Sterling Harris

[The Q]

In the interest of helping keep Richard Bartel in one piece this season, why shouldn't Sterling Harris be moved to left tackle? He's the most experienced and most talented tackle we have. He has the perfect frame, and he has very long arms and works well with his hands. By all accounts, he's in the best shape of his life (in terms of strength and mobility). He hasn't become the "next Forrest Gregg" that some people called him when he signed out of high school, but unless we have a left-handed quarterback (Chris Phillips) playing, shouldn't the best tackle be on the left side, protecting the quarterback's blind side?

I think Sterling has the ability to play left tackle, and with a lot of hard work, he could make the switch.

Reactions?

[HorsePower]

I don't think that's a bad idea at all. With all due respect to Eric Neal and Martin Guidry, the best blocker on the line should be at left tackle. I'm sure Neal and Guidry could do a decent job at right tackle, but if you've got someone of Sterling's size and experience, I'd throw him over on the left side, too.

How hard is it to switch from one side to the other?





[This message has been edited by HorsePower (edited 05-09-2003).]

[PerunaPunch]

Jon, Tom, BUS,

Can somebody with O-line experience give us an educated opinion here?

[Roach]

I can't think of a reason why this shouldn't happen. If Sterling is the team's best tackle, he's got to be on the left side. If there's that much of a difference between playing the left and right sides, he needs to get out there with the defensive ends on his own and put in the work. Has Coach Miller ever said anything about juggling the guys at different positions?

[giacfsp]

I bet if the coaches asked him to switch, he could. He has some versatility, having played some (backup) guard early in his SMU career.

[d_pony]

usually the left tackle has the best feet - If i remember correctly that is not one of Sterling's strong points

[SMUguy]

but is that something that improves with his new-found fitness? Or are good feet a product of technique/footwork, rather than sheer quickness?

[d_pony]

you can improve some what with hard work but from what i understand you are born with it -

[dirty30samoa]

Hard work develops the talents that you are born with! Nobody is born a star. It just pays off differently for everyone. Hard work IS the key.

[DallasDiehard]

Amen. And according to people closer to the players than I am, Sterling has worked harder this offseason than he ever has since he got here. Maybe he really could make the switch to the left side.

[Silk]

If everyone on the team worked as hard as Adami and Stansbury and Reindl, we'd whip everyone in the WAC.

[dirty30samoa]

AMEN TO THAT BROTHER!

[Cupcaking]

LOL

[Hoofprint]

I agree with the points made here, and I think Sterling would be our best option at left tackle. However, I think the coaches would be very hesitant to make the move now. If they wanted to make the switch, Sterling would have been on the left side during spring ball. Moving him to that vital position during preseason is a dicey proposition.