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Offensive tackle, in particular the one protecting the quarterback’s blind side, is arguably the most important position in football after the signal-caller himself.
That being the case, teams rarely let young, top tackles hit the open market, and the free agent pool at the position is really quite bare.
As hard as it was to compile a list of the five best free agent offensive tackles (or perhaps the five least bad?) here there are:
(Note: This series of lists only includes unrestricted free agents, as those are the only type that can be signed without giving up compensation. Restricted free agents—especially the best ones—will cost valuable draft picks.)
Chad Clifton, Green Bay Packers
Clifton is a long-time starter at tackle and has had some very good years, but those years are definitely behind him.
While he’s still a productive pass protector, he allows a little too many pressures for a starting left tackle and is lacking in the run game.
Clifton is 33 and isn’t worth signing to any substantial deal to start long-term, but you could do worse for a short-term starter or third offensive tackle.
Levi Jones, Washington Redskins
Jones ranks this high on the list not because of any recent performance, but rather age and upside compared to the others.
Once a quality starter for the Cincinnati Bengals, Jones has all but faded into oblivion, starting half the season for the Redskins due to injuries after signing with the team last October.
Jones is certainly not worth starting at this point in his career, but he’s been very good in the past and is still only 30. He’s worth a flier on a minimum contract.
Mike Gandy, Arizona Cardinals
It puzzles me how Mike Gandy has remained a starter in the NFL so long, as left tackle no less. Really, the guy was an average guard for the Chicago Bears.
The Cardinals will almost surely look for an upgrade now that Gandy is a free agent, and he’s unlikely to get a starting job elsewhere. At most, he can serve as an experience veteran backup that can play four position on the line.
Mark Tauscher, Green Bay Packers
Unsigned all of last offseason, Tauscher actually improved the Packers’ offensive line when he was signed midseason and inserted into the starting lineup.
That’s more a reflection of the Packers’ entire line than it is Tauscher, however, and he’s an average lineman at best at age 32.
Tauscher still has some ability, but his body looks soft and he probably wouldn’t hold up well over a full season.
Tony Pashos, San Francisco 49ers
Like Mike Gandy, Pashos is another guy that went from a nobody at guard to a starting NFL tackle. And, like Gandy, Pashos just isn’t that good.
As with most guys on this list, Pashos is past his prime, and isn’t worth signing as anything more than an experienced and versatile backup.
Beyond the Top Five
- Cornell Green, Oakland Raiders — Green has been forced into a starting role for the Raiders quite often over the past three seasons, but it is not a role that suits him well. At 33, Green is nothing more than a backup.
- Brandon Gorin, Denver Broncos — Gorin has bounced around the league since leaving the Patriots in 2005, with little success. His career looks to be approaching the end of the line.
- Jon Jansen, Detroit Lions — Once a quality starting tackle in the NFL, Jansen’s play has dropped off tremendously due to a lengthy injury history. He might even be a better fit inside at this point, but he still has the ability to be a reserve tackle.
- Barry Sims, San Francisco 49ers — A long-time starter for the Raiders and Niners, Sims has plenty of experience at tackle but is better suited for guard. He’s unlikely to find another starting gig at age 35.
- Ephraim Salaam, Houston Texans — Salaam hasn’t started a game since 2007 and had trouble sticking with the Lions before being re-signed by Houston in 2009 due to injuries. The rest of his career looks to be waiting for similar phone calls, which may not even come.
- Langston Walker, Oakland Raiders — Walker signed a huge deal with the Buffalo Bills in 2007, but was a free agent bust and cut after just two seasons. He’s not a great fit at guard due to his height and doesn’t have the athleticism for tackle, so he won’t be more than a backup for the remainder of his career.
Who do you think are the best free agent offensive tackles? Share your thoughts on the forum here!
Read more NFL news on BleacherReport.com
Before I go any further, let me explain that I hate writing articles where I use the word “I.”
And there I’ve gone and done it four times in the first sentence. And once in the second.
But one thing I am getting tired of hearing with regard to the Washington Redskins is which quarterback the Redskins are going to take in the draft. Or that Michael Vick, Brett Favre or my Labrador retriever is going to take over behind center next season.
