Alternative Perspective

[ukcolt]

The offensive line has been exactly that "offensive" most of the time to watch. Raimann actually played reasonably ok in my opinion on Thursday, especially in the running game. Yes he had some penalties against him, although two of the holding penalties were weak calls, and the offsides, well how many times did Castonzo jump offside, felt like it was almost a weekly occurrence, I am prepared to forgive him that one instance on his debut in a loud stadium on the road. He needs to play the rest of the season and take his lumps...we need to provide additional help from the TE's and backs though to try to make his life that little bit easier.

Anyone who is saying that Pinter is the better player than Ryan Kelly needs their head examined professionally. Has Kelly played great, no he hasn't, but Pinter is a backup, and not the answer as a starting offensive lineman.

Braden Smith in my humble opinion is still a good RT, but has struggled due to the protections and necessary teamwork required between himself and the RG spot. Similarly to how the poor RG play affects Kelly and how the poor LT play so far impacts Nelson. People easily forget that for good offensive line play it is essential for the entire group of 5 or 6 guys, to be in unison with each other. Assignments and blitz pickups with the TE's and RB's are a fundamental ingredient to good offensive line play as well. Hence why experience from the C, is usually the key to ensure the correct line calls are made to all personnel.

Nelson did not play all that well last year, mainly because Fisher was playing poorly to his left. Nelson looked truly awesome in the prior years because he had solid play from Castonzo and Kelly either side of him.