Dominic Raiola Voted Top Lions Offensive Lineman By Teammates

by Sean Yuille on Jan 17, 2012 11:32 AM EST in Detroit Lions News

According to Tim Twentyman, center Dominic Raiola has received the Eric Andolsek Top Offensive Lineman Award for the seventh straight season. The award, which is named in honor of former Lions offensive guard Eric Andolsek, who was killed in an accident after the 1991 season, goes annually to the top Lions offensive lineman. The award is voted on by Lions players, who obviously hold Raiola in pretty high regard.

While Raiola has received his fair share of criticism from fans over the years, he has been a pretty reliable center. I know many are hoping the Lions draft a center this year in order to replace Raiola, but as offensive line coach George Yarno told Twentyman, that may be easier said than done.

"He’s the quarterback of the offensive line and the nucleus of it," said offensive line coach George Yarno. "He makes all the calls and declarations. He allows us to do a lot more upfront than maybe some other lines that don’t have an experienced center."

Yarno went on to talk about how Raiola and Matthew Stafford have developed good chemistry that played a big role in the offense being as good as it was in the 2011 season.

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Raiola seemed much more vocal this year.

I don’t know if he was just having more fun because he was winning or what. In any case I am not surprised by this.

And although many fault the O line for our poor run game I feel as though they played better as a unit as the year progressed.

I expect him to start next year.

"My Mama once told me don't argue with fools, cause people from a distance can't tell who is who" - Jay Z

by Spider1 on Jan 17, 2012 11:50 AM EST reply actions

I think I puked a little in my mouth

It’s not that Raiola is a terrible center; I just think someone like Backus would be more deserving.

House of Spears | My Detroit Lions/NFL Blog
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by Latif Masud on Jan 17, 2012 11:54 AM EST reply actions

Backus was better last year. I think Peterman probably was the best OL this year.

Peterman looked a lot better now that his foot injury is behind him.

No slogans. Just win!!!

by drgarnett on Jan 17, 2012 6:45 PM EST up reply actions

thats great

A leader who makes the calls and can’t block. You know. . . Block? The biggest part of his job? Fucking blocking?

I have a 9" personality

by Waitingfortheroar on Jan 17, 2012 12:02 PM EST via mobile reply actions

For the most part he does OK in pass blocking

Just no push when we run up the middle.

Formerly WestSideLionsFan. Fan of all Detroit sports teams.

by WalterM on Jan 17, 2012 2:28 PM EST up reply actions

He's always letting the pocket collapse

In pass blocking which is why stafford runs to the sideline on most throws and can never step up into it. He’s also atrocious on qb sneaks.

What's so funny 2011 Lions? Gordon Bombay doesn't think losing is funny.
Leshoure = 2012 Beastmode

Draft Konz!!

by Dtrain81 on Jan 17, 2012 3:06 PM EST via mobile up reply actions

Give up, guys!

For all your griping, the pass protection was still above average, considering how many times they dropped back to pass this year.

Typical fans — you only remember the sacks and forget about the 600 other times the line held.

No slogans. Just win!!!

by drgarnett on Jan 17, 2012 10:55 PM EST up reply actions

This ..

by Libran on Jan 18, 2012 1:09 PM EST up reply actions

Agreed

I’m not a Raiola fan particularly beyond him being part of the Lions but seriously..how many pass attempts did we have this year vs guys getting past him?

Have to agree on the run game though don’t bother up the middle until you see a crease or hole form on a delay.

Tyrocasts anime/manga podcasts

by oldboy22 on Jan 18, 2012 11:17 PM EST up reply actions

I think he gave the fans the finger because he's a little hothead dude

..and he was really frustrated with how poor the team was playing. He was probably embarrassed to play for Detroit for years.

I used to kind of loathe the dude, but not anymore. He clearly plays hard even though he’s undersized and likely out of his prime. He exhibits leadership and earned his Captain’s patch.

I think he fails to block sometimes, but part of the blame for his failings lies with the Coaching staff who refuse to replace him. If you’re gonna shit on the guy, give some of that shit to Mayhew & Schwartz if you think Raiola should be ran out of town.

I’ll be interested to see who his replacement is but for now, I’m enjoying what he brings to the team. He’s changed over the years and it’s kind of cool.