Jason Campbell, whether you love him or hate him, was simply not the problem last season…or, if you’re a Campbell hater, even you have to admit he wasn’t the entire problem in 2009.
No, the Redskins problems stemmed mainly from two fundamental things:
1. An inept coaching staff that couldn’t game plan their way out of a paper bag and
2. Even more inept roster management.
Ostensibly, both of these have been taken care of. Redskins head coach Jim Zorn has moved on to become Baltimore’s quarterback coach (which is absolutely where he belongs; a solid organization developing a tremendous young quarterback). De facto offensive coordinator Sherman Lewis has gone back to retirement and defensive coordinator Greg Blache has joined him. (No word on whether they have formed a bingo-calling duo in Michigan, however).
The team has hired a pair of Shanahans (Mike and Kyle) to call the offense with new defensive coordinator Jim Haslett and a whole group of experienced NFL coaches. Again, love them or hate them, but these guys have been successful at this level before and, if nothing else, will bring the team back to respectability.
On the second point, Washington de facto (the team sure did have a lot of de factos, didn’t they?) general manager Vinny Cerrato has also been replaced by an actual GM in Bruce Allen. Together with Shanahan (and hopefully without owner Dan Snyder), the pair will forge the roster and the future of this franchise, starting with the 2010 NFL Draft and free agency.
The foundation has been fixed, or so we think. Now, on to the structure.
See, any good football coach, scout, or even intelligent fan will tell you that good teams, at any level, are built up the middle, and from the front to the back.
That means, for you to be any good, it always, always, ALWAYS starts up front.
You see, that’s why Vinny Cerrato lost his job. He completely ignored the offensive line for years, with only two draft picks in the last five seasons. Other than bringing Derrick Dockery back from Buffalo last season, the last major signing on the line was Casey Rabach, and he’s been with the team for five years now.
Cerrato sent Zorn into the 2009 season with a five-man line that only had four legitimate starters and three of them over 30.The best two, Chris Samuels and Randy Thomas, were gone by early October and are both likely to retire.
Stephon Heyer, the fifth starter, was moved to left tackle and promptly gave up two safeties in consecutive weeks, which has to be some sort of record. Indeed, he performed so badly that he lost his job to Levi Jones, who had only been with the team for two weeks when he got his first start. Jones had been on the street since the Bengals had cut him the previous May.
The depth was no better. Only one of them, Chad Rinehart, was a draft pick and he performed so poorly that he was benched multiple times before an injury ended his season. The team tried out five players at right guard before settling on Mike Williams who had never played the position before.
A team with a piece of Swiss cheese for an offensive line simply can not compete. Ask someone like Barry Sanders, who retired rather than continue to run behind the Lions’ offensive line. Or talk to Bernie Kosar, who was about as agile as the Statue of Liberty, and was routinely pounded in 10-plus sack games.
It’s not as if the team doesn’t have options in the draft. In fact, there are two offensive linemen worthy of being selected in the top 10, and the Redskins will likely have a chance at one or both at the fourth overall pick. Which one to take largely depends on how the Shanahans want to run their offensive line, but both are close to being the total package.
So don’t talk to me any more about which quarterback the Redskins need to take. If you really think the team needs to take a flier on Sam Bradford or Jimmy Clausen, both of whom have very significant questions surrounding them, then you just weren’t paying attention last year or, really, ever.
Read more NFL news on BleacherReport.com
The 2009 New York Giants were rife with issues on both sides of the ball, with multiple positions (particularly in the defense) requiring major overhaul. Additionally, the Giants‘ offensive line is not getting any younger, and Brandon Jacobs‘ legs continue to pile on the miles. All in all, the Giants have a wide variety of issues they must address this offseason.
Amplifying these issues is the NFL‘s ongoing labor struggle, which, at this point, almost guarantees an uncapped 2010 season. It would also guarantee an offseason in which free agents with less than 6 years of service-time will become restricted free agents.
While unrestricted free agents require no compensation, offers to restricted free agents can be matched by their previous team. Furthermore, if the RFA signs with another team, draft pick compensation is often required, the price of which is dictated by the original club’s offer.
