how do you

Tog,

I think you and I are on the same page on this one but here is what we do.

Center: Best athlete on the ol.
Guards: Biggest kids we have. Must be able to slug it out with 3 tech and beat them up.
Tackles: Taller and leaner kids who can move.

JD

I'm in a situation now where I have a shortage of linemen and need to convert FBs & TEs to play o-line. I really only have 2 lineman I feel comfortbale with unless I play the whole line both ways. Has anyone been in this spot before and how did you go about solving it? Would I be better off playing 4 out of 5 linemen both ways or trying to create offensive linemen with what I have left over from the d starters?

Coach,

I will agree with tog. The best teams that I have coached had the fewest lineman playing both ways. We try to play our OL and DL as much as we can on one side of the ball. I will have one Ol this next fall that is a stud DT as well. The other 4 will all be backups on the DL and situational guys. In the spread the FB and TE types can play center and tackles and handle the speed DE's. We are seeing a lot of teams put LBers in at DE and the DE inside on us. Sure makes it easier for my guys to run block!!!

JD