When you can’t run the ball, it’s hard to pass.

Jordan de Lugo's last line in that tweet was that the "Jags have a good pass protecting OL."  Based on this board's opinion, that couldn't be any less true. 

This is why I'm such a skeptic of PFF's graphs.

They had a pretty good situation at left tackle and right guard. They had an injured rookie at right tackle all year who had ups and downs. They had 4 different left guards, the best of whom was acquired at the trade deadline after he'd missed 5 weeks with a foot injury and he played like it. They had a terrible center all year. The run blocking though, they were just terrible there as a unit. So, yeah, they have pieces but the group as a whole was pretty much the worst in the league.

---

“An empty vessel makes the loudest sound, so they that have the least wit are the greatest babblers.”. - Plato

The last 2 years a team with the lead in the division lost 6 or 7 games to close the season. The Titans lost what 6 in a row or something in 2022? Then we tanked the last 7 games in 2023. Both teams had in common offensive line woes contributing to these slumps. The offensive line needs reps together more than any other position group. I hope first that no one gets suspended for 6 games. Second, I hope we don't practice with a cheap shot team this year like the Lions were last year. Lastly my hope is our center can hold up as once the center of the line is breached it is over for any protection scheme. (akin to the dam bursting) If these things happen our run blocking should at least marginally improve.

---

A new broom always sweeps clean.

The last 2 years a team with the lead in the division lost 6 or 7 games to close the season. The Titans lost what 6 in a row or something in 2022? Then we tanked the last 7 games in 2023.  Both teams had in common offensive line woes contributing to these slumps.  The offensive line needs reps together more than any other position group. I hope first that no one gets suspended for 6 games. Second, I hope we don't practice with a cheap shot team this year like the Lions were last year. Lastly my hope is our center can hold up as once the center of the line is breached it is over for any protection scheme. (akin to the dam bursting) If these things happen our run blocking should at least marginally improve.

The lions should of gone alot further last year
They had what, 3 chances to score and they went for the TF x3 in a row instead of kicking the fg after the failed first 2 attempts  in the playoffs

---

The last 2 years a team with the lead in the division lost 6 or 7 games to close the season. The Titans lost what 6 in a row or something in 2022? Then we tanked the last 7 games in 2023.  Both teams had in common offensive line woes contributing to these slumps.  The offensive line needs reps together more than any other position group. I hope first that no one gets suspended for 6 games. Second, I hope we don't practice with a cheap shot team this year like the Lions were last year. Lastly my hope is our center can hold up as once the center of the line is breached it is over for any protection scheme. (akin to the dam bursting) If these things happen our run blocking should at least marginally improve.

The lions should of gone alot further last year
They had what, 3 chances to score and they went for the TF x3 in a row instead of kicking the fg after the failed first 2 attempts  in the playoffs

I think he's referring to their cheap shot moves during the joint training camp practices.

---

“An empty vessel makes the loudest sound, so they that have the least wit are the greatest babblers.”. - Plato

Jordan de Lugo's last line in that tweet was that the "Jags have a good pass protecting OL."  Based on this board's opinion, that couldn't be any less true. 

This is why I'm such a skeptic of PFF's graphs.

They had a pretty good situation at left tackle and right guard. They had an injured rookie at right tackle all year who had ups and downs. They had 4 different left guards, the best of whom was acquired at the trade deadline after he'd missed 5 weeks with a foot injury and he played like it. They had a terrible center all year. The run blocking though, they were just terrible there as a unit. So, yeah, they have pieces but the group as a whole was pretty much the worst in the league.

I think a lot of people don't understand that working together as a cohesive unit is incredibly important when it comes to run blocking. Pass blocking is a helluva lot more about one on one technique rather than I'm gonna maul you in a particular direction

---

They had a pretty good situation at left tackle and right guard. They had an injured rookie at right tackle all year who had ups and downs. They had 4 different left guards, the best of whom was acquired at the trade deadline after he'd missed 5 weeks with a foot injury and he played like it. They had a terrible center all year. The run blocking though, they were just terrible there as a unit. So, yeah, they have pieces but the group as a whole was pretty much the worst in the league.

