Mike Tanier: N.F.L. teams like their offensive linemen big, but not too tall?

[cowboyjoe]

big, but not tallTop prospects have size, but scouts fear short DEs will usually foil them

Michael Conroy / AP
Gabe Carimi is one of the prize offensive line prospects for this year's NFL Draft, but his height and relatively narrow frame could make him ill-suited for NFL defensive ends, writes Mike Tanier.OPINION
By Mike Tanier
NBCSports.com contributor
updated 8:03 p.m. ET March 1, 2011



They could have hung a sign 81 inches off the ground during the offensive tackle workouts at the NFL Combine reading: “You Must Be This Tall to Enter.”

Wisconsin’s Gabe Carimi and Boston College’s Anthony Castonzo each measured in at 6-foot-7. Colorado’s Nate Solder stands a whopping 6-foot-8 1/4. Standing among these oak trees, hulking men like Villanova’s Ben Ijalana (6-foot-3 5/8) looked almost shrimpy. Carimi and the other tall tackles appeared more ready for the frontcourt than the NFL front lines.