Here's ya a quote from UT Sports page about Larry Johnson III...
"Played 41 clean snaps at LT against the Sooners and was UT's highest-graded lineman according to PFF.com after not allowing any pressures ... Did not allow any pressures in 31 offensive snaps vs. Kent State (9/14)"
And he...
I agree.... It's hard on a 12 to 15 play drive to not have a penalty, turnover or a miscommunication at the wrong time that kills a drive. Also the smaller the field.... the tighter it gets for the offense.
So why throw sideline screens? Gets those big boys running sideline to sideline and combined with the up-tempo wears the defense out quickly. And like CRG says you have to break the big guys before they become completely gassed or they are done for the game.
I believe it's all about consequences.... and a lot of those fastballs to the head was a consequence of a over the top bat flip or a bird.... likewise if one of those fastballs got away you had better be prepared to for a mound charge.