Could an aging Matt Light lead to a fall for Tom Brady and a young Eugene Monroe lead to a rise for David Garrard?
by JaxJagsRep on Jun 15, 2009 9:43 PM EDT
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via www.projo.com
A good blindside body gaurd makes for a great quarterback.
Maybe you've observed it or not but Patriot's left tackle Matt Light has seen a significant drop off in his performance as he ages. In 2008 while blocking for Matt Cassel, Light let up 7.5 sacks (23rd best in the NFL). His performance was far different from his earlier days while in his prime as he made the Pro-Bowl in 2006 and 2007. There is no question that Light was a massive part in the success of Tom Brady. However, with Brady coming off an injury and Matt Light no longer in his prime, is it possible we see a significant drop off in Brady's performance this year? It is safe to say that the elite quarterbacks in todays game have very good offensive tackles protectiong their bling side. Let's just take a look at some examples. Peyton Manning was protected early in his career by Tarik Glenn, a three time Pro-Bowl selection and is now protected by Tony Ugoh who only allowed 3 sacks last year (sixth best in the NFL). Donovan McNabb has always had his blind side monitored by Tra Thomas (now a part of our beloved Jaguars), another three time Pro-Bowler. Tony Romo's protection comes from 5 time Pro-Bowler Flozell Adams who is consistently one of the best in the league. Now let's compare these stats to the quarterbacks who aren't so elite. Aaron Rodgers (who it's not fair to blame the Packer's poor '08 season on) is protected by Chad Clifton who was one of the leagues worst tackles last year after allowing 7.5 sacks. Even our own David Garrard had a poor left tackle in Khalif Barnes that played a big role in Garrard's poor season in 2008 (Barnes also let up 7.5 sacks and was consistently flagged for holding). Trent Edwards in Buffalo may have seen his season diminish due to the poor play of his left tackle Jason Peters. Despite being a Pro-Bowl selection, Peters was the worst in the league when it came to allowing sacks as he let 11.5 get by him (there are also many who speculate as to why he was selected to go to Hawaii). The stats just plain make sense. It's blatantly obvious that the elite quarterbacks are protected by elite offensive tackles where as the struggling quarterbacks are protected by low grade left tackles.
When the Jaguars selected Eugene Monroe last April, David Garrard was suddenly given that elite left tackle (or at least he has the potential to be elite) that could catapult him to the top of the league. If Monroe turns out to be a consistent Pro-Bowl selection, the statistics show that David and whichever quarterbacks follow him, will turn out to be very good players.
On the other hand, as Matt Light's performance diminishes as he ages, the Patriots and Tom Brady could be in for a rude awakening come the start of the season. Every Jaguar fan remembers the playoff game in New England in 2007 where Brady could have read a newspaper and have a cup of coffee behind his invincible wall of protection. The question is, will this be the case in 2009? Or, will Matt Light return to form, allowing Brady to stay as one of the league's best (if not the best) quarterbacks?
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Another interesting article
They do seem to go hand in hand. Brunell had Tony Boselli.
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by FSBlueApocalypse on Jun 15, 2009 9:52 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
And in SF...
Both Montana and Young had Steve Wallace at LT in SB seasons ’88, ’89, and ’94
by mattarne on Jun 16, 2009 1:06 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Some of those stats
are a little deceiving.
Matt Light’s numbers will get better with Brady behind him to both get rid of the ball quicker and call better audibles. Matt Cassel holds on to the ball way too long. In fact I imagine that unless Cassel reduces the time he holds on to the ball, I think he will be replaced by Tyler Thigpen.
by Ewdtrey on Jun 16, 2009 4:16 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Yep
Cassel also had little experience moving around in the pocket at the NFL level. He didn’t step up and bail nearly as well as Brady could do in 2007. I still don’t see why the Chiefs thought they needed Cassel. I think they will find they have found a developmental gem in Thigpen, and the trading away of that second round pick will come into question, especially with a team trying to fully rebuild like they are…
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by Bestjagfan on Jun 16, 2009 2:02 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
in all honesty
who does anything as good as Brady could do in ’07
Surreal to be Teal
by Surteal on Jun 17, 2009 1:54 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
In all honesty
Brady isn’t the best quarterback in the pocket. I’m saying that Brady moved well in the pocket, helping his offensive line, the same way a wide receiver helps his quarterback by coming back to the ball when the QB is scrambling or in trouble. Cassel didn’t step up in the pocket, and he would occasionally run into sacks by trying to escape the wrong way.
I’m actually cool with a quarterback who hangs onto the ball to try and make a play, but he has to know how to move and bail.
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by Bestjagfan on Jun 17, 2009 1:03 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Stats on LTs only part of the story.
There is no doubt that ANY QB will play better with a quality LT rather than a crap one. But, not all QBs will perform the same under either setup. Brady will always do better with a poor LT than Vince Young.
Out of curiosity, what are the stats for the Steelers? I was amazed by Big Ben last year – he seemed to be constantly running and ducking etc. and still getting off amazing passes.
by KeithG on Jun 16, 2009 6:45 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
agreed
any qb benefits from what is around him. brady prob wouldnt have broken the td record with moss, but he still would have had a good year without him.
i think the steelers line was pretty beat up and bad. i dont think they had much of a run game either, so obvious props to big ben
by jags2732 on Jun 16, 2009 1:07 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Going back and watching
some of their games, I noticed that their lines were not that bad. In fact they were pretty underrated, especially after about the 5th game of the season. Ben just doesn’t like to get rid of the ball quickly sometimes. Believe it or not, but they were better pass blocking than us. I think this all helps explain why Marvel Smith got so much money from the 49ers, and why Max Starks got the franchise tag. It’s because they are better than given credit for.
by Ewdtrey on Jun 16, 2009 3:50 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
You make an interesting case
for a point that has been made before. Good article, i liked it enough to rec it.
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by TheTealDeal on Jun 16, 2009 8:02 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
JaxJagsRep
You should post your youtube videos in the fanshots when you make them.
by SoCalStites on Jun 16, 2009 4:53 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
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