(01-10-2019 04:35 PM)Gilesfan Wrote: (01-10-2019 04:30 PM)ODUalum78 Wrote: We will be stacked at LB if we run the 3-4 as half of them will be DEs and we have some good ones coming in. The down linemen are a question, especially at the Nose.
All on the QB???
It is that philosophy that got us into the Bentley fiasco and blowout losses. It is all on the OL...or at least it should be.
We have a good enough offensive line (as well as RB/TE) to perform well offensively, as we did last year. When BL came in and improved our QB play, the offense was outstanding. Good QB play makes WRs look better. If we have good QB play, the team will be good offensively. If they do not, they won't.
We lost Nick Clarke.
IMHO we have one proven O-Lineman, Isaac Weaver, returning from an otherwise very slow and marginal OL in 2018. I cannot see how it will be any better, if as good.
We have compensated for literally years worth of marginal OL play with exceptional QB (DW and BL) play and exceptional receivers.
We no longer have proven receivers, and with DA gone, no real scrambling QB. We don't yet know if SS can extend a play. SB could not, SW could not, and nothing in SS's highlights indicates that he would be so inclined.
Our rushing game has been predicated on pass-first. Our rushing attack has never worked until we started to open it up with the pass; because of inadequate OL play.
Both SS and SW are pro style QBs who can also run vertically.
If there is inadequate pass blocking, and if there is no initially open receiver, will either of them scramble or just tuck and run?
Neither will last long if if that is the only option, and certainly SW has shown little ability to throw accurately on the run, and as of yet we don't know if we have the receivers for that anyway.
Bottom line;
It won't matter who is at QB if the O-Line doesn't perform.