell if it's a run or pass, and so his scheme targets them and makes them hesitate - that's why the WR's are so open. It's a VERY explosive offense when it's clicking.
Here's the problem, the zone run requires smaller, athletic, but less powerful offensive linemen. They are cheaper draftwise and capwise, but they can't power a gap blocking north-south run scheme which is what you need in a four minute offense. I.e. his offensive line is too small to power a ground and pound run offense consistently and have to run outside and pretty much stop the clock when the RB steps out of bounds when you are trying to bleed the clock down.
Also, because the offensive line is smaller, longer pass plays aren't able to be consistently executed because the smaller OLinemen can't sustain their pass blocking for a longer period of time that is needed for longer pass plays to develop.
TLDR: Kyle's offense is explosive, but doesn't have the power to generate a clock killing four minute offense in a close game, nor generate a come from behind win because the offensive line is too small.
Great post Giedi, thanks!
Do you think the Eagles OL can run Kyle's scheme while also being powerful for gap runs?
I'm curious if we can slowly upgrade the OL to be truly dominant or if we're capped price wise.
If Shanahan had the Eagles' offensive line, I have no doubt in my mind that he could do wondrous things. He could probably afford for longer-developing pass plays, and field an even more diverse run game. Kittle and Juice could have even greater involvement in the pass game if they had more confidence that RG and RT could hold up.
But frankly, I don't think it'll ever happen, or we have to really do a good job of drafting. I feel like the team would rather prioritize drafting other positions high, than to try and maneuver into the first half of the first round to get the elite offensive linemen that are athletic specimens that have perfect blends of power and speed.
Agree on the issue that Kyle would prioritize other positions vs the Offensive line but disagree that they won't use a first round pick on an OLineman. Contradictory, I know. First I'll start with the fact that Purdy is right handed and his blind side is the left. So for the Left Tackle and Left Guard, I think Kyle *will* spend draft capital and cap space to make sure Brock's left is protected. As for Center, Right Guard, Right Tackle - to a certain extent - Brock's peripheral vision will allow Kyle to go with lesser talented OLinemen as Brock can see the OLine breakdown and hopefully escape a hit and extend the play and make a first down.
But I think what changed the equation was the Riddick hit. I think Kyle is now Paranoid (as I am) that Brock must be protected at all costs. He started with the TE, because it was a TE issue with Brock's elbow injury. He's gotten bigger OLinemen on the right side. (Feliciano, Pryor, Bartch). So I think he's going to reprioritize (I hope) the offensive line this next season and upgrade depth ( for Trent Williams) and to generate competition for McKivitz and Burford. At least I hope so. I do share your opinion, though, that Kyle would rather focus on the skill positions and not infuse high round talent into the OLine. But I hope John and Adam steer him in the other direction.
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