The Matchup of Recycled Uglys

[Mr. Scot]

So this weekend's contest will see starting tackles on opposite sides of the line - and the field - that each formerly played for the opposing team.

How do those matchups look?

Byron Bell vs Kony Ealy / Mario Addison

Bell is starting at his old right tackle spot (despite being left-handed) for the Titans after getting some looks previously inside at guard.  He'll be going up against two guys he used to practice with.  First, there's a steadily improving Kony Ealy (who's caused his fair share of havoc this season) and then there's Mario Addidson, someone who's proven pretty effective as a rotational pass rusher.

Bell is a decently powerful guy, and neither is he as slow-footed as some might think.  He's at his most effective when a DE tries to push straight through him.  But with that said "decent" is not "great".  He can be overpowered, though his bigger vulnerability is to speed rushers.  Again, he's not super slow, but he hasn't got top end speed for a tackle either, and guys who know how to take just enough of an angle to get around him without taking themselves too far away from the QB are capable of beating him. 

Even more effective against him though?  Guys that can change direction.  If you can start one way and then shift, you can give Bell fits, especially going to the inside.  Bell always had more trouble with guys who could hit the inside gap.  And it's not necessarily just for physical reasons.  Bell's biggest struggles have tended to be with the mental side of the game.  Force him to make a decision and chances are he'll hesitate just enough to give up pressure.  As such, don't be surprised if you see blitzes coming from his side.

As to the guys he's facing: Ealy is developing into an overall defensive end, with both enough power to bull rush and enough speed to get around slower footed right tackles.  I suspect he'll also try some different pass rush moves on Bell in the course of the game and attempt to confuse him.  Addison meanwhile, is the kind of rusher that Bell always had trouble with, so I suspect he'll see a decent amount of rotation.  And as mentioned above, additional pressure from this side could force Bell into decision making and accentuate his weakness.

Now, the fact that he does know these guys well - and that he'll want to look good against the team that dumped him - come into play here too, so it could be an interesting day.  Overall though, I'd bet on our knowledge of him being a better advantage than his knowledge of us.  We'll see.

Michael Oher vs the Titans 3-4 defense

Switching over the the Panther offense vs the Titan defense, and things get a little tricky here.

The Titans run a 3-4, coordinated by Ray Horton and overseen by Assistant Head Coach for Defense Dick LeBeau.  Based on the scheme, you're not necessarily looking at single, direct matchups against Oher.  He'll likely be looking at different combos of DE's (DaQuan Jones, Jurrell Casey and Karl Klug rotate around from what I know) and pass rushing OLBs (Derrick Morgan and Brian Orakpo).  So there's really no single matchup Oher can focus on.  He has to be ready for it all.

Tennessee's scheme is a 3-4 Zone Blitz, which means a lot of things can happen.  DEs tend to line up more inside but can shift outside.  OLBs often line up on the line, and can blitz or back off into coverage.  Formations  - especially with LeBeau on board - don't necessarily tell you much.  Fox Sports once famously asked a group of LeBeau's Steeler guys (Kevin Greene, Greg Lloyd and Levon Kirkland) to predict what was happening on a play based on a pre-snap lineup of themselves, and even they couldn't do it.

All that said, Oher has faced other 3-4 defenses this season (one just last week) and has done pretty well.  Like Bell, Oher has experience practicing against most of these guys (newly acquired free agent Orakpo being the exception) and he's a little better at the mental part of the game than Bell.  He's also got plenty of experience against a Dick LeBeau type attack from all his years with the Ravens, so I suspect he knows what's coming.

The Titans?  They remember the Michael Oher of last year (one who wasn't very good) so I suspect they'll throw a lot at him, including some new stuff.

I honestly wish I had a better sense of how this will turn out.  Overall, I like our odds because Oher has been pretty good, but the Titans defense has tightened up a lot after a rough start (they gave up a ton of big plays early in the season) so again, I guess we'll see.

Other Former Teammates

We've got a few other former Titans on roster too in backups Fernando Velasco and Chris Scott.  I've looked over the Titans roster and Bell is the only former Panther I saw on the regular roster.  They do have former practice squad TE Kevin Greene on their practice squad and, if I recall correctly, they may have had someone else from here in camp.  If they did though, they apparently didn't make the team.

