I agree and the center position is crucial...any time the teams starting center is out DO NOT bet on that team...teams usually have either a great run blocking O-Line or a great pass blocking O-Line, it really is built on the teams strengths,,,,
The Ravens for example when they had a great O Line, were a tremendous run blocking O Line but were just average or slightly above pass protecting and that became their big problem once that line started getting older, they simply could not pass protect at all the past couple years, even LT Jonathan Ogden had a lot of trouble againt the smaller pass rushers who ate him alive out there at right end. .
the Steelers have traditionally had great offensive lines, the Dallas teams of the 90's were incredible , Miami and Oakland in the 70's and also New England .
The Ravens for example when they had a great O Line, were a tremendous run blocking O Line but were just average or slightly above pass protecting and that became their big problem once that line started getting older, they simply could not pass protect at all the past couple years, even LT Jonathan Ogden had a lot of trouble againt the smaller pass rushers who ate him alive out there at right end. .
the Steelers have traditionally had great offensive lines, the Dallas teams of the 90's were incredible , Miami and Oakland in the 70's and also New England .
Games are won and lost in the trenches, just look at the early 90's Cowboys teams (and the Super Bowls vs the Bills) and how strong they were there. Aikman, Emmett, and Irvin were all fine players, but no better than Jim Kelly, Thurman, and Andre Reed,
Notice who dominated those Super Bowl's though, It was because of the Dallas O-Line and Front Seven,
Notice who dominated those Super Bowl's though, It was because of the Dallas O-Line and Front Seven,
Certainly over the Years the O-line was the Punters secret weapon, however that was when Teams were generally more solid at all positions. the lack of depth at the Secondary positions means One or Two Injuries is critical as Teams expliot the weakness. Shoring up the secondary with extra D'backs means the opposing O-Lines have less to deal with, so to me its the Secondary that is now the most Important Position. :drink:
