They wanted to draft a Center/guard. They loved Cesar Ruiz and would have picked him if they had the first round pick. They have a specific type that they look for. That's why they don't draft guys that are simply good, and that's why Noteboom was starting over Edwards. They want players with lateral movement to fit their zone blocking scheme. Noteboom moves well side to side. That's also why they coveted Corbett. Edwards is stiffer and more of a downhill blocker. He's not as good of a scheme fit. They couldn't ignore the value of a second round talent sitting their in round 5. But in the end the most important thing for an Onlinemen to do is make blocks and hold them as long as possible. Edwards does that. Noteboom and Blythe don't. Noteboom misses too many blocks and can't hold his ground when pass blocking. Its all smoke and mirrors right now. Lots of movement and short throws. Like
@MachS pointed out they've been 0/7 on third and long situations because the line can't hold their blocks long enough, and the two weak links have been Blythe and Noteboom. The best thing to happen was Edwards replacing Noteboom. They suddenly were able to run to the left instead of behind Corbett and Havenstein only. Maybe they are grooming Corbett to move to Center and that is why Blythe is on a one year deal. His contract should tell you that they dont see him as a crucial cog in the line. If Corbett moves to center then they will likely need another guard next year, unless he's on the roster already in Anaheim or some other.
Thinking this line is actually very good and not in need of upgrades is shortsighted. Don't listen to announcers praising the line during the game either they don't follow specific teams like fans do. Pay attention to things that matter most when playing very good teams i.e. Chunk gains in the run game, with actual open holes to get running backs to the second level and pass blocks being held long enough to complete third and long plays so Goff can throw freely. If those things can't happen then good defenses will become a problem.
You make good points here. Corbett as the long term Center might be a possibility. Also, the fact that everything is smoke and mirrors. I get the point, we are not built to drop back on 3rd and long, no one can argue that point. Blythe is limited and Havenstein often needs help vs speed DE's.
But I think its fair to say that our more nimble interior line is built for our system. The Center and guards are constantly getting out to block on screens or block crossers at the second level during counter plays. They also need the quickness to get out on the lateral zone blocking schemes which they are excelling at.
Smoke and mirrors is one way to describe the offense but I have a feeling this could be the permanent system. Our Personnel is uniquely built and experienced with this short passing game. Goff has shown he is becoming very effective on these movement plays. While it seemed to be a temporary counter to what defense were doing with the Patriots mocked 5 man front, we found great success with it and the end of last year with Higbee's rise and the overall repetitions our WR's and Goff were getting with the particulars and timing of these movement plays.
An entire Dynasty was built on a short passing game that negates the pass rush. The west coast offense. The Niners, Packers and other teams have used the concept to great success. While the west coast offense developed by Bill Walsh is much different then what we are doing in this Mcvay offense, the concept of short passes has shown it can scale as a system. The key is to eliminate stupid penalties and maintain a solid run game, which we have shown to do. Our run game now has the personnel to be serviceable. Havenstein is a top Run blocker and always has been, Whitworth is showing pro bowl form. Corbett is rooting guys out like Saffold. Edwards is solid from my film review. Blythe can't man up the better defenders one on one, but in our scheme where he is often getting out on combo blocks and lateral blocks, he does a serviceable job.
Also, the success of our WR end arounds and the quick slants that are developing are proving lots of variety to the rollouts.
Can top defenses slow down this system? Maybe. They usually do slow down offenses. But what defenses on our schedule are we going to possibly struggle with? The only tough defenses on our schedule are the Bills, Bears, Skins and Patriots. All of which have either questionable offenses or other weaknesses.
I think we are poised to run this system through the playoffs if we can stay healthy. As it stands today, the only defense that is clearly better then our defense is the Ravens. The only NFC team that has given up less points then us is the Cardinals which have given up 1 less point. Overall as a team we are positioned well.
