Quote:If I can cut in here...

 

For a line group to be proficient at picking up stunts, it usually comes down to communication. If a line blocks well, but can't pick up games it's that there's confusion as to who "gets" whom. They can block, they just don't know who to block. 

 

Essentially I agree with you in that it will take time, but I don't know that talent is necessary.

 

 

Quote:I say talent because if a lineman is surprised by a stunt, he usually would have taken a false step/step in the wrong direction-just enough to get him in poor position.  A more talented OL will have the feet to recover.

I think it is a combination of a few different things. I would say that both of  you are correct. IMO it appears to be both communication and talent/technique. I just finished the Jags v. Bills game and again noticed times when line stunts gave the guys problems. The Bills run a four man front with Rex Ryan's exotic blitzes added in. I will give an example of where I feel lack of talent/technique was the problem. The Bills ran Tackle End stunt where the defensive tackle crosses the guards face looking to occupy both the guard and tackle so the defensive end can loop behind him and sack the QB. On this play Zane Beadles was overwhelmed by the defensive tackle and allowed the DT to collapse his punch and was essentially catching the dlineman. Because this happens he is not able to keep the DT away from him and the DT collapses Beadles into Joeckel and occupys both Joeckel/Beadles. Beadles therefor does not see the looping DE and has no chance to pick him up and Joeckel basically catches the DT who is overpowering Beadles as well. 

 

This is  a case where Beadles can't handle his guy which prevents him from smoothly passing a stunting lineman off to Joeckel and picking up the looping end. This seems like it is both communication and lack of talent/technique on the part of Beadles. However I feel that even if the communication is there, because Beadles is getting whooped communication won't do much because he just can't keep his assignment at bay.

 

On a side note regarding AJ Cann. It seemed like a light went on between week 6 and 7 because in the Bills game he was getting much better push in the run game. Prior to this game his feel would stop on contact during the run game but in week 7 it looked like his feet kept pumping and he got much better in the run game. He also did a very good job all game against Marcel Dareus in both the run and passing game.

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