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I am a multimedia nut, journalism, photography, videography, radio broadcasting and production. I’ve done it all, but I love to write and have a lot to say. I live in the Chicagoland area now and have always had an extreme love and passion for the Chicago Bears
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Written by Brett Solesky
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Friday, 16 October 2009 03:46 |
 The next offensive lineman I'll be giving a grade on is Frank Omiyale. It's become obvious to me that the demand for Omiyale coverage is far too great to ignore. Most people want to hear if he is actually as bad as is being reported or if people are just blowing smoke as another reason to blast Angelo for his no-name signing in the off-season.
Just from what I've seen and if you've been reading this blog you know where I stand on the Omiyale debate. I wanted him benched after the Seattle game and feel like he shouldn't even be manning a spot on the roster right now as a guard.
I don't know if it's a consensus or even a majority opinion shared throughout football, it my opinion it seems to be a shared opinion that offensive guards should be better run blockers than they are pass blockers. Usually having the ability to run between the tackles is one of the most important aspects of any running game in the NFL. The Bears aren't currently getting a lot of production out of their running game, especially between the tackles. So with that in mind it is why I am choosing to thoroughly cover Omiyale and I'll likely follow up the coverage with an evaluation of Chris Williams.
Pittsburgh Steelers game:
The first run block effort by Omiyale is pretty damn dismal. He doesn't even seem to wanna get out there with his hands to punch, lock on and drive. He sorta just runs at the defender, in what looks to be a stretch play run call. Omiyale got zero block here. Grade D
This next play is run sort of like a running play even though technically it's a pass to Hester. Either way it's not well blocked here either, maybe an average block. Grade C
 The first three plays are almost comical in the way Omiyale is trying to block. He gets stood up at the POA here and drive backwards, is disengaged and the defender makes the tackle. The only thing saving him from an F is the fact that he didn't get reverse pancaked. It might as well have been a reverse pancake though Grade D
Next running play Omiyale pulls and gets to the defender in the hole. The collision between Omiyale and the linebacker is so fierce it's like knock out punch to the LB. He sorta goes limp when he gets hit and Omiyale then just turns him inside on the block. Good block here because Omiyale hits his moving target and out hits the LB who is obviously trying to hit Omiyale harder than he was hit but ends up getting the worse of the collision. Grade B
This next play is like a rugby scrum between the Bears' offensive line and the Steelers' defensive line. I can't really get a good look at Omiyales block, but I think suffice to say since it appears the Steelers just put up a wall that makes sure the running play goes absolutely no where, we can call this one a Grade D.
Another play where I can't really see what Omiyale is doing or not doing. From the looks of it he did pretty good, an average block on the play. Grade C
Omiyale pulls on this play and gets another decent block on the defender, but he doesn't to really finish the block, he sorta play patty cake with the defender, but the block is good enough for a Grade C.
Double team block between Kreutz and Omiyale is average of C. Not sure if he's supposed to slide off and hit the LB that comes into his gap or not, but he doesn't and that LB makes the tackle. If he makes this slide block after Kreutz is comfortably engaged, the play probably gains more yards than what it did. Grade C
Omiyale doesn't get much leverage here he also doesn't get much of a push on the play. The effort completely fails and he is shoved to the ground for a lack of balance on his block. Grade F.
Omiyale gets a block on the defender that looks good initially but because the defender gets clipped from behind and falls I gotta go with an incomplete.
Bears run a draw on the next play and Omiyale barely gives any effort whatsoever. He complete seems to not care on this block. I'm tempted to go with an F here, and I will. You can't just given no effort whatsoever and expect not to be held accountable. This block was disgusting. Grade F.