However, the Giants’ front office is one of the best in the league at finding the right solutions. As a fan, I have a great deal of faith that they understand the need for defensive help at every position (other than cornerback) and more depth at the running back and offensive line positions.
This urgency should lead the organization to not hesitate in negotiating with RFAs, possibly forfeiting draft choices if the move fits. With that, here is a selection (although not an exhaustive list) of free agents whom I would love to see in a Giants uniform and could very much help the squad.
Running Back
Willie Parker: The sixth-year pro has lost considerable time to Rashard Mendenhall and Mewelde Moore in recent years, but still has fresh legs and could be a good complement to the Jacobs/Bradshaw tandem of “Ahm and Hammer” and can be a number one back if called up[on.
Chester Taylor: A great pass-catching back who can really help the aerial game on third downs. Taylor has proven to be a more-than-capable backup to Adrian Peterson and could be extremely beneficial to the offense as a shotgun-set back.
Offensive Line
Chad Clifton: While he is just as old as the man he could potentially replace (Kareem McKenzie), he’s a seasoned veteran who could very much sure up the right tackle position that has become somewhat unreliable with McKenzie’s decline.
Mike Gandy and Levi Jones could also provide depth at the tackle spots.
Defensive Line
Julius Peppers (UFA): While this fierce pass rusher may command a massive price-tag at upwards of $15 million per year, the Giants’ organization has done a good job staying under the cap in the Jerry Reese era, and heading into a new stadium will have the money to spend, and a desire to fill this new field with star talent.
The one caveat is that Peppers has expressed desire to play outside linebacker in a 3-4 defense. At this point, the Giants wouldn’t consider playing him there, since they don’t have one starter-caliber middle linebacker at the moment.
Richard Seymour (UFA): He has spent time (and gone to the Pro Bowl) as a 3-4 defensive end and a 4-3 defensive tackle. He could fill both spots depending on the game situation for the Giants (in the same way Justin Tuck does). He may be pricey, but I’m sure he wants to leave the football black hole that is the Oakland Raiders.
Ray Edwards (RFA): While not a star, Edwards is a capable end who the Giants could keep in rotation with Umenyiora, Tuck, and Kiwanuka. Considering Edwards’ solid play alongside Jared Allen, he would likely benefit from being in a rotation and consistently kept fresh, something the Giants love doing with their defensive ends. Edwards could be a good compromise of a RFA that doesn’t cost too much.
Defensive Tackle
Vince Wilfork (UFA): This massive two-gap stuffer has held down the nose-tackle position in New England for the past six years. While New England will try to lock Wilfork down, he is unrestricted, and could fill the large shoes left by Fred Robbins, who is an UFA and almost certainly a goner at his old age.
Casey Hampton (UFA): While not as good as Wilfork, he’s served the same role in Pittsburgh and could come at a cheaper price.
Outside Linebacker
Karlos Dansby (UFA): The best available unrestricted linebacker, he has expressed interest in coming to New York (quoted as saying something along the lines of, “Why not?”). He has established a reputation as a very good outside linebacker, something the Giants haven’t had since Jesse Armstead retired.
Keith Bulluck (UFA): One of the most athletic outside linebackers in the league, Bulluck is a seasoned veteran who could help both the Giants’ rush and pass defense. He’s solid against the run and quick enough to cover athletic tight ends and pass-catching running backs.
Elvis Dumervil/Shawne Merriman (RFA): Both of these AFC West outsiders are tremendous pass rushers. However, they will come with extremely high price tags, and Merriman has built up some baggage over the last few years between a domestic dispute and a disappointing season coming off a knee injury (the same sort of disappointment of Osi Umenyiora’s 2009 season. Perhaps both will recover).
Middle Linebacker
DeMeco Ryans/Barrett Ruud (RFA): Two extremely athletic middle linebackers who would be awesome replacements for Antonio Pierce. However, both will demand very high price tags and compensation.
Gary Brackett (UFA): The anchor of the Colts‘ improved defenses of the last few years, Brackett is a good, not great, linebacker who can be at least as good as Antonio Pierce was. However, the Colts likely will have a strong desire to keep him in Indianapolis in the middle of a defense that will get Bob Sanders back in 2010.
