Question about Offensive linemen

[bamasae]

Something I had heard once was that as pro scouts go they don't particularly like "spread" offensive linemen because they "forget how" to run block. Is there any truth to this? And if so, how do teams like Florida get high end recruits on the OL? Surely someone like Saban (or others) could exploit this unwritten rule and point to Alabama's balanced attack being a better launchpad for the pros.

 

[i_live_4_bama]

I don't know if that is true. The spread has a lot of run in it. Look at Florida. They run the ball more than they pass.

 

[CapstoneGrad06]

Not sure how true this is. For instance, I've heard on a few occasions how some of the Nebraska linemen from the "Pipeline" days are not exactly good runblockers. I just think that Pro blocking schemes are just different, and it depends on the playe whether or not they perform well in the NFL.

 

[bamasae]

Although it's true that teams like Florida do "run" out of their formations, they don't line up and blow people off the ball so to speak. The way it was described to me was that "spread" linemen typically come up like pass blockers on 80% of plays and lose pro-style run technique over time...there's no "pancake blocking" in the spread.

Kinda the same argument I have heard about JC linemen, you can't "fix" them and so if they don't run your type of system in JC, you can't do much with them. If a guy "spread blocks" for four years are they going to be too much of a headache for pro teams to want to fix?

 

[rolltidescott]

Although it's true that teams like Florida do "run" out of their formations, they don't line up and blow people off the ball so to speak. The way it was described to me was that "spread" linemen typically come up like pass blockers on 80% of plays and lose pro-style run technique over time...there's no "pancake blocking" in the spread.

Kinda the same argument I have heard about JC linemen, you can't "fix" them and so if they don't run your type of system in JC, you can't do much with them. If a guy "spread blocks" for four years are they going to be too much of a headache for pro teams to want to fix?

I honestly don't know if that is accurate or not. However, it seems that a team that actually lines up and runs the ball would have their linemen get more "looks" by the pros, as they have the opportunity to be more dominating.

 

[JagTider]

Since there is a difference in technique it makes a player much more of an unknown commodity.

 

[bamaslammer]

I don't think that is valid across the board. You have teams like the Giants, Cowboys and the Jaguars who want big nasty mean guys like we have to man up and knock folks off the ball and you have teams like Denver that run these zone blocking schemes that require smaller ballet dancer type lineman. Both are effective when run correctly.

At the college level there is no question in my mind the power game is far better because the fancy stuff takes too much time to get down and with time limits by the NCAA its harder to put into place.

As for the question about recruiting, some players come out of high school and just want to win while others just want to get to the next level. I still say Tim Tebow would be better off pro wise if he had come to Alabama but obviously going to Florida he has gotten more cracks at the big prize.