The Tape: Underwhelming in the Red Zone

by John Morgan on May 5, 2009 1:40 PM PDT

Oregon ended the second and started the third with short drives that did not showcase Max Unger. He displayed good single-block pass pro to end the second and then struggled a bit at the goal line to start the third. I think this is an indication that when the defender can key run, Unger's strength limitations show.

Unger moves hard-left, whiffs attempting to block Swanson Miller, but Jeremiah Johnson runs right and away from the tackle's pursuit.
Ducks: 3WR (right), TE (right), RB (left), SG. Cowboys: 3-3. After the snap, Unger and Jeff Kendall pull right. Tight end Ed Dickinson must turn defensive end Derek Burton to contain the interior, but doesn't. Burton escapes with ease. Kendall pulls out into the second level and cut blocks the opposing outside linebacker, but Unger, seeing Dickinson has failed, turns back inside and thwacks Burton. Unger's absence opens a lane for strong safety Rickey Price to approach, square and tackle Johnson after no gain.
Oregon agains attempts a screen and agains doesn't look like it actually executes the play despite a successful outcome. Unger slips the nose tackle and between two linemates create a sound screen just inside the flat, but Jeremiah Masoli finds Terrence Scott wide and Scott stays wide, straddling the sideline for a by the dive-of-the-tackled first down. Unger and his surrounding offensive linemen could've saved themselves some running.
Effective single-block pass block.
Oregon shifts the pocket right, Masoli runs left, riffles a ball at Jaison Williams, Williams fails to plant and come back for the ball, corner Perrish Cox does and intercepts Masoli's pass. Drive over.

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Strength limitation

Sounds like this is scintillating tape to watch, John. Thanks for doing it for our edification.

With regard to the strength limitation thing, how troubling do you find it that Unger’s strength is at times inadequate when compared to college-level competition? If he’s relatively weak at the college level (at least when strength is most required, in obvious running downs) that could be quite problematic in the pros. What is a situational less-than-stellar quality in college may be exposed as a glaring, every-down weakness against NFL players. As you’ve noted, there aren’t a lot of Tonga Teas playing DT in the NFL.

by jeager on May 5, 2009 2:35 PM PDT reply actions

I'm a little concerned

but I think Seattle understood Unger would need combo help to be his best, so I think it will be worked around.

by John Morgan on May 5, 2009 3:00 PM PDT up reply actions

My thoughts

I’m in the middle of watching 4 Oregon games from the 2008 season showcasing the good (torching OSU) and the bad (USC).

Unger looks very good in a middle zone concept (Oregon’s basic gun run game). He looks athletic, generally gets to where he’s supposed to get to, and does a great job pulling as a center. In Oregon’s inside zone (between the tackles run game), he’s frankly not very good. That’s when he tends to get overpowered and since this is a play Oregon runs quite a bit in the red zone explains some of their red zone issues. There are times when he gets driven 5 yards into the backfield by a 1-tech. I can see why Seattle would want to start him at guard.

The rest of the line is, at best, mediocre. Masoli, the rest of the skill guys, and the scheme really make this offense go.

by DoubleB on May 5, 2009 6:47 PM PDT up reply actions