Quote:
Originally Posted by Muhast
The NFL is changing and as of now the pass rushers are adapting MUCH faster.
How many Tackles come out every year that are freak athletes? Maybe 1-2. How many DE's and OLB's run 4.5-4.7 range league wide? Several
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I think part of this is because the "prototypical" player at DE and OLB has evolved whereas the "prototypical" OL has not.
At the very least teams seem willing to deviate from the ideal size if a player can produce at DE or OLB. Doesn't seem like that's so much the case on the OL.
The prototypical OT is 6'6'' and 315 pounds. You're likely not playing OT if you are under 6'4'' or under 300 pounds.
DE has it's ideal size, whatever that might be depending on the scheme, but there are players who don't fit the mold but get the job done.
Dumervil is like 6'0'' and 255 LBs.
Freeney is 6'1'' and a little under 270 LBs.
And the new "fad" seems to be the guys who are athletically sized, not just big and fat. Aldon Smith, Chandler Jones, JPP are all guys who are tall and have length but aren't so bulky that they are hampered in mobility.
I think defenses have been more willing to adapt. Plus defenses have the advantage of being able to take a guy regardless of his size and plug him in for a few downs. You can't sub guys on the OL.
I think offenses are probably going to have to sacrifice some size for mobility and athleticism in the future. At least on the edges. Some of these guys coming are are getting so quick at the snap and so fast around the corner that OTs have little chance at times.