Right Tackle Vs. Left Tackle Debate Overshadows O-Line Balance Importance

Versatility is key in professional sports, and that’s especially true when you’re talking about an offensive line.

There are longstanding theories about where certian offensive tackles should be slotted. Many feel that more athletic tackles should be placed on the left side of the line (assuming the quarterback is right-handed) in order to protect the quarterback’s blind side.

However, ex-NFL linebacker Matt Chatham says that balance up front is more important than adhering to, well, tradition.

“The problem with that is football today is a heavily studied gameplan and tendency affair, so if you ascribe too obviously to a ‘strongside’ offensive setup, defenses will pour their pressures and slant their lines that way all day long. This isn’t anything new, but dominant handedness in the NFL is actually a huge handicap,” Chatham wrote on FootballByFootball.com.

“Balance is a hallmark of great offenses, there are just too many convention-breaking examples around NFL offensive lines where the skill set preference isn’t slotted for any of the five spots.”