Watching the college bowl games, I was struck that Navy, Army and Air Force all played in bowls. Army and Air Force won. Army is undersized by almost any D1 standard. Navy and Air Force are both on the smaller side for D1 but not as much so as Army. While these are not top 25 teams, they are obviously quite competitive. Is the need for huge linemen overstated? Nine out of ten times you give up some speed for size. What do you think?

The answer is yes. Those 3 have to use an unusual offense to overcome their lack of physical stature.

The answer is yes. Those 3 have to use an unusual offense to overcome their lack of physical stature.

 

True. But other schools could adjust just as well if the coaches were creative enough. It seems to me that more and more schools are using speed to neutralize size and we may be reaching a tipping point.

True. But other schools could adjust just as well if the coaches were creative enough. It seems to me that more and more schools are using speed to neutralize size and we may be reaching a tipping point.

 

Unless the SEC and Big 12 and Big 10 go to the triple option the big linemen are here to stay.

True. But other schools could adjust just as well if the coaches were creative enough. It seems to me that more and more schools are using speed to neutralize size and we may be reaching a tipping point.

 

Most all of the schools you are watching in these bowl games have coaches who are "creative" enough, but it's all about what the head coach and staff what to run in their system. Army, Navy and Air Force are all more of your traditional, old school triple option offenses that in order to be effective to their maximum capability need linemen that can move. It's all about about what you want your system to be.

 

Now, what's your definition of huge linemen? At the high school level, I'd rather have 5 up front between 5'10-6'3 190-260 that have good strength and great mobility, than have guys up there that are blobs. Now, a 6'6 320 guy that can move a buildozer and run like a 200 lb lineman is what you would ideally want and those type of guys, with skills like that play in a little thing you might have heard of called the National Football League.

Unless the SEC and Big 12 and Big 10 go to the triple option the big linemen are here to stay.

 

You said it.

Since this is a high school footbal forum, I'll say no since I've witnessed it for years.

Since this is a high school footbal forum, I'll say no since I've witnessed it for years.

 

Quite true. I'd say Harry Doyle sets a good standard for high school linemen.

Definately NO in high school. I'll take a smaller quicker lineman any day. As far as Army , Navy go, well that is a whole different animal. Those lean mean machines are NOT intimidated by some 6'5" 300 lb lineman. Heck , they are trained to face a heck of alot more than that.:ylsuper: USA:thumb:

Blocking below the waist rules in college definitely help these teams as well.

Definately NO in high school. I'll take a smaller quicker lineman any day. As far as Army , Navy go, well that is a whole different animal. Those lean mean machines are NOT intimidated by some 6'5" 300 lb lineman. Heck , they are trained to face a heck of alot more than that.:ylsuper: USA:thumb:

 

Well put.

Blocking below the waist rules in college definitely help these teams as well.

 

Another great point. One of the reasons that their triple option attacks are executed so well is because of the linemen, backs and wr's being able to cut block downfield.

Big people have a huge advantage on the O-line if they are athletic and strong.

Definately NO in high school. I'll take a smaller quicker lineman any day. As far as Army , Navy go, well that is a whole different animal. Those lean mean machines are NOT intimidated by some 6'5" 300 lb lineman. Heck , they are trained to face a heck of alot more than that.:ylsuper: USA:thumb:

 

Andy Fryman, 2003 all state lineman at Mason County (plus state and national champion in shot put and discus) was one of those smaller quicker linemen. I think he weighed about 225 when he played. He once said he worried more about blocking the small quick guys than the big guys.

 

My guess is that the players, including the linemen, at the military academies are some of the best shape of players at any school too. They don't wear down as much during the game.

The New York Times thinks the Rose Bowl will be a good match up of size vs speed. Although, the speed team still looks pretty big.

 

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/12/31/sports/ncaafootball/31rose.html?_r=1

 

The Rose Bowl will be a fascinating matchup of football physics. Wisconsin’s average offensive lineman stands 6 feet 5 inches and weighs more than 320 pounds. The largest T.C.U. defensive lineman, Cory Grant, is 6-2, 305 pounds. The Badgers (11-1) have plowed over the competition, but their offense is far from plodding.

 

I'm going with the speed in this game.