Kirk Morrison/D’Qwell Jackson (RFA): Two more young, high-ceiling middle men who are on bad teams and may have a desire to leave. They will demand lower compensation than Ryans and Ruud. The Giants’ best chance to fill the MLB spot through free agency may be with one of these two.
Safety
O.J. Atogwe/Antoine Bethea/Roman Harper/Nick Collins/Dawan Landry/Melvin Bullitt (RFA): All young and extremely talented safeties that will come with big compensation price tags and whose teams will certainly want to retain their rights.
Darren Sharper/Jermaine Phillips/Will Allen (UFA): One great play-maker who is getting up there in the years (not to mention, he’s Eli Manning‘s bane, with four career INT’s against the Giants QB, three for touchdowns), and two solid safeties from Tampa Bay. One of Phillips and Allen will probably be available. And no, it’s not that Will Allen.
In addition to the help the Giants will get in the draft (they have historically gotten a lot out of the draft under Jerry Reese), they certainly have the opportunity to improve in this free agent market.
Bonus-Possible New York Giants First-Round Draft Picks (No. 15 Overall)
Ronaldo McClain, ILB, Alabama (ESPN NFL Draft Grade: 94)
Earl Thomas, S, Texas (ESPN NFL Draft Grade: 93)
Carlos Dunlap, DE, Florida (ESPN NFL Draft Grade: 93)
Brandon Graham, OLB, Michigan (ESPN NFL Draft Grade: 93)
Taylor Mays, S, USC (ESPN NFL Draft Grade: 92)
Read more NFL news on BleacherReport.com
After last week delving into the actual running back position and how that can be addressed, the time has come to look into the rest of the running game, from scheming to blocking, and how the team can look to improve the league’s second-worst running game for 2010.
The first step to this is understanding need. The team has evolved from its run-centric approach earlier in the decade. The Chargers are now built to put the ball in the air and take up large pieces of real estate as they do it.
This means the running game has two tasks. Complement that passing attack, and make good on what the passing game provides. The run game only needs fulfill these tasks, not be the team’s workhorse method any more.
Complementing the passing game entails putting enough yardage and being effective enough that the team can sell play action. It also is a complement to the passing game by giving the team the capacity to convert on third and a yard or two. The former should keep defenses from over-committing to coverage and pass rush; the latter opens up a whole new piece of playbook by adding viability to six- to eight-yard throws.
Making good on what the passing game provides is the other primary facet. This means that the run game can be effective enough to take advantage of defenders that will lose outside contain to the pass rush, and the extra space afforded by linebackers and safeties playing coverage.
The other element of taking what the passing game allows would be grinding the football. When a lead is taken in the second half, to have the capacity to eat clock and not force the team into still airing the ball out every time.
Unfortunately the team failed in most of these capacities last year. Tomlinson had five games with 60 or more yards, and one with more than 80. This system doesn’t require 100-yard rushers but should be netting roughly 70 yards a game.
This diminished run game especially showed itself in short yardage. Tomlinson ran for 12 touchdowns (with another four coming from other backs). However, the team was routinely stunted in short-yardage and goal-line situations.
When called upon to run out a lead, the team had some success. In a three-game stretch against the Eagles, Broncos, and Chiefs, the team put up some of its best rushing numbers of the year en route to holding leads.
Tomlinson’s 96 yards against the Eagles ranked 23 yards beyond his next closest game. That was followed by Mike Tolbert and Jacob Hester combining for 104 second-half yards against Denver to close out the game. Against Kansas City, the shared duty of Tolbert, Sproles, and Tomlinson helped seal a 43-14 victory.
Now that we know what the team should do and how the team did, it is time to look at what they can do to bring those to items much closer together.
Offensive Line
First in the approach is the offensive line. The team’s line proved remarkably able in pass defense. They allowed 26 sacks, despite a long-range passing game that required extra time and protection, as well as a quarterback not known for his mobility. They could not translate this into any form of push from the line of scrimmage, however.