Again Omiyale doesn't want to give any effort on this sweep play. He gets out in front of Forte on a nice pull, but doesn't even bother to mirror anyone much less block them. It's almost as if he is just standing around waiting for someone to run to him, or run into him and then he can make the block. He's not actively seeking to hit a defender even if it's a double team on someone that's already blocked. He should at least find someone anyone to hit. Instead he does nothing but run his pulling assignment and then he turns around to watch the RB get tackled. Grade F
Omiyale again on what looks like the G-Power call that the Bears run. He pulls and it supposed to hit one guy that springs the hole open for Forte. I don't know if he's just tired at this point and doesn't care or what. But he just give absolutely no effort, he sort of waves at the guy as he goes by. Grade F
On this play Omiyale gets out in front on the screen. The screen is such a good call at this point in time of the game that there is no one for him to really block. Still it doesn't seem as though he's giving much effort. He's sorta lolly gagging down the field looking to block someone. He does to his credit hit the same guy Kreutz is on, so at least he hits someone. For that he avoids another Grade of F. Though it's close like a D-minus. But we'll call it a plain D in this case. Grade D.
Bears run the G-Power again on this play to the right with Omiyale pulling. He never seems to give much effort here or hit anyone. Grade D.
Seattle Game:
First run of the game looks like another assignment error on Omiyale's part. He helps on double team block on the NT with Kreutz and then he easily should slide up and pick up the LB opening up a huge hole for the ball carrier. He doesn't and the LB comes up fills the gap and makes the tackle. I guess this is where the coaches will point to, and the media will take their cues from the coaches and say the O-Line still needs to gel.
A missed assignment that Omiyale doesn't get because he hasn't been on the team very long. I don't really want to cut him some slack because he should have a certain level of instincts on this play. He should see the LB attacking his gap, the gap the running back is running into and make some sort of effort to make the block on him. Especially when it's a double team block with Kreutz and him engaging the NT.
This is next block by Omiyale is an average block that just shows poor fundamentals. Omiyale doesn't seem to be driving the defender very well, nor does he seem to be giving full out effort to finish the block. He's engaged with the defender, but the defender is essentially dictating where he wants to steer Omiyale, which is into the gap the ball carrier is headed. For this I give him a Grade D.
Omiyale gets help with a double team block here from Pace. Pace scrapes off and makes another block while Omiyale stays solidly engaged. Grade C
Man this lack of effort is starting to get to me. Again Omiyale on a pull play a defender gets penetration and Omiyale sorta sticks out one arm and slows the defender down as he's making backside pursuit. No shove, no pop, no drive, just one hand on the defender to slightly slow him up. Grade D
 A reverse on this play very slight effort given to slow the DT as he goes to pursue the RB, the pitch back the other way Omiyale just stands there waiting...and waiting...he finally starts to move after getting a motivational shove by Greg Olsen like get out of my way, get down the god damned field and make a block. Omiyale finally responds to the get down the field and block and runs down the field to sort of cut off a defender. Grade D.
Omiyale again no pop, no leverage, no bend no positioning he just has his hands on the defender and shoves with his hands. Minimal effort on the block the defender shrugs him off and pursues the ball carrier Grade D
A double team tandem block with Orlando Pace that Pace does most of the work on. Grade C
Omiyale pulls and runs into a defender that simply says you can take your weak ass effort and your weak ass pull block and shove it up your ass. I've got penetration and now I'm going to simply shove your ass into the turf. He does just that. Grade F
A play-action pass, to a screen with Omiyale out in front blocking. He has no balance in the open field and does not have himself in position to make a block. Instead he has to reach to try and make the block and falls to the ground while trying to stretch out and make the block. Grade F
On this play Omiyale is like rumbling bumbling stumbling as he's trying to pull. He sort of fall forward onto the turf without getting any block on anyone Grade F
This next play gets blown up at all angles here. On the goal line with three TEs, Chris Williams gets reverse pancaked back into the pulling Omiyale who essentially is caught off guard by the fact his own player falls into his lap. Omiyale is pulling on the play and essentially has to catch Williams as he's falling backwards into him. Because Omiyale has to dodge Williams he's late on his pull, plus there is a defender in the way he never gets anywhere to lay down a block. Forte is stuffed up by Williams' man anyway. Grade INC.
