Have we as fans learned this yet?

@"Bezerker88" said:

Games are won and lost in the trenches...  It’s about the Line.  I know the QB position is “Sexy”(not sure how a position can be considered as such but whatever) and “everybody who’s anybody” has a franchise one.... BUT.   A solid O line will make a decent backup into a 13 win QB.  That’s not a jab at Case.  He played great this year.

This isn’t rocket science...  protect the QB and he can find open receivers.  Completing passes down the field will force defenses to use more of it’s players to defend the pass.  That opens up the running game and players like McKinnon can look awesome.  Add in the fact that McKinnon had actual linemen downfield blocking for him on screens...  I know it’s been awhile since we as Vikings fans have seen this,,, but it was there most of the year and it resulted in 13-3 record.  Athletic O linemen are a necessity for this league.... but not more important than protecting the QB.  If you have giant blobs up front that didn’t allow a single sack or knockdown all season I’d bet your team would be playing in February.  Our line fell apart at exactly the wrong time.

Speaking of McKinnon.... did our(NYG) OC(Head coach) feature him in the eagles game... just to see if he wanted him for his new team?  Or did Murray get dinged?  Not sure why McKinnon was featured so much in that game as he is NOT going carry a team to the Super Bowl.  He is a change of pace back.  If Murray was hurt, put Ham “The Battering Ram” in.  He was more of a RB than FB anyway.  Well I’m starting to go off on a tangent so I’ll end it with this.  DO NOT IGNORE THE LINES!  

totally agree on the big uglies being more of a key to success than the QB,  get the lines right and everything they play in front of looks markedly better.  (of course a HOF type QB can do the same,  but without at least adequate line protection they will not last as long)

as far as Jet....he just fit better what we had to try against a very very excellent iggles front 7 IMO.  Murray is more of a see the hole hit the hole kind of guy,  where as Jet uses his speed and ability to get outside much better than Murray to create plays.  I dont think it was anything more than trying to put the best player in there for what we needed to try and do with our depleted OL.  I really like Hams game,  but he wasnt going to run up the gut on that defense any better than Murray IMO.

I agree heartily about the O-line.  Build that first, then the QB has a chance. 

I think our line did well this year until injuries crept up.  Who knew losing Easton was going to hurt so bad.  Elflein was the obvious offensive MVP in my book, but losing Easton hurt the entire line. 

As to McKinnon, I predicted that we would run plenty of screens this game.  It just makes sense with the aggressive front 7. 

I think the OL shuffle done prior to the playoffs was likely a contributing mistake.  What good is it to have a depth chart if we are going to scrap it and try and reinvent as we go.   Was Berger really better at LG than Sirles?  how about Remmers at RG over Berger?   Hill at RT than Remmers?  IMO there was just to much movement for there to be any continuity.  you get enough  movement with in game injuries,  but to completely try and reset the front 5 right before the stakes are raised was a big mistake.

OL progress this year was amazing, but against the Eagles with the injuries it went to hell fast.

Speaking of trenches, how many sacks did our DL have that game? 

@"JimmyinSD" said: I think the OL shuffle done prior to the playoffs was likely a contributing mistake.  What good is it to have a depth chart if we are going to scrap it and try and reinvent as we go.   Was Berger really better at LG than Sirles?  how about Remmers at RG over Berger?   Hill at RT than Remmers?  IMO there was just to much movement for there to be any continuity.  you get enough  movement with in game injuries,  but to completely try and reset the front 5 right before the stakes are raised was a big mistake.

Remmers was at LG.  But I agree.  I think that was a bit of an overreaction as we searched for Easton's replacement.  I would probably have stuck with Remmers at RT because of the experience factor.  But Hill had played there quite a bit during the season.

@"greediron" said:

@"JimmyinSD" said: I think the OL shuffle done prior to the playoffs was likely a contributing mistake.  What good is it to have a depth chart if we are going to scrap it and try and reinvent as we go.   Was Berger really better at LG than Sirles?  how about Remmers at RG over Berger?   Hill at RT than Remmers?  IMO there was just to much movement for there to be any continuity.  you get enough  movement with in game injuries,  but to completely try and reset the front 5 right before the stakes are raised was a big mistake.

Remmers was at LG.  But I agree.  I think that was a bit of an overreaction as we searched for Easton's replacement.  I would probably have stuck with Remmers at RT because of the experience factor.  But Hill had played there quite a bit during the season.

@"purplefaithful" said: OL progress this year was amazing, but against the Eagles with the injuries it went to hell fast.

Speaking of trenches, how many sacks did our DL have that game? 

Originally i had mentions on the D line in the OP but erased...  But yeah our DL didn’t play all that well either.  Missing tackles and just not quite getting there.  Disappointing to say the least... Hunter?   Griff(not 100%)?  Joseph made some tackles but our “stellar” D was handed it’s ass.  Were the missing players that big of a key?  I know Harry looked way off.... was it because he was worried about helping/covering Harris’ assignments too?  It was just a complete shitshow....  ugh.  

I agree Bezerker, we got our asses kicked on the line on both sides of the ball. In fact the Eagles did the same to us the prior season. However, the Eagles have built(w/depth) probably the best 2 lines in the league. The Vikings need to follow their model, & keep building the trenches!

Great post.  Love maulers on the line.
pound the Rock and chew the clock, keeps your D rested and ready

@"Kentis" said: I agree Bezerker, we got our asses kicked on the line on both sides of the ball. In fact the Eagles did the same to us the prior season. However, the Eagles have built(w/depth) probably the best 2 lines in the league. The Vikings need to follow their model, & keep building the trenches!

I agree with the depth. Our starting DL is great. But they had way to plays in a game. They were wearing down late in the season. Need more rotation.

Hell to the yeah we have learned. Have to win in the trenches even though other positions get the glory. Here's hoping the coaches have learned and will take the OL to the next level. 

Its not all that easy.
Big blobs make great road graders, good for opening holes in the run game.  But they tend to be slow and have a harder time with pass protection. They get beat around the edges by speed rushers etc..

Smaller guys tend to be quicker, pull well and are useful for screen passes etc...  The problem is they wear down as the season goes on.  I read an article about how this was part of the reason Denny frequently lost during the post season.  I dont know because it seemed he had some pretty big guys.

Everything is a compromise.