I think a lot of people don't understand that working together as a cohesive unit is incredibly important when it comes to run blocking. Pass blocking is a helluva lot more about one on one technique rather than I'm gonna maul you in a particular direction

It's mental as well. Pass protection is more about understanding gap assignment and keeping your head on a swivel to understand that you can pancake or handle your first assignment while digging your head out of your [BLEEP] to help a brother out alongside you.

Run blocking should be easier, the play is either flowing right, flowing left or going right up the middle. That's all weight training, size and leverage there. You can either move somebody or you can't. This line simply can't do it until they prove otherwise. Comes down to sheer will. You have to impose your will on your opponent.

I loved this as a kid when I saw it. You can skip to the 35 mark. It's Russ Grimm in 1982 in the NFC Title game against Dallas telling Gibbs and Theismann, "50 GUT", let's try this play, why not we try this play? Russ Grimm, "No, 50 GUT". Russ wanted to make a statement and bury that [BLEEP] team. I love that. Always stuck with me. That's what you need to get it done. Grit, toughness, determination, WILL.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ObbtiM7Ylg

---

"What do I know of cultured ways, the gilt, the craft and the lie? I, who was born in a naked land and bred in the open sky. The subtle tongue, the sophist guile, they fail when the broadswords sing; Rush in and die, dogs - I was a man before I was a king."

https://twitter.com/PFF/status/1799486551031939106

---

Sharp has this group projected at 23rd for the 2024 season. Probably about right in my opinion. It's still a below average group until they prove otherwise.

https://x.com/SharpFootball/status/18063...ekaBw&s=19

Sent from my SM-S906U using Tapatalk

---

"What do I know of cultured ways, the gilt, the craft and the lie? I, who was born in a naked land and bred in the open sky. The subtle tongue, the sophist guile, they fail when the broadswords sing; Rush in and die, dogs - I was a man before I was a king."

Sharp has this group projected at 23rd for the 2024 season. Probably about right in my opinion. It's still a below average group until they prove otherwise.

https://x.com/SharpFootball/status/18063...ekaBw&s=19

Sent from my SM-S906U using Tapatalk

Can't argue at all with that based on past performance. For the optimists view, they could end up as high as 10th if the following happens:

1.Mitch Morse proves to be a major upgrade and top 15 center.

2.Anton Harrison takes his play to another level due to overcoming his shoulder problems.

3. Scherff and Cleveland remain healthy enabling Cleveland to play up to the level when he was at Minnesota. The expectations for Scherff are not as high due to the regression he has shown the past 2 seasons, but he will perform well enough to not be a liability.

4. Robinson also remains healthy and performs like a top 15 left tackle or Walker Little has an amazing training camp and becomes the player they expected when selecting him in the 2nd round. This leads to a trade with a potential contending team in desperate need of a left tackle and willing to part with a 3rd round pick and take on Robinson's high cap figure (I don't expect this to happen, but this would be the best case scenario- in my opinion).

5. At least 2 reserves are improved enough to satisfactorily fill in due to the high chance 1 or 2 starters miss time due to injury. I have no idea who this would be but potential candidates would be Cooper Hodges, Blake Hance or rookie Javon Foster.


Admittedly, this is a lot to ask for. However, stranger things have happened and the key will be for the starters to quickly get into sync with each other making the whole greater than the sum of its parts.

---

Sharp has this group projected at 23rd for the 2024 season. Probably about right in my opinion. It's still a below average group until they prove otherwise.

https://x.com/SharpFootball/status/18063...ekaBw&s=19

Sent from my SM-S906U using Tapatalk

Can't argue at all with that based on past performance. For the optimists view, they could end up as high as 10th if the following happens:

1.Mitch Morse proves to be a major upgrade and top 15 center.

