Educate me.

[Karp]

What is the fundamental difference between how the RT position is played vs. the LT position? Is that fundamental difference so great that it will be difficult for Andre Smith to adjust?

[BengalBot]

The position is essentially the same, the difference being you're using the opposite hand / foot to do moves you're used to.There are also generally differences between the type of defender the LT will go up against vs a RT, but thats on a per team basis. Andre himself in his latest interview said he should be able to play RT, he just needs to get used to the technique.

[BengalzHacker]

What is the fundamental difference between how the RT position is played vs. the LT position? Is that fundamental difference so great that it will be difficult for Andre Smith to adjust?

The fundamental difference is that most defenses put their best past rusher on that side because it's the the QB's blindside, assuming that your QB is right handed, which most are. It's not that the principle idea isn't the same on both sides, but the players your up against are typically better, the schemes you're likely to see from the defense are more sophisticated on the left side and the your QB is usually oblivious to what's happening over there; all that adds up to the importance of having a solid LT.

The thing Andre is up against is learning to do backwards, on the right side, what he did naturally, on the left side. Since it's the opposite side, the angles and leverages are all the opposite, so they'll be a learning curve even in making the transition to RT, however, since, at the very least a right handed QB can see what's happening on that side if an error occurs, there's some minor margin for error there.

Make sense? I hope I helped.

[Low_Growl]

Typically the LT position is harder to play. Since most QB's are right handed, they have their back to the LT's side (hence blindside). This results in presure being applied easier than the right side since the QB has a harder time seeing, reading and reacting to the rush. So, your LT needs to be a better player, typically, strong enough to anchor the run to that side yet agile enough to deal with the speed rushers.

As a general rule as well, most teams best rushers line up on the LT's side of the ball. This is a loose rule, since DE/OLBs move around so much.

[fredtoast]

What is the fundamental difference between how the RT position is played vs. the LT position? Is that fundamental difference so great that it will be difficult for Andre Smith to adjust?

Not a lot of difference.

Have you ever been to a country where they drive on the left hand side of the road? It sounds really simple until you try it. It is surprisingly difficult to adjust to. However since they are moving Dre to the right side this early in the process i think he will pick it up pretty easily.

Also the right side is usually the "power" side of the line because that is where the TE lines up. So there are usually more running plays to the right side. The DE on that side will usually be larger to stand up to the run better. If he played the left side he would usually be facing smaller, faster DEs.

As for the LT protecting the "blind side" of a QB, I think that is a little exagerrated. Unless a QB has his eyes locked on a receiver on the right side of the field he will still see any pass rushers coming from the left side.

[Ryan Mc]

It's possible that a player can be talented enough to play either/both, but they are two different positions. Mark Schlereth, who won two Superbowls as a guard for the Broncos, has spoken about how terrible Gary Zimmerman was when the Broncos tried to move him from LT to RT. Zimmerman was a Hall of Fame LT (he went in last year), but apparently terrible as a RT and the Broncos had to abandon the switch and move him back to the left. Again, doesn't mean a guy who was a good LT in college can't play RT, just that you can't assume it until you see it.

[BengalzHacker]

As for the LT protecting the "blind side" of a QB, I think that is a little exagerrated. Unless a QB has his eyes locked on a receiver on the right side of the field he will still see any pass rushers coming from the left side.

I kind of agree with you here, in that a QB should be surveying the entire field, however, where I disagree with you is with the position of QB's body in realtion to the on coming rushers. A pocket QB, which BTW describes Carson at this point, sits in the pocket as the outside rushers generally come around, past the QB on the field. They collapse in on the QB from behind, thus all the QB arm swipes and fumbles we see replayed every weekend on ESPN and the like.

Now, with the QB's body being positioned sideways favoring facing the right hand side of the field, he's far more likely to pick up a rusher in his line of sight from this right hand side than from his left hand side, because his back is to the left hand side of the field. I'd say it's a 30/70 split. A QB will probably see 70% of right hand side rushers coming and only 30% of the left hand side rushers coming; this is all due to his body position, peripheral vision, focus and the natural, human instinct to guard the front of your body from assault.

