zazie Posted July 17, 2009 Share Posted July 17, 2009 It always seemed to me (not being as football savvy as many of the posters) that these were 5 huge guys and other than the center being a snapper, could be basically interchangeable. Can someone break down what specifically is needed physically for all five positions on the line? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steely Dan Posted July 17, 2009 Share Posted July 17, 2009 It always seemed to me (not being as football savvy as many of the posters) that these were 5 huge guys and other than the center being a snapper, could be basically interchangeable. Can someone break down what specifically is needed physically for all five positions on the line? This article explains things a little. Tackles need to be very mobile athletes. They need long arms to help with stopping rushers off the edge. Left tackles have to be the best player on the line. They have to take on every teams best pass rusher and protect the QB's blind side. On running plays these guys need to move the DL's back in order to open the hole for the RB to scoot through. (Ahhhh, the days of Thurman Thomas behind LT Will Wolford. Those were the days!) The problem people see on the Bills line is that Langston Walker is being moved from RT to LT. Many people here don't think he's athletic enough to take on the best pass rushers. Some people here are concerned that Brad Butler going from RG to RT is a bad thing. Butler had 30 starts as a college player at RT. He has the long arms and other physical attributes a RT needs. I see no problem with that move. Guards are bigger and beefier guys that often need to be able to take on two guys at once and plug up the holes the defense is trying to open in the middle of the line for the LB's during blitzes. They don't need to be as athletic just more of strong bulls that can push the defenders back on run plays and can wall off (create a pocket) the DL on passing plays. The center position IMO is greatly underrated in the game. The center has to make the line calls and simultaneously snap the ball and get up to block the nose tackle. IMO, it's the second hardest position on the line. Smart, tough aggressive guys are what a team needs to excel on OL. The Bills have put together a line like that now. IMO, they'll be good at the start of the season and great at the end. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shamrock Posted July 17, 2009 Share Posted July 17, 2009 http://football.calsci.com/Positions.html ...seriously though? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thurman#1 Posted July 17, 2009 Share Posted July 17, 2009 Here's a very good one written by Ross Tucker, an ex-Bill. And who better to learn from? http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2008/writ...oline.rankings/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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