I read and enjoyed the article too B.C. FanMike Beamish wrote a nice piece on Hunter Steward's return to the starting lineup, with comments from Steward, Wally, Dorazio and Mic'hael Brooks. Steward seems to have taken the right approach to his benching. I found his comments about the complexity of playing guard rather than tackle particularly enlightening. B.C. Fan
Offensive line play is a lot more complex than the average fan realizes.
Its great to see so much focus on our offensive line on Lionbackers, who recognize its importance.
Offensive line is the most complex position to play after the quarterback position. There is a huge difference between playing guard and tackle, both physically and mentally.
Tackles are expected to be quicker, longer, and more athletic than guards. Guards need to have strong arms, hands, and legs because they deal with bull rushes from bigger defensive tackles. Quick feet are much more valued at tackle because they have to move backwards while pass blocking.
Offensive linemen with the body type and athleticism to play tackle are rarer than players who can play guard. A lot of tackles end up being moved to guard because they lack the quickness to pass block at tackle. Its more common to move a tackle to guard than a guard out to tackle.
Playing tackle has been compared to playing on an island whereas playing guard is like playing in a phone booth. The tackle position is more one on one whereas the interior of the offensive line involves more teamwork. Playing tackle is simpler but athletically more challenging. Guards have to handle more stunts and blitzes in the passing game. They need to be able to read linebackers and pick up defenders at the second level whereas tackles typically have a guy head up on them every play. Hand and foot technique is much different playing guard than tackle in terms of pass blocking and there are more mental assignments.
Hunter Steward is a big, lanky, very athletic offensive lineman who is a natural tackle. For him to be switched to guard this season had to be a challenge, both physically and mentally. If Boyko signs with our Leos, Steward will move out to his natural position at left tackle next year. The fact that we have a National offensive lineman in Steward, who has the talent to play left tackle is rare.
In the meantime, Steward gets back to starting as our left guard. At 323 pounds, he is not only big but talented. He really only played two seasons in college as an offensive lineman (played defensive tackle before that) and only has 15 games in the CFL as a starter. But his potential is outstanding.
Great that he is back in our starting lineup.