2010 NFL Preview
NFC AFC
Zone Blocking- 2000 Bronco's vs 2010 Seahawks
I was curious after reading about Alex Gibbs, the new Offensive line Coach for the Seahawks and the creator of the zone blocking scheme, and his requirements for his zone blocking scheme. I was interested in how the Seahawks offensive line compares to the line of the Bronco's in their heyday of zone blocking, running back Mike Anderson as a rookie had his best year at 6 ft 230 lbs and ran a 4.69 40 yard dash.
The limits for Gibbs Lineman according the article on Seahawks Draft Blog
Tackles: 6' 5"
Guards: 6' 3"
They need to be very smart, can't get hurt much, no first year starters
Starting Line for 2000 Broncos
Tony Jones, LT, 6' 5" 291
Dan Neil, OG, 6' 2" 285
Tom Nalen, C, 6' 3" 286
Matt Lepsis, RT 6' 4" 290
Split time
Lennie Friedman, OG 6' 3" 290
Mark Schlereth, OG, 6' 3" 287
Backup's
Cooper Carlisle, OT/OG, 6' 5", 295
Trey Teague, OT, 6' 5", 300
K.C. Jones, C, 6' 1" 275
They had one lineman weighing 300 pounds, and he's 3rd string. One guard Carlisle is too tall, but he also played Tackle so I think i that exempts him. Their starters all weigh in at 291 and under, 3 of which are under 290.
Seahawks Projected Starting Line
Sean Locklear, LT 6-4, 308
Max Unger, OG/C, 6-5, 309
Steve Vallos, C, 6-3, 312
Chris Spencer, OG/C, 6-3 312
Ray Willis, RT, 6-6, 315
Backups
Trevor Canfield, OG, 6-5, 307
Mike Gibson, OG, 6-3, 305
Mansfield Wrotto, OG, 6-3, 320
Damion McIntosh, OT, 6-4 320
Rob Sims, OG, 6-3, 312
We have exactly zero players under the weight of 305. Ray Willis and Max Unger are too tall for their respective positions. Just looking at this lineup is scary. The official Seahawk's depth chart has Spencer at RG, Sims at LG, and Unger at C, so I adjusted for Sims being gone. If Sims doesn't fit, I don't think Spencer, Wrotto, or Vallos fit. However you can't get rid of the whole line so they'll have to make do. Willis doesn't fit at all, however Locklear does fine. Mike Gibson does as well. However Locklear has an injury history as does Spencer, so much for continuity with them in the lineup. I think only Gibson is a true fit for the system, although I can't find a ton about how he plays, he led all lineman in the three cone drill, so he can move which is good.
It'll be very interesting to see how much control Gibbs gets, with the young Jeremy Bates having control of the offense. It'll be very interesting to see if they’ll stick to no rookie starters, because they need talent on the line in the worst way. I think Sims will be traded for a veteran lineman, however they have to find the right team, one that wants to sacrifice a veteran who knows their system for a higher upside younger player. I think Charles Brown is a very very likely selection at 14, he fits the scheme perfect, and Carrol and Bates know him well.
The limits for Gibbs Lineman according the article on Seahawks Draft Blog
Tackles: 6' 5"
Guards: 6' 3"
They need to be very smart, can't get hurt much, no first year starters
Starting Line for 2000 Broncos
Tony Jones, LT, 6' 5" 291
Dan Neil, OG, 6' 2" 285
Tom Nalen, C, 6' 3" 286
Matt Lepsis, RT 6' 4" 290
Split time
Lennie Friedman, OG 6' 3" 290
Mark Schlereth, OG, 6' 3" 287
Backup's
Cooper Carlisle, OT/OG, 6' 5", 295
Trey Teague, OT, 6' 5", 300
K.C. Jones, C, 6' 1" 275
They had one lineman weighing 300 pounds, and he's 3rd string. One guard Carlisle is too tall, but he also played Tackle so I think i that exempts him. Their starters all weigh in at 291 and under, 3 of which are under 290.
Seahawks Projected Starting Line
Sean Locklear, LT 6-4, 308
Max Unger, OG/C, 6-5, 309
Steve Vallos, C, 6-3, 312
Chris Spencer, OG/C, 6-3 312
Ray Willis, RT, 6-6, 315
Backups
Trevor Canfield, OG, 6-5, 307
Mike Gibson, OG, 6-3, 305
Mansfield Wrotto, OG, 6-3, 320
Damion McIntosh, OT, 6-4 320
Rob Sims, OG, 6-3, 312
We have exactly zero players under the weight of 305. Ray Willis and Max Unger are too tall for their respective positions. Just looking at this lineup is scary. The official Seahawk's depth chart has Spencer at RG, Sims at LG, and Unger at C, so I adjusted for Sims being gone. If Sims doesn't fit, I don't think Spencer, Wrotto, or Vallos fit. However you can't get rid of the whole line so they'll have to make do. Willis doesn't fit at all, however Locklear does fine. Mike Gibson does as well. However Locklear has an injury history as does Spencer, so much for continuity with them in the lineup. I think only Gibson is a true fit for the system, although I can't find a ton about how he plays, he led all lineman in the three cone drill, so he can move which is good.
It'll be very interesting to see how much control Gibbs gets, with the young Jeremy Bates having control of the offense. It'll be very interesting to see if they’ll stick to no rookie starters, because they need talent on the line in the worst way. I think Sims will be traded for a veteran lineman, however they have to find the right team, one that wants to sacrifice a veteran who knows their system for a higher upside younger player. I think Charles Brown is a very very likely selection at 14, he fits the scheme perfect, and Carrol and Bates know him well.