Stat of the Day: Chargers' Offensive Linemen

by John Gennaro on Oct 29, 2009 1:00 PM PDT in Statistics Comment 45 comments

Holy crap. I just found the most in-depth stats for offensive linemen and I couldn't be happier. Not by the stats (haven't scoured them all yet), but just by having a legitimate way for statistical analysis on offensive linemen. Let's look through the Chargers' offensive linemen through the first 6 games of 2009 and see how they've played.....

	G	Pen	Pen Yds	False Start	Holding	Sacks Allwd	Sack Yds
McNeill	6	0	0	0	0	3.0	21.5
Dielman	6	2	20	1	0	1.0	3.5
Hardwick	1	0	0	0	0	0.5	1.0
Vasquez	4	0	0	0	0	1.0	11.0
Clary	6	2	15	1	1	4.5	25.5
Mruczkowski	6	1	10	0	1	0.5	5.0
Dombrowski	6	4	25	2	1	1.0	8.0

The one thing I don't like about these stats is that they're all about pass-protection. Looking at these, Louis Vasquez looks like he's having the best year. Then again, at times he's been a weakness in the running game (he doesn't pull very well). Also, it's not surprising that Jeromey Clary and Marcus McNeill's sack numbers are higher than everyone else's, consider they're going up against the best pass-rushers on the opposing team every week.

All in all, the offensive line's protection of Philip Rivers has not been good. The star QB has been sacked on 6.6% of passing plays, 20th worst in the league. Now, with the stats factored in, is my personal ranking of the Chargers offensive linemen this season (with Nick Hardwick left out):

McNeill
Vasquez
Dielman
Clary
Mruczkowski
Dombrowski

By the way, to compare some of these stats against past seasons.....

Marcus McNeill allowed 3 sacks in all of 2008 and allowed 9.5 in 2007. Statistically, McNeill has had 1 bad season (2007) and 2.5 really good ones.
Kris Dielman's 2009 numbers are on-pace to be pretty much average for him. However, I think where he's struggled is in run-blocking. I think he misses Hardwick next to him.
Statistically, Jeromey Clary is having a worse season in 2009 than he had in 2008. He allowed 7 sacks in 2008 and he's on pace to allow 12 in 2009. He's gotten better at avoiding false starts though. I believe the team signed him to a 1-year deal in hopes that they'd see improvement. Although I thought, from watching the games, that he was having a better year....that appears to not be the case.

0 recs | Comment 45 comments | Share

Story-email Email Printer Print

Comments

Clary is an RFA after this year

Add him to that list of expendable players we were talking about the other day. I’m not sure how you replace him unless a OT falls to you in the draft, you really like Dombrowski at RT or there is a FA out there who you won’t have to break the bank for (ha!).

Wisdom can not be cultivated through ignorance of information.

by Wonko on Oct 29, 2009 1:13 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

The beauty of him being a RFA is that they can keep him as their backup plan (or stopgap) for not that much money.

"I did not invent the wheel, I was the crooked spoke adjacent." - Aesop Rock

by John Gennaro on Oct 29, 2009 1:15 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Vasquez sort of...

I think it is fair to group guards and centers. But I’d consider left and right tackles as seperate groups.

by Trendsearcher on Oct 29, 2009 1:14 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Mind = Blown

But you’re right, I wish there were a way to objectively measure run blocking.

Mountain West Connection ::Above the Rest::
Bolts From The Blue ::This spot currently available for lease::
Representing the San Diego State University Aztecs, home of the 2009 College Cheerleading National Champions in the all women's division.

by Sam (sdsuaztec4) on Oct 29, 2009 2:02 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

I guess there is

If you can get stats about success rates running left/center/right. I don’t know where those stats are though.

"I did not invent the wheel, I was the crooked spoke adjacent." - Aesop Rock

by John Gennaro on Oct 29, 2009 2:12 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Dude your such an asshole

for some reason the Chargers game is being shown on CBS in Philly but not just up the road here. I’m coming to your house.

by Sam (sdsuaztec4) on Oct 29, 2009 2:31 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Do it

You’d be a welcome guest.

"I did not invent the wheel, I was the crooked spoke adjacent." - Aesop Rock

by John Gennaro on Oct 29, 2009 2:50 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Football Outsiders has those

Adjusted for things like long runs (cut off at 10+ yards), they remove QB fumbles and a couple other things. It’s called Adjusted Line Yards.