2.Anton Harrison takes his play to another level due to overcoming his shoulder problems.

3. Scherff and Cleveland remain healthy enabling Cleveland to play up to the level when he was at Minnesota. The expectations for Scherff are not as high due to the regression he has shown the past 2 seasons, but he will perform well enough to not be a liability.

4. Robinson also remains healthy and performs like a top 15 left tackle or Walker Little has an amazing training camp and becomes the player they expected when selecting him in the 2nd round. This leads to a trade with a potential contending team in desperate need of a left tackle and willing to part with a 3rd round pick and take on Robinson's high cap figure (I don't expect this to happen, but this would be the best case scenario- in my opinion).

5. At least 2 reserves are improved enough to satisfactorily fill in due to the high chance 1 or 2 starters miss time due to injury. I have no idea who this would be but potential candidates would be Cooper Hodges, Blake Hance or rookie Javon Foster.


Admittedly, this is a lot to ask for. However, stranger things have happened and the key will be for the starters to quickly get into sync with each other making the whole greater than the sum of its parts.

I think they'll be better in 2024. Robinson with the suspension not over his head. Cleveland back at full health. Harrison back with his shoulder issue repaired. Morse in the middle. Scherff not having to babysit a deer in the headlights anymore. I think we'll see a better push up front.

Reserve wise. I think it'll be Javon Foster, Walker Little, Luke Fortner and Cooper Hodges that ultimately standout the most. Foster is a swing tackle. Little is a swing tackle. Hodges is getting work in at Guard and Center. Fortner has experience at Guard from Kentucky and experience at Center. 

I actually think our depth chart is better in 2024 than it's been over the past three years with this group now. I would just plan on, at some point, one to two of these guys getting a few starts because of Robinson's injury history and Scherff's injury history. 

Little really needs to show out this summer with his contract situation pending and Hodges really has nothing to lose as a 7th RD pick. Any opportunity he gets he should be maximizing the hell out of it.

---

"What do I know of cultured ways, the gilt, the craft and the lie? I, who was born in a naked land and bred in the open sky. The subtle tongue, the sophist guile, they fail when the broadswords sing; Rush in and die, dogs - I was a man before I was a king."

Pff has our G pair 9th. I like our tackle trio better than our G duo. Scherrff is good in pass pro but gets no push in the run game. Ezra is a big ? imo

---

Pff has our G pair 9th.  I like our tackle trio better than our G duo.  Scherrff is good in pass pro but gets no push in the run game.  Ezra is a big ? imo

I find that to be really generous. I also like our tackle duo more on this roster. Robinson adds a nastiness to the line when healthy and Harrison played admirably for a rookie last year with a bad shoulder. 

Cleveland and Scherff I guess will get the benefit of the doubt in 2024, if they shine? It will be because Morse actually knows how to hold down the Center position and doesn't require babysitting the way Fortner did for the past three years. 

I still hope that Hodges develops into a solid G/C back-up with the aim of replacing Scherff in 2025. I am also hoping that Fortner is somewhat savable and can offer help at G/C as well.

---

"What do I know of cultured ways, the gilt, the craft and the lie? I, who was born in a naked land and bred in the open sky. The subtle tongue, the sophist guile, they fail when the broadswords sing; Rush in and die, dogs - I was a man before I was a king."

Pff has our G pair 9th.  I like our tackle trio better than our G duo.  Scherrff is good in pass pro but gets no push in the run game.  Ezra is a big ? imo

I find that to be really generous. I also like our tackle duo more on this roster. Robinson adds a nastiness to the line when healthy and Harrison played admirably for a rookie last year with a bad shoulder. 

Cleveland and Scherff I guess will get the benefit of the doubt in 2024, if they shine? It will be because Morse actually knows how to hold down the Center position and doesn't require babysitting the way Fortner did for the past three years. 