This is a better run blocking play for Omiyale as he pulls on the sweep. He doesn't find anyone immediately in his lane to lay a block on so he finds someone to block. This is what all good offensive lineman should do a it clicks for him on this play. Grade C
I watched this one very closely because at first glance it doesn't look like much. But then when you really focus in on what Omiyale did, he did a very good job on this G-Power. He gets out in front of Forte on the play and gets into the defender and knocks him back and down to the ground. This is the type of effort and block we should see from him on every play. Maybe he doesn't get the same pancake result every time but he at least gets the job done.
Same thing on this play it's very tricky in the way it looks. It almost looks like Omiyale gets a pancake, but in this case he gets beat on the block. The defender gets underneath him and easily stands him up knocking him backwards. Omiyale is able to hold on some, but when it become apparent that he won't get total unfettered penetration, the DT simply disengages by diving into the running lane causing Forte to slow his path through the hole. The defender does manage to trip Forte up on this play.
I think it's also important to note that I have read a lot of talk about Forte not hitting the hole as hard as he did last year. He seems to be hesitant this year and not just driving ahead for positive yards.
Let me be the first to dispel this myth about Forte right now. Forte has been slow to the hole because of all the penetration that the defense has gotten into the back field on numerous occasions this year. It seems if one guy isn't getting beat, another guy is and it's causing Forte to have to stop his momentum, shift his feet, or even make cuts he wouldn't otherwise have made. The amount of penetration I've seen in these games by D-Lineman has been unreal by NFL standards. This has ultimately been what has slowed Forte down and limited him to his low level production this year. Most people don't seem to grasp just how bad the offensive line has been this year and just how much it's altered not only the offense but Forte's running style as a whole.
Average blocked play Omiyales gets a decent turn on the defender after his initial punch. Grade C
Omiyale pulls on this play and gets a decent cut block on the LB. Grade C
Double team block with the help of Pace, Omiyale does most of the work with solid help and they get the defender turned and out of the hole. Grade C
Omiyale stumbles forward trying to get to the second level on this play. Looks like he somehow got tripped, I'll call it an INC.
Double team block well executed good push good drive good leverage, Grade C.
 This next play somehow Omiyale gets caught up in making a double team block he doesn't seem to need to be making. He makes the block anyway and the weak-side backer swoops in to drop the RB for a loss. Call this one an INC because he does block someone but he probably missed his assignment on the guy who made the tackle. Hard to know though for sure without knowing his specific assignment. Grade INC
G-Power play with Omiyale pulling, he gets a good pull and decks the LB in the hole at the second level. Good block here he almost gets the pancake. Grade B
Not good technique on this pulling play he gets to the second level but loses his balance and sort of stumbles into a block that's not at all effective. Grade D
This next block is worthy of a C, he sorta gets lucky because even with bad form he still manages to get an average block and get the defender turned away from the ball carrier. Grade C.
Another good block good punch and leverage at the POA good drive with the feet to essentially finish the block Grade B
Detroit Game
Double team block here by Omiyale who then scrapes and is still ahead of Forte and gets a hat on the LB and drives and turns him. Not much needs to be said about this play because it was highly successful and it was the best run the Bears have had all season. Helps when you O-Line blocks well because Forte can take advantage, much like Benson in Cincinnati right now when there are holes to run through, NFL RBs aren't going to miss them and aren't going to have trouble running through them and gaining yards.
Dobule team block here with a scrape to the second level. Omiyale doesn't do much to help out on the double and completely misses his block on the second level. Grade D
Draw play from the shot gun here. Double team block by Pace and Omiyale good drive on the defender. Grade C
Thanks to the god damned Fox Sports production van for showing a fucking Brett Favre high light they're late coming back to the Bears' next run play so I have no way to see Omiyale or pick him up how he did in his block. I don't give a shit about Brett Favre high lights especially as a Bears fan and neither to Detroit fans.
