San Diego Chargers vs Patriots Week #2: Breaking Down The O-Line Film

by Bewsaf on Sep 19, 2011 2:19 PM PDT

The San Diego Chargers lost a close game to the New England Patriots, 21-35. The offensive line knew before the game that they would have their work cut out for them with the two big defensive tackles from New England. For the most part the San Diego o-line did ... okay.

Kris Dielman had a big chore trying to take on Albert Haynesworth all night. And sometimes Kris would get a rest from Haynesworth and get Vince Wilfork (not much of a rest). The offensive lineman with the best score this week was Louis Vasquez who ended the day with a run blocking percentage of 88% and a dominance score of +3.

Let's take a look at all the other line scores...

If you like this article check out more film breakdown at Pro Football Spotlight

	10	20	30	40	50	60	70	80	90	100
Percent Scale

Team Run Blocking	Power Blocking	Power Blocking Score	2nd Level Blocks
Did the lineman get the job done or not? These grades are good for understanding value for a team and not necessarily for comparing across teams. A game in the mid 80s to 90% is a decent score.	How often did the offensive lineman dominate the block or how often did he get dominated? These scores are good for comparing across teams and finding the most dominant lineman in the league.	Anything over zero is a good score. The more over zero the more the lineman dominated the defender. Each lineman is scored a minus for being dominated, a zero for a draw, or a plus for dominating the defender.	The number of success over failures for the lineman when blocking linebackers and safeties on the second level. The lineman must be athletic to accomplish a high second level score.

Run Blocking Grades

Percent

100

Power

2/Level

Pull

Grade

Blocking

Blocks

McNeill

64%

-1

Dielman

82%

Hardwick

76%

Vasquez

88%

Clary

88%

Run Blocking Notes:

Keeping in mind who Kris Dielman was blocking...he did pretty good by getting a 82% and a power score of 0 in the run game.
Marcus McNeill had a bad day in the run game. He wasn't ever really dominated at the point of attack. But many, many times he would engage the defender and the defender would get off for a tackle or cause problems. McNeill really didn't have any better luck on the second level as you can see with his -1 score.
In the intro I mentioned that Vasquez had a good day run blocking. The other player for the Chargers with a decent run blocking percentage was Jeromy Clary. Clary had an 88% on assignments and end with a +2 power score.
At 4:11 in the 1st Louis Vasquez and Jeromy Clary doubled Vince Wilfork and drove him 5 yards. Nice!
On the TD run in the 1st quarter, 2:26, San Diego pulled a guard to the right side of the formation as the back cut it back to the left of the formation. All the 2nd level flow was going to the right and with a couple of good blocks...TD.
Kris Dielman drives his defender at 13:07 in the 2nd quarter. On another play, 12:30 in the 2nd quarter, Kris twists the upper body of a defender and throws him to the ground after contact.
Nick Hardwick get physical with a run blitz that allows the back to have time to find a hole and spring for some yards.
Marcus McNeill has a false start at :27 left in the 2nd quarter. Chargers are trying to score before half and they get a mental mistake. Big!
Dielman engages in a double with the center and then catches a run blitz out of the corner of his eye. And the last moment he picks up the blitz. 3rd and short turns into a big play as the back squirts through the hole.
Jeromy Clary get into the power game and puts his defender on his back at 6:34 in the 3rd.
And not to left out...Louis Vasquez pulls and then drives his defender to the ground at 14:11 in the 4th quarter.

Team Pass Blocking	Passing Power Blocking	Pressures	Combo Help
Did the lineman get the job done or not? These grades are good for understanding value for a team and not necessarily for comparing across teams. A game in the 90% is a good score for pass blocking.	How often did the offensive lineman dominate the block or how often did he get dominated? Each lineman is scored a minus for being dominated, a zero for a draw, or a plus for dominating the block.	How often did the offensive lineman give up pressure on the quarterback? Every once and a while a lineman can do his job but give up pressure on the QB. This stat will help glean more info from the line grades.	How often did the offensive coordinator provide help for a tough defender or a struggling lineman. Yea, two lineman ended up with the same grade...but how much help did either of them get?