The good news is that the team should be much improved even without much change next season. Keystone to the line is former Pro Bowl center Nick Hardwick. The team essentially spent the year without him, as he went down with a broken leg during the season opener and did not return until Week 16 against the Titans.
A full (or at least near-full) season from Hardwick will be a vast improvement over his primary replacement—adequate, but unspectacular Scott Mruczkowski—a solid backup but not one you would like taking double-digit starts.
Thirty pounds lighter and more mobile/athletic than his backup, Hardwick can be utilized to pull across the line, as well as get downfield on blocks far more effectively than the slower Mruczkowski.
Next to Hardwick should be another improvement in guard Louis Vasquez. The third-round rookie out of Texas Tech was slowed early by injury, but solidified his standing as a starter as the year went on. Another year developing under the system should improve his technique while the physical attributes are already there.
Assuming the team can reach an accord with mammoth 6’7’’ restricted free agent tackle Marcus McNeill, the team should also return two anchors to the line’s left side in McNeill and Kris Dielman.
Both started all 16 games during the year while keeping Rivers’ blind side safe. The two are strong, physical, and able to hold ground well. They just need to take those tall frames lower to gain more line-moving leverage against opposing lines.
The final piece of the offensive line puzzle is the weakest. Jeremy Clary is a restricted free agent and likely able to be re-signed at a bargain price. As a backup guard/tackle combination, he is a great versatile player able to help the team along several places in the line. As a starter, he is sub-par, however.
If the team is to improve its running game, replacing Clary as a starter will be key. It will not likely come from within. When Clary went down, the end-of-the-year starter was a backup guard playing out of position in Brandon Dombrowski.
Externally, they have a few options. Pursue a free agent, utilize an early draft pick, or try to find another mid-round option like Vasquez.
The rules of this year’s restricted-heavy free agency, paired with the price of elite tackles, and General Manager A.J. Smith’s history of limited activity in free agency makes this one a difficult task.
That said, the options available would be:
Part One: Restricted
The likelihood of an uncapped year means that many of the best options here are going to be restricted free agents. Veterans old enough not to be restricted, yet young enough to have a solid future are few and far between as teams secure them with long-term deals to keep them around.
Jared Gaither, Baltimore
Likely the biggest pipe-dream option. He is a tremendous blocker who is still young and developing. That said as a 24-year-old restricted free agent with an extra year of restricted status, Baltimore has many options to lock up Gaither and would be next-to-impossible to pry free.
Willie Colon, Pittsburgh
Hard to gauge, he is a definite upgrade from Clary, but can be inconsistent and is rarely a world beater. That said, there has been some debate in Pittsburgh over whether or not to try and replace him, which could make him an affordable option as a 27-year-old restricted free agent.
Donald Penn, Tampa Bay
Would have been unrestricted were it not for the collective bargaining agreement (or lack thereof). Tampa did a solid job running over tackle, and at 27, Penn is old enough to be developed but young enough to provide good upside. Penn would be expensive to pry free, but not the virtual impossibility of Gaither.
Jammal Brown/Jermon Bushrod, New Orleans
Brown was down on injured reserve for the Saints early and was replaced solidly by Bushrod. Both are restricted free agents and whichever player the Saints decide won’t be starting in 2010 shouldn’t be too difficult to pry out of New Orleans. Bushrod has a smaller price tag and is three years younger; Brown is more experienced (while still only 29) and has Pro Bowl experience. At this point the Saints could elect either route.
Penn and Gaither have the best upside and the worst price tags. Colon is pry-able, but his price may still outweigh his quality. The best option, should San Diego pursue a restricted free agent, would be to try and secure New Orleans’ second choice. Either would be an upgrade over Clary, are young enough to bank several years on, and should not be too difficult to acquire.
Unrestricted
The obvious upside to unrestricted free agents would be that the team can simply offer a contract and sign the player—nothing has to be given up. The downside would be that any team in the market will also be able to pursue these players, and the number of restricted free agents may inflate prices on unrestricted players, putting the market price far more than the quality of the player would warrant.