That goddamn Okra and beans got you Oprah in jeans. Seems to me a little lean cuisine, wouldn't hurt much- Agh don't touch! -Obie Trice

by Skylar on Jan 17, 2012 12:14 PM EST reply actions 2 recs

I like the cut of your gib.

by Chandra on Jan 19, 2012 10:31 AM EST up reply actions

If he is that important in the mental part of the game it is much more important that we find a replacement

for him as long as he is still on the team. So that he can teach the young guy all his insides.

by Schuxu on Jan 17, 2012 12:17 PM EST reply actions

You guys see Rogers blow him out of the water : )

I know Rogers would do that to alot of O-line man but god dam did he get blown up

by msivits on Jan 17, 2012 12:36 PM EST reply actions

Shaun Rogers blows up one guy once in a game

…and then goes back to eating cheeseburgers. Gotta maintain that sexy 350+ lb frame

House of Spears | My Detroit Lions/NFL Blog
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by Latif Masud on Jan 17, 2012 1:26 PM EST up reply actions

Too bad Rogers blew the biggest game of the year.

That goddamn Okra and beans got you Oprah in jeans. Seems to me a little lean cuisine, wouldn't hurt much- Agh don't touch! -Obie Trice

Discount Double Choke, 2011 Packers.

by Skylar on Jan 17, 2012 2:54 PM EST up reply actions

Yeah he was consistently losing 3 yards

On passes or runs to rogers

What's so funny 2011 Lions? Gordon Bombay doesn't think losing is funny.
Leshoure = 2012 Beastmode

Draft Konz!!

by Dtrain81 on Jan 17, 2012 3:08 PM EST via mobile up reply actions

So much for drafting Konz

Looks like we get to hear another “we decided to add to our strength” speech from Schwartz in April.

by Lionsickness on Jan 17, 2012 1:40 PM EST reply actions

I've pretty much decided I'm going to trust Mayhew drafting until he starts messing up

We’ve had very few busts under him.

Formerly WestSideLionsFan. Fan of all Detroit sports teams.

by WalterM on Jan 17, 2012 2:23 PM EST up reply actions

Yeah WalterM

You’re right. I made a few posts on here earlier when I was angry about something unrelated. Always a good recipe for sounding stupid.

by Lionsickness on Jan 17, 2012 3:26 PM EST up reply actions

Happens to the best of us

Formerly WestSideLionsFan. Fan of all Detroit sports teams.

by WalterM on Jan 17, 2012 7:22 PM EST up reply actions

i think Konz is still an option

Put him at guard for a year with raiola at center. next year let him make the switch.

having said that a corner would be a really good choice as well.

by jonathan.onne on Jan 17, 2012 2:52 PM EST up reply actions

that's sounding like a great idea to me

Whomever the long term replacement is I hope they get his ass in here soon to help learn what to do, and what not to do, from the hallowed smurf.

Individuals should protect themselves. Governments can't protect individuals from themselves, it's just impossible, otherwise they become a tyranical state. -Ron Paul

by Ee Oulo on Jan 18, 2012 12:26 AM EST up reply actions

Don't they need to groom a new center soon?

He blows his knee out the team is screwed.

by LionsD on Jan 17, 2012 2:22 PM EST reply actions

Raiola's ok I guess. But I won't miss him a bit when he's gone.

by Eddie Apoc on Jan 17, 2012 5:44 PM EST reply actions

Konz would still be a good pick.

They NEED to start grooming a replacement for Dom. Dom’s already on the wrong side of 30 as it is, and as far as I’m concerned, he’s far from the best guy we’ve got on the line (not that he’s bad or anything, but “best” is really a stretch).

Unless they really think Dan Gerberry is the answer, this is an issue that they can’t continue to keep avoiding. Changes are going to have to come at that position sooner rather than later.

by Kiddington on Jan 17, 2012 6:33 PM EST reply actions

Last time I saw him in action, it was pretty cleary Gerberry wasn't an answer to anything.

He couldn’t even beat out Dylan Gandy for backup. So I could see taking someone like Konz if he’s available.

At the same time, it’s tricky, because they have to hand off the line calls to someone. Doesn’t have to be the center, though — I could see Peterman taking over the line calls if they want to groom a rookie C.

No slogans. Just win!!!

by drgarnett on Jan 17, 2012 10:52 PM EST up reply actions