X, thanks for having golden patience. The Honor Code at the Air Force Academy was: I will not lie, steal, or cheat...nor tolerate those who do.
Sports give some leeway to accepting less than good perspectives, but it's nice to have your continual dig into the real functions going on with the team and it's players. That itself, denotes an intensity and commitment to actual football, and applied NFL knowledge.
To most of us fans, just being able to understand, is satisfying. This is one reason why a fan as myself, is so appreciative of your quality efforts. I genuinely say thanks.
I don't have a sense of inferiority or a complex to just disagree to feel as if I participated in value privileges. I'm in it for the knowledge. And sharing the memories and experiences that I have had in the sport. A big part of my view, is a sense of sportsmanship...and I really don't have a fond attachment to the burn barrel bunch. But as it's said in the movie: 'The Postman,' 'things are getting better all the time.'
I agree with your base statement of upper body mass. If one isn't intensely conditioned, then the only way to move large mass is with a similar mass but situated in the upper body.
Big legs work for a running back type, such as Joe Bellino and his huge calves, or Robert Newhouse's thighs.
Without upper body strength, a player is forced to attempt to move laterally enough to curtain off an opponent. But due to upper body strength, that opponent now just needs to move enough to just overextend a player such as Free, and force a power issue to turn the corner. A faster player with long arms can get around even quicker.
There isn't enough long arms or ability to laterally shuffle to make Free a better candidate than Parcell. Not only contract by being a meet need player has earned Doug Free some functional respect. It hasn't made him a much better player, as you well stated, X.
