League Forums

As I sit and attempt to tweak my team to get better, I have decided that since the game in won and lost in the trenches, I will reveal my O-L attributes.

The Hawgs are the most under-appreciated yet most important aspect of the game, IMO.

In OL, I seek 3 things at 100....Strength, Pass Blocking, and Run Blocking. With Speed being so important now-a-days, I also put a 25 on that. And every OL, I chose to put a 1 on short-snapping. So that's it. I value only 5 things in a Trench Warrior.

The problem is, now I feel I am over evaluating OL and because of this I am missing out on getting Premier Players in Drafts. Am I right or wrong to put so much value on OL?

O-line is essential. Don't forget discipline and intelligence are really important too. Intelligence finds the correct blocks and discipline prevents penalties which can be drive killers. You can actually have a good run game no matter how bad your back is with a great O-line, it also improves your QB a bit due to less pressure penalties and more time to throw more time to get open. To me in this game the most important two positions on offense are O-line and TE. If you have those two you have a decent offense.

Acceleration helps too. Pulling lineman and picking up blitzes, the ability to move fast quickly helps.

Discipline doesn't always mean less penalties but generally it's supposed to. Check out this LT with 65 discipline https://nfl.myfootballnow.com/player/2906. Fourteen penalties in 13 games, compared to this guy with 15 discipline on the same team https://nfl.myfootballnow.com/player/805.

Penn only had 6 penalties but in 400 less snaps. Penn had a penalty every 146 plays while Shell had 1 about every 90 despite Shell being way smarter and more disciplined.

Makes me wonder if position plays a part. Those penalties were pretty consistent compared to the NFL as LTs are usually the ones holding the teams best edge rusher down and panicking or trying to get a jump to get in position while thats not so much true at RT who is commonly covered by a TE to limit how far the rusher can move with ease. Just something I'd be curious to know if it applies.

If you have decent, say 60-70 run pass block and some speed/acc for tackles it’s ok. I’ve never given huge consideration for OL other than previously stated. It’s a nice luxury but a good QB and skill positions outweigh the stud OL. Now, if you have a LT with no speed and <60pass block, you’ll suffer, otherwise it’s ok.