The Interior Line - A Look At Rex Hadnot

by Jesse Reynolds on Jun 21, 2011 1:19 PM MDT

Outside of the QB position the Cardinals offense line is one of the biggest question marks on the team. With Alan Faneca retiring and Lyle Sendlein and Deuce Lutui most likely eligible for FA for this potential season it leaves us with some serious questions about the the future of our line.

Lately it has become well documented that Sendlein is likely to return as he is highly regarded by the coaches and now because of recent reports is becoming more appreciated by the fans. Many also believe that Lutui is a goner as he will look for the most money in FA and because of disciple issues under Ken Whisenhunt many feel it is unlikely the Cards will aggressively pursue him. With Faneca retiring and Lutui likely gone in FA it leaves us with the question, who's going to fill in at the guard position?

Signed last year in 2010 Rex Hadnot, the former Dolphins 6th round pick, took very few snaps for the Cardinals. Hadnot though started his career hot becoming a full time starter his second year for the Dolphins in 2005 playing for a line that gave up only 26 sacks and also rushed for over 110 yards a game. Hadnot was often moved around by the coaching staff with stints as an RG, LG and as a C showing his versatility as an interior player. In 2006 the entire offensive line and team slumped, including Hadnot giving up a whopping 47 sacks total (it is difficult to gage how many were on Hadnot). Having Joey Harrington and Daunte Culpepper as QB's probably didn't help but the Dolphins still managed to average over 100 yards a game and 4.2 YPC rushing.

While playing for Miami the Dolphins the only averaged under a 100 yards per game rushing once in 2007. But the offensive line did give up over 40 sacks each season during his tenure except during the 2005 season. For whatever reasons the Dolphins did not attempt to resign Hadnot at the expiration of his rookie contract. Hadnot signed with the Cleveland Browns for their 2008 season and started 15 games, missing one because of injury. The Browns finished 4-12 that season but did average over 100 yards on the ground per game. In 2009 Hadnot saw a large reduction of playing time, playing in only 9 games and starting just six due to a knee injury. He was not resigned.

2010 brings Hadnot to the Cards who played him sparingly. In scouting reports, Hadnot has been described as a well disciplined blocker who is rarely flagged and excels at pulling and finding someone to block on screens. He shows good control on his pulls and always finds someone to block. He isn't incredibly powerful nor is he very fast but he does show good mobility. His issues arise from very bad hand work. This article comes from a Steelers blog but I think is very good break down of Hadnots game.

With all of these in mind it shows that Hadnot is a solid player in the league and a capable starter but is nothing exceptional. I believe he will fill in nicely though I worry about him being pared on the same side as Levi because Hadnot seems to struggle in pass protection.

Next I will break down current roster players Tom Pestock and Cliff Louis.

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I've got high hopes

Let’s hope the play calling affords the offense the opportunity to put up a century mark on the ground…i still remember the Judo throw by Tom Pestock in training camp on I think Alan Branch…Cant wait for the article on him

by Cardsfan928 on Jun 21, 2011 4:27 PM MDT reply actions

Just for those who care;

2004 – 7 starts, 1 holding penalty, 2 false start penalties, 1 sack allowed, 6.5 yard loss
2005 – 16 starts, 0 holding penalties, 9 false start penalties, 1.5 sacks allowed, 9 yard loss
2006 – 16 starts, 0 holding penalties, 1 false start penalty, 2.5 sacks allowed, 18.5 yard loss
2007 – 16 starts, 2 holding penalties, 1 false start penalty, 3 sacks allowed, 28.5 yard loss
2008 – 15 starts, 1 holding penalties, 4 false start penalties, 1.5 sacks allowed, 7 yard loss
2009 – 6 starts, 0 holding penalties, 1 false start penalties, 0 sacks allowed.

Career – 77 starts, 18 false start penalties, 4 holding penalties. 9.5 sacks allowed, 69.50 yard loss.

In 4.8 full seasons starting (3 games short of 5 seasons) he averages a little under two sacks allowed per season and less than 1 holding penalty a season, his biggest issue is with false start penalties.

I really hope we keep Lutui around, he has aloows just 4 sacks over the past two seasons combined and his combined total from those two seasons of 8 is far better than either 2007 or 2008 when he has 8 and 9 in each season respectively. He just seems to have turned the corner and was easily the best offensive line starter on the team last season.

by khodder on Jun 21, 2011 9:18 PM MDT reply actions

Those are good numbers

He plays very disciplined ball.

by Jesse Reynolds on Jun 21, 2011 10:08 PM MDT up reply actions

Nothing exact, but if we look at the position he played (RG/C) and then the runs to areas that are usually blocked for by those players (Middle and behind tackle right) we can find;

2005 – Started at RG in Miami, averaged 4.09 YPC up the middle (14th) and 4.10 behind RT (15th)
2006 – Started at C in Miami, averaged 3.91 YPC up the middle (25th)
2007 – Started at RG in Miami, averaged 3.77 YPC up the middle (25th) and 3.73 YPC behind RT (26th)
2008 – Started at RG in Cleveland, averaged 4.10 YPC up the middle (22nd) and 4.53 behind RT (7th)

Those are his only full seasons, nothing really great, but I have always beleived that run blocking is more a product of the cohesiveness of the unit.

Now these do not account for times he pulled left, or was pulled outside right and teams had success, it does not account for the abilities of the running back, or the abilities of other members of the OL he played with.

Basically these numbers are better suited to showing if an "area’ of an OL is better as opposed to a specific player.

by khodder on Jun 22, 2011 2:32 PM MDT up reply actions