This is the way. QB being the exception.
I've often heard people wonder if the best CFB team could ever beat the worst NFL team. The obvious response is NO. Everyone who plays or has played in the NFL says the same thing when asked that question. NO.
But why? I don't have the data, but anecdotally, the most common reason I hear is "the o-lines and d-lines." Not QB. Not the skill players. The LINES. They say that the best college line could never hold up against even the worst NFL line.
It was the same way watching those SEC teams dominate by hoarding all the top d-linemen. There wasn't much else to go around.
It makes sense from a demographic POV -- there are just more humans who are 6' 200 running a 4.5 than there are 6'5 300 guys who are running a 4.9. Especially in the Miami area, where we have an abundance of skill players. We have front row seats to find diamonds in the rough or guys who have been overlooked (Malachi Toney).
In an era of more parity, the DNA of this team is built for the long term. Having the best line coaches in the business that aren't keen on chasing a huge paycheck somewhere else (Mirabal and JT) is a huge advantage for us because linemen are the one position (outside of QB) that are most dependent on development. We have a built-in advantage, and it shows. Look at the strides guys like Markell Bell and Anez Cooper have made!
The fact is, good lines are a force multiplier for the rest of the positions. You saw it with Ohio State -- they spent BIG money on Caleb Downs and Jeremiah Smith etc. Both of those players showed out big time and were worth every penny. Both of them will be NFL superstars. But our line play allowed our skill guys to be on their level. Our linemen were superheroes, which meant Carson Beck didn't have to be one.
I've often heard people wonder if the best CFB team could ever beat the worst NFL team. The obvious response is NO. Everyone who plays or has played in the NFL says the same thing when asked that question. NO.
But why? I don't have the data, but anecdotally, the most common reason I hear is "the o-lines and d-lines." Not QB. Not the skill players. The LINES. They say that the best college line could never hold up against even the worst NFL line.
It was the same way watching those SEC teams dominate by hoarding all the top d-linemen. There wasn't much else to go around.
It makes sense from a demographic POV -- there are just more humans who are 6' 200 running a 4.5 than there are 6'5 300 guys who are running a 4.9. Especially in the Miami area, where we have an abundance of skill players. We have front row seats to find diamonds in the rough or guys who have been overlooked (Malachi Toney).
In an era of more parity, the DNA of this team is built for the long term. Having the best line coaches in the business that aren't keen on chasing a huge paycheck somewhere else (Mirabal and JT) is a huge advantage for us because linemen are the one position (outside of QB) that are most dependent on development. We have a built-in advantage, and it shows. Look at the strides guys like Markell Bell and Anez Cooper have made!
The fact is, good lines are a force multiplier for the rest of the positions. You saw it with Ohio State -- they spent BIG money on Caleb Downs and Jeremiah Smith etc. Both of those players showed out big time and were worth every penny. Both of them will be NFL superstars. But our line play allowed our skill guys to be on their level. Our linemen were superheroes, which meant Carson Beck didn't have to be one.
