Archived Thread

why do OL need to be tall?

markky : 5/11/2018 7:07 pm

if one OL is 6'2" and another is 6'8", but at the same weight, wouldn't the shorter one have an advantage in leverage with taller defensive linemen?

serious question, not an OL expert.

The only thing I can think of is

MTN-G-man : 5/11/2018 7:12 pm : link

Taller people have longer arms. Which OL use to their advantage.

People here routinely call

idiotsavant : 5/11/2018 7:18 pm : link

Jones undersized at 6'2" 315 and call some 6'6" 308 guard big.

It's mystifying.Tall is a word.

Tall usually means long reach...

GFAN52 : 5/11/2018 7:32 pm : link

For Offensive Tackles that especially helps in pass blocking.

Longer arms

sharpshooter66 : 5/11/2018 8:15 pm : link

give an advantage in keeping bullrushers from getting their shoulder in your chest, and also,for a tackle, can force the edge rushers to take a longer route to the QB.

Its not mystifying, its just that leverage is only one aspect of playing in the trenches, though it is an important aspect

Height and the arm length that typically comes with it is most

yatqb : 5/11/2018 10:42 pm : link

important for OTs. I think that OGs actually benefit from a bit less height, because it does help with leverage, as markky suggests.

Another is pulling or moving in space generally

idiotsavant : 5/12/2018 7:32 am : link

Obviously if your tall and you have to bend knees or bend over to block a lb or whomever that puts a hitch in your delivery whereas if you can just run into them it would be an easier transition.

Archimedes on Ideal Offensive Linemen Size

Rafflee : 5/12/2018 8:23 am : link

�Give me a lever long enough and a fulcrum on which to place it, and I shall move the world. �

― Archimedes

While leverage is good, there is a reason you don't see many (any?)

widmerseyebrow : 5/12/2018 8:37 am : link

6'1 guards or centers. In pass pro its better to have long arms to go along with technique.

Overall mass is important

Gatorade Dunk : 5/12/2018 8:51 am : link

And it's easier to carry weight on your frame athletically if you have a larger (taller) frame.

Pat's Scarnecchia has some

idiotsavant : 5/12/2018 3:32 pm : link

Interesting comments on just this question in today's bbi reading section on a link

Being that he has both this year a 6'8 (3??) And a 6'3" tackle in isaih Wynn.

And also about little nuances he uses.

But I would add hip width

idiotsavant : 5/12/2018 3:34 pm : link

Thickness of leg bones. Those add mass carry just as height does. Maybe more so.