Good leverage, good base, good drive excellent punch and a pancake block. Hell of a good block here by Omiyale. If he can show this type of blocking consistently then there is hope for him. Otherwise I'll be calling for his head the rest of the season. It is the Detroit Lions though... Grade A
Isolation zone block scheme here. Pretty well execute for the most part, Omiyale gets a good push and drive. Grade C
A block here is a double team block, maybe it should have been a scrape block because it seems to odd that the LB was able to come so cleanly and make the play with no one there to account for him. Possible assignment error here, Grade C for the average double team block.
Omiyale with a good double team block scrape to the second level and gets a hat on the LB. Good fundamental block Grade C
Working together on another nice double team block for these guys good drive and leverage, Grade C
Another strong block by Omiyale here as he gets out and shows good leverage and technique and drives the defender down the field. Grade C
Same thing here a decent block good leverage and drive Grade C
 What starts out as a good looking block goes wrong in a hurry showing that Omiyale isn't play with really good leverage on this one. It's really hard to to tell because I don't have the angle of the video I'd like to, but I almost have to wonder if the past three average blocks Grade C, were flukes because the DT didn't know what to do. This time he has the drive battle and just tosses Omiyale aside because he's leaning too much. Grade F
A quick pull and getting a hat on the LB gets a good block which leads to the Forte touchdown. Grade C
A pull block out to the second level by Omiyale he gets a hat on the LB and makes a good block. Grade C
Nice double team block here I really like how Omiyale holds just enough to keep the defender at bay, but keeps his outside shoulder and arm free to walk up to the second level while still engaged to then jump onto the next defender. Well executed fundamentals here, Grade B
The Final Verdict on Frank Omiyale:
A's: 1
B's: 5
C's: 22
D's: 9
F's: 8
INC: 3
17 times Omiyale completely fails to get a block on a player, that's an average of almost six times a game he fails to make a block. That is completely reprehensible because those are lost yards. We're not even delving into the pass protection aspect of it yet. This is just the obvious run struggles that the Bears are facing and you can clearly pinpoint him as the main culprit. It's not even close and it's an embarrassment that we accept this level of play from a starting offensive lineman.
This is where I go on my rant with the Chicago Bears coverage you generally find on the internet. The media asks the coaches a question and the coaches always respond in the positive. The media takes this report as fact that sure the O-Line simply needs to gel and play together better.
No answer is more cliche than the coaching staff saying about offensive line struggles "they just need to gel and learn to play better together as a unit" It's the same cliche report you get before the season starts that the O-Line may struggle and will need time to gel since they're three new starters on the O-Line and what have you.
But I don't always accept these cliche B.S. answers because when you can go back and independently watch the film again you can see what the coaches have always seen, but fans of the team have been able to watch. Where as the media simply takes the coaches at their words and doesn't ask any tough question or for that matter follow up questions you get the same reporting and quotes all over the web.
Especially on TV where you have 12 reporters crowded around and all get the same freaking quote and use the same quote you find on Channels, 2, 5, 7, 9, and 12. Along with CSN's coverage and then all the radio shows in town. All the media get the same quotes from Larry Meyer to John Christ at Bear Report. Not one of the people who have the "inside access media credentials" can provide you with anything more than canned quotes with sugar coated answers or the same old football cliches we hear year after year as fans.
To an extent I am asking you to trust me when I make my evaluations, trust that I am not out to smear the staff, or smear the organization, but rather make straight forward honest evaluations of what I see time and time again on film. I have no vendettas out against a player like Frank Omiyale. I defended the front office in the off-season for signing him because I believed he could be a good guard like they said and thought that type of versatility and youth would be good when you consider he replaced John St Clair.
The bottom line is the Frank Omiyale experiment has been a complete failure. He has no business being a starter and you can't call it an adjustment period when he essentially fails to make a block six times a game on average, just in the running game.
I wish there was a way to generate more public outcry, but instead if the Bears fail to make the playoffs, or fail to ever consistently get the running game going we'll at least be able to point to one player who helped in that failure.
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