Content Post Why does Wingspan matter for Tackles?

[Ring 6]

Seabiscuit whipped the sht outta War Admiral, and he was much smaller in comparison.

We'll see.

To bring the analogy back, I am more concerned with a left tackle who can get to the spot he need to and have the skill to execute the block than how long his arm is while doing it.

 

[Ring 6]

Sometimes the best stamina meets the fastest horse just right and it can be the nose that makes the difference.

In what percentages of horse races would you say there is a dead heat decided by the length of the horses nose?
Would it be higher than the percentage decided by which horse is faster?

 

[signbabybrady]

To bring the analogy back, I am more concerned with a left tackle who can get to the spot he need to and have the skill to execute the block than how long his arm is while doing it.

I don't think anyone would argue this.

 

[signbabybrady]

In what percentages of horse races would you say there is a dead heat decided by the length of the horses nose?
Would it be higher than the percentage decided by which horse is faster?

Close finishes are very common.

To your second question there's so much more than just speed that decides the winner. Pace, stamina, position, trip, distance, and a host of other factors play into it.

 

[Sect140]

Should we have a poll if arm length/wingspan matters to an O-Linemen in the NFL. LOL!

 

[Ring 6]

I don't think anyone would argue this.

You are

 

[Ring 6]

Close finishes are very common.

To your second question there's so much more than just speed that decides the winner. Pace, stamina, position, trip, distance, and a host of other factors play into it.

Right all of those things make a successful horse, not the length of his nose. But you avoided my question.

 

[signbabybrady]

You are

Actually if you want be a dink you more concerned which implies there is concern about arm length/wing span just that you're more concerned with a left tackle who can get to the spot he need to and have the skill to execute the block than how long his arm is while doing it. And that's where I agree.

 

[maust]

Should we have a poll if arm length/wingspan matters to an O-Linemen in the NFL. LOL!

In lieu of a trial by combat to the death? Hell no. In addition to it? Why not

 

[PancakeBlockPaul]

I remember my thumbs hurting from that 1...yes, I'm pretty old.

Ahhh aging like a fine wine…I remember playing with rock’em sock’em robots when I’d visit my grandparents in Fall River…of course I’d be playing by myself because my cousins weren’t in town….id say it was a blast for about 30 seconds…

 

[dliverey44]

He said arm length isn’t relevant

Weird hill to die on. He never said its not relevant. What he said is that there are things that can be done to overcome that limitation. I agree with him that there are other more important things for a OT.

Arm length is just part of the puzzle, imo not super important, but still a part. Its no different than a QB having a throwing hand of 9.5 and another being 9.75. It does not determine who is better but could be a concern.

I really do not understand why you are so reluctant to agree that arm length/wing span is a part of the puzzle.

 

[State]

Wingspan and arm length are like in statistics the mean and average. Similar but not the same.

For instance, Wyatt Milum has shorter arms than Stumpy WC but a longer wingspan. The WVU LT who was even more dominant than Campbell last season was taken in the third round. He’ll be a guard.

Narrow chests are weird on a professional lineman. But we have it with Garrett Bradbury and the rookie LT.

Time will tell. I think Campbell will be eventually be moved inside. Length matters.

 

[dliverey44]

Wingspan and arm length are like in statistics the mean and average. Similar but not the same.

For instance, Wyatt Milum has shorter arms than Stumpy WC but a longer wingspan. The WVU LT who was even more dominant than Campbell last season was taken in the third round. He’ll be a guard.

Narrow chests are weird on a professional lineman. But we have it with Garrett Bradbury and the rookie LT.

Time will tell. I think Campbell will be eventually be moved inside. Length matters.

One thing you are missing is that Campbell checks alot of other boxes that Milum doesn't. WC is very athletic, his kickslides are more smooth and hand usage is better. I do not think he will be able to make a smooth transition to the inside due to him playing to tall(maybe that can be fixed). WC is very good with his technique, imo he was the best OT in the draft.

I would not have drafted WC if I were making the decisions, but that is probably a good thing because ultimately we would have missed out on a plug and play starter. It is easy to say well just trade but its not a given. I would rather have WC than Earsery, Belton or Trapilo.

Regardless of what we think of Campbell, the LT position has been upgraded based on Campbells projection(mine is lower than most) and having watched the long arm beast Lowe last year.

WC-Strange/sow/Robinson- Wilson/Bradbury-Owenu-Moses is better than last year. Imo the OL is not fixed, but has improved significantly.

 

[Patsfan1645]

I bet the scouts and coaching staff did not discuss the wingspan issue to any degree that it has been discussed here. This is the purgatory before training camp. My simple take on the matter is he performed well in college and was considered the top LT. Until it is shown that he is a liability at the position I accept the premise that he can get the job done.

 

[State]

Wingspan is what needs to be looked at after height, weight, RAS, tape, and character. It precedes arm length, actually.

It just so happens WC is below the barest of minimums. At the Combine and at his LSU pro day his wingspan measures less than 78”. (Josh Simmons with only 33” arms has an 82” wingspan.)

That’s questionable for a guard. Just saying.

And, oh, by the way, the second and third string QBs have a bigger wingspan than Campbell’s 77 3/8 or 2/8”.

The Patriots are in uncharted territory.

 

[40yrpatsfan]

Wingspan is what needs to be looked at after height, weight, RAS, tape, and character. It precedes arm length, actually.

It just so happens WC is below the barest of minimums. At the Combine and at his LSU pro day his wingspan measures less than 78”. (Josh Simmons with only 33” arms has an 82” wingspan.)

That’s questionable for a guard. Just saying.

And, oh, by the way, the second and third string QBs have a bigger wingspan than Campbell’s 77 3/8 or 2/8”.

The Patriots are in uncharted territory.

Why would it precede arm length? At least with arm length you can argue that reaching straight ahead can be a normal part of pass blocking. There's no normal pass blocking act that involves reaching straight out to your side, which in the Simmons comparison, WC would have 2" less reach in that direction relative to the center of their bodies. Wingspan means squat. I could maybe see narrow shoulders affecting run blocking, but he's a superior run blocker.

 

[Ring 6]

Why would it precede arm length? At least with arm length you can argue that reaching straight ahead can be a normal part of pass blocking. There's no normal pass blocking act that involves reaching straight out to your side, which in the Simmons comparison, WC would have 2" less reach in that direction relative to the center of their bodies. Wingspan means squat. I could maybe see narrow shoulders affecting run blocking, but he's a superior run blocker.

Novice fans are told wingspan matters and despite not being able to explain why, just parrot what they heard.

 

[dliverey44]

Novice fans are told wingspan matters and despite not being able to explain why, just parrot what they heard.

Its not completely irrelevant, but can be masked by technique. If you have 2 guys with equal athleticism and technique but one guy has 3 inch longer wing span, I guarantee that guy will perform better.

I'll give you that it is very over rated but its not irrelevant.

 

[Wozzy]

Are we still discussing this?

Why does speed matter?

Why does agility matter?

Why does strength matter?

Why does explosion matter?

They all matter, they don’t ensure success… but they all matter.

If the player doesn’t have the football smarts his athleticism doesn’t matter, but if he does… measurables matter.

This isn’t hard to understand….

 

[TomPatriot]

Its not completely irrelevant, but can be masked by technique. If you have 2 guys with equal athleticism and technique but one guy has 3 inch longer wing span, I guarantee that guy will perform better.

I'll give you that it is very over rated but its not irrelevant.

A tiny moan. Intelligence is a factor too.