Quote:Boselli, Ogden, and Munoz did.  They were different animals. They actually COULD shut down the best defender consistently.

 

None of those guys, even the current pro bowlers, are anywhere near as good.  

 

The difference between a Joe Thomas and say - Kelvin Beachum prior his injury was not that big IMO.

 

I don't know why LTs aren't dominant anymore, but they just aren't.  If we could draft Tony Boselli's clone - yeah that would be worth a top 5 pick.

 

But guys that have been coming out in the last decade are just not anywhere near that level.  That's why I would pass.

Now this argument I buy...that the current crop of LTs isn't as good as the "golden age" at the position from about 1993-2003.

 

Some have attributed the comparative inferior quality of the LTs coming out now to the rise of the spread offenses and very quick passes overall.  Tackles now often don't get into three point stances, don't have to hold their blocks very long, and are taught different things regarding footwork.

 

But that doesn't diminish the importance of the position.  Just the effectiveness.  As long as a defense's best weapon is a pass rusher, offenses will place a premium on pass protectors.

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