What are the physical and athletic differences between a guard and a tackle?

Question

During the draft, some espn analysts said that a player would be better as a guard rather than a tackle. I must admit, of all the positions in football, I know the least about the offensive lineman. What physical and athletic characteristics differentiates a player between a guard and a tackle? Height, weight, acceleration off the line, quckness, speed, power, experience, ..., something else?

Answer 1

More important than Guard or Tackle is the side of the line in which you are playing. Most Left Tackles would do better at Left Guard than they would at Right Tackle. The physical characteristics are quite similar.
The guard is more likely to be pulled for a wide running play, so perhaps some more leg speed would be helpful on teams that are running those plays. On passing plays the size and strength is paramount for blocking the defensive linemen. That last statement would be most true for teams with pocket quarterbacks. Teams with running quarterbacks might value some more leg speed on all of their linemen.

Answer 2

A tackle must be faster on their feet than a gaurd because of a speed rusher from the edge trying to get to the QB. A gaurd must be quick but not as much as a Tackle. A guard probably is slower. They both have good power. A tackle is usually taller than a guard. But both positions are very demanding. A would say a guard must have more acceleration because sometimes a guard will pull oput on a runnig play and go outside the line to block for the running back.

Answer 3

Historically speaking, guards were usually a little smaller and quicker - they were more often "pulling" on running plays. Nowadays offensive schemes use both pulling guards and tackles, so there isn't the same emphasis between the two. Guards and tackles are rated on their size, quickness, foot work and upper body strength.

Answer 4

It boils down to pass blocking. Tackles usually have quicker feet since they have to deal with fast, pass rushing DEs. Guards are normally better run blockers with better lateral movement for pulling. Size wise, traditionally tackles were bigger but anymore there is not much difference weight wise, sometimes guards are a little shorter.

Answer 5

tackles are usually more athletic, but i dont know either, because the guards pull out alot which makes them athletic as well, but tackles are usually more athletic because they have to keep up with the speed of a linebacker/and the d-end.
the usually end up running the farthest in a running play so i guess the tackle is

Answer 6

Offensive tackles need to be faster and more agile than guards because they guard against the defensive ends and most teams have defensive ends with explosive speed, that's the main difference I know of.

Answer 7

tackles tend to be quicker with the feet and better at pass blocking. Guards are straight ahead blockers, except for screen passes and sweeps

Answer 8

tackles are usually the better athletes..........

they are taller with longer arms..........

they have better "feet"..........which means they are quicker to drop back in protection.............they are more agile, better at changing direction.........

its all about pass blocking............tackles block defensive ends, the most athletic of the defensive lineman.........

Answer 9

tackles are usually more athletic to be able to block the speed rushers in the nfl and they have longer arms gaurds are usually bigger and more powerful so they can block bigger d-tackles

Answer 10

tackles are usually fast and can move around better