Mike Gandy, Arizona
The biggest luxury would be his unrestricted tag, allowing him to be signed without succumbing a draft pick (which would be at minimum a second for most starting quality tackles). He has good footwork and angles in run blocking, and would be affordable. The downside would be his age (31) and his capacity in pass defense. As a converted guard, he is mobile, but small and able to be beaten off the edge.
Cornell Green, Oakland
A very active run-blocking lineman. He can open holes and gets good burst off the line. Like Gandy, however, pass protection is something of a liability. He is also 33 and would be best as a player to buy time, while other needs are addressed in the draft rather than the final piece of a great young unit.
Levi Jones, Washington
At 30, he is fairly young for the unrestricted crop. He is a mobile, athletic lineman who has good footwork against the pass rush. While still light for a tackle at 307, he gets good leverage. The knock is he can occasionally take plays off or get lazy.
Tony Pashos, San Francisco
He is 29, yet still something of a raw player. His size and strength allows him to get great push off the line in run-blocking, and would be a definite boost to short yardage. The knock here is poor technique and footwork, as well as being slow out of his stance. This could make him a liability against speed rushers.
Barry Sims, San Francisco
With both unrestricted, San Francisco may let one go. At 35, he would likely be inexpensive. As a great pass blocker, he would maintain continuity there with good quickness and technique. He may be an upgrade, but a very mild one in the running game. He also can be prone to penalties and only buys a year or two.
Should San Diego elect this route, the best option would probably be Cornell Green. At 33, he’d be old enough to not demand high coin, but young enough to get at least two years before a noticeable decline, possibly more. Jones and Gandy could reap a weak market to oversized contracts while as far as Pashos, if the team needed to work on developing a guy they should go draft.
And that leads us to the draft. This is where AJ Smith would be most likely to address the line. Drafting 28th overall, the team will be at the mercy of who decides to go for tackles ahead of them. Russel Okung and Anthony Davis are pretty much locks to be snagged early; beyond that it gets tricky.
Brian Bulaga, Bruce Campbell, and Trent Williams are all fairly combine-centric. One of these players could drop far enough for San Diego to grab, all are considered mid-first round (10-25ish) material, and will spend their pre-draft jostling for position.
The obvious choice would be whichever of these five can drop to San Diego. Campbell is a blend of dominance and injury concern. He has been picked in mock drafts anywhere from barely top-10 to late 20s.
Brian Bulaga would be a great option but likely needs a rough combine to fall far enough for San Diego to have any chance. Trent Williams could fall because he doesn’t have the left-tackle potential the others do, which suits San Diego fine as they are secure with McNeill handling that side.
Should these five all go, it gets trickier. At present, the rest of the O-line crop appears second-round material at best. Should the Chargers elect to go after a different position in Round One, however, this could benefit the team. The question then becomes which second-round talent is available that far down?
Players like Charles Brown, Vladimir Ducasse, and Selvish Capers would probably require some trading up to acquire barring a bad combine, as both are upper second-round talents. Are they worth chancing with a late first however? Beyond that, the names spread thinner.
Ciron Black or Jason Fox could be the best options. Fox is an upper second-round talent who can drop because of some medical concerns, including an irregular heartbeat.
Black is a solid, if slightly undersized lineman who may end up shifting to guard eventually. If teams get concerned enough (paired with a few others rising in the draft), Fox or Black could slip into the third and be a great bargain.
With the plethora of options available, the two scenarios best serving likely would be either snagging a first-round dropper (Trent Williams) and if that does not play out, waiting out the second and grabbing one of the better third-round choices (Fox or Black).
Ultimately, from the free agent and draft possibilities, given AJ Smith’s history the most likely would be a third-round offensive tackle prospect.
How Else?
So Part One addressed the running back position, Part Two A the offensive line. With both cemented, how else can the team go about looking to fulfill needs within the running game?
Lead Blocking
The knee-jerk answer is a bowling-ball fullback who will put his head down and pound open holes in opposing lines. This is something useful but not probable. The attempts at a road-grader would be thwarted by:
1. Roster
Jacob Hester and Mike Tolbert are both already young fullbacks on roster. One is signed, the other is an exclusive rights free agent, meaning both should be Chargers in 2010.
