LT: Left behind

[LoneWolf]

Originally Posted by Bewbies

Passes are out faster. That means:
1. You don't block as long
2. You have less time to get to the QB

Lowers requirement for elite blockers, raises the need for elite pass rushers.

Got it Frankie?

Passes are out faster. That means:
1. Elite pass rushers are going to be less effective.
2. You still need a dominant blind side protector to protect your most valuable asset, your QB on the occasions that the quick pass is not available.

There is a reason everyone has insurance on their cars and homes.

Got it PeytonsPrincess?

[Bewbies]

Originally Posted by LoneWolf

Passes are out faster. That means:
1. Elite pass rushers are going to be less effective.
2. You still need a dominant blind side protector to protect your most valuable asset, your QB on the occasions that the quick pass is not available.

There is a reason everyone has insurance on their cars and homes.

Got it PeytonsPrincess?

Did you read the whole section about needing to be strong in all 5 positions up front?

This article doesn't claim that o-line isn't important, it says that the LT is no longer the building block.

An elite LT doesn't do shit if they are rushing you from the right side of your line....

[Saccopoo]

Originally Posted by Bewbies

Did you read the whole section about needing to be strong in all 5 positions up front?

This article doesn't claim that o-line isn't important, it says that the LT is no longer the building block.

An elite LT doesn't do shit if they are rushing you from the right side of your line....

And that's the thing: teams are constantly switching their elite pass rusher to both sides in an effort to maximize matchups. It's no longer about DT, LT, Andre Tippett type guys who are on the right side 97% of the time just pinning their ears back to beat a single left tackle on third down. Guys are flipping sides, dropping into coverage, stunting, etc. all over the place in order to get into the backfield as soon as possible to disrupt the quicker pass oriented offenses on any down.

It's why you've got to spread out the capabilities of all the offensive linemen, just not put all your money into a blindside protector and four roadgraders.

It's why the term "blindside" doesn't have as much meaning as it did 10-15 years ago.

And why I really like the offensive line that we have. Pissholi deservedly got a lot of shit for what he did, but I seriously think that he put together the building blocks for establishing a very solid offensive line unit that has the potential to be one of the best in the league. The only guy he missed out on was Zane Beadles when he drafted McCluster instead, but otherwise, the pieces are in place to have a pretty darn good O-line, especially if they can re-sign Albert.

But even if they trade him, I'm not too worried about a line consisting of:

LT: Stephenson
LG: Asamoah
C: Hudson
RG: Schwartz
RT: Allen

especially if Lilja comes back for depth on the interior and they pickup a guy from someone's camp or draft a good tackle prospect this year. (KU's Hawkinson, Wisconsin's Ricky Wagner or Virginia's Oday Oboushi would all be ideal in that 5/6 round range. All have plus athleticism and have been very good pass protectors for their entire careers.)

[LoneWolf]

Originally Posted by Saccopoo

And that's the thing: teams are constantly switching their elite pass rusher to both sides in an effort to maximize matchups. It's no longer about DT, LT, Andre Tippett type guys who are on the right side 97% of the time just pinning their ears back to beat a single left tackle on third down. Guys are flipping sides, dropping into coverage, stunting, etc. all over the place in order to get into the backfield as soon as possible to disrupt the quicker pass oriented offenses on any down.

It's why you've got to spread out the capabilities of all the offensive linemen, just not put all your money into a blindside protector and four roadgraders.

It's why the term "blindside" doesn't have as much meaning as it did 10-15 years ago.

And why I really like the offensive line that we have. Pissholi deservedly got a lot of shit for what he did, but I seriously think that he put together the building blocks for establishing a very solid offensive line unit that has the potential to be one of the best in the league. The only guy he missed out on was Zane Beadles when he drafted McCluster instead, but otherwise, the pieces are in place to have a pretty darn good O-line, especially if they can re-sign Albert.

But even if they trade him, I'm not too worried about a line consisting of:

LT: Stephenson
LG: Asamoah
C: Hudson
RG: Schwartz
RT: Allen

especially if Lilja comes back for depth on the interior and they pickup a guy from someone's camp or draft a good tackle prospect this year. (KU's Hawkinson, Wisconsin's Ricky Wagner or Virginia's Oday Oboushi would all be ideal in that 5/6 round range. All have plus athleticism and have been very good pass protectors for their entire careers.)

How often do players like Jared Allen, Tamba Hali, or Von Miller switch sides. I know Von rushes from the right side, but the QB is almost always looking at that side. That is why the LT is the most important position on the line.

[Saccopoo]

Originally Posted by LoneWolf

How often do players like Jared Allen, Tamba Hali, or Von Miller switch sides. I know Von rushes from the right side, but the QB is almost always looking at that side. That is why the LT is the most important position on the line.

A lot actually. You see Tamba on the right side a lot. Not so much now that Houston is there, but he used to switch up a lot.

Allen, not so much as he's operating out of a 43, but he flips as well.

Miller is all over the field.

It's still an important position, but it's not the absolute cornerstone of a team as it once was. Teams are looking for more balance on the line versus sinking a huge contract into one guy and having run paving road graders at the four other positions.

It's rapidly turning from a run-run-pass league (which mandated a high quality blindside protector) to a do whatever you can to move the ball downfield offensive game plan. Pulling guards and centers and tackles capable of quickly getting to the second level are just as important as that blindside protector.

[LoneWolf]

Originally Posted by Bewbies

Did you read the whole section about needing to be strong in all 5 positions up front?

This article doesn't claim that o-line isn't important, it says that the LT is no longer the building block.

An elite LT doesn't do shit if they are rushing you from the right side of your line....

Teams like to rush from the left side because most QBs are right handed and they have a harder time seeing the rush from that side. The article is bogus and the fact that you are buying it hook, line, and sinker is laughable.

[Bewbies]

Originally Posted by LoneWolf

Teams like to rush from the left side because most QBs are right handed and they have a harder time seeing the rush from that side. The article is bogus and the fact that you are buying it hook, line, and sinker is laughable.

Tell me again why Notre Dame is as good as Alabama...

Do you pay attention to the positions getting big money? Have you not noticed the contracts LT's are getting is going down, while all the other line positions is going up?

In today's NFL the left tackle is no longer a top 3 piece to build your team around.

[LoneWolf]

Originally Posted by Bewbies

Tell me again why Notre Dame is as good as Alabama...

Do you pay attention to the positions getting big money? Have you not noticed the contracts LT's are getting is going down, while all the other line positions is going up?

In today's NFL the left tackle is no longer a top 3 piece to build your team around.

Keep telling yourself this when three of the top ten picks in the draft are LTs.

[Bewbies]

Originally Posted by LoneWolf

Keep telling yourself this when three of the top ten picks in the draft are LTs.

The QB isn't worth a 1st round pick because KC hasn't drafted one in 30 years.

Nobody that agreed with this article is saying LT's are not important anymore, we are saying you don't need your franchise built around one.

[LoneWolf]

Originally Posted by Bewbies

The QB isn't worth a 1st round pick because KC hasn't drafted one in 30 years.

Nobody that agreed with this article is saying LT's are not important anymore, we are saying you don't need your franchise built around one.

Show me where I said a franchise is built around a LT. I disagree with the tone of the article saying the LT isn't one of the top three positions on any team.