toughest position as a freshman?

#78
#78
Since Freak hasn't given us the correct answer yet, I'll add to my case on CBs. It's the mental/psychological aspect that makes the CB position toughest for a freshman... the constant intense concentration and awareness required. Lots of guys with the speed, quickness, and reflexes to play it still wash out at the position.
 
#79
#79
Kickers if we are talking from the mental side. They are on an island and deal with the most mental pressure.

I will say defensive tackle from a physicality stand point. Take everything that has been said about the physicality required for the O line and multiply it by 10. A nose tackle or 3 technique is getting hammered on every play.

From an athletic standpoint I would say O line. It's tough as hell to get up to 300+ lbs, add strength, and maintain the agility required for the position. Proper technique is crucial and being agile enough to get out of their stance and into a proper blocking position is tough.

I don't disagree a bit with Jones and the staff that it is a developmental position. I have concerns about how slow they are getting into position and getting their hands up though.

I think RB, LB, CB, and WR will typically have the most athletic ability and can rely on that ability coming out of school so the transition is easier.
 
#80
#80
utfantilidie said:
Whether to go back to your dorm and study for an exam or continue to stay out late with that cute chick you just met on campus and forget about that money your parents are paying for you to be there and PASS!.:)
Click to expand...
Been there. I always erred on the side of the cute chick. It didn't seem to hurt in the long run, and I have some good memories.
 
#86
#86
Ha! I've been saying how hard it is on the rookie o-line to my friends all week! I'm still on the Butch band wagon. Got to give our o-line time to grow. They are still kids playing against grown men going into the NFL!
 
#92
#92
OL and a DT would be a very close second. No other positions are harder for a true freshman than these IMO.
 
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#95
#95
OL would be my pick. As others have stated, the difference in strength and conditioning of a true freshman versus experienced 20-22 year old men is huge. The game speed is an even larger challenge. In high school, the typical 3* to 5* lineman rarely encounters opposing players at their own skill level each week. In college, every Sophomore to Senior player on the opposing team is at least that good, even when going up against a decent FCS squad. Add on much more complex blocking schemes to learn and really great defensive schemes designed to confuse OL assignments, and you can then see why a young OL can look slow to pick up a pass rush. Not only are they at a physical disadvantage, but they are also thinking about what to do rather than simply reacting out of instinct and repetition.

I would put QB as second place due to the increased complexity in collegiate play, but many analysts have observed that the skill and experience gap at that position seems to be shrinking over the past decade. Lots of high schools run a form of spread offense (particularly the Tony Franklin System). Those QBs can often come in with some familiarity of the system depending on the college they attend. I know there is a significant increase in use of the passing game at the high school level when compared to my high school days in the early to mid 90s.
 
#96
#96
I see a lot of "anywhere on the OL" posts. The correct answer is C, center is by far the hardest lineman position.

That being said, I have been a lineman and I would say Center or QB. Least toughest would be TE or TB that doesn't have complicated protection assignments.
 
#97
#97
Oline, easily.

You come in at 18 and are used to simply overpowering (probably) smaller D-linemen then all of a sudden you're up against 20/21/22 year old fully grown men who are much stronger, heavier, and probably better conditioned then you are.
 
#98
#98
Sorry guys, I got sidetracked.

It's my opinion that the offensive line is the most difficult position to play as a true freshman, specifically the tackle position, but followed closely by the interior line.

First off, as many of you guys noted, most freshman aren't physically developed nor strong enough to come in and match up with defensive lineman who have spent the past several years in a college strength program, and who may be as many as four years their elder.

I believe talent can overcome youth more easily at skill positions such as running back, wide receiver, and tailback. These positions don't require the same level of strength/technique, thus allowing pure athleticism to sometimes takeover.

One such metric I like to consider when addressing this topic is the Wonderlic, which is used by the NFL. While certainly not an end-all test, I think the results when grouped by position are very telling.

Consider the reported average scores by position: Offensive tackle 26, Center 25, Quarterback 24, Guard 23, Tight end 22, Safety 19, Linebacker 19, Cornerback 18, Wide receiver 17, Fullback 17, Halfback 15.

Here is the same data in chart form:

positions21.png


As you can see, the offensive line and tight end position make up four of the top five scores, while positions such as tailback, wide receiver and cornerback rank at the bottom.
 
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#100
#100
Finally, now I can sleep! Seriously, very good breakdown.
 
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