2. Availability
There just aren’t that many anymore. In free agency, the best options at fullback don’t really center around big smash-mouth guys. Justin Griffith looks like Mike Tolbert with two to three years development, Tony Richardson and Lorenzo Neal are ancient, and Leonard Weaver is a restricted free agent (as well as a Pro Bowler, despite the Eagles short-yardage woes).
The draft may fare better, with solid blockers like Cory Jackson or Willie Rose likely still available in the seventh round. One would likely have to go undrafted for Smith to pursue, however, given his backing of the underwhelming Hester.
3. Need
Frankly the way the team plays and what it needs out of the running game does not require a big road-paver. They team needs to be able to add three to four carries a game for about 15 more yards a game to be where they want to be. That can be achieved without putting a roster spot into this position.
So that means at fullback the team is very unlikely to deviate from Tolbert and Hester. Where does the solution lie? The depth chart.
Tolbert is still not entirely refined as a blocker, but has the frame Hester lacks. At 5’9″ and 243 pounds if he can learn better technique, he can be a solid blocker. Hester is attempting to play the fullback position at 5’11″ and 225 pounds (in other words, virtually the same as mid-sized running back Ladainian Tomlinson). Hester needs at least eight to 10 pounds of muscle added to his frame to be an effective fullback.
Tolbert can also open up the running game with his versatility. In limited attempts, he proved a superior ball carrier to Hester, turning out nearly six yards per carry on 25 attempts. He proved a good receiving back as well, with nearly 200 yards on only 17 receptions while Hester managed fewer yards per catch than carry (2.4 to 3.5).
The capacity for increasing his workload adds one more dimension to what defenses would have to game-plan for. Fullback runs behind a healthy offensive line can be excellent short-yardage chain-movers, while his abilities as an outlet receiver would help against the pass rush.
Beyond the Roster
So a running back is signed/drafted and a right tackle brought on board. The team is more experienced and healthy up the middle of the line, and Tolbert has taken the helm at the fullback position. What now? The answer would lie in scheming the runs.
Some of this is tempered by what kind of new back and tackle are added, as size and strength of each play a big part. That said, a few basic looks can be considered to improve the overall result.
The team is built around a line that stands its ground well, but does not drive forward all that well. This means traditional holes straight up the middle are going to be fewer and smaller than a more agile line that is lightning off the ball can produce.
The exception would be Hardwick, who consequently becomes the X-factor. He is the only lineman with a zone-blocker’s body. This means that the guards should be counted upon to engage defensive tackles, while Hardwick handles the double-teaming duties, pushing open the middle by adding help against one tackle, while being free enough to disengage and take on linebackers as they try to fill gaps.
Against 3-4 defenses allow the guards to engage the lane-clogging nose tackle while Hardwick pulls down. Put the ball carrier off-tackle while the lineman turns his man inward, running behind the fullback and center.
The other system the team should look to would be inside-dive plays. As a pass-first team, the Chargers can put three wide with only one back and Gates at tight end. Defenses will naturally spread to engage the team’s multiple targets, and give less respect to the run.
With the handoff have the back prepared for the cutback while running just outside the play-side guard’s foot. If Vasquez shows good development, then his better mobility makes him the likely candidate.
Instead of easier-to-read delayed handoffs (which the team appeared to use far too often), this requires the back to dive towards his location as soon as the ball is snapped, taking the handoff as deep as Rivers can get it to him so as to provide maximum cutback opportunity.
In San Diego’s system, this type of quick play can provide effectiveness by getting the ball two to three yards before linebackers have the opportunity to react and plug the holes developed, and makes blitzers pay by over-pursuit.
It lacks the big-gain potential that a draw or other slow-developing run can sometimes yield, but with a bigger, slower line, it should punch out yardage before defenders can slip blocks and clog lanes. Should the team land the desired big running back, it can also force the opposing linebacker into isolation situations that sometimes the back can bulldoze through.
