/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/65106196/usa_today_12686237.0.jpg)
A few people have asked me how our young offensive linemen, mainy rookies Wes Martin and Ross Pierschbacher have been doing this preseason. My response to many has been “it’s a mixed bag so far”, with some good and some bad reps. That’s to be expected however, as many rookies go through a learning curve and some growing pains when they enter the league. Most of these come from getting used to the speed of the game, and understanding what defenses are trying to do within the front seven.
Although the game against the Falcons saw our rookies working against Atlanta’s reserves, the follow cut-ups will hopefully answer some fan’s questions about the preparedness of some of our young linemen - including new-comer Hugh Thornton.
Here you get a good look at left guard Wes Martin down by the goalline. The one thing I have noticed is he often stays on his man and finishes his blocks. Here you see that, as it’s his finishing ability that helps push Perine in for the touchdown.
A bunch of you have asked about Wes Martin.
— Mark Tyler(Hogs Haven) (@Tiller56) August 25, 2019
Not a perfect block here as he doesn’t keep his body between the defender and the hole, BUT, look at the push he generates to get Perine in the endzone! pic.twitter.com/yTiL5YW8X7
This cut-up shows Martin pulling from his left guard spot. Notice how he works under control to the second level, finds his target and destroys him. VERY nice play here by the rookie!
Watch Wes Martin pull here and completely destroy his man! pic.twitter.com/u7RQWprS7T
— Mark Tyler(Hogs Haven) (@Tiller56) August 25, 2019
This clip shows Martin is pass-pro. The one thing I’d like to see is him extend those arms to keep the defender away from his body. Overall, not a bad job here.
Not a bad rep here by Martin in Pass-Pro, but I’d like to see those arms extended to keep the defender away from his body. pic.twitter.com/8rtW1vhnCx
— Mark Tyler(Hogs Haven) (@Tiller56) August 25, 2019
In this example, you see Martin play with a solid base, extend those arms, and bury his man in pass protection. Nice work on this rep!
Martin buries his man in pass pro. pic.twitter.com/XXGu1INFol
— Mark Tyler(Hogs Haven) (@Tiller56) August 25, 2019
The young interior offensive line, with Martin at LG, Pierschbacher at C and Thornton at RG give Haskins a clean pocket to operate in. You can see Piers allows his man to win the hand-battle but stays with him with decent footwork and rides him out of Haskins way.
Young O-line with good protection here. Allows Haskins a clean pocket. Dwayne fires a DART to his favorite target Harmon! pic.twitter.com/Kqf9CiyB93
— Mark Tyler(Hogs Haven) (@Tiller56) August 25, 2019
This is an EXCEPTIONAL job by Martin of recognizing the stunt, handing his man off, and picking up the twisting defender inside!
Heck of a job by Martin here picking up this twist. He blocks both defenders! pic.twitter.com/O60j8OY5Zz
— Mark Tyler(Hogs Haven) (@Tiller56) August 25, 2019
Ross Pierschbacher is still a developmental prospect on the interior, but here you see some of that potential as he works to get to the second level and seals the LB.
Pierschbacher at C. Does a good job getting to the second level and sealing off LB. pic.twitter.com/p8QvJBZXrS
— Mark Tyler(Hogs Haven) (@Tiller56) August 25, 2019
Hugh Thornton is a very powerful inside presence. I noticed a few times in Thursday’s game the push he generated, and how he plays THROUGH the whistle.
I’ll say something about Hugh Thornton - the man generates a PUSH up front! pic.twitter.com/ibTiakHujy
— Mark Tyler(Hogs Haven) (@Tiller56) August 25, 2019
Another example of the PUSH I was talking about with right guard Hugh Thornton. I don’t quite know why Parris isn’t getting off that block and getting up to the second level though - Thornton clearly has his man controlled.
Watch the push Thornton gets here on the tandem block. Nice turn-out by Martin as well. pic.twitter.com/u55aFaxpTU
— Mark Tyler(Hogs Haven) (@Tiller56) August 25, 2019
Now, here is some of the bad by Wes Martin. He shows slow feet and poor recognition picking up this blitz. Good thing is these are all correctable mistakes and will come as he sees more live game action.
Martin late here picking up the blitz. Slow feet and no hands on the LB cause a big hit to Haskins. pic.twitter.com/kBGAKQbSow
— Mark Tyler(Hogs Haven) (@Tiller56) August 25, 2019
Both Pierschbacher and Martin fail to control one defender. Ross loses the hand battle and Wes is in no position to help. Martin almost grabs the backside of the DT, but is smart enough not to hold on. That defender is the one who bats down the pass.
Piers loses the hand-battle inside, and Martin is out of position to help him. That defender is the one who bats down the pass. pic.twitter.com/Ix6oWX4g6R
— Mark Tyler(Hogs Haven) (@Tiller56) August 25, 2019
And just for fun!
This is what we have to look forward to in the future!!!!!
Big time throw and great concentration by @Silkysims17! pic.twitter.com/5YpCjCRB1Q
— Mark Tyler(Hogs Haven) (@Tiller56) August 25, 2019