Importance of Blocking Strength

[MrDNA]

This seemingly obvious little bar has been nagging at me. Strength is obviously important to a lineman, but certain teams (like the Broncos) have had great success using quicker, more mobile linemen in a zone blocking scheme. So when I see a guy with pass, Run Blocking 74, Pass Blocking 68, Blocking Strength 15 - is that the sort of guy I'm seeing? Someone who uses his technique rather than brute force to block his man. That's been my interpretation.

But here's the thing: for several seasons in different leagues, the guys who've led my (and other teams) in pancake blocks have had lower blocking strength than the other guys.

Anyone have any input on Blocking Strength? Does it seem to impact your linemen anywhere near as much as the other two blocking bars?

[Daimyo]

In 2k4 blocking strength didn't seem to matter much at all. I assume its the same in 2k7, but I haven't ran any trials in the new version.

[timmynausea]

I really don't know for sure at all, but I've seen a couple possibilities suggested that I thought made sense.

1. Blocking strength is crucial in short yardage situations. In other words, it determines whether your lineman can blow the defender off the line of scrimmage on third and goal at the 1.

2. Blocking strength and pass rush strength match up against each other part of the time in pass rush situations. Maybe much of the time it comes down to the d-lineman's technique vs. the o-lineman's technique, but sometimes it is just strength on strength.

Like I said, I have no data to back those up, but I think one or both would make sense.