Was the 4 IMP OL better?

[Tecno]

In the July 5 HAM game we started a 4 IMP OL for the first time in... probably ever?

Not much talk about it on the threads, which is a bit strange.  So talk about it here.

I'm not giving a "too early to tell" option, as many people would wimp out and take that option. 

Plus, there's really 2 questions here: better at run block, and/or better at pass pro.  And yet another question (future poll?) of whether we should continue with it, and our prediction of what Mafia will do.  But for now we'll keep it to one simple "yes/no" answer.

IMHO, I think it's obvious they were way better at run block.  Brady was able to steamroll to seal the game when he wasn't able to in the other games.  When teams wanted to stop him before, they did.  But in this game they couldn't.  That says something.

I saw a lot more creativity and trickier schemes.  Some real complex stuff going on, which is a bit odd when you just changed up your LG to a rookie!?  Why did they feel able to do crazy stuff with just 1 new IMP swapped in for 1 experienced NAT?

IMHO, pass pro was about the same as game 1 & 2.  I am convinced the Zach crush hit had nothing to do with the 5, but was Brady/Daniels fault, so back that out of the equation.  We can't just kneejerk say pass pro was worse because Zach got creamed.

[BomberFan73]

Too early to tell 

I'd give them a B as a whole, that last drive was a thing of beauty though.

I didn't pay much attention to that big new guy Maccuza, How'd he look?  I was away for most of lastweek, what was Wallace hurt or did they make him sit? 

[Waffler]

I am gonna say that last drive when we ran down their throats convinced me. Keep it as is.

[The Zipp]

the super slim playbook grounded in the basics may have helped - Zach did get creamed behind this line though...prob a bit too early to make any sort of accurate assessment (sometimes the truth is wimpy)

[Jesse]

It's really impossible to tell. I'd say they didn't really perform that well until the 4th quarter run blocking on that single drive.

But this is also the third different OL configuration in the last 3 games, so better than what? It's been inconsistent from game to game.

[Pete]

I did think there was less pressure from the interior , while tackles seemed to give up too much esp Bryant. It is stronger overall and with a healthy wallace backing up could be doable
 The question is would the benefit outway not having Ayers or another lb, or even a quality reciever

[TBURGESS]

Collaros' hit says nope. 

[markf]

I am gonna say that last drive when we ran down their throats convinced me. Keep it as is.

That was reminiscent of the good old days when Willard reeves and friends would pound it down the field and could not be stopped.

I don't think any of our O lines over the last few years have been able to do that.

So great.



Keep it.

[theaardvark]

Was that the largest Oline we've fielded?

1641 pounds of beef on the line, Skinny Stan was the lightest at 314...

[Blue In BC]

I guess we'll see what we do with Wallace this week. If we take off an import OL, then who do we add back on the AR?

[dd]

It's tough to say the O line played better when your starting Qb was knocked out of the game. With the 3 IMP O line games he played this year, he stayed healthy, so I'd say no it wasn't better ,

[Blueforlife]

Too early to know, showed flashes, as I predicted this line needs time to gel and find its ideal grouping, some roasted me for saying that but its become evident partially due to injury and players needed to be away for personal reasons.  We got a decent line once it settles in.  At half way point if healthy will be aok.

Good poll, gets us talking about the most important group on the club! Thanks bud.  I didn't think of this one.

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

I'm a big Wallace fan, he's only in his second year starting, if I'm the GM I'd give him every opportunity to grow as he's the most valuable long-term asset on the O-line. He already lives in Wpg. year round and could become a Bomber for life if handled well, wouldn't want to see him seek opportunity elsewhere if his assets are not appreciated, as the Als did with Walby.

[Jesse]

I'm a big Wallace fan, he's only in his second year starting, if I'm the GM I'd give him every opportunity to grow as he's the most valuable long-term asset on the O-line. He already lives in Wpg. year round and could become a Bomber for life if handled well, wouldn't want to see him seek opportunity elsewhere if his assets are not appreciated, as the Als did with Walby.

Doug Brown didn't have kind things to say about Wallace in the pregame show. Thought this was a benching not an injury.

[Sir Blue and Gold]

Doug Brown didn't have kind things to say about Wallace in the pregame show. Thought this was a benching not an injury.

But he's huge and Canadian will only get you so far for so long.

I'll go on record as saying it was better. It just looked better. Good example: The first play pick that Zach threw was blitz. Zach read it and threw the relief but it had been picked up perfectly. Had he trusted it he might have had a big play instead of a big interception. Offensive line play is so important and even though it wasn't perfect against Hamilton it was largely better... but better outcomes take everyone or the results won't actually be any better.