In two back sets, the team landing an athletic right tackle also opens up the capacity for off-tackle pitches. McNeill stunts the rush but is not the best at turning his man inward to cut off outside-contain. A tackle who isn’t 6’7″, 340 pounds on the other side should fare better at this, and allow Hardwick to engage oncoming linebackers while Tolbert’s modest lead block skills would only be required to chip Hardwick’s man and engage smaller defenders.
Again, the play would likely isolate the back, this time with a safety or faster (hopefully meaning smaller) linebackers streaking from the opposite side. Going for a bigger back, the advantage should hopefully turn again to the back.
The team’s strengths and weaknesses will be easier to read and adapt plans to once the team knows who its feature back and right tackle will be. Until that time, only general examples can be used, but the basic premise is to plan to the team’s assets and liabilities, and not ask players to execute within a less flexible system.
Nearly every time San Diego ran draws or delayed handoffs up the middle, a defender would have enough time to read the play, react, and stuff the attempt. The line was simply not mobile enough to open alternatives to the intended lane. Adapt and react, plan out cutbacks, and put the back a yard or two past scrimmage before the time to close anything presents.
It is a system built to what San Diego needs out of its running game. It won’t result in many big plays, it generally puts the back past any blocking help by the time he has gained four yards, but will be more capable of producing sustained, consistent yardage, as well as helping improve short yardage.
San Diego needs 80 yard 3.8-4.5 ypc days from its backs, not big plays, emphasize this and put the ball in a position for Rivers to finish the job. That job will be much easier to do when the team is facing 2nd-and-6 rather than 3rd-and-8, and should translate much better to the grittier playoff environment.
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In between my eyes and the world lies a filter—a kaleidoscope of resplendent gold—through which I saw no rain.
I’m not exactly sure who was wearing the golden glasses, me or Daniel Snyder, but being betrayed by the reality of the Washington Redskins is no easy way to wake from a fantasy.
From Nov. 8 to Dec. 13, the Redskins played better, a whiff of effort in an otherwise worthless season. Barely a month of hypnotic twirling under an auric sky is not enough to sate any fan or owner.
It was a temporary five-week injection of energy, not a vaccination from a desolate future.
The gilding had since flaked off and the last two games against the New York Giants and Dallas Cowboys were a grand display of abject failure, with the only remedy being total overhaul.
If the Washington Redskins were put up on eBay, the listing would read: Sold as-is, no refunds, no returns, possible use for spare parts.
The Redskins had my tinted vision convinced. I was unable to decipher reality from mirage.
When it finally looked like Sherman Lewis has established an offensive identity, the protection crumbled.
When it finally looked like my good friend Vinny Cerrato was vindicated with Mike Williams and Levi Jones, the offensive line allowed a combined eight sacks to the Giants and Cowboys.
When it finally looked like Jason Campbell had enough time in the pocket to display the breadth of his improvement, that window slammed shut too.
The last two weeks, on national television no less, the Redskins have put a terrible product on the field with an offense that closely resembles a Pop Warner team. Their offense has been blander than vanilla and more predictable than Orville Redenbacher.
The offense is so limited that for the season, Jason Campbell has targeted 77 percent of his passes to receivers within 10 yards of the line of scrimmage.
While the offense had its month under the golden kaleidoscope, the defense floundered, struggling to hold its weight opposite an improved offense.
The defense was torn apart in the first half against the Broncos before being saved by the carnage that was Chris Simms. They held the Cowboys to seven points, but failed to impose their will.
When the Cowboys committed to the run, they were successful. When they spread it out and threw the ball, they scored their lone touchdown and won the game.
The Eagles lit the Redskins up for more big plays, while the defense played well against the Saints and still allowed 33 points.
The Redskins and Raiders played an even game until JaMarcus Russell’s appearance in the second half. The table was set for Brian Orakpo to feast. He had four sacks in the game.
The Giants blew the Redskins up for 45 points while the Cowboys success was a bit more measured once again, but this time due to the Redskins freshly anemic offense.
Sunday’s game against Norv Turner and the San Diego Chargers is meaningless. It’s just the final landmark before the offseason: where hope can burgeon, the Redskins are champions, and victories are won on paper.
Exactly the way we like it, Dan and I.
Now where in the world did I leave that golden kaleidoscope?
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