Shaquille O'Neal as NFL Left Tackle

[Awakened]

Just got through watching the Heat beat the Pistons. I was reminded of my contention that if Shaq would have played in the NFL, he could have been the greatest LT of all time. I'm not saying that would have been a wise move on his part, but fun to consider. Do you agree?

[50cent]

Why not DE, with his long arms?

[Cowboys&Caps]

the dude is 7'2" 330 with good hands and quick feet

thats got tight end written all over it.

[Calicowboy]

I've always wondered how Shaq would do in the NFL.

Gives new meaning to the nickname "Too Tall"...haha

[tunahelper]

Just got through watching the Heat beat the Pistons. I was reminded of my contention that if Shaq would have played in the NFL, he could have been the greatest LT of all time. I'm not saying that would have been a wise move on his part, but fun to consider. Do you agree?

I am from Orlando, FL originally. When he first came into the NBA his personal trainer gave an interview and he bench pressed 135 lbs. That is right I said 135 lbs, so I think a lot of people confuse b-ball athletes with football. No way in hell his lanky *** would hold up in the NFL. He would be bull rushed and used like a rag doll. Remember he is standing next to guys 250 or so at center, you Marcus Spears would have an issue dealing with him?

[MONT17]

People make money on Barry for doing roids yet say nothing about SHAQ!!!


Shaqs lucky he is not breaking some guy's mark who played a game owned by the Gamblers!!!

[ABQCOWBOY]

Just got through watching the Heat beat the Pistons. I was reminded of my contention that if Shaq would have played in the NFL, he could have been the greatest LT of all time. I'm not saying that would have been a wise move on his part, but fun to consider. Do you agree?

I am from Orlando, FL originally. When he first came into the NBA his personal trainer gave an interview and he bench pressed 135 lbs. That is right I said 135 lbs, so I think a lot of people confuse b-ball athletes with football. No way in hell his lanky *** would hold up in the NFL. He would be bull rushed and used like a rag doll. Remember he is standing next to guys 250 or so at center, you Marcus Spears would have an issue dealing with him?

Three things here:

One, O'Neal has natural strength. Don't confuse that. He has never weight trained for a football regiment. Two, the weight training process for basketball is not about how much weight you can push up. It's about endurance, quickness and touch. There's a reason Bear haskins put a set of weights in the visitors locker room before games when he coached. Three, long arms do not help anybodies ability to bench press. It makes it much more difficult to lift.

I don't know if O'Neal would have made a good football player or not but I know this. In the history of sports, there has been on human being who has his size, his athletic ability and his physical strength. Only one, in any sport. I would not bet against an athlete as gifted as O'Neal. That is my opinion.

[ABQCOWBOY]

People make money on Barry for doing roids yet say nothing about SHAQ!!!


Shaqs lucky he is not breaking some guy's mark who played a game owned by the Gamblers!!!

This is a rediculous post IMO. I watched Shaq when he was playing HS ball in San Antonio. Later at LSU. He has never been small. To imply that his size comes from Steroids is rediculous. I'm not saying it's impossible but I am saying that his ability was always there. It's not a situation where he went from hitting 25 HRs to 60. He was always big, strong and quick. If he was on Steroids, it was from the test tube stage.

[Hostile]

This is a rediculous post IMO. I watched Shaq when he was playing HS ball in San Antonio. Later at LSU. He has never been small. To imply that his size comes from Steroids is rediculous. I'm not saying it's impossible but I am saying that his ability was always there. It's not a situation where he went from hitting 25 HRs to 60. He was always big, strong and quick. If he was on Steroids, it was from the test tube stage.He doesn't do roids. He has none of the characteristics at all. Being tall is not a sign of roids. The guy's a great Center who is hard to deal with.

Back to football. He wouldn't have been very good IMO.

[aznhalf]

Somebody that tall would be injured a lot. Don't think he'd be that great.

[THUMPER]

Shaq would make a terrible LT but could be good at DE IMO.

