PODCAST: NFL Veteran Talks Nuances of Offensive Line
HENDERSON, Nev.--Casual spectators often overlook the National Football League (NFL) offensive line, but its importance to the team's success cannot be understated.
The offensive line protects the quarterback from defensive players and allows the running back to gain yardage. It is also essential for creating passing lanes, which allow the quarterback to make accurate throws.
Offensive linemen must be agile, fast, and powerful enough to battle with the defensive linemen and provide a wall of protection for the quarterback. Furthermore, the offensive line must possess excellent communication skills and the ability to adjust their blocking strategy in response to the defense quickly.
They also must be able to recognize and adjust to the various defensive schemes used by opponents. Though offensive linemen do not produce flashy numbers, their contributions to their team’s success are invaluable, as they provide the foundation from which the rest of the offense operates.
In our latest Las Vegas Raiders Insider episode, we are joined by long-time NFL offensive lineman Kyle Cook.
Cook takes fans inside the nuances of the offensive line, how QBs' mistakes can shine on them, and multiple other blunt insights. For the NFL football junkie, this is a must-listen too. You can watch it below:
In a career that spanned seven seasons, Cook shone as a center for the Minnesota Vikings and the vast majority of it as a star for the Cincinnati Bengals. He was also a star of the hit HBO series "Hard Knocks" in 2009 and 2013.
The ability to minimize mistakes and provide ample pass protection and run blocking makes the offensive line one of the most valuable players on the field. Relevant offensive line statistics, such as QB pressures allowed, QB sacks allowed, and O-line scores, can provide insight into how much an O-line will help or hurt a team.
The NFL offensive line is arguably the most important part of a team's success, as they form the foundation of the team's offense.
The Raiders' offseason workout schedule is as follows:
OTA Offseason workouts: May 22-23, May 25, May 31-June 2, June 12-15
Mandatory Minicamp: June 6-8
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