[CBFF] SI.com - Writers - Ross Tucker: Ranking the five O-line positions - Friday April 4, 2008 11:53AM - Sent Using Google Toolbar

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SI.com - Writers - Ross Tucker: Ranking the five O-line positions -
Friday April 4, 2008 11:53AM


Rating the offensive line positions based on difficulty
Posted: Friday April 4, 2008 11:53AM; Updated: Friday April 4, 2008 11:53AM



Chris Samuels is worth his hefty $47 million contract because of the
amount of turnovers he prevents the quarterback from making.
Heinz Kluetmeier/SI






Browns fans ridiculed my thought process. Wall Street financial
analysts suggested I incorporate the Monte Carlo method. Multiple NFL
scouts want to discuss the quantitative analysis of NFL players with
me.

Last week's article struck quite a chord with many readers. My thesis
was simply that I do not believe the exorbitant amount given to a left
guard like Alan Faneca is worth it in regards to the impact his
performance will have on the win/loss column.

If a team is going to pay a huge premium for the increase in
performance that a good player delivers over an average one, that
player should play a position that has a greater opportunity to
significantly impact the outcome of a game. In order to clarify my
beliefs regarding the salary structure among offensive linemen, I
decided to list in order the positions among the front five that I
feel are most worthy of receiving big money. Having played all five
positions at different points in my career, and starting at least four
games at all three interior spots, I am uniquely qualified to assess
the difficulties associated with playing these positions. Just to be
safe and unbiased, however, I solicited the opinions of several other
linemen around the league.
LEFT TACKLE

Picking the left tackle at the top of this list was not as easy as one
might think. Most teams in the NFL often slide their protection to the
quarterback's blind side, which is almost always the left. The center
is able to provide inside help for the left guard and the left guard
is able to protect the left tackle's inside as the three work in
concert to block the two defensive linemen while eyeing their other
responsibility, the weak-side linebacker. That often leaves the right
guard and right tackle one-on-one. For this reason, I briefly
considered putting the right tackle at the top of this list.

Ultimately, however, the left tackle still has to block the elite pass
rushers around the NFL play after play, week in and week out. If the
left tackle makes a mistake, it can result in not only a sack but also
quite often a fumble as the defensive end strips the quarterback from
behind. Turnovers always play a big part in determining the outcome of
a game, increasing the importance of the blind-side protector.

Certain offensive lineman, like Chris Samuels of the Redskins, can
provide enormous additional value by rarely receiving any help from
his interior linemates. This allows them to solidify the interior of
the offensive line. The Redskins' confidence in leaving Samuels on an
island without typically receiving any help whatsoever is a luxury
many teams cannot afford.
RIGHT TACKLE

The consensus among the linemen with whom I spoke reinforced my belief
in the importance of right tackles. The position, in most offenses,
receives less aid from fellow linemen then the left tackle. This is
somewhat balanced, however, by the reality that right tackles are more
likely to have the tight end on their side of the formation, which can
create an additional obstacle for a defensive lineman to consider.

Though right tackles go up against top-flight rushers like the
Seahawks' Patrick Kerney and the Packers' Aaron Kampman, there is not
the same consistency in terms of quality of opponent as there is for
the left tackle. Right tackles also are more likely to receive help
from a running back in the form of a "chip." Finally, the likelihood
that their mistake will cause a game-altering turnover is somewhat
lessened since the rusher is usually in the quarterback's line of
sight.


1 of 2



RIGHT GUARD


Eric Steinbach signed a seven-year, $49 million contract prior to the
2007 season.
Thomas E. Witte/SI






Without question the most difficult of the interior line positions,
right guards are most likely to be left one-on-one with an elite
inside rusher. The predominance of teams to slide their center to the
left to protect the quarterback's blind side creates a greater value
for the right guard position. Fourteen-year veteran Todd Steussie,
currently available on the free agent market, says, "Right guard is
definitely harder than left guard." Recently-retired lineman Todd
Fordham, a 10-year NFL vet, agreed: "The left guard always has help."

Though the difference in value between the two guard spots is lessened
somewhat in an offense that rarely slides the pass protections like
the Colts, the strength of the formation often dictates that the right
guard has the wider alignment, and thus more difficult assignment, on
his side.
LEFT GUARD

Because the left guard position is generally less difficult than the
right guard position, I have been consistently perplexed the last
couple of seasons by the amount of money teams are investing in the
position.

Steve Hutchinson, Kris Dielman, Eric Steinbach, Derrick Dockery and
Faneca lead the parade of left guards that have received contracts in
excess of $40 million. Though I am not sure either guard is worth that
much of the salary cap, I would be much more willing to pay those
dollars to a right guard given the greater difficulty in his
assignment. I think the Browns got a relative steal by signing right
guard Rex Hadnot to a two-year, $7 million deal this offseason.

The greatest reason why left guards are cashing in these days? There
are two: 1) The grading system for offensive linemen; and 2) General
lack of understanding among some NFL personnel people concerning the
difficulty inherent with the different positions.

All of these players are considered upper echelon and likely grade out
among the highest linemen on their respective teams. Part of that is
because they are good players, but a lot of it has to do with the fact
they are much more likely to receive help from the center and thus
less likely to create a negative play. The formula is simple: Less
one-on-ones against defensive linemen means less chances to give up a
sack or pressure. Their consistently high performance given the lower
risk at the position tricks many personnel people to assume they are
worthy of that money. I disagree. I believe they are all outstanding
players but think they would have a tougher time if they played right
guard.

There is a reason why most of the interior guys getting paid the big
money are left guards and not right guards and the sooner teams can
figure it out, the sooner they can begin to allocate more of their
money to a position that creates a greater value proposition.
CENTER

Centers are paid more for their intelligence and experience then they
are for the difficulty associated with their physical assignment.
Though some athletic centers can create additional value with their
ability to pull or effectively block at the second level, the greatest
reason centers get paid well is the fear among coaches that their
pivot man not be able to readjust the blocking scheme depending on a
certain blitz look or audible. Make no mistake about it: A center that
cannot make the right decisions at critical junctures could have a
huge impact on the outcome of a game.

That being said, it was unanimous among the four offensive lineman
that I polled that center was the easiest position, at least
physically, along the line. The center is rarely in a one-on-one pass
blocking situation, which as we have noted, is the most likely
situation in which an offensive linemen could have a large impact on
the outcome of a game.

Centers are often the ones providing the help in pass protection so it
is surprising to me that teams like the Buccaneers value the position
highly enough to reward a player like Jeff Faine with a contract that
guarantees him $15 million. Most centers go through an entire season
without giving up any sacks and are rarely credited with even being
responsible for a pressure.

Though every team wants to have a highly-regarded player at every
position, the economics of the game do not allow that to be the case.
That is why the money invested in the offensive line should be given
first to the tackles and then to the right guard, since those are the
positions that could potentially make the greatest difference between
a win and a loss.

Ross Tucker has played for five teams in his seven-year NFL career. He
has joined SI.com as a regular contributor on the NFL beat. Send
comments to siwriters at simail.com.