Film Study's grades on o-line: Hurst redeems himself

[TBird]

Actually, I gave Hurst a higher grade. He kicked Kruger's ass when Kruger lined up against him

and he switched to the other side and rushed vs Yanda where he stripped the ball from Joe taking

us out of FG range just before the half. That never happened vs Hurst and Hurst didn't give up a

sack against him after failing miserably vs Watt. Once again, they gave Hurst no help at LT. We

didn't miss Monroe.

 

I'd give Hurst a B+ and I seldom disagree with FS. Hurst didn't embarrass himself as an

undrafted rookie. He'll be a star.

 

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I have not reported on the offensive line the last 2 weeks, during which time that Ravens’ unit has undergone significant changes.

In particular, James Hurst was forced into action opposite JJ Watt in Houston and produced the first ever negative raw score by a Ravens lineman in 25+ snaps that I have ever recorded. Here is the scoring:

• Hou: 33 snaps, 22 blocks, 3 missed, 3.5 pressures, 3.33 QH, 1 offensive holding, -1 point (-.03 per play). F.
• Cle: 63 snaps, 53 blocks, 8 missed, .33 pressure, 1 offensive holding, 46.34 points, (.74). C, with or without adjustment.

Hurst was thrown in versus JJ Watt and continually beaten outside by the Texans’ superstar. As you can see below, Wagner had not played well either, before departing with his injury. The good news is that Hurst immediately redeemed himself with a very solid pass-blocking effort versus the Browns where his only pass-rushing event was a 3-way-shared pressure.

Let’s start with the scoring:

Monroe: Any injury to this unit is significant with the success they have had, but given their other options, it will be important for Eugene to return against the Steelers. It will be interesting to see if Hurst or Yanda plays RT in the event Monroe returns.

Scoring:

• Jax: 54 plays, 47 blocks, 7 missed, 1 offensive holding, 41 points (.76 per play). B- with adjustment.
• Hou: 58 plays, 50 blocks, 2 missed, 3 pressures, 1 sack, 1 offensive holding. 32 points (.55 per play). He gets bailed out of an F by a .06 adjustment for Mercilus and Watt. D.
• Cle: DNP

Osemele: Despite the game against the Browns, Kelechi also finished the season with mediocre games against competition that is just average in aggregate.

Scoring:

• Jax: 52 plays, 45 blocks, 3 missed, ½ penetration, 2 pressures, ½ QH, 1 offensive holding, 32.5 points (.63 per play). F.
• Hou: 66 plays, 62 blocks, 0 missed, 1 pressures, 1.83 QH, 1 offensive holding. 48.5 points (.74 per play). That’s a C with adjustment.
• Cle: 61 plays, 58 blocks, 1 missed, .83 (1/2 + 1/3) pressures, 56.33 points (.92 per play) A. That was Kelechi’s best game since week 8 at Cincinnati.

Zuttah: It’s been a feast-or-famine year for Jeremy. When a nose tackle gets push on him, he can often do it consistently as was the case versus Jax.

Scoring:

• Jax: 54 plays, 46 blocks, 3 missed, ½ penetration, 4 pressures, 1 false start, 32.5 points (.63 per play). F.
• Hou: 66 plays, 63 blocks, 2 missed, 1 penetration, 61 points (.92 per play). A with adjustment.
• Cle: 63 plays, 60 blocks, 0 missed, 1.5 pressures, .83 QH 54.5 points (.87 per play) B.

Yanda: It was good to see Yanda fill in decently at RT, but the line is substantially downgraded with Urschel and Yanda at RG/RT as opposed to Yanda and Wagner.

Scoring:

• Jax: 54 plays, 48 blocks, 6 missed, 1 false start, 45 points (.83 per play). B.
• Hou: 66 plays, 60 blocks, 2 missed, 1 penetration, 1.5 pressures, 1 QH, 52 points (.79 per play). That’s a B with adjustment.
• Cle (RT): 63 plays, 61 blocks, 0 missed, 1 pressure, 1 sack, 1 false start, 50 points (.79 per play) B.

Wagner: Ricky finished a fine year with poor performances in his last 2 games.

Scoring:

• Jax: 52 plays, 45 blocks, 2 missed, 5.5 pressures, ½ QH, 32.5 points (.60 per play). D.
• Hou: 35 plays, 25 blocks, 4 missed, 2 penetrations, 2.5 pressures, 1/2 QH, 14.5 points (.41 per play). F with or without adjustment, but based on the scores for Wagner and Hurst, I am wondering if my maximum adjustment of .10 is large enough for Watt.
• Cle: DNP

Gradkowski: He played 3 snaps versus the Browns, his first action since week 6 at Tampa Bay.

You can see from the totals above that holding calls have become a serious issue the last 3 weeks. The Ravens OL had committed 9 holding penalties prior to week 15, but has committed 6 more in the last 3 games.