By Nick Shook
Around The NFL Writer
Read full post on NFL.com

Carson Palmer’s career ended with an interception — and a broken arm.

On the surface, it seemed fitting a team that struggled to protect Palmer would see its starter knocked out for the season when it failed to pick up a blitz. Ironically, though, a running back (Adrian Peterson) missed the block that sent Palmer to the ground, where he suffered the broken arm that ended his final season in the NFL.

No matter the culprit, one of the offseason priorities of the Cardinals was improving the offensive line. A remake of the unit has changed the 2017 Week 7 lineup of D.J. Humphries, Alex Boone, A.Q. Shipley, Earl Watford and Jared Veldheer to a new five of Humphries, Mike Iupati, Mason Cole, Justin Pugh and Andre Smith. Continue reading →

By Nick Shook
Around The NFL Writer
Read full post on NFL.com

A great offense begins with a reliable, effective offensive line. That cannot be overstated.

The offensive line serves as the first line of defense, of protection and of action. The front five open holes for running backs, protect a quarterback, provide adequate time for receivers to get open and for passers to deliver the ball on time and on target.

But what about when one of those five is forced off the field by injury? What happens when a once-impassable wall shows a crack?

As it goes in football, next man up. The first sign of weakness is what separates the good from the forgotten. In 2017, we received one of the best examples.

Let’s dive into the unheralded but vital role of the swing lineman: The sixth man who approaches each week ready to contribute, to step up when another goes down, and to contribute in a role that lacks notoriety but becomes just as important when called into action. Continue reading →

By Nick Shook
NFL.com
Read full post on NFL.com

I was wrong.

Last week, in the return (!) of Behind the Offensive Line, we broke down some key offensive line battles across the league. I mentioned how the Browns would approach replacing future Hall of Famer Joe Thomas. Being a big believer in guards with potential, I listed No. 33 pick Austin Corbett as a contender for the left tackle position with veteran Shon Coleman.

Then I sat down with Thomas and chatted about his career, offensive line play and the situation at his old post in Cleveland. Continue reading →

By Nick Shook
Around The NFL writer
Read full post on NFL.com

Welcome back!

In case you couldn’t tell by the droplets of sweat gathering upon your brow, summer is here. Training camp is merely days away. The dog days of the preseason are near (don’t all groan at once).

More than 2,800 players are going to fight for their football lives in the next month, with some competitions more dire than others. We’re here to preview a handful of position battles up front that will be worth watching across the league. Continue reading →

By Nick Shook
NFL.com
Read full post on NFL.com

Football is again on its annual grand stage.

Millions around the world will watch the New England Patriots take on the Philadelphia Eagles, and watch multi-million-dollar commercials in between the action. Long runs, touchdown passes and acrobatic plays await.

Also included are the warriors of the trenches, the big uglies who battle to establish supreme leverage and position. In the game of inches, these increments are often the most important and influential in determining a winner. But rare are the offensive lines — and those who play it — considered sexy enough for spotlight attention during the lead up to the sport’s biggest contest.

Not here.

As we’ve done all season, we not only appreciate but understand and explain what goes on with these large fellas. It’s time again to go Behind The Offensive Line (PRESENTED BY FORD) for a Super Sunday edition. Let’s explore how one offensive line’s group matchup could determine what retailers love to call the Big Game. Continue reading →

By Nick Shook
NFL.com
Read full post on NFL.com

Tom Brady is 7-0 versus the Jacksonville Jaguars in playoff games.

But these aren’t your granddaddy’s Jaguars.

Jacksonville brings about as menacing a defense as you’ll see in football, and undoubtedly the one with the largest bite of the four remaining teams. Typically, that wouldn’t mean much to a Brady-led offense, what, with the five Super Bowl rings and Rob Gronkowski and all. But we’ve found some similarities with Brady’s last few servings of Kryptonite. Continue reading →

By Nick Shook
NFL.com
Read full post on NFL.com

The Divisional Round is considered by some (including yours truly) as the best weekend in football. The league’s best teams are all battling for a shot to make the conference championship game and move one step closer to football’s greatest stage.

We find ourselves with a surprising lack of favor for the NFC’s No. 1 seed — but a chance to prove the newfound doubters wrong — and a team replacing an important piece on the interior of its offensive line as it prepares to meet one of the league’s most complete defenses.

Plenty of intrigue awaits. Let’s dive into the best trench-related storylines from this weekend’s playoff games. Continue reading →

By Nick Shook
NFL.com
Read full post on NFL.com

Playoff time is a wonderful time, even if you’re the team that snuck in by the skin of its teeth and the tripping up of a few contenders. You’re in — it doesn’t matter how you got there.

For the purpose of this space, though, it does matter, because we’re going to examine which teams have the best (or worst) chances based on their offensive line play. For the wild-card round of play, we have evenly matched games, and also ones that beg the question: Can this team’s line do a good enough job to give it a real shot at winning? Continue reading →