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Bruce Johnson -> RE: General Vikes Talk (8/12/2020 5:44:05 PM)
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This does not seem to be describing Cleveland.
Guards will generally have a little stockier build than a tackle. The ideal size would be in the 6-3 to 6-5 range and weigh 305 to 320 pounds. While a tackle has to be a pass blocker first, a guard has to be a run blocker. In many of the defensive schemes in the NFL, the defensive tackles are huge men that are run stoppers first. Because of that, a guard has to be a powerful man who can get off the ball quickly and explode into his opponent. When looking at a lineman’s explosion, you look for natural hip roll. A player who has that has good balance, keeps his weight well distributed and can snap his hips on contact while keeping his back straight. If the player is top heavy or doesn’t have that natural bend and explosion he will lose leverage and fall off the block.
While in many cases you look for a guard to be a dominant run blocker, he still has to have pass block skills. The difference is he doesn’t have to be as rangy or athletic as a tackle. Tackles on many occasions only have help on the inside but a guard has help on both sides. Because of the size and power of defensive tackles, he also has to have good natural bend and anchor. When he sinks his hips in pass pro he has to be able to hold his ground. An offensive lineman who can’t anchor will more often than not get pushed back to the quarterback.
Another trait a guard needs to have in many offenses is the ability to pull. He has to be able to get out of his stance, turn, run and adjust on the move to a moving target. This requires very good body control, so a good degree of athleticism is a must. In some zone-blocking schemes that don’t pull you can get by with a little less athlete.
https://nationalfootballpost.com/scouting-the-offensive-line/#:~:text=You%20want%20your%20tackles%20to,have%20to%20have%20good%20bend.
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