Bottom Line

Michael Oher has been better for us at left tackle than Byron Bell was.  I don't think that's a "homer" judgment and I believe anyone who watched both would agree with this evaluation.  because of this, loads of Panther fans are salivating at the prospect of our defense facing Bell.  I'm actually pretty sure lots of Titan fans who remember last year's version of Oher feel the same way, though Oher would point to a no longer problematic injury as the big difference between last season and this one.

Do I think we come out better in this matchup?  Yes I do, but objectively speaking I'm hesitant to believe that we'll "feast" on Bell to the level some are expecting. 

Here's to hoping that the homeriffic judgments are right this time though.

[KillerKat]

Bell is about to get his ass whooped.

[csx]

I was unaware Bell had moved back to tackle. I am assuming due to injury?

[Cyberjag]

This should be promoted to a blog post

[Mr. Scot]

Just now, csx said:

I was unaware Bell had moved back to tackle. I am assuming due to injury?

I just learned about it myself, honestly.

I was checking their depth chart to verify which guard spot he plays and saw him listed at right tackle.  Did a little quick research and it looks like it was Mike Mularkey's decision to switch up the OL after the team dumped Ken Whisenhunt. They moved free agent pickup Joe Looney (a former 49er) to the left guard spot where Bell was starting all season.

So apparently he's only played there one week.

[Pejorative Miscreant]

in before childish humor ensues about bumping uglies 

[Mr. Scot]

12 minutes ago, Pejorative Miscreant said:

in before childish humor ensues about bumping uglies 

Know your audience.

[O-Ther]

Only other former Panther I can remember the Titans looking at was bringing in James Dockery after the Raiders cut him for a look-see. They didn't sign him.

[Mr. Scot]

2 minutes ago, O-Ther said:

Only other former Panther I can remember the Titans looking at was bringing in James Dockery after the Raiders cut him for a look-see. They didn't sign him.

Possible.

I'm too lazy to do more than a cursory search.

[juliosantos]

Bells worst nightmare  ryan delaire

[panthers55]

I think Oher will hold his own and give Cam time which is critical against a zone blitz defense. As long as the blitz doesn't get there repeatedly, it allows Cam to sit back and wait for his guys to clear or find a hole. He just has to be patient and take what the defense is giving him instead of throwing into double coverage.  I hope we can establish a running game but I expect them to pack the box.  

If we can get pressure with only 4 it should bode well for us. Bell was never good at picking up the blitz and defending stunts. Hopefully our 4-3 zone blitz is more effective against them than their 3-4 version is against us.

[KendrickPanther]

4 hours ago, Mr. Scot said:

I just learned about it myself, honestly.

I was checking their depth chart to verify which guard spot he plays and saw him listed at right tackle.  Did a little quick research and it looks like it was Mike Mularkey's decision to switch up the OL after the team dumped Ken Whisenhunt. They moved free agent pickup Joe Looney (a former 49er) to the left guard spot where Bell was starting all season.

So apparently he's only played there one week.

The Right Tackle was a rookie 2nd rounder, Jeremiah Poutasi I believe. They wanted to play him for experience but he was getting Mariotta killed. Their Left tackle is a 2nd year player Taylor Lewan and he has been getting beat regularly too. Bell was one of their most reliable lineman at Left Guard and Mularkey put him at Right Tackle to get the rookie off the field. 

I agree Mario Addison is the guy I would expect to have 3rd down success on Bell. I think Bell would lock up Ealy, he's always done better vs. power lineman. This board has so much animosity for Bell he stands out on the line to us. But he's one of the bright spots on that line. Taylor Lewan vs. Jarred Allen should be our money maker. If we want to bring corner or safety blitz's, Bell can really struggle with those. 

Another thing to consider is the Titans offense. When they are in a rhythm the ball is out in 3 seconds. Bell won't be asked to hold a block as long for them. The Titans have really been struggling to run the ball. Getting Marriota back has helped in that regard. But Cam Newton would be their leading rusher by a good size margin. Jonathan Stewart would double up their leading rusher. I'm sure this game will be cathartic for Bell haters but honestly this match up is one sided. Our 11 on offense are better than their 11. Our line is better than their line.