Wisdom can not be cultivated through ignorance of information.

by Wonko on Oct 29, 2009 2:53 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Looks like we're 22/32 in the NFL

Not all LT’s fault.

by Sam (sdsuaztec4) on Oct 29, 2009 3:07 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

We also are worst in the league

At power runs. Show these to Norv.

by Dude52089 on Oct 29, 2009 3:10 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Did you see the preseason NCAA bball rankings?

SDSU #44 in the nation.

by Sam (sdsuaztec4) on Oct 29, 2009 3:37 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Check out #7

Wisdom can not be cultivated through ignorance of information.

by Wonko on Oct 29, 2009 3:49 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

There is no way in hell my Ducks can beat you in basketball right now,

But football? Hehe

On Halloween; USC will die, Matt Barkley will cry, and all of the little bandwagoning Trojan fans will shout "WHY!?"

In the holy name of Juju, I am the humblest of servants

by CaDuck on Oct 29, 2009 4:06 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Saturday night is gonna be a good game

by Sam (sdsuaztec4) on Oct 29, 2009 4:06 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I can't sleep.

I am so excited and nervous, so much national attention in a usually neglected land…So much recruiting pressure…So much excitement!
AAAAAGGGHHH I CANT WAIT UNTIL SATURDAY NIGHT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

First, Ducks vs USC, then Bolts vs Raiders! So much great football this weekend!!!

On Halloween; USC will die, Matt Barkley will cry, and all of the little bandwagoning Trojan fans will shout "WHY!?"

In the holy name of Juju, I am the humblest of servants

by CaDuck on Oct 29, 2009 4:41 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Actually, I want USC to win because I hate Boise

Sorry bud.

by Sam (sdsuaztec4) on Oct 29, 2009 4:45 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Oh, I see how it is!

Last time I checked, I never root against SDSU!

No worries, we play better as underdogs (guess who is an underdog this week)!

On Halloween; USC will die, Matt Barkley will cry, and all of the little bandwagoning Trojan fans will shout "WHY!?"

In the holy name of Juju, I am the humblest of servants

by CaDuck on Oct 29, 2009 5:30 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Hey

In football, nobody beats Purdue except Purdue.

Wisdom can not be cultivated through ignorance of information.

by Wonko on Oct 29, 2009 4:15 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Ohio State.

living proof!

Congrats on winning a few Big-10 games in a row now :)

And just about the entire nation cheered jubilantly when you knocked off tOSU!!!

On Halloween; USC will die, Matt Barkley will cry, and all of the little bandwagoning Trojan fans will shout "WHY!?"

In the holy name of Juju, I am the humblest of servants

by CaDuck on Oct 29, 2009 4:39 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Long overdue win over a ranked team

I was at the last game that happened (2003 vs Iowa).

Wisdom can not be cultivated through ignorance of information.

by Wonko on Oct 29, 2009 5:01 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Could you help out,

And beat Iowa? (assuming you have not already played them) The entire nation is sick of Iowa!

On Halloween; USC will die, Matt Barkley will cry, and all of the little bandwagoning Trojan fans will shout "WHY!?"

In the holy name of Juju, I am the humblest of servants

by CaDuck on Oct 29, 2009 5:31 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Nope

We don’t play Iowa or Penn State until 2011.

Wisdom can not be cultivated through ignorance of information.

by Wonko on Oct 29, 2009 6:55 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Damn 11 team conference!

On Halloween; USC will die, Matt Barkley will cry, and all of the little bandwagoning Trojan fans will shout "WHY!?"

In the holy name of Juju, I am the humblest of servants

by CaDuck on Oct 29, 2009 7:52 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

My geometry teacher is an Iowa alum and huge fan

He doesn’t assign homework when they win, so I’m kind of invested in that.

"Everything I say, is calculated, appropriated, written and arranged in Feng Shui."

--Gnarls Barkley, "Feng Shui"

Firmly of the "Go Cesaire-- And Take Chambers With You" camp.

Can we PLEASE draft Ali Villanueva of Army this year??? I'd mortgage a kidney for a tackle/wideout hybrid.

by StrangeBroP25 on Oct 29, 2009 8:32 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I saw those

I say we crack top 25 if we play to our potential, easily

by Dude52089 on Oct 29, 2009 3:55 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Interesting.

The ALY numbers on runs off left and right tackle are probably skewed from small sample size, no? Or is this a message to Norv?

by Neoplatonist Bolthead on Oct 29, 2009 3:52 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

If you look

In 2008, the split wasn’t so dramatic, which is interesting.
In 2007, runs to the right tackle were about as sparse as this year, and the mid/guard runs were below 50%, which is also interesting.

