The Fraley Effect

PhillyPhreak54 · November 10, 2005, 07:29:21 AM

Yes, I know Hank isn't the best C out there. I also know that he also has his lunch money taken by DTs who are larger than him or when a team runs a 3-4 or has the undertackle in the 4-3 nosed up on him.

However, there will be some negative effects that come with losing Hank...

1. Shotgun snaps; Will they remove that portion of the playbook? Whether it is Trey Darilek or Jamaal Jackson in there neither of them have the experience of Hank with shotgun snapping. Something that must not be understimated is that shotgun snapping with a NT lined up over you is harder. You're thinking about getting the ball off quick and clean and getting your hands up and torso up to take on the block. If you pay attention to the snap too much you'll be on your can with a quickness. If you think about the large NT a foot away from you then you could botch the snap.

2. The line calls; As we talked about yesterday the C is the QB of the OL. He must make all of the pre-snap reads and adjustments. If anyone watched the HOU-SEA game a few weeks ago you would've seen a rookie C playing for HOU and they had the LG making the line calls. The bad thing about that? The RT is far away and struggles to hear the calls. Can Darilek and/or Jackson make the right calls? One bad call and McNabb will be on his back faster than a whore on nickle-night.

3. Chemistry; OL chemistry is one of the most underrated things in football in my opinion. When you see OLs who have played together for a long period of time they often think as one. When you rotate players in and out you have to get usd to the new guy next to you and the nuances of his blocking.

I am in favor of Jamaal Jackson starting. He's the bigger of the two [Jackson 6-4 330 & Darilek 6-5 310].

However, what about this scenario?

Thomas
Clarke
Hicks
Andrews
Runyan

Yeah Artis has had his struggles this year too. But he knows the line calls. And Adrien Clarke is a road grader. I don't think it would happen, but I would take a look at it if I was Juan Castillo.

PhillyGirl · November 10, 2005, 07:31:03 AM

(from the nice, long Fraley threaed already started

)

Quote from: PhillyGirl on November 09, 2005, 11:21:43 AM
From my "source".

"Jamaal Jackson is 100 times better at center right now than Fraley. I think he's going to start this week, not Darilek"

Rome · November 10, 2005, 07:34:03 AM

Tee hee. Phreak started a new thread when there was already one going.

Just merge it!

SheEagle · November 10, 2005, 07:41:49 AM

I agree with you on the OL in football, Phreak...

So many people see it as just "those guys who block so the QB has time" - and of course, that is their function - but so much more. Those guys have eyes everywhere...can see the movements the D is executing and adjust accordingly - they are really going to see the blitz faster.

I think Jackson would be the better replacement. The OL needed some help after the Cowboys mess, and they were pretty good against the Skins last weekend.

Encouraged by the return of Chad Lewis as well...

ice grillin you · November 10, 2005, 08:13:06 AM

at least jackson played some center in college....darilek didnt play a single down of center in four years of school...i dont believe either of these guys is the answer..in fact this is the identical scenario to when fraley took over the position...it better be properly addressed in the offseason...the offensive line in general scares the ish outta me next year

PoopyfaceMcGee · November 10, 2005, 08:36:26 AM

The last thing I want is Hicks to have to worry about snapping the ball too. He's had his problems as is.

Larry · November 10, 2005, 12:06:47 PM

Jackson's starting.

PoopyfaceMcGee · November 10, 2005, 12:18:48 PM

Quote from: Larry on November 10, 2005, 12:06:47 PM
Jackson's starting.

Yep. Sucks to be Trey Darilek.

Larry · November 10, 2005, 12:49:03 PM

We should run the ball a lot, especially to the right side. It'd be better to have Jackson in an aggressive mindset and exploding off the snap rather than thinking about blitz pickups 40+ times.

PoopyfaceMcGee · November 10, 2005, 12:53:35 PM

Quote from: Larry on November 10, 2005, 12:49:03 PM
We should run the ball a lot, especially to the right side. It'd be better to have Jackson in an aggressive mindset and exploding off the snap rather than thinking about blitz pickups 40+ times.

Excellent point.

WEST is GOD · November 10, 2005, 03:51:15 PM

All I know is our offense wasn't setting the world on fire with him. Not saying it was his fault, but our offense can't really get much worse than 10 points, and 0-12 passing the week before in the first part of the game.

Wingspan · November 10, 2005, 03:52:42 PM

there's going to be a lot of uneaten doughnuts in the locker room too.

MURP · November 10, 2005, 03:56:41 PM

Hicks started out by keeping Jason Taylor in check on MNF. never know what your going to get from a guy like Jamaal Jackson.

WEST is GOD · November 10, 2005, 04:13:29 PM

Hicks kinda came down to earth though. I haven't been all that impressed this year(or last year when he played). I think we need to sign someone in free agency or draft someone to replace him. I think besides getting a receiver to replace TO, the entire next offseason is going to be spend revamping and upgrading both lines.

MURP · November 10, 2005, 04:56:04 PM

no doubt that Hicks isnt playing well. Im just talking about his first game.