NFL POINDEXTER: WHY OFFENSIVE LINEMEN ARE LIKE MARSUPIALS

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Marsupials are an infraclass of mammals, characterized by a distinctive pouch.

It's been a rough couple weeks for the fraternity of NFL offensive linemen. The tears for Gene Upshaw weren't even dry when Frank Cornish, a well-traveled tackle for six teams, passed away passed away. I didn't know Cornish well. My teams at Stanford played against his at U.C.L.A. And if I remember correctly, we were on the same Hula Bowl squad in 1990. What I remember is a large man with a jovial presence and a quick wit. His and Upshaw's death got me thinking about the guys who play that position and the yin and yang qualities it requires.

The offensive linemen's primary role is to protect the quarterback. After all, the team's fortunes live and die with him (not to mention the huge investment he represents for the franchise). And when your main job is to look after someone, it's essential you have a nurturing personality. The language of football even reinforces this: the passing game is built on a "pocket" created (mostly) by the offensive line. In form and function, the pocket is rather comforting, no? Cozy, even.

I recently spoke to Justin Blalock, a young tackle who was the Atlanta Falcons' first round draft pick in 2007, Blalock is an interesting cat—gregarious and affable. For him, being able to quickly convey thoughts to your O-linemates at scrimmage is key to an effective and nurturing pocket. "Communication is a big part of what we do," he says. "You can make up for a lot of physical things by knowing where to be and how to interact with your fellow linemen." For instance, when the defensive linemen engage in their pre-snap hi-jinks—shifting and moving, creating mirages for the offense—Blalock and his O-linemen must identify the changes and then, without hesitation or doubt, tell the guy next to him to either block the linebacker, end or defensive tackle. "I like to think I'm a good communicator," says Blalock. "I don't want to act like I know everything, but you know, I'm getting a lot better at it."

For offensive linemen, the nurturing extends beyond the hash marks, According to Ron Todd, an erstwhile sports agent and a former offensive lineman for the Bowling Green University, "Offensive linemen are caring and even loving people. That's why we hang out in packs. You always see the O-line with their lockers next to one another." Todd says that being a member of the pack makes for a lack of ego and an unselfishness not usually found in pro sports. "That's what allowed me to become an agent," he says. "I was used to taking care of people." He says that the late Gene Upshaw's experience on the line is what allowed him to become a successful union leader. There are plenty of other examples of this Three Musketeers vibe. Recent Hall of fame inductee Gary Zimmerman, in an effort to underscore the Broncos offensive line's selfless nature, convinced his fellow linemen to take a vow of media silence during their Super Bowl runs in 1998 and '99. They didn't give a single interview.

Before we get too mired in the soft, creamy middle of interior line play, we have to note the other side of the O-linemen coin. When it's time to gain a few yards, the loveable "nester" morphs into a relentless hunter-gatherer. "O-linemen are big, old Teddy bears with a nasty streak," says Todd. "It's controlled aggression. When you're blocking a defensive linemen, there's always a chance he could make a move on you or spin on you. So, while you have to be a killer, you also have to be under control."

This is especially true for run-blocking, a peculiar little bit of theatre. There are two forms of run blocking: zone and man-to-man, Zone blocking juggles hope and reality, sort of like a Ben Stiller romantic comedy. It's a scheme in which all five offensive linemen spread out and effectively protect a specific area of the field. Watch the next time the Indianapolis Colts run their "stretch" play'. The linemen set up a living, breathing picket fence, while RB Joseph Addai searches for a crease through which to run. This seldom leads to really big plays. Most times, however, it's just enough.

Man-to-man blocking is more of an action adventure flick. Each blocker—guard, center, tackle—seeks an opposing jersey and exacts revenge for all the times that defender has come after him and his quarterback. In the best case scenario, the offensive lineman catches his enemy, drives him into the ground and heads back to the huddle, knowing that, for a brief moment at least, he's done his part and all is right with the football world.

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