Pass Blocking Grades

	Percent	10	20	30	40	50	60	70	80	90	100	Power	Pressures	Sacks	Combo
	Grade											Blocking	Allowed	Allowed	Help
McNeill	92%											+1	8	0	12
Dielman	90%											+1	2	0	16
Hardwick	95%											0	0	0	25
Vasquez	88%											+4	4	0	15
Clary	88%											+2	10	1	8

Pass Blocking Notes:

The Patriots really didn't bring more than 4 rushing defenders when the Chargers passed the ball.
Jeromy Clary was hot one play and average the next. But he was never bad. Clary ended with an 88% assignment score and a +2 power score. But he dominated the pass rusher a lot more times than 2. The problem was that the defender would get a 1/2 step on him and then he would have to ride the guy deep. Not a problem. Rivers just had to step up...but it is still a pressure. As soon as Clary gets more consistent in pass protection he will be very good. Here's hoping he takes those steps.
There where a lot of help blocks in this game. All of the offensive lineman received their share.
At 1:08 in the 2nd, Nick Hardwick and Kris Dielman pick up a defensive line loop stunt. But at 2:57 in the 3rd quarter Louis Vasquez fails to see a loop stunt and the man gets pressure on Philip Rivers. It was the second of the day that Vasquez was late getting to.
Check out how the offensive lineman did in previous games then check out the O-Line season page here. At Pro Football Spotlight.
Overall, not a bad day pass blocking.
On the sack at the end of the game. Philip Rivers had over 5 seconds to get rid of the ball. I hate giving lineman sacks if they give a quarterback that much time.

Chargers TEs and Running Backs Film Breakdown

If you liked this analysis, I've also posted the TEs and Running Backs Film Breakdown and you can check it out over at Pro Football Spotlight .

This FanPost was written by a member of the Bolts From The Blue community and does not necessarily reflect the views of the Bolts From The Blue editors or SB Nation.

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Comments

I'm a big fan of Vasquez.

Strangely, in college he was the guy that went a whole season allowing zero sacks, and because of the spread offense, people thought he wouldn’t be a good NFL guard. So far, he looks like a steal after being drafted in the 3rd round. And even though the last sack was Rivers holding on to the ball, Clary could have done better than shove his man and hope he gives up.

Dielman on Rivers: "I've tried to get him to say s--- or f--- and all he'll ever do is say, 'Golly gee, I can't do that."

by Superduperboltman on Sep 19, 2011 12:54 PM PDT reply actions

I think Vasquez could be really good

if he would be more consistent. I see him take defenders out…then sometimes he has a lapse.

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by Bewsaf on Sep 19, 2011 2:51 PM PDT up reply actions

I see him as a beast who makes mental mistakes, personally

Better than Green, anyway.

"Were such things here as we do speak about?
Or have we eaten on the insane root
That takes the reason prisoner?"

by aesimpleton on Sep 19, 2011 6:00 PM PDT up reply actions

Finally some good reviews on Vasquez

and good to see that Clary isn’t as bad as I thought he was. I would like to know your opinion on Tyronne Green…he only played one play in the game yesterday (he was the 3rd TE in 23 personnel on the failed 4th and goal) and he absolutely got abused and most likely cost us a TD. He didn’t look very good in preseason either…he’s supposed to be a jack-of-all trades for our line, backing up all of the interior positions, but he doesn’t seem particularly good at any of them.

by jkvandal on Sep 19, 2011 3:29 PM PDT reply actions

He can suck at every OL position

"Were such things here as we do speak about?
Or have we eaten on the insane root
That takes the reason prisoner?"

by aesimpleton on Sep 19, 2011 6:01 PM PDT up reply actions

I got to grade him in the preseason

Not a lot of reps because I only did the first half. You can find it here.

He made a lot of mistakes when I had a chance to watch him. Didn’t stay engaged on his man.

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by Bewsaf on Sep 19, 2011 6:28 PM PDT up reply actions

Speaking of Green

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by Bewsaf on Sep 19, 2011 6:30 PM PDT up reply actions

vasquez had good review last week too.

Dielman on Rivers: "I've tried to get him to say s--- or f--- and all he'll ever do is say, 'Golly gee, I can't do that."

by Superduperboltman on Sep 19, 2011 6:59 PM PDT up reply actions

Seems to me

that Green has regressed this year. I was hearing good things from camp but I’ve yet to see that materialize on the field.

Clary is better than many are willing or able to believe. Speed is always going to give him trouble. His footwork has improved & he’s always been willing, but he’s not a great athlete. I do believe that as Vasquez improves & they get more reps together, it helps Clary immensely. In the past couple of seasons he’s gotten beat more than a few times while trying to help Vasquez.

McNeill’s strength is not run blocking but I can live with that if he keeps PR upright.

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

Robert Hunter

by Buck Melanoma on Sep 19, 2011 3:37 PM PDT reply actions 1 recs