I still hope that Hodges develops into a solid G/C back-up with the aim of replacing Scherff in 2025. I am also hoping that Fortner is somewhat savable and can offer help at G/C as well.

If this line can be minimally competent this year, that would be a huge improvement. Then next year, take a first round guard to replace Scherff. Just spend a first or second day pick every year to get to a consistently good O Line.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

---

Fix the O-Line!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kuW4c5F0bTs


https://twitter.com/JVillainsPod/status/...5062947154

---

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kuW4c5F0bTs


https://twitter.com/JVillainsPod/status/...5062947154

That 18 minute break down of several plays from the 2nd tinhorn game last year is well worth anyone's time to watch.  Thanks for posting.

---

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kuW4c5F0bTs


https://twitter.com/JVillainsPod/status/...5062947154

That 18 minute break down of several plays from the 2nd tinhorn game last year is well worth anyone's time to watch.  Thanks for posting.

Yeah, those guys are on point breaking down the OL mistakes.

---

As we are a few weeks away from training camp and 10 weeks from meaningful NFL football, I figured I'd log a status report on the current line from my personal perspective.

Here are the anticipated starters and those who might challenge them or back them up:

Cam Robinson: Anticipated LT day one - A full offseason working with the core group that includes a probable upgrade at LG and C should help insure he is a middle of the pack LT who will (as always) get beat by speed rushers at times due to slow feet.
Level of concern 1-10: 4 - if he stays healthy and plays solid-to-good  - we should be OK there

Ezra Cleveland: Arrived in Jax last year midseason having been considered a top 15 guard in the league but entered a [BLEEP] show of dysfunction on a patch work line here and did so while playing through an injury plus sustained another injury along the way.  Will he return to the level of play he displayed in Minnesota? Probably.
Level of Concern: 4 - hope he stays healthy - will get offszn reps in this system with better players surrounding him - should be OK

Center: Morse -  Signed a clear upgrade who has been dependable elsewhere. Folks talk about concussions but he has missed very little playing time as a result. This was our biggest need entering the offseason and we should be better.
Level of Concern: 2 - just hope the next concussion isn't the one that finally makes him miss significant time

RG: Sherff - He's a Wiley vet that has lost some push in the run game but still protects well. Having a real Center next to him should help. He also won't be tending to a rookie on the other side this year. That may help as well.
Level of Concern: 4 - I worry about the run game issues last year and hope this guy doesn't make it too difficult to fix the short yardage ineptitude

RT : Anton Harrison - Stud RT entering sophomore season with some positive momentum. Least of my concerns. 
Concern: 0

---

Depth/Competition:

Walker Little - He bounced around last year filling holes - but he struggled too much everywhere he played for my comfort level. This is an important offseason for him to prove something. I have little confidence in him at this point.
I don't think they should continue trying him inside but focus him on learning all the protections at Tackle more fluidly. 

Cooper Hodges - Lots of positive reports of his recovery and looking good in drills w/o pads - we'll see where he ends up come September. Fingers crossed the hype for a 7th rounder is not misplaced. (college tackle expected to be a guard at this level - could backup Scherff) 

Javon Foster - promising rookie tackle who fell a bit in the draft. His college coach says he can definitely play guard as well. Haven't seen that opinion from our staff yet, but worth watching. His roster spot is virtually guaranteed due to draft position unless he really misfires in July and August. 

Tyler Shatley - C/G - Best case scenario is that he's a vet camp body who doesn't make the cut. His play at LG in 2022 was really bad. 

Fortner - Best case scenario is that being demoted makes him work his [BLEEP] off to be a better backup at Center than any of us anticipate given his poor play in 22/23. 

---

Overall - I'm confident this line will clear the way for at least a functional run game even if the blocking is far from elite.
Last season they were the worst run blocking unit in the league, so... the bar is low. 

In protection - I expect a mid-tier performance if they stay mostly healthy - which would be a marked improvement.

