I really think the only fascination with Will Hernandez is that he came in on a bad O line and was a tough guy who likes to fight people.
But to me, Lemieux is a better guard and should play, even though he got in due to injury....
Thoughts on this....
I love this line of thinking. Yes, the OL needs consistency, but that doesn't mean you just plug it in and roll with it. This line clearly is not done, and until it is, and you have people solidify their positions/roles, move em around to find the best spot for them.
Once they anchor a spot/claim a spot, keep the there. But right now, there's no point in "consistency" if we aren't putting people at the right spots.
Extremely innovative thinking that will pay long term dividends. Joe Judge is, so far, an awesome coach. I hope he coaches this team for a long time.
Hernandez is poor in pass protection, but Lemieux is a lot worse.
Hernandez is poor in pass protection, but Lemieux is a lot worse.
How bad is he? I think being able to run the ball opens up the offense in a way that I'd be fine sacrificing a bit in pass pro...
Lemieux has held his own vs 2 very good DLines
Quote:
That Lemieux is terrible in pass protection?
Hernandez is poor in pass protection, but Lemieux is a lot worse.
How bad is he? I think being able to run the ball opens up the offense in a way that I'd be fine sacrificing a bit in pass pro...
Lemieux has held his own vs 2 very good DLines
My quick thoughts on Lemieux through two games are:
He's really good when he's allowed to be aggressive. This shows in the run game. He is always looking for work. He's been more impressive pulling then I'd have thought. He opens up what we can do in the run game.
In pass protection, his lack of athleticism shows. If he gets beat initially, even a little bit, he's done for. Of course, he's gone up against some tough interior rushers in the past two games, but he's gotten beat, A LOT (for a guard). Guards can't afford to get beat as often as tackles because the play completely breaks down when there's interior pressure. He can probably clean this up a bit in the off-season by studying tape. In this scheme, there's a chance he can be a below average pass protector, but I wouldn't expect a lot more. He should also be playing RG, in my opinion.
And he is right. Lots of threads on this subject already. Go look at the Thomas, Peart thread. It devolved into a thread on LS vs WH.
Quote:
Judge has said multiple times that we have 3 OT and 3 G. They will all play. Embrace the innovative thinking.
That's a mistake in mind. We don't have 3 who can play. Fleming outright sucks and Zeitler has done little in 2 years. Hernandez has not been very good for 2 years. And Lemieux we are still figuring out what we have. In a small sample, he has played better than 2 guys who have underachieved. So, rotating does nothing for me. Fleming and Zeitler getting regular snaps is a serious waste of time.
Do like being wrong almost every post?
It is too early to say he is better than Hernandez
For all the waxing poetic about how wonderful and improved the offensive line is, Jones was sacked 5 times, the offense managed a whole 2 td's and 23 points despite some of WFT's ghastly mistakes including muffing a punt deep in their own end, and we can't get the ball downfield to save our lives. There is room for a lot of improvement.
For all the waxing poetic about how wonderful and improved the offensive line is, Jones was sacked 5 times, the offense managed a whole 2 td's and 23 points despite some of WFT's ghastly mistakes including muffing a punt deep in their own end, and we can't get the ball downfield to save our lives. There is room for a lot of improvement.
Really, one sack was 1/2 yard from LOS and another was on a stupid flea flicker that Morris should never have tossed back to Jones. Had Morris kept running he likely gains 7 or 8 yards.
But yes, there is room for improvement.
And you need to understand that as the running game keeps improving the rush will slow down. 160 yards against that dline is quite impressive. The lack of TDs has a lot to do with lack of playmakers at WR.
Quote:
until DC's have had a chance to break him down and attack his weaknesses, then you will know whether he has a chance to be better than Hernandez.
For all the waxing poetic about how wonderful and improved the offensive line is, Jones was sacked 5 times, the offense managed a whole 2 td's and 23 points despite some of WFT's ghastly mistakes including muffing a punt deep in their own end, and we can't get the ball downfield to save our lives. There is room for a lot of improvement.
Really, one sack was 1/2 yard from LOS and another was on a stupid flea flicker that Morris should never have tossed back to Jones. Had Morris kept running he likely gains 7 or 8 yards.
But yes, there is room for improvement.
And you need to understand that as the running game keeps improving the rush will slow down. 160 yards against that dline is quite impressive. The lack of TDs has a lot to do with lack of playmakers at WR.
In another year or two, sans improvement, it'll be a tough decision to pay him on a second contract to keep him (someone always is willing to drive the market up), or spend more resources replacing him if Lem ends up replacing Zeitler. Or, you can look at it in a more positive light that having Lem progress means we don't have to overpay H to keep him.
He's been a below average player in pass protection.
This really should be looked at as the first response on this thread alluded to - we have a rotation that can be used situationally in game, or for injury. Trying to talk in absolutes about if Player A is better than Player B right now is foolish.
I also don't see some big upgrade on the horizon just because the Offense can seemingly run plays with a rookie Guard either. Lemieux has been a good contributor but I don't see him blowing right past Hernandez in terms of overall talent.
Imv, Hernandez still should be a starter based on his underlying talent and experience. However, he should also be looking in his rear-view mirror as I bet the coaches are looking for more from him too. Maybe he brings it up a few notches as his ceiling is definitely higher.
He's been a below average player in pass protection.
This really should be looked at as the first response on this thread alluded to - we have a rotation that can be used situationally in game, or for injury. Trying to talk in absolutes about if Player A is better than Player B right now is foolish.
Agree. One thing I have seen from Lemieux in the run game as of late (vesus Hernandez) is a quicker move off the snap and getting to where his blocking assignment is. I recall WH being a little slower and sometimes beaten off the ball more than he should.
Lemieux fits what they want to do very well. He can trap and pull and is a plus run blocker. They want to be a run-first team.
Hernandez doesn't have the same flexibility and skill at trapping and motion. But he's a better pass blocker. Lemieux is a liability with his weaknesses if they were to emphasize more pass sets.
I haven't keyed in on him and Hernandez enough to have an opinion on which i'd rather see out there, but I like the approach we are taking - it won't matter what I want.
Lemieux fits what they want to do very well. He can trap and pull and is a plus run blocker. They want to be a run-first team.
Hernandez doesn't have the same flexibility and skill at trapping and motion. But he's a better pass blocker. Lemieux is a liability with his weaknesses if they were to emphasize more pass sets.
Good post and right on the money imv.
Quote:
game has shown significant improvement, but it is almost as if people are judging Lemieux just on that. He's allowed more pressures and sacks than Hernandez did in fewer games.
He's been a below average player in pass protection.
This really should be looked at as the first response on this thread alluded to - we have a rotation that can be used situationally in game, or for injury. Trying to talk in absolutes about if Player A is better than Player B right now is foolish.
Agree. One thing I have seen from Lemieux in the run game as of late (vesus Hernandez) is a quicker move off the snap and getting to where his blocking assignment is. I recall WH being a little slower and sometimes beaten off the ball more than he should.