A team’s offense is only as good as its offensive line. These unsung heroes of the gridiron are responsible for clearing the way for running backs, protecting quarterbacks and setting up highly complex scoring plays.
I think that the three top lines are:
San Diego Chargers: The San Diego running backs averaged 5.38 YPC, which was the highest in the NFL. They allowed only 28 sacks all season, the ninth least in the league, at a rate of 4.8% per pass attempt. That 4.8% tied them for seventh. The Chargers were “stuffed� the least—stopped with a zero or negative gain on first down—only 19% of the time. Their “power success rating—“ based on when they earned a first down with two yards or less to go on a second or third down—was fourth at 73%.
There’s some good talent on this line, with rookie left tackle Marcus McNeill doing a great job in keeping pass rushers away from QB Philip Rivers. Right guard Mike Goff is a 10-year veteran who is tough and dependable.
Indianapolis Colts: The Super Bowl Champs did a great job of protecting Peyton Manning last season. They gave up 15 sacks, the fewest in the NFL at a rate of 3.3%, which was second in the league. One of the reasons for the Colts’ success on the ground after Edgerrin James went to the Cardinals had to do with their line. Colt RB’s were fifth in yards per carry with 4.13. At 22%, the club’s stuffed ranking was a credible eighth. Their weakness was in power success, which was 60%, ranking them 22nd.
Left tackle Tarik Glenn is an 11-year, extremely reliable veteran who has never missed a start. Surrounding him are a bunch of athletic, knowledgeable linemen who are versatile that can play more than one position. It’s a real team effort with these guys.
New York Giants: This may surprise some folks, but the fact is that the Giants managed to play some pretty impressive ball up front, especially in terms of their running attack. With an average of 4.99 RB yards per carry, the team was third in this ranking. Their power ranking was sixth at 71% and the team’s sack rate of 4.8% earned them an overall ranking of seventh for sacks allowed (25 in all). But the club and line did not do well in important short yardage situations, with their “stuffed ranking� being at 23 with a 25% success rate.
Are these guys a dark horse? According to some analysts, they are not in the top tier but the middle of the ladder. They possess size and are very athletic. Sixth-year left tackle David Diehl is big—6-foot, 5-inches and 319-pounds—and uses his bulk and big arms well when protecting Eli Manning. Left guard Rich Seubert, who has been hampered the last few seasons by a fracture he sustained in 2003, enters his eighth pro-season finally healthy once again. The right side and center of the line brings steady experience and intelligence. This season this unit will come together and bolster the Giants’ chances at going deep into the post-season.
There are some other fine O-lines for 2007 but those are my top picks. Think I’m off base? If an offensive line can make a big difference, these squads have the best chance to do so.
Technorati Tags: San Diego Chargers, Indianapolis Colts, New York Giants, Marcus McNeill, Tarik Glenn, David Diehl, NFL
