Importance of the Left Tackle

JustAwesome · Post #1 » by **JustAwesome** » Tue Apr 24, 2012 5:26 am

Leslie Frazier said that the left tackle position isn't a game breaker. While they don't make the highlight reels, I think they are.

Your thoughts?

bigrich88 · Post #2 » by **bigrich88** » Tue Apr 24, 2012 5:54 am

They might not be a game changer in the sense in which he was referring to, but here is how I think about that position; isn't it the one that protects the so-called game changer? Therefore making it an important position.

Post #3 » by **Worm Guts** » Tue Apr 24, 2012 12:59 pm

I think a bad left tackle hurts you more than a good one helps you. I think you'd rather have your best players at the skill positions.

Post #4 » by **Icness** » Tue Apr 24, 2012 5:45 pm

Worm Guts wrote:I think a bad left tackle hurts you more than a good one helps you. I think you'd rather have your best players at the skill positions.

Very well said, I might steal that from you.

TSE · Post #5 » by **TSE** » Tue Apr 24, 2012 11:57 pm

Agreed. OL positions (AS INDIVIDUALS) are the most commonly overrated positions in all of sports. Everybody keeps talking about how critical the OL is, and it is, but one position of it is only 1/5 of the unit. The resource cost to complete the line drastically lowers the value of each individual position within the unit, and the fans keep wanting to say the OL is just as important as the QB and what not, and that's fine and dandy, but the fact that you have to use 5 players to complete the set versus 1 for a QB or 2 for a pair of WRs or 1 for a featured RB needs to be kept in perspective.

And for that reason I'm VERY much against drafting a Guard in the 1st round due to FA and other options to fill those spots, unless that Guard is really damn special.

JustAwesome · Post #6 » by **JustAwesome** » Wed Apr 25, 2012 9:08 am

While there are five offensive linemen on the field, I wouldn't necessarily clump them all into one. Each of those positions have an importance to them. Ask running backs, quarterbacks and coaches.

LAKESHOW · Post #7 » by **LAKESHOW** » Thu Apr 26, 2012 3:40 am

When you get boselli or munoz on the board, you take him immediately. Which is exactly what your gettiing in USCs kalil.

Triple M · Post #8 » by **Triple M** » Thu Apr 26, 2012 7:50 am

How many elite LT's play on elite offenses or even good ones????
to me interior linemen are more valuable in both run/pass blocking.
basically it is pressure up the middle vs. pressure off the edge and i think pressure up the middle is more disruptive to an offense while pressure off the edge can be far more catastrophic.

Cliff Levingston · Post #9 » by **Cliff Levingston** » Thu Apr 26, 2012 4:11 pm

Triple M wrote:How many elite LT's play on elite offenses or even good ones????
to me interior linemen are more valuable in both run/pass blocking.
basically it is pressure up the middle vs. pressure off the edge and i think pressure up the middle is more disruptive to an offense while pressure off the edge can be far more catastrophic.

This is a pretty good point. An elite LT doesn't mean you're good. Look at Joe Thomas in Cleveland, maybe Jake Long in Miami. Meanwhile, the Packers still rolled people last year with Marshall Newhouse manning the LT spot for much of the season. Stafford passed for 5,000 yard with Backus at LT.

Good quote earlier regarding how a bad LT hurts you more than a good one helps you.

Roger Murdock · Post #10 » by **Roger Murdock** » Thu Apr 26, 2012 10:31 pm

Teams attack you where they can. If you have a terrible left tackle its pretty devastating unless you have an elite pocket QB. However an elite LT is overrated, because teams will just attack the other linemen who are worse than him. It doesnt matter if your LT can shut down a pass rusher for 5 seconds if the other blockers give up pressure after 2.5.

I would rather have 5 average linemen than an elite LT, 2 average OL, and 2 below average OL.

LAKESHOW · Post #11 » by **LAKESHOW** » Thu Apr 26, 2012 11:18 pm

We have to use the giants as an example. 2time superbowl champions who have defeated the likes of san francisco. Greenbay packers. And of course the patriots. They have several reasons for success. Qb play being one. But next to that in my opinion is their defensive fronts. Strahan. Osi umenyouknowwho. Jason pierre paul. Justin tuck. Etc... they dominated with those guys up front. Dominated who? The fiercest passing attacks in the league. What does that mean? Kalil is the answer. No kalil types on your team? Basketball slash track stars will infiltrate your teams backfield.

NBAtweeter · Post #12 » by **NBAtweeter** » Fri Apr 27, 2012 7:47 pm

Game changer.. ask any QB.

TSE · Post #13 » by **TSE** » Sat Apr 28, 2012 5:19 pm

Not a game changer, ask any Guard.

reeDfense · Post #14 » by **reeDfense** » Mon Apr 30, 2012 8:47 pm

http://youtu.be/PHCXNt4P8Xg

I think frazier should watch this a few times.