The 266 lb rule was designed to prevent guys with killer speed like McKeon using that speed and light frame to wreak havoc. In doing the roster checks, I came across a player for Michigan Chris Smith who is a 13 year vet playing DE at 246 lbs. Judging by his stats, I would guess he has either been a DE since his 2nd season or he has been overridden in as a DE.

If he's been a DE for awhile, he'll never gain the 20 lbs he needs, but he has sub 50 speed/acceleration. This isn't exactly the type of player I had in mind for this rule, but technically it's a violation.

Anyone have any thoughts on this?

For instance, if anyone thinks this is worthy of an exception, where would the speed cutoff be? He has 26 sacks and 139 hurries in 12 seasons despite not being fast at all, so it seems that a slight frame is also an advantage imo.

I have been burned by the the Punt Block Rule in the world league, where my 67 speed DB was accidently blocking punts which my 87-89 speed LBs has never done, so I am quite sure weight >>speed in this equation. In my opinion it is far greater chance that acc is the reason for underweight success on the line and not speed.

so my opinion: boundaries should be set exclusively on weight

The guy won't gain weight and won't be resigned after this year. Suppose I could convert him to waterboy or something

technically a rule infraction but if hes been playing DL for 12 + years this isnt cheesy B/S we are trying to get away from,its guys that position change speedsters to DL seeking a advantage in game that we should target.my opinion is anyone coming out the draft class if they are underweight for their positions then fine by me ,but guys getting position changed we have to scrutinise.
do guys come out the draft 40/50 lbs underweight??? eg a dlineman at 220llbs??

I agree it's not a speed exploit but it seems the light weight helps him still get to the QB.

Players do come out of the draft class at a different weight than their position calls for. In our just completed draft, Isaac Asimov (idk original name given) was a 249 lb DE that I picked in round 5. He has average speed so I moved him to LB.

There will be some LB coming out that are closer to safety weight, some closer to DE weight while most are within range.

Changing a player's given position will always be allowed so long as they get their weight proper for where you want to play them.

It's also not just LB that come out at different weights. A lot of DBs come in at a light weight, like 175 lbs and will lose a few ticks of speed getting up to 198. WR too.

The player is in year 13, he may have had 60-70 speed in his prime and is now slowed down by age.

The question is are 276# LDE with 45 speed/acceleration and a 246# LDE with 45 speed/acceleration equal in speed/quickness?

I dont fully understand how the physics of this game works but it seems lighter player perform better.

A lighter player, that has the same ACC & SPD as a heavier player, will always be the faster of the two players. It is the physics of the game.

Pittsburgh has a DE 3 lbs underweight (8th year vet) and Orlando has a 4th year vet 2 lbs underweight.

Do I maintain a hard line at 265 or give a little bit of leeway since they're so close?

I feel like 2/3 lbs is not a big deal.