Question for fans who write about how good of a blocker a WR, TE, or OL is (1 Viewer)

[max]

How are you developing your opinion on how good of a blocker a WR, TE, or OL is?

I am asking this question genuinely.

Are you able to get your opinion from just watching the game on TV or at the Dome? I am not able to tell anything unless it’s a player who is allowing sacks or pressures and the camera and announcers point it out. Other than that, the camera follows the ball. I’m focused on the ball, too. Even if I didn’t care about the play and was trying to focus on a player’s blocking, the TV doesn’t show it, so how are you seeing it?

At the Dome, I’m pretty far away no matter where I’m sitting and it is very hard to focus on a player through the scrum, and then I’d miss what is happening with the play, which I’m too interested in to do.

Are you getting the all 22 video after the game and spending ours studying it or are you just going by what reporters like Underhill say and what coaches say in interviews?

I am asking because I frequently read how valuable Tre’Quan Smith is as a blocker or how Juwan Johnson or Cesar Ruiz have improved significantly as a blocker. I always have to take your word for it, because I don’t know how I would verify this for myself.

 

[Doug B]

I can't speak for everyone who comments, but consider that many members here have played high school football (and some even college ball). Even in high school football in the '80s, watching game film was (at least) a weekly task. And if your role was to block for others, you learned - at minimum - to evaluate film of yourself executing your blocking assignments. Fast forward thirty-something years ... you apply the same evaluations when watching the blocking of Saints players.

YouTube and social media (esp. Twitter) has made it a lot easier to get at least brief clips of meaningful game film - complete with downfield blocks, backside seals, guys releasing/moving to take a second man out after an initial good block at the snap, etc.. You're right that it's hard to see all the blocking assignments on a game broadcast. I know some people get their hands on All-22 film, and I think (not sure) there is a way to get that film online (Maybe a pay service or something? Or else be willing to wait a few months for it to come out free? Not sure.).

 

[bobad]

I often run into good blocking accidentally when rewinding really good and really bad plays. That's the easiest way for me to spot it. That's how I learned (for example) that TQS has a stone-cold block of death.

 

[Super]

Some are obviously better then others but you can pretty much find one bad block for every good block you point out. For anyone. That’s what happens when everyone out there is is a professional football player.

 

[Belfast Saint]

I don't really ever watch WR's blocking but on occasion will review all-22 to understand how the OL or specific offensive linemen did in this game or that. That's what I based my opinion that Ruiz was playing better on. I don't know or remember whether I looked because he was blamed by all and sundry after a poor offensive game, or an analyst said he was playing better, or just out of curiosity.

 

[saint_drago]

I see a lot of it during the broadcast but mostly I find out through the content that is put out after a game breaking it down. Baldy's Breakdowns are always informative. The SSF has great info. We're lucky to live in an age where people far more knowledgeable than myself put out a lot of breakdowns on the internet. If I had to rely on just the broadcast or watching the game live I wouldn't be able to have an informed opinion.

 

[Doug B]

... mostly I find out through the content that is put out after a game breaking it down. Baldy's Breakdowns are always informative.

Yep. Even for those who don't have first-hand football experience, there's a lot of good under-the-surface football analysis out there these days. Brian Baldinger's material is some of the best.

 

[Rouxble]

Easiest method is to see it in the All 22. I'll notice it at times during the live broadcast/game, but like most people I end up following the ball more often than not.

In the All 22, I like to look at busted plays as well as big plays to see what went into them, and blocking tends to be a constant theme in both. When watching more ordinary plays (ex. 4yd run on 1st and 10), I'll usually only notice blocking if (a) it's particularly good or bad or (b) I'm watching a specific player to get a better sense of how they perform.

Also, like others have said, there are good breakdowns available from various sources and from SR posters that highlight the good/bad on the field.

 

[BayouSAINTJoe]

I just say it

 

[VPCajun]

How are you developing your opinion on how good of a blocker a WR, TE, or OL is?

...

I am asking because I frequently read how valuable Tre’Quan Smith is as a blocker or how Juwan Johnson or Cesar Ruiz have improved significantly as a blocker. I always have to take your word for it, because I don’t know how I would verify this for myself.

I think a good starting point is to watch the successful plays and find who contributed in the blocking both at the line and downfield.

(Obviously, it's easier to record and re-watch, pause, rewind etc to be able to do this.)

 

[St4ever]

I think you have to first understand that many members here are on a different level than the average fan. Think of it as a professional player compared to a non player. These members process football information much quicker than others. They have an ability to see the whole field compared to just where the ball is located.

nothing against the average fan though. We just love the excitement!

 

[gavinj]

Marcedes Lewis is still available and that dude can go 1 on 1 against Cam Jordan cause we’ve seen it multiple times already. saints need to sign him.

 

[saintlad]

I can't speak for everyone who comments, but consider that many members here have played high school football (and some even college ball). Even in high school football in the '80s, watching game film was (at least) a weekly task. And if your role was to block for others, you learned - at minimum - to evaluate film of yourself executing your blocking assignments. Fast forward thirty-something years ... you apply the same evaluations when watching the blocking of Saints players.

YouTube and social media (esp. Twitter) has made it a lot easier to get at least brief clips of meaningful game film - complete with downfield blocks, backside seals, guys releasing/moving to take a second man out after an initial good block at the snap, etc.. You're right that it's hard to see all the blocking assignments on a game broadcast. I know some people get their hands on All-22 film, and I think (not sure) there is a way to get that film online (Maybe a pay service or something? Or else be willing to wait a few months for it to come out free? Not sure.).

I agree with this. I played along the o-line in high school and I had to look at film each day and know my blocking assignments. It helped that I had a coach that was an expert in blocking techniques in our area . In college and pros, I am sure it is way more advanced and technical.

Because of that experience , even 30 something years later, I can spot techniques that some players do better than others. My friends are shocked when I can call a " holding penalty " on a lineman before the ref throws the flag.

The example of Trequan Smith being a good run blocker is correct. He is a big body receiver that can help block down field and open up the lane .

Andrus Peat, ( although very irritating with his constant injuries) is actually a pretty good run blocker and a so so pass blocker. He knows how to use his hands , which is partly why , at the time, he got that big contract extension.

Unfortunately his talent has seemed to drop off the last year or 2 and doesn't justify the amount they are paying him.

He needs to go after this year.

 

[slowhandsaints]

Easiest method is to see it in the All 22. I'll notice it at times during the live broadcast/game, but like most people I end up following the ball more often than not.

In the All 22, I like to look at busted plays as well as big plays to see what went into them, and blocking tends to be a constant theme in both. When watching more ordinary plays (ex. 4yd run on 1st and 10), I'll usually only notice blocking if (a) it's particularly good or bad or (b) I'm watching a specific player to get a better sense of how they perform.

Also, like others have said, there are good breakdowns available from various sources and from SR posters that highlight the good/bad on the field.

What is all 22?…thanks

 

[SWJJ]

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