🏈 question about the O. tackles

[musso]

I may have asked this before, but I don't remember. My understanding is your most athletic tackles with the longest wingspan are used to protect the blindside of your starting QB. So then, is it standard operating procedure for coaches to use their 2nd best OT on the opposite side? Or is it more common to save the 2nd best OT for the blindside backup role and utilize their 3rd best OT as the frontside starting OT? I can imagine variables, such as there being a wide enough gap between the 2nd and 3rd best OTs that coaches decide to put their 2nd best at the frontside starting tackle spot. But I wonder in those cases, how difficult is it for the starting front side OT to suddenly fill in for the backside OT in the case of injury. Is it too big of an adjustment to unexpectedly switch sides that it's better for coaches to keep their 2nd best OT on the bench as the backup blindside OT for the sake of consistency? I hope I'm explaining this clearly.

 

[Justneedme81]

I may have asked this before, but I don't remember. My understanding is your most athletic tackles with the longest wingspan are used to protect the blindside of your starting QB. So then, is it standard operating procedure for coaches to use their 2nd best OT on the opposite side? Or is it more common to save the 2nd best OT for the blindside backup role and utilize their 3rd best OT as the frontside starting OT? I can imagine variables, such as there being a wide enough gap between the 2nd and 3rd best OTs that coaches decide to put their 2nd best at the frontside starting tackle spot. But I wonder in those cases, how difficult is it for the starting front side OT to suddenly fill in for the backside OT in the case of injury. Is it too big of an adjustment to unexpectedly switch sides that it's better for coaches to keep their 2nd best OT on the bench as the backup blindside OT for the sake of consistency? I hope I'm explaining this clearly.

I'm no expert, but I think it's more common to use your 2nd best OT on the other side. that's called swing tackle. Saban has done that often.

 

[alabama mike]

You put your best OL on the field period.

 

[musso]

You put your best OL on the field period.

Ok, so halfway or more into the season, when your LT needs to be replaced, you suddenly ask your RT to defend your opponent's best pass rushers without any experience all season long? Or do you make sure during weekly practices you give him reps at LT in case the moment calls?

 

[alabama mike]

Ok, so halfway or more into the season, when your LT needs to be replaced, you suddenly ask your RT to defend your opponent's best pass rushers without any experience all season long? Or do you make sure during weekly practices you give him reps at LT in case the moment calls?

He would get reps during practice. Sometimes you move the RT over and sometimes you bring in the next guy. It just depends on what the head coach wants to do.