Wisdom can not be cultivated through ignorance of information.

by Wonko on Oct 29, 2009 3:58 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Dombrowski's sacks seem low

for the 1.5(?) games he played, I thought he gave up more than 1 sack. Perhaps some of Clary’s should have been assigned to Dombrowski?

Of course, without knowng the actual assignments, it is difficult to know who was responsible for a sack.

by Stephen (shaynes41) on Oct 29, 2009 2:25 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

I think you're right

Dombrowski actually started 2 games, played most of the Oakland game and has played in every game this season at one point or another (sometimes as the ineligible/eligible receiver). That’s why he’s listed at 6 games.

"I did not invent the wheel, I was the crooked spoke adjacent." - Aesop Rock

by John Gennaro on Oct 29, 2009 2:52 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

maybe...

Vasquez gets moved to RT. I know it’s been mentioned before (john); but his ability to pass protect, his athleticism, his size, his inability to pull, and the chargers penchant for running left make it sound like a good idear.

by BORTZ on Oct 29, 2009 2:44 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

It's pretty rare

For a guy who played guard in college to move to tackle in the pros and I have to think there are some pretty good reasons for that. Just putting that out there.

Wisdom can not be cultivated through ignorance of information.

by Wonko on Oct 29, 2009 2:50 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

His "inability to pull"?

He came from a spread offense at TT. Give the guy a little time to develop his run blocking game. Yeah, it sucks for us at times that he has to do this OJT, but his athleticism is just what is going to make him a good pulling guard. Rome wasn’t built in a day, ya know?

As for RT, if we could find a real stud of a LT, I’d move McNeill there in a heartbeat.

If the thunder don't get ya then the lightning will!!

Robert Hunter

by Buck Melanoma on Oct 30, 2009 4:45 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

McNeill is a real stud of a LT

"I did not invent the wheel, I was the crooked spoke adjacent." - Aesop Rock

by John Gennaro on Oct 30, 2009 6:05 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

He plays a lot better with broken hands.

If the thunder don't get ya then the lightning will!!

Robert Hunter

by Buck Melanoma on Oct 30, 2009 9:28 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

it seems his a great attritibutes to be a tackle. big, tall, long arms, athletic, quick feet. he played in space at Texas Tech, even though he was a guard.

which is the bigger difference? pulling guard in the NFL or pass pro RT in the NFL? Vasquez is, at least, used to playing in space. He ain’t used to pulling. I don’t know that the transition to NFL guard would be any easier.

its just a thought. What the hell do any of us really know, anyway. If we knew shit, we’d be doing more than sittin around watchin TV, eating corn chips, and masturbating.

by BORTZ on Oct 30, 2009 8:24 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Where did they come from?

"Football is a physical sport, sometimes you have a disagreement on what's going on, and you have a discussion about it." Kris Dielman

by Brian (DaBolts) on Oct 29, 2009 3:07 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Washington Post

"I did not invent the wheel, I was the crooked spoke adjacent." - Aesop Rock

by John Gennaro on Oct 29, 2009 3:20 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

HEY J

THIS TOTALLY GIVES ME WOOD…. When are the chargers going to give up on Merriman?

by Blueblood27 on Oct 29, 2009 5:46 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Well, uh, I guess you won't need to spend tons of money on pharmaceutical drugs for that exact purpose

Just mosie over to BFTB…

On Halloween; USC will die, Matt Barkley will cry, and all of the little bandwagoning Trojan fans will shout "WHY!?"

In the holy name of Juju, I am the humblest of servants

by CaDuck on Oct 29, 2009 6:27 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

you know you like what you see...

take it all in…all of it..

and umm yeah…Screw USC…GO CANES….THE U (we are almost back)!

by Blueblood27 on Oct 29, 2009 6:28 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

He is a fan of Oregon

Read his sig it will help you out.

by Dude52089 on Oct 29, 2009 6:47 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I agree, SCREW USC!!!

The U is fine, I guess

On Halloween; USC will die, Matt Barkley will cry, and all of the little bandwagoning Trojan fans will shout "WHY!?"

In the holy name of Juju, I am the humblest of servants

by CaDuck on Oct 29, 2009 6:48 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

First round RT!

And if the team still doesn’t have a guy they see as Hardwick’s long-term backup on the roster, then draft a Center in the 3rd-5th. We need a guy who can come in and be a starter if this sort of thing happens next year.

by Neoplatonist Bolthead on Oct 29, 2009 7:01 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs