Brandon Mebane Sacks San Diego's Offensive Line

by John Morgan on Aug 16, 2009 1:14 PM PDT

Today I'll start with tape evaluation for the first quarter. This is an overview. Through the week I'll do more focused pieces on specific players, formations, routes, coverage schemes and blitzes.

San Diego sets WR (left), 2 TE (right), I formation. The outside TE motions left before the snap.

Seattle sets in a base 4-3. Ken Lucas gives Vincent Jackson a five yard cushion.

Brandon Mebane explodes off the snap. He's a head length and more in front of Colin Cole, Cory Redding and Patrick Kerney. His quickness and power to the inside draws the Chargers' right side, right tackle Jeromey Clary and right guard Kynan Forney, along with center Nick Hardwick. Hardwick disengages and blocks Cole. Kerney attacks the outside pulling Marcus McNeill wide. (The Hated) Kris Dielman sticks to his zone, shading towards Kerney, but ready to assist McNeill or Hardwick. Mebane's pressure leaves Redding unblocked on the outside.

Antonio Gates releases into a route. Jacob Hester follows, gliding into the flat. LaDainian Tomlinson squares and attempts a cut block on the charging Redding. Redding hurdles Tomlinson and gives Philip Rivers his kill face. Rivers steps into the pocket. To the left, Cole has kept Hardwick out of his body and is steering the center towards the flow of the play. Redding closes. Cole lags slightly but closes. Rivers pumps and tucks and is tackled. Very borderline sack, because it's clear Rivers was in the act of rushing and not passing, but whatever the stat, an impressive first play from Seattle's front four. An impressive first play made possible by Brandon Mebane's speed and inside presence.

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Brandon Mebane like a loveable teddy.

The Yankees suck-a-doodle-doo!

by JamMasterJesus on Aug 16, 2009 1:33 PM PDT reply actions

*is like

The Yankees suck-a-doodle-doo!

by JamMasterJesus on Aug 16, 2009 1:34 PM PDT up reply actions

I was thrilled with both Mebane and Cole...

Cole seemed pretty stout, was able to shrug off blocks to move laterally, and even moved better than I thought when disengaged.

by PerryCollective on Aug 16, 2009 2:07 PM PDT reply actions

Cole was pretty quick.

For such a plump short guy I was surprised at how often he was pursuing a play to the outside, where he was a player away from making the tackle himself. I really did not expect that.

by cashless on Aug 16, 2009 2:32 PM PDT up reply actions

Cole is obviously quicker and faster than he looks.

Quite a bit, actually.

Early prospect watch: RB C.J. Spiller, QB Jevon Snead, OT Ciron Black, DT Gerald McCoy, S Eric Berry, DT Ndamukong Suh, CB Ras-I Dowling 6'2, 200, RB Jonathan Dwyer

by Misfit74 on Aug 16, 2009 8:04 PM PDT up reply actions

Yes

I’d like to see him absorb more blockers, though.

by jacobstevens on Aug 17, 2009 10:35 AM PDT up reply actions

I hope Morgan

gives a full D-line analysis soon.

by ASeahawkfan on Aug 16, 2009 5:20 PM PDT reply actions

yay

Yay to stout, plump, short, effective d-line maulers.

by paul2 on Aug 16, 2009 5:21 PM PDT reply actions

I was pleasantly surprised by Cole.

"Part, fools!
Put up your swords. You know not what you do."

by Fearless Frog on Aug 16, 2009 8:15 PM PDT reply actions

Red looked pretty good too.

Although the Chargers 2nd team OL was mostly garbage.

by cashless on Aug 16, 2009 8:23 PM PDT reply actions

I wonder if Reed would be a good obvious passing down replacement at end?

he was playing against 2nd and 3rd string, but his motor is impressive to say the least. His read of that screen pass was cerebral and athletic. I am sure you will talk about this later on in the week, but I can’t help but mentioning the possibility of a fresh pass rusher on 3rd down.

"Superhero like even"

by censor1979 on Aug 17, 2009 5:27 AM PDT reply actions

more likely PS I would think

Reed is talented and incredibly fun to watch, and I hope he sticks. But I can’t imagine his slight build will be enough to go against starting OTs in the regular season. (Remember Jason Babin last year? Fast but couldn’t shed blocks). Reed also would most likely need to beat out Baraka Atkins for a roster spot, I would think. I hope Reed can simply get on the practice squad and work at building strength and adding weight this year since he could really be a playmaker.

by Stevo's on Aug 17, 2009 8:45 AM PDT up reply actions