Dumb Question RE: Offensive Line Strategy

Answer may be something coaches should re-evaluate, instead of assuming that common-place is correct, but here it is none-the-less.

OL is predicated largely on chemistry. It's about knowing what the guy next to you is supposed to do, and just as importantly, trusting that guy to do that job. It's about communication. It's about understanding the way the guy next to you does things, the unspoken communication and techniques, if you will.

There are a limited number of reps per practice. You have a limited number of time to develop those things. It's in large part why coaches are reluctant to even switch out guys drive-to-drive, let alone play-to-play. Every other position besides QB will basically see a rotation, yet OL does not. Some may even go to the extreme and occasionally rotate a QB for known pass downs, but it's rare.

At the end of the day, you want that chemistry, and you want it to improve as much as possible to improve as much as a unit. No team wants to tip their hand at any position, even if some players can do that to a degree. And maybe in the short term, a rotation could be beneficial, but in the long term it becomes even more unlikely.

Also, there doesn't tend to be a guy that is "a great pass blocker" but a poor run blocker. While OL can be better at certain aspects than others, it's rare they are drastically better in one and weaker in another, and then have another guy that's weaker in the first area but a strength in the other. 

So typically it's easier and more coherent to have a single unit. At the end of the day, it's likely too expensive to do it a different way, which is why coaches don't. But hey, maybe it needs to be reevaluated.

Offensive tackles have to be athletic, like a heavy weight tight end but heavier. Our incoming 18 tackles seem to fit the bill and could help in the Pass Pro sector. Defensive Ends in college football are freaks now with line backer speed with more size.....need to match up an athlete with an athlete....especially on the QBs blind side. More footwork drills in the off season.

Welcome.  Dumb questions are a theme today.  Not that you are dumb.  Just the questions.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BwQnLEc5c3c

But more generally, it's their strategy to push people

I don't see this as a dumb question.  Defenses bring in pass rush specialists on third & long--how would the offense subbing in a pass protection specialist be any different?

1. Had there been a player that was a significant upgrade as a pass blocker, he probably would have played. Chances are, there wasn't and that's why there was no rotation. Chemistry is also important.

2. Predictability. Just like how teams knew basically what was going to happen, if we brought in a separate pass blocking tackle it would give away what was going to be run. Not just in obvious passing situations, but it essentially lets teams know it's a scenario in which the QB will need 3-4 seconds to pass, and can allow more cushion since they don't have to guard the screen/slant/draw. 

I would like to see us rotate O linemen more, and maybe the strategy for that particular drive can be in part dictated by which linemen we have in.

Some schools rotate their O linemen more than we do.  MSU rotates 8 guys in.  Ohio State used to do so as well, and Alabama has done so to a lesser degree.  And I mean more than just a series or two in ablowout, but I'd like to see us have 7 or 8 guys who get multiple series in each half.  You have guys eligible to play for 4 seasons, might as well get them ready to play year after year.  

I think you could scheme around doing this (by added efficiency in the plays you run, and breaking tendencies just enough to keep them guessing)... the bigger issue is it seems Offensive Line seems to be built on working together and playing off of each other, constant substitutions stunts that.

I've wondered this myself- in obvious (as your wife mentioned) pass situations, 3rd & Medium or Long, maybe 2nd & Long- why not swap them out?

Offense and Defense have their own packaged on those situations already. Offenses often bring in a 3rd Down Back. There are some Draws and Screens in that package anyway to keep the defense honest. And you can always run a regular run play in that situation, just as you can always throw dropback passes occaisionally on 'Normal' downs to break the tendency.

If you have a lineman whose skills are better suited to that, bring him in, like you do with your Jumbo package on the Goal Line. I've always thought it might make even more sense in Two Minute Offense. After all, on punts you swap out the regular OL for more athletic guys who are asked to protect and then get down field. Special situations call for special adjustments. It's not like the individual OL would only learn pass protection or run blocking. But as obvious strengths and dificiencies present themselves, you can plug in the guys that give you the best chance of succes in a given situation.

Yeah, there's the 'chemistry' and 'cohesion' argument, and it might make more of a difference if it's the QB or Center you're talking about. But otherwise pass protection and long yardage situations (and especially the blitzes and coverages the defense calls) are their own thing anyway, so I think the downside would be minimal.
 

is a nice example of a good post.

• Sucinct and well organized
• minimal gramatical errors ('I've got' is redundent, just 'I've' or 'I have' is best)
• Sets up a knowledge rich thread 

Thank you! 

I think that was an excellent question from the lady friend.  That means she has been watching the game and the subbing at other positions(most of the D, RB & WR).  

My opinion is the O line is a special animal.  I played D line in DII so my O line days are from high school in the 70's. The O line is more working together and coordination that other postions on the field.  I am having trouble explaining it any better than that.  

The D lines sub heavy these days.  Each player has assignments, but it is a little more of going all out every play,  get to the ball or spot, high effort/high motor play.  The O line requires more discipline. 

JBB and pass protection - I haven't watched film or watched close enough.  I wonder if his techique still needs work or if he is not athletic enough on the edge.  He may be better suited at guard, but we don't need guards like we need tackles. . 

We played Runyan the last 2 drives of the OSU game which was an obvious passing situation.  I haven't heard it discussed, but I'm assuming this was because Runyan is a better pass blocker.

Well, like, DUH!  Uh, er, ummmm, hmm...great question.

from what I understand... which given is limited.  It just seems that rotating players in and out of the OL would be problematic.

Also, have to be careful with substitutions that tip off the other team.

Coaches make it a practice not to tell the defense what they'll be runnng. Same goes for the defense too.