Stephon Heyer-Our Right Tackle!!

[MTK]

Originally Posted by Schneed10

To an extent you're probably right, but then again run blocking depends upon explosion off the ball so you can get to the guy in front of you faster, which takes lots of fast-twitch muscle strength. That part of it is God-given. You can improve upon it in the weight room, but only so much.

Heyer might be nimble on his feet, but I haven't seen much power.

One of the knocks on Heyer on his Scouts Inc profile is he lacks that initial explosion in his run blocking.

[Stuck in TX]

Originally Posted by JoeRedskin

Let me ask this, which is more difficult to learn/be proficient at? run or pass blocking?

It strikes me that pass blocking requires much more athleticism and that, as such, you can teach a good pass blocker to run block, but you may not be able to teach a run blocker to pass block. (Similar to baseball where you can't teach heat; but u can teach a fastball piticher to mix it up).

IF Heyer can learn to bend and drive in the run blocking, he has the potential to be a MUCH better tackle. I admit its a big "if" and one that will only be demonstrated in game time. I truly hope it works out.

Based on experience, I can tell you that it takes quite a bit more athleticism to pass block. Sometimes you have to take on an end and a LB at the same time. You are also required to sacrifice quite a bit of yourself to protect that QB. One advantage, however, is that you cannot move upfield, and in our backfield we have CP and one of the most underrated FB's to pick up your slack. Run blocking is where the mental toughness comes in. There are just as many if not more blocking schemes as there are WR patterns. A run blocking O lineman has to know each and every run play, where he needs to be, where he needs to move his assigned man, and where the run is going. Sometimes he is required to pull, or pick up a blitz. Honestly, I looked forward to pass plays when I played because I could take a break from thinking and just protect my QB. Any of our linemen, namely the Tackles, need to have mental toughness and intense athleticism.

[53Fan]

Heyer has been working his ass off and has changed his body quite a bit. I think he'll start at RT and do a good job. I like his attitude and think he plays well on the right side. I expect him to start.