Hstead
Legend
If I had to bet, I would bet I could go find a bunch of Dlinemen that had long arms that weren't worth a piss and a bunch with shorter arms that were Hall of Famers. Trust me I get the "measurements", but they are the same dumbasses that said Joe Burrow wouldn't be successful because he had small hands. Measurements are not everything. Including arm length for a dlineman. I wouldn't have traded Tommy for very many Dlinemen in the country last year. He can play the game, despite having arms a couple of inches shorter than some paper warrior. I have seen it a hundred times. Look like Tarzan, play like Jane.Arm length helps with engagement on a lineman. Using that length to control and keep Oline from getting into your chest is key. Lack of interior control means it's harder to move or leverage you out of a gap.
Does it mean everything? No. But generally smaller Dline with shorter arms make their living off first step explosion and pad level.
Tommy lacks that elite first step or size. I'm sure he'll be a fine pro and contribute in a rotation. But there has been nothing to indicate he'll be a high level starter.
Time will tell if he is an animal in the middle or not. I think the odds are in his favor.
Upvote
0