Blocking Power?

[mrsimperless]

So I remember seeing in another thread that there was perhaps a consensus that blocking power is a relatively worthless stat for offensive linemen. What is the reasoning behind this and is it really true? Have there been any definitive studies done on this? I did a forum search but didn't come up with anything.

[Vinatieri for Prez]

There is no definitive answer. I do agree with the consensus that blocking technique is way more important. But I think strength is a secondary skill. I've always believed that in a subset of passing plays, there is an additional "strength check" to see if the outcome of the block changes between the strength ratings of the offense and defense player. But no one really knows.

[Vinatieri for Prez]

There's 3 threads from over a year ago that discussed the issue in FOF2k4. You can find them in the FOF Archive. For some reason I could not copy and paste the addresses. It just comes up as the main page for the address.

Anyways, they were in February and March of 2005. Type in "blocking strength" and not blocking power to find them.

[DougWyatt]

There is no definitive answer. I do agree with the consensus that blocking technique is way more important. But I think strength is a secondary skill. I've always believed that in a subset of passing plays, there is an additional "strength check" to see if the outcome of the block changes between the strength ratings of the offense and defense player. But no one really knows.

I've always thought (& hoped) the same. Is true in RL - on a pro football level, where even the linemen with "low strength" are strong as an ox, technique is by far more important.

[highfiveoh]

Hmmm.. offensive linemen have blocking strength and defensive linemen have pass rush strength. I wonder what could be going on here ...

[Noop]

Blocking Strength - ability to handle physical defenders.

Taken from this thread....
http://www.operationsports.com/fofc/showpost.php?p=1334908&postcount=9

[SteveMax58]

I tend to believe Blocking Strength is sort of a modifier...or ability check...to help quantify a mismatch in physicality.

Meaning, technique is usually the deciding factor between 2 players of close girth & strength...but if 1 player cannot handle the physicality of the other (i.e. me trying to block Ted Washington), no amount of technique will ever be enough. Height/Weight ratio can be the girth...but I think the BS is the actual Strength in this.

I have no real data to back this up...but this seems logical to me...and seems to hold up for the limited cases I've noticed. I'm working on my own player file & doing an "eyeball" test after each position...but I havent gotten to DL or OL yet.

[dacman]

In FOF2k4 in a MP league, I had for several seasons a LT rated around 75-80 in both run and pass blocking but with a strength rating of 8. While he seemed to do OK in run blocking, he allowed 8-12 sacks a year (a sack percentage usually between 2-3%) which I eventually attributed to his lack of blocking strength. A good or great left tackle will have a sack % of 0.5-1.0.

My anecdotal evidence tells me that while blocking strength isn't as important as skill, it's still a key piece of the puzzle -- a total lack of strength will cause that player to perform significantly worse than a more nominal blocking strength value.

[Raiders Army]

I think Blocking Power wasn't as important in 2k4 as it is in 2k7. The guys I've drafted with Blocking Power of less than 20 normally take a huge drop in ratings or never realize their potential. I've been drafting offensive linemen with strength lately.