The O-Line

[emperorjones]

So they haven't played spectacularly, but the difference between last year and this year is strange given its the same cast of characters for the most part.

My question is, did Benson inability to find a hole and Rex's lack of audibling (or Orton's tenancy to audible) make the line that much worse? Or in the alternative, did inserting Beekman and leaving St. Clair at LT for consistency do it....or is it something else (like Forte keeping defenses honest by being in on both passing & running downs?)

[Chewie]

So they haven't played spectacularly, but the difference between last year and this year is strange given its the same cast of characters for the most part.

My question is, did Benson inability to find a hole and Rex's lack of audibling (or Orton's tenancy to audible) make the line that much worse? Or in the alternative, did inserting Beekman and leaving St. Clair at LT for consistency do it....or is it something else (like Forte keeping defenses honest by being in on both passing & running downs?)

Probably a combination of things has helped the o-line....just not having Grossman in there helps the sack #s a ton given his lack of awareness and pocket presence. But it's more than that...Orton's use of the no-huddle, getting Metcalf out of there, St. Clair's improvement (games against the Vikes not withstanding), and Forte's skill at finding the holes and doing something once he hits them all have combined to make the line look better.

That being said, I'd like to see what our 1st rd draft pick can do at some point. St. Clair's probably still having Jared Allen flashbacks...

[NoSkyy]

We do not have the same line besides Kreutz and Garza. Sure, Tait's still there but he moved to the right. I have a feeling Fred MIller's crappiness and Ruben Brown's injured/now retired ass have a lot to do with it.

God, St. Clair blew this last game though.

[emperorjones]

Kreutz , Garza, Tait & St. Clair? (with St. Clair & Tait switching). So really isn't Beekman the only new guy? Maybe it is Miller/Brown. We resigned Miller - has he even played? Its kind of weird that Beekman goes from not playing at all last year to being the every down starter this year. He's our future center too.

[CBS7]

It has been really inconsistent this year. St. Clair was really good most of the year, but has been absolute garbage the past 2 games. The run blocking has been really inconsistent as well.