One-on-one on the offensive line vs. the defensive line is the very essence of football, according to one observer, however. A heavyweight bolt. Two behemoths fought it out in the trenches for superiority.
Tuesday, a few winners appeared from opposite sides of the drill. On an unofficial scorecard, Ereck Flowers and Christian Wilkins freed themselves well. The two split a few match-to-head matchups, but brought pain to their opposites.
Wilkins – who stepped up 24 quarterback pressure over the last 10 games of 2019 – showed his speed and power combination. Often, Wilkins would get on the outside shoulder, under the pads of the opposing offensive linemen and reposition to hide the block on the way to the passer.
Flowers – who allowed just two quarterback hits and no sacks over the last nine games of 2019 – flexed their bare power. He was immovable; an anchor that parked all passers-by dead in their tracks.
Great plays
Bobby McCain celebrated his 27th birthday with some great plays during the team’s period of practice. The first – an interception – where McCain drifted into the cover, grabbed a Ryan Fitzpatrick pass to the center of the field, and broke on the ball to secure the takeaway.
Just two plays later, Fitzpatrick tried to shoot one in the turkey hole (the name for the soft spot behind the cornerback and under the safety) after Jakeem Grant remained open. With Noah Igbinoghene hot on Grant’s track, McCain flew over from his center field position and broke the pass just as it arrived in Grant’s arms.
McCain worked on tracking deep passages in the individual part of the practice – always a good sign to see that the drills were exposed during the control period.
DeVante Parker is a full-fledged game maker. He scoffed at defenders Monday for some great plays and did the same on Tuesday. Parker followed a deep shot in another must-see event between him and cornerback Byron Jones. Jones was in great position; but as we learned last year, that does not even make up half the battle when Parker defends.
Parker also shoved free on a fast-paced pattern with snow. He secured the catch, ran through an armrest and was going to the races before being tagged-off (a simulated tackle) finishing 30-40 meters downfield.
Chester Rogers also picked up a slope – that of Tua Tagovailoa – and when he worked up the field the ball was released by defensive back Nate Brooks. The defense recovered and, deservedly so, celebrated the takeaway.
Eric Rowe spoke about the defense’s accent on takeaways this season.
