Fredtoast take on the O-line issue

[SunsetBengal]

First, let me say that what you wrote was a very good observation and interpretation of the OL situation. You'd be hard pressed to find many of the regulars on here that would disagree with your analysis.

There is one thing that you mentioned, that I would like to discuss a bit further. That item being the tendency for Paul Alexander to select linemen based upon their pass blocking skills, with less emphasis on run blocking ability. I am of the philosophy that pass blocking, particularly for interior OL, is a technique that can be taught. On the other hand, linemen that are good run blockers seem to be able to do that as an extension of their personality. In my way of thinking, run blocking ability is more a product of having natural aggression, along with the latent desire to dominate the man in front of them, and force him to submit to one's will.

We have seen this team's OL, over the past stretch of winning seasons, look very good in protecting the QB. However, in critical situations, struggle to gain 3rd and short via the run. Many of this team's best runs seem to come by running when a pass is expected, or by a tremendous individual effort by the ball carrier. Many times, even on say 2nd and medium distance to go, they seem unable to generate much of a push from the interior 3 of the OL. Now, these are just my very general observations. I'm certain that most anyone could go through game films and find plenty of examples that show contrary to my opinion, but I'm talking more the "big game" situations, against higher quality teams.

So, I guess my point is to ask you if you feel like a change in drafting philosophy might be in order? I understand that you are generally a proponent of Paul Alexander. Would you think that he is too set in his own philosophy to realize that a change in strategy might be in order?