[NextGenBoys]

I am from Orlando, FL originally. When he first came into the NBA his personal trainer gave an interview and he bench pressed 135 lbs. That is right I said 135 lbs, so I think a lot of people confuse b-ball athletes with football. No way in hell his lanky *** would hold up in the NFL. He would be bull rushed and used like a rag doll. Remember he is standing next to guys 250 or so at center, you Marcus Spears would have an issue dealing with him?

That is a blatant lie. As a matter of fact there was an "inside" story of him a few weeks ago on NBA Inside Stuff and it said that in 8th grade he was recruited by LSU's coach and he was already 6'3 benching 200.

[SuspectCorner]

shaq has basketball written all over him. that sport is more about endurance and finesse than brute power.

but i think shaq mighta made a great LT.

he obviously had (past-tense) the legs to manuever DEs around the pocket. and the wingspan to avoid being latched onto. and does anybody doubt shaq packs a "punch"?

i think a solid, fluid, base (thighs and butt) are what makes a good OT. arm strength is over-rated here. lock the elbows and everything south of the torso do the rest.

he coulda gone into canton. i guess he'll have to settle for springfield.

[Seven]

Are there really 5 polls currently running on the first Zone page? What's the record?

Shaq would stink up the joint. The roids comment.....c'mon man. Shaq is just a big boy. A human anomally.

[Fla Cowpoke]

The Roids comment is a joke.

I think Shaq would have been a great TE. Think about him in the red zone. Sheesh. His hands are so big he could snatch any ball that was thrown near him. Who could cover him? Seriously. There would be no one that could stop him in the short passing game. And he has great mobility for his size too. Did you see him run the break by himself tonight?

The thing is...he could not get paid in the NFL like he does in the NBA. He definitely made the right choice.

As for LT, remember he has to run block too, and that would be a disadvantage.

[nyyanksfan20]

The Roids comment is a joke.

I think Shaq would have been a great TE. Think about him in the red zone. Sheesh. His hands are so big he could snatch any ball that was thrown near him. Who could cover him? Seriously. There would be no one that could stop him in the short passing game. And he has great mobility for his size too. Did you see him run the break by himself tonight?



I always wondered that, why doesn't an NFL team sign a 7 footer for goal line situations and to block punts/field goals.

[Bob Sacamano]

i think a solid, fluid, base (thighs and butt) are what makes a good OT.

:hammer: that's why you hear terms such as "bending at the knees", and "play with proper leverage" thrown around much when scouting LT prospects, Dlineman try to get under your pads, that's why Olineman need to have a powerful base, as well as technique, good arse point

a point many forgot to mention is Shaq's foot-speed, if he were to be a LT, he has that advantage going for him

[RealCowboyfan]

Just got through watching the Heat beat the Pistons. I was reminded of my contention that if Shaq would have played in the NFL, he could have been the greatest LT of all time. I'm not saying that would have been a wise move on his part, but fun to consider. Do you agree?

Shaq would be too old to play in the NFL... he's wore down... He'll be injured all the time.

[Chrissyboy]

Or maybe he'd have been the best QB ever - with those measurables nobody could get him down. Or maybe, the greatest NASCAR driver ever!

Come on guys. Planet theory or not, to give Shaq the type of hype of greatest LT ever is really disrespecting the skills necessary and the existing greats of the game.

He may be a super athlete. He may be a great competitor. To commence lauding 'best ever' praise is jumping the gun.....just a little!

[CrazyCowboy]

the dude is 7'2" 330 with good hands and quick feet

thats got tight end written all over it.

Shaq may be the "one due" Roy Williams would not hit too hard.

[Eddie]

Or maybe he'd have been the best QB ever - with those measurables nobody could get him down. Or maybe, the greatest NASCAR driver ever!

Come on guys. Planet theory or not, to give Shaq the type of hype of greatest LT ever is really disrespecting the skills necessary and the existing greats of the game.

He may be a super athlete. He may be a great competitor. To commence lauding 'best ever' praise is jumping the gun.....just a little!


ha ha. It's hard to say, Shaq makes one heck of a pair of sneakers ... all for $20 a pair at Payless. ha ha.

Whether he's the best of anything or not is to be seen, but he's definitely NOT the best comedic actor I've ever seen. Not sure I'd want to see him on the big screen again.

Heck, I wanna see him in the UFC.