---

As we are a few weeks away from training camp and 10 weeks from meaningful NFL football, I figured I'd log a status report on the current line from my personal perspective.

Here are the anticipated starters and those who might challenge them or back them up:

Cam Robinson: Anticipated LT day one - A full offseason working with the core group that includes a probable upgrade at LG and C should help insure he is a middle of the pack LT who will (as always) get beat by speed rushers at times due to slow feet.
Level of concern 1-10: 4 - if he stays healthy and plays solid-to-good  - we should be OK there

Ezra Cleveland: Arrived in Jax last year midseason having been considered a top 15 guard in the league but entered a [BLEEP] show of dysfunction on a patch work line here and did so while playing through an injury plus sustained another injury along the way.  Will he return to the level of play he displayed in Minnesota? Probably.
Level of Concern: 4 - hope he stays healthy - will get offszn reps in this system with better players surrounding him - should be OK

Center: Morse -  Signed a clear upgrade who has been dependable elsewhere. Folks talk about concussions but he has missed very little playing time as a result. This was our biggest need entering the offseason and we should be better.
Level of Concern: 2 - just hope the next concussion isn't the one that finally makes him miss significant time

RG: Sherff - He's a Wiley vet that has lost some push in the run game but still protects well. Having a real Center next to him should help. He also won't be tending to a rookie on the other side this year. That may help as well.
Level of Concern: 4 - I worry about the run game issues last year and hope this guy doesn't make it too difficult to fix the short yardage ineptitude

RT : Anton Harrison - Stud RT entering sophomore season with some positive momentum. Least of my concerns. 
Concern: 0

---

Depth/Competition:

Walker Little - He bounced around last year filling holes - but he struggled too much everywhere he played for my comfort level. This is an important offseason for him to prove something. I have little confidence in him at this point.
I don't think they should continue trying him inside but focus him on learning all the protections at Tackle more fluidly. 

Cooper Hodges - Lots of positive reports of his recovery and looking good in drills w/o pads - we'll see where he ends up come September. Fingers crossed the hype for a 7th rounder is not misplaced. (college tackle expected to be a guard at this level - could backup Scherff) 

Javon Foster - promising rookie tackle who fell a bit in the draft. His college coach says he can definitely play guard as well. Haven't seen that opinion from our staff yet, but worth watching. His roster spot is virtually guaranteed due to draft position unless he really misfires in July and August. 

Tyler Shatley - C/G - Best case scenario is that he's a vet camp body who doesn't make the cut. His play at LG in 2022 was really bad. 

Fortner - Best case scenario is that being demoted makes him work his [BLEEP] off to be a better backup at Center than any of us anticipate given his poor play in 22/23. 

---

Overall - I'm confident this line will clear the way for at least a functional run game even if the blocking is far from elite.
Last season they were the worst run blocking unit in the league, so... the bar is low. 

In protection - I expect a mid-tier performance if they stay mostly healthy - which would be a marked improvement.

I believe it all boils down to can the sum of the parts produce a top 16 line or better.  The middle of the line has to be improved as last year it was a free pass to the backfield. We will not know till the bullets begin firing unfortunately.

---

A new broom always sweeps clean.

RG should be a lot higher than a 4, 6 minimum. He was too old, slow, and weak last year. How do you think he will be able to pull after another year when he couldn't do it last year? How is he going to run block in short yardage? They need to have someone ready to take reps from him every game and start to replace him if needed.

Sent from my SM-T970 using Tapatalk

---

I am so much less concerned about the o-line now that Trevor's contract is extended.
Before I felt like this was our one year to get the man the protection he deserves. Now I know we have a few more years to keep trying new players if the ones we have don't work.
Barring injury, the 2024 group will definitely do better than the 2023 group did.
Regardless they should have drafted a center or guard with one of their 2023 or 2024 picks. They really need to address the position in 2025.

---

My fellow southpaw Mark Brunell will probably always be my favorite Jaguar.