Ezra Cleveland

[MaroonBells]

Anyone see how Ezra did? I only saw the first half and wasn't able to focus on him at all. Just a quick look at twitter seems to indicate that he gave up 5 pressures and a sack, but didn't have his name called a lot. So a lot of work to do, obviously, but it sounds like a cleaner, less drive killing performance than Samia. Or am I completely off?

[Guest]

I've read differing opinions of Ezra.

• Zone Coverage:  One of the few bright spots to come out of a blowout loss against a winless team is the fact the Vikings appear to have found their right guard for the rest of the season. Rookie Ezra Cleveland got the start and held his own in his debut. 
• Stock Market Report: Ezra Cleveland should not play guard, watching 93 go around his shoulder on one sack looked like the kind of forced around you want from a tackle where there might be some help on the outside but not from your guard.
• PFF: Ezra Cleveland was on the field for 37 pass-blocking snaps but was underwhelming against the Falcons pass rush. He allowed four pressures and a sack on the day.

Personally, I did watch him a few times and I thought he played badly, lot of whiffs.  This isn't to write him off (like I do Samia at this point), but I thought he played badly (which may be an improvement?)

I have come to the conclusion that top to bottom we have the worse set of guards in the NFL.  

[Guest]

@VikingOracle said:
I've read differing opinions of Ezra.

• Zone Coverage:  One of the few bright spots to come out of a blowout loss against a winless team is the fact the Vikings appear to have found their right guard for the rest of the season. Rookie Ezra Cleveland got the start and held his own in his debut. 
• Stock Market Report: Ezra Cleveland should not play guard, watching 93 go around his shoulder on one sack looked like the kind of forced around you want from a tackle where there might be some help on the outside but not from your guard.
• PFF: Ezra Cleveland was on the field for 37 pass-blocking snaps but was underwhelming against the Falcons pass rush. He allowed four pressures and a sack on the day.

Personally, I did watch him a few times and I thought he played badly, lot of whiffs.  This isn't to write him off (like I do Samia at this point), but I thought he played badly (which may be an improvement?)

I have come to the conclusion that top to bottom we have the worse set of guards in the NFL.  

That goes hand:hand with KC's poor play too. QB's hate pressure, especially up the middle. 

Shame on the front office, scouting and coaching. It's ridiculous. 

Pair that with one of the worst pass-defenses in the nfl?

All that gets us a 1/5 start and a fan base with dreams of Trevor Lawrence in their heads. 

[Guest]

Better. Barely.

Opponent (Jarrett) and experience (rookie vs. 2nd year player) should also be factored in...

Dru Samia in his first start this season:
•38.3 Overall Grade
•21.1 Pass Block Grade
•46.1 Run Block Grade
•5 Pressures Allowed

Ezra Cleveland in his first start this season:
•43.8 Overall Grade
•27.5 Pass Block Grade
•51.3 Run Block Grade
•5 Pressures Allowed

[Guest]

@purplefaithful said:

@VikingOracle said:
I've read differing opinions of Ezra.

• Zone Coverage:  One of the few bright spots to come out of a blowout loss against a winless team is the fact the Vikings appear to have found their right guard for the rest of the season. Rookie Ezra Cleveland got the start and held his own in his debut. 
• Stock Market Report: Ezra Cleveland should not play guard, watching 93 go around his shoulder on one sack looked like the kind of forced around you want from a tackle where there might be some help on the outside but not from your guard.
• PFF: Ezra Cleveland was on the field for 37 pass-blocking snaps but was underwhelming against the Falcons pass rush. He allowed four pressures and a sack on the day.

Personally, I did watch him a few times and I thought he played badly, lot of whiffs.  This isn't to write him off (like I do Samia at this point), but I thought he played badly (which may be an improvement?)

I have come to the conclusion that top to bottom we have the worse set of guards in the NFL.  

That goes hand:hand with KC's poor play too. QB's hate pressure, especially up the middle. 

Shame on the front office, scouting and coaching. It's ridiculous. 

Pair that with one of the worst pass-defenses in the nfl?

All that gets us a 1/5 start and a fan base with dreams of Trevor Lawrence in their heads. 

Did Josh Kline die?  Or is he significantly injured? 

[Guest]

@AGRforever said:

@purplefaithful said:

@VikingOracle said:
I've read differing opinions of Ezra.

• Zone Coverage:  One of the few bright spots to come out of a blowout loss against a winless team is the fact the Vikings appear to have found their right guard for the rest of the season. Rookie Ezra Cleveland got the start and held his own in his debut. 
• Stock Market Report: Ezra Cleveland should not play guard, watching 93 go around his shoulder on one sack looked like the kind of forced around you want from a tackle where there might be some help on the outside but not from your guard.
• PFF: Ezra Cleveland was on the field for 37 pass-blocking snaps but was underwhelming against the Falcons pass rush. He allowed four pressures and a sack on the day.

Personally, I did watch him a few times and I thought he played badly, lot of whiffs.  This isn't to write him off (like I do Samia at this point), but I thought he played badly (which may be an improvement?)

I have come to the conclusion that top to bottom we have the worse set of guards in the NFL.  

That goes hand:hand with KC's poor play too. QB's hate pressure, especially up the middle. 

Shame on the front office, scouting and coaching. It's ridiculous. 

Pair that with one of the worst pass-defenses in the nfl?

All that gets us a 1/5 start and a fan base with dreams of Trevor Lawrence in their heads. 

Did Josh Kline die?  Or is he significantly injured? 

I think he's had severe concussion issues stemming from at least last year, hence why he's still out there.