[Karp]

DOOD's thanks for the education. Makes a lot more sense now. I never really thought about the sublties between left hand vs right hand. I always thought the line was all about one big lumox trying to get in the way of the other big lumox. I didn't really pay attention to the finesse aspect of those positions.

[dtrance]

There is a ton of technical aspect of blocking, hand positioning, foot work, leverage etc. Just because you know how to write right handed, doesn't mean you'll do well left handed. I think that is a good analogy for the differences of RT and LT. They are essentially doing the same thing but mirrored.

[BengalzHacker]

There is a ton of technical aspect of blocking, hand positioning, foot work, leverage etc. Just because you know how to write right handed, doesn't mean you'll do well left handed. I think that is a good analogy for the differences of RT and LT. They are essentially doing the same thing but mirrored.

Well put!

[Bech72]

IMO the differences get blown out of proportion. The biggest difference is what has already been said multiple times; protecting the blind side. Typically you want your strongest pass blocking T on the QBs blindside which is typically LT.

Smith at RT actually makes sense. Not because I think Whit is the better pass protector; but because pairing Smith with Bobbie Williams should make for one hell of a strong run blocking tandem on the right side.

I still believe that this is all speculative; because I think Smith will be at LT sooner than later. They paid Whit a hefty extension at LG last year, IMO that was not because they saw him moving to LT. Either way, with a healthy Carson both OTs could end up looking very good due to Carson's quick release; which is almost as important to negating a pass rush as having stellar pass blocking tackles.

[jonescincy]

The RT seems to be more of a run blocker than pass blocker. The RT side is usually the power running side because the RT is usually a beast run blocker who along with the TE and guard should be able to get you a yard or three when you need it. Having a great RT who can hold his ground also give the QB space to throw and move, something sorely lacking last year. Willie kept his man at bay and Carson usually had room to throw and move a little to that side if need be. I'd bet after the bad performance overall of the RT's last year that was a big reason for taking the best tackle and putting him on that side so you give Carson room to work. The LT can be assisted by an RB or TE if necessary but the less people in the QB's face the easier for him to concentrate down field. Part of Klinger's problem was our RT was terrible in that he always gave too much ground and was right in front of him within a second or two of the snap. QB's know if the guy is right in your face the likelihood of injury to your arm is greater so you see a lot of them just tuck and roll when they get close.

[austrianpine]

Excellent thread.
can the moderators turn this thread into a new semi-permanent "EDUCATION" thread with more of the same plus inside information leading up to and during camp, e.g. what do different positions require, what are coaches looking for, rule changes and rule explanations, etc.?

I really enjoy the posters' insight on the technical sides of football on this board.

[Karp]

Excellent thread.
can the moderators turn this thread into a new semi-permanent "EDUCATION" thread with more of the same plus inside information leading up to and during camp, e.g. what do different positions require, what are coaches looking for, rule changes and rule explanations, etc.?

I really enjoy the posters' insight on the technical sides of football on this board.

:rock on:I second that emotion! I am a huge football fan, but not a true student of the game. I would love to be able to zero in on some of the finer points under the direction of some of the more knowledgeable folks on the MB. I played basketball in high school, but football passed me by. Love the game though. WHO DEY!!!

[dtrance]

The strategic aspect.

IMO the differences get blown out of proportion. The biggest difference is what has already been said multiple times; protecting the blind side. Typically you want your strongest pass blocking T on the QBs blindside which is typically LT.

Smith at RT actually makes sense. Not because I think Whit is the better pass protector; but because pairing Smith with Bobbie Williams should make for one hell of a strong run blocking tandem on the right side.

I still believe that this is all speculative; because I think Smith will be at LT sooner than later. They paid Whit a hefty extension at LG last year, IMO that was not because they saw him moving to LT. Either way, with a healthy Carson both OTs could end up looking very good due to Carson's quick release; which is almost as important to negating a pass rush as having stellar pass blocking tackles.

The technical aspect

There is a ton of technical aspect of blocking, hand positioning, foot work, leverage etc. Just because you know how to write right handed, doesn't mean you'll do well left handed. I think that is a good analogy for the differences of RT and LT. They are essentially doing the same thing but mirrored.

And there you have it in a nutshell.

[London Bengal]

How about the difference between right and left guard?

