Quick thoughts on Colts-Raiders

[rm1369]

Originally Posted by FatDT

It still sounds absurd to me. When I think Colts OL I still think Satele, McGlynn, Olsen, Cherilus, Thornton, Shipley, etc.

Credit to Ballard for (finally) bringing in players that can do it. But also credit to Reich, Sirianni, and OL coach Dave DeGuglielmo. He said early on that the OL weren't confident, were down on themselves, they still had loser stink on them. That seems gone, especially with Castonzo back and playing well on the left side.

I can’t really comment much on individual technique, but play design and the overall offensive concepts have certainly helped the OL tremendously. With the last regime they had the worst of both worlds - lack of talent and schemes that didn’t compensate or acknowledge that weakness. Addressing one without the other would have improved the situation, but addressing both has turned a weakness into a strength. Good to see the GM and coach appear to be on the same page.

[Oldcolt]

Whatever we spent to develop this line was more than worth it. Thing is teams with offensive lines that can do this (I understand it was against two lousy teams, but we have played plenty of lousy teams the past 10 year and never have we run over them like we are now) win in January. It's beyond incredible to watch us no longer be a finesse team. I never thought I'd live to see this. Love it.

[1965southpaw]

Originally Posted by rm1369

I can’t really comment much on individual technique, but play design and the overall offensive concepts have certainly helped the OL tremendously. With the last regime they had the worst of both worlds - lack of talent and schemes that didn’t compensate or acknowledge that weakness. Addressing one without the other would have improved the situation, but addressing both has turned a weakness into a strength. Good to see the GM and coach appear to be on the same page.

Yes, agree x 1000....I didn't see the post game presser but heard that Gruden said the colts oline were "imposing their will on us".

[omahacolt]

Originally Posted by Chaka

Excellent analysis GBB, thank you. The above comment struck me as particularly notable. Would anyone have imagined that people would be saying “anyone can succeed with this OL” even a year ago? The transformation of the OL is just staggering.

And partly accidental considering the right side

[FatDT]

Originally Posted by omahacolt

And partly accidental considering the right side

Yeah I've thought about that. Everyone's going on about how Ballard fixed the OL. Reich figured out the OL. Etc. I've said it too. But the intended RG and RT were Slauson and Good, right? It would've been better if they'd figured out the best combo in camp. But whatever, it's working now and it's fun to watch.

[rm1369]

Originally Posted by FatDT

Yeah I've thought about that. Everyone's going on about how Ballard fixed the OL. Reich figured out the OL. Etc. I've said it too. But the intended RG and RT were Slauson and Good, right? It would've been better if they'd figured out the best combo in camp. But whatever, it's working now and it's fun to watch.

I’d agree, but considering the injuries it’s hard to knock them. To me it actually makes it more impressive.

[Chaka]

Originally Posted by omahacolt

And partly accidental considering the right side

I’ll only agree with you to a limited extent on this statement. There’s no denying that Ballard selected Smith and signed Glowinski, so there’s no accident there. Someone posted a quote a few days ago, however, that he feels he got “lucky” with regard to Smith because he didn’t really view him as RT. So you’re right to this extent.

On this last point, did anything during the Raiders game change your view at all that Good or Clark would be a better fit at RT?

[omahacolt]

Originally Posted by Chaka

I’ll only agree with you to a limited extent on this statement. There’s no denying that Ballard selected Smith and signed Glowinski, so there’s no accident there. Someone posted a quote a few days ago, however, that he feels he got “lucky” with regard to Smith because he didn’t really view him as RT. So you’re right to this extent.

On this last point, did anything during the Raiders game change your view at all that Good or Clark would be a better fit at RT?

Smith struggled early but bounced back. Glowinski has been fantastic. The way Clark played at LT makes me wonder but it doesn’t matter now. We have no way of knowing what a right side of smith and Clark or Good would look like. The results are just fine.

And yes accidental because nobody thought glowinski would play this well and smith didn’t really look comfortable to me at rt in preseason. Nothing wrong with lucking into players.

[JAFF]

Originally Posted by omahacolt

Smith struggled early but bounced back. Glowinski has been fantastic. The way Clark played at LT makes me wonder but it doesn’t matter now. We have no way of knowing what a right side of smith and Clark or Good would look like. The results are just fine.

And yes accidental because nobody thought glowinski would play this well and smith didn’t really look comfortable to me at rt in preseason. Nothing wrong with lucking into players.

Good line coaching

[Chaka]

Originally Posted by GoBigBlue88

4. Dontrelle Inman will be overshadowed by the TEs today, but he had a monster hands day. The TD "drop" was asking a bit much of him. Dude caught some LASERS today.

By the way, it occurs to me that Ballard has been very effective obtaining street free agents that can be significant contributors to this team – Glowinski, Mitchell and now (potentially) Inman come immediately to mind.