I wanted to write this as a two-part series, specifically highlighting the work of the offensive and defensive linemen. Far too often, these players are not given enough credit for all that they accomplish on the field of play. Until recently, they were generally highlighted in most cases for the fouls or infractions that they committed. Now this has changed a bit in today’s football, with coaches speaking about the importance of linemen and having a point of emphasis on the line of scrimmage. They are the massive humans who play the game with unrelenting physicality but do so in a synchronized finesse kind of way, they are your offensive linemen. Additionally, I liked to highlight two recent offensive linemen who put it all out there when they played and are putting in the work now.
Our Protectors
Every football coach in the country will tell you that they will go where their offensive and defensive line will take them. Controlling the line of scrimmage in the game allows for your playmakers on offense to make the phenomenal highlights you see on SportsCenter or the backend defensive plays that turn the game around. The large humans upfront are the real heroes of the game.
From the protection of the quarterback to the physicality of running the ball, the offensive line play can make or break the team. There are many factors that go into playing offensive line, I think the single most important factor is their willingness to be unselfish. Each play they are putting themselves on the line and sacrificing their body to make sure that someone else gets the glory or that someone else doesn’t have to do the job that they are doing. These types of teammates are the best! Offensive linemen play the game with the intent of not being noticed, if an offensive lineman is highlighted during the play, generally it is for a bad reason. A missed blocking assignment, false start, or a holding penalty are all examples of offensive linemen being called out. Most would not give them the recognition that they deserve, they are the smartest individuals on the field. What all they must accomplish each play is more than the other five players (minus the QB, they must know it all) on the field. Also, the offensive linemen are doing it with each other and all five of them must be on the same page or a defender will leak through wreaking havoc on the play. And accomplishing the tasks with other large humans coming at them at full speed and with linebackers flying around (and dare I say…pissed) trying to get to the ball.
Now it is not all downhill and physicality, there is beauty and finesse to offensive line play. As I mentioned earlier, a synchronized dance with four others to make sure that all defenders are accounted for and picked up is paramount in the success of the play. Not to mention the beaty within the steps that they have to take to make sure that they are in the right spot at the right time. Oh, and have you ever seen an offensive linemen pull…a thing of beauty!
I think what I love the most about offensive linemen is that they are protectors of the players, the guardians of the gridiron if you will. Just this weekend when Justin Herbert was taken down and a defensive lineman was a bit too rough with him, his beast of a protector came flying in for the rescue. Yes, it has be to nice to have guys that are 6’3” and 317 pounds ready to unleash everything they have on your behalf. But this goes deeper into what offensive lineman are, they are the ones who line up play after play to do the down and dirty to make sure that the play is successful and that everyone is protected. Without a doubt, if someone is feeling froggy, they will be there when they decide to jump. Absolutely love these guys!
Two Dudes
Not many knew of Andrew Whitworth prior to winning the nomination for the Walter Payton man of the year (listen to his speech, so impactful) but now he has become a staple on Thursday Night Football on Prime as well. I recall his days of being a Cincinnati Bengal and being an overwhelming force on the left side of the offensive line. While he mostly played guard from 2006 to 2008, in 2009 he was moved to left tackle where he found his home and finished his playing career. To cap off his career, Andrew won the Super Bowl with the LA Rams in what would be his final game. Retirement from the NFL has not slowed him down either. As I mentioned, you can see Andrew doing some quality work on Prime each Thursday night as one of the hosts on the pregame and postgame show. I enjoy his take on the game.
The captain of the center pull, Jason Kelce. It can be frustrating to see the Kelce brothers being, well, everywhere. But not for me. The single greatest thing that I like the most about Jason Kelce, not even diving into his undoubtably Hall of Fame career, is the back/underdog story. Prior to publicizing Kelce’s story through New Heights podcast or the Prime produced Kelce documentary many would not have known that Jason was a walk-on for the University of Cincinnati and wasn’t even an offensive lineman. I love the fact that he was a linebacker, then was converted to center by his college coaching staff, and to boot, he brought a linebacker mentality to the way that he played center. This carried out though his career. Undersized but was never out of the fight, and oh, there is the center pull. Man, it was a thing of beauty. Check out this highlight video that is all Jason!
Comment, like, and subscribe. I want to hear what you think!