FanPost

O-line So Important in the NFL


The O-line is probably the least important unit on a football team in the eyes of a casual football fan (yes Dan Snyder falls into this category). The casual football fan wants to see the fancy 6'4" WR with 4.2 forty speed, or the 230 LB running back who can change direction without losing any speed, or the QB who can throw the ball 75 yards from his knees. The fact of the matter is that none of those guys even have a chance to exhibit those skills if their offensive line does not perform. A casual fan would say why on earth don't we throw the deep ball more often? However, the educated fan knows that you can't throw a deep ball if the offensive line can't provide the QB with the time needed to throw the deep ball. The casual fan would say why don't we run the ball more often so we can set up the pass? While the educated fan would say you can't run more often because the o-line sucks and we are lucky to get 2 yards per run. And if you can't run successfully, well it doesn't really set up the pass. Here is where the Redskins find themselves, with one of the two worst O-lines in the NFL, and a fanbase and owner clammering for more creative playcalling, a new head coach, and even a new QB, and most recently a new RB. Come on now guys, does any TRUE NFL fan believe this team could win with a better QB, a better RB, or better WRs, or even better playcalling? The answer is a resounding NO!! You can't win consistently in the NFL without a strong offensive line. Examples of consistent winners with great lines are the Redskins of the 80s-90s, the Cowboys of the 90s, the current Eagles, the current Giants, current Patriots etc. Andy Reid and the Eagles probably draft more Offensive Linemen than any other team in the league. And, well I think his record over the past 5-10 years speaks for itself. Until we begin to draft 2-3 offensive linemen every year, we'll continue to suffer offensively, and we'll continue to win and lose ugly, but we'll never win consistently until we establish a top tier line.