QB and Tackle question...

[Silverphin]

We've heard about how important the Left Tackle position and it most cases is more important than the RT position.

Let's just say a team that is drafting a tackle has a left-handed QB. Would it be more important to have a RT than a LT?

 

[ckparrothead]

We've heard about how important the Left Tackle position and it most cases is more important than the RT position.

Let's just say a team that is drafting a tackle has a left-handed QB. Would it be more important to have a RT than a LT?

Contrary to what you may hear from some people, no this does not necessarily make RT more important. It does change things a little, but the bottom line is that on most defenses, their most dominant pass rusher plays at right defensive end. That is the side they are use to, so you still need your best pass protecting tackle at the left tackle position.

Even with Mark Brunell at QB, between Leon Searcy and Tony Boselli, it was Boselli that clearly wore the pants on the OL, while Searcy was more of a run blocker.

 

[Boik14]

It does make it more important for the simple fact the Qb doesnt have time to worry about the blindside. Qb's dont have time to worry about that. Its enough to have to worry about the strongside rush and see the whole field.

In addition, RT's will always be run blockers because the overwhelming majority of qb's (and human beings) are righty. Because righthanded qb's can see the right side its LT that is almost always the better pass blocking tackle.

Further proof exists in ATL overpaying Todd Weiner to protect Vick's blindside.

 

[SMadison29]

It means you better have one hell of a RT because that's generally still going to be the strong side with the tight end plus the added pressure of protecting his QB's blindside. There are only 3 starting left handed QBs, Mark Brunell, Mike Vick, & Chris Simms. Jon Jansen, Todd Weiner, & Kenyatta Walker are all good at both.

 

[Silverphin]

Alright. Thanks for the answers guys.

 

[caneaddict]

USC uses Winston Justice at RT because Leinart is a lefty and they want their best pass protector on the right. However as CK said, in the NFL the best pass rusher is usually on the left and so you still need to account for him. Sometimes teams will move their better pass rusher around from side to side (if they are versatile) so they can try and get a good rush against a lefty. The downfall is that if it's a running play to the right side, you've got your pass rusher (usually thinner and weaker) going against the other teams RT who is usually a giant mauler. So if you have Jason Taylor or Dwight Freeney rushing from the right side against Brunell, Vick etc. and they audible to a run to the right, you may be in trouble.