Would it be easier for a left guard to switch to right guard than a left tackle to switch to right tackle?
Or would it be easier for a left guard to switch to left tackle, purely from a technical rather than talent point of view?

[Treee]

From what I understand, Guard in general is easier to play than Tackle and Center in the NFL because a lot of the time they are either helping double team with the center/tackle, pulling, or blocking a linebacker. I played Center in Highschool and it is difficult to block a truly good Nose Tackle by your self so it usually entails the help of a guard, while the backside guard usually tries to cut off a MLB or weak side OLB depending on the scheme. As far as the differences between left and right guard, I couldn't really tell you if there was one, because it's not a position I ever really learned about in detail.

[bfine32]

IM(educated)O. The difference is the "blind side" in Carson's case is the LT (if he were Left handed it would be the RT). There is little difference in technique. The biggest difference is the blind side OT has no help from the outside at TE (as he usually plays to the QB's "sight side"). The blind side OT must be quick enough not to get beat on the outside.

[Bengalzona]

LTs generally make a whole lot more money than RTs.





I'm sure that is somewhere in Andre's thoughts. Probably the FO has thought about this difference too.

[jaydaman]

this thread has me curious of something. has anyone ever heard of a team switching their RT to LT and LT to RT because they changed to a left handed QB? i'm guessing probaly not because the defenses they play won't likely switch their best pass rusher to the other side for one game just because the QB they're facing is a lefty.... just thinking out loud. :hmm:

[Who_dey_hooligan]

What is the fundamental difference between how the RT position is played vs. the LT position? Is that fundamental difference so great that it will be difficult for Andre Smith to adjust?

Depends on the QB I think. Carson throws rigth handed so his blind side is the left flank. The left side is important to us for that reason. However, each member has to fill their role on the line.

[Bengaline]

As for the LT protecting the "blind side" of a QB, I think that is a little exagerrated. Unless a QB has his eyes locked on a receiver on the right side of the field he will still see any pass rushers coming from the left side.

I agree that the Qb can see the pass rush from the "blind side". But the Qb has a better view of the right side. Based on the usual stand of a right handed Qb.

Obviously the Qb can see from the blind side. But he can see the pass rush better from the right than the left.
I dont have the statistics, but i bet most fumbles come from the Qbs "blind side" cause of less visibility and less awareness.

[BengalBrent]

How about the difference between right and left guard?



Ones a deodorant, ones a football position.

:lol:

[fumetti]

When you hear people talk about RT and LT, it seems to boil down to...

RT = run blocking (blocking moving forward)

LT = pass blocking (blocking moving backwards)


...although both have to do both well.

[sparky151]

It's easier to switch a guard from one side to the other than a tackle. Unless a team plays double TEs, one tackle will be on the end of the line. Usually the TE lines up on the side the QB throws from so he's a quick read. If a team has good pulling guards and a fast running back, they might run to the weakside. The Bengals in the 80s ran a lot to the left because of Munoz, with Montoya pulling.

With Carson being right handed, the LT has to protect his back. Since Carson isn't very mobile, even within the pocket, we're going with Whitworth instead of Collins or a rookie. If Livings struggles, we might see Whitworth back at guard with Collins at LT. Anyway if the LT can run block, that's nice but not necessary. What is necessary is a guy who can avoid killshots to the QB. A poor pass blocking RT still has the TE outside him screening the outside rush. A poor pass blocking LT would need RB help or the passing game would be in trouble.

[Munchkin]

Okay...

I got tough one...
How does one a-s-s-e-s-s college players as far as how their skills will translate to the NFL?

[pennsyltuckian]

Okay...

I got tough one...
How does one a-s-s-e-s-s college players as far as how their skills will translate to the NFL?

Until this year's draft the Bengal scouts would put the players names on a wheel like Wheel of Fortune and spin it to determine where players should be on their board.

Seriously though, each personnel department has it's own methods. Patriots used to rely heavily on GPA so as to draft by intelligence. I also know the Colts liked meeting with players to size up their personality. In fact, interesting story I heard with the Colts. They interviewed both Manning and Ryan Leaf. One important question later said helped make the decision "What is the first thing you will do if we draft you No. 1 overall. Leaf said he would get all his friends together and party. Manning said he'd ask for the playbook so he could get a start on learning it. Look at where each is today.