Big Cats, Not Hogs: Why Speed Redefines Offensive Linemen
Jan 27, 2025 4:40 pm
Coach -
“Slow guys don’t make that play,” Tony Holler emphatically stated during his discussion on the importance of speed in football. Known for his relentless advocacy for athlete-centric training, Holler passionately challenged the traditional perceptions of offensive linemen, urging coaches to rethink how they develop their big players.
The Problem with Tradition
Holler opened with a critique of outdated coaching norms: “In our weight room, we had old-school coaches—30 years younger than me but might as well be 100—posting pictures of offensive linemen eating one-pound hamburgers. What the hell is going on?” This humorous yet pointed observation highlighted how many programs still view linemen as mere brutes instead of athletes.
He shared examples of elite NFL offensive tackles like Tristan Wirfs and Trent Williams, noting their remarkable athleticism and speed. According to Holler, these players exemplify what the future of the position should look like: agile, powerful, and fast.
Why Speed Matters
Drawing attention to the correlation between speed and career longevity, Holler explained:
“There are studies that show slow big guys don’t have long careers. They don’t have good fourth quarters, and they sure don’t have good years when they’re 40.”
By emphasizing sprint training, Holler argued, coaches could ensure their linemen are not just big but also explosive and enduring athletes.
He also touched on the dangers of neglecting speed in development. Holler recounted the cautionary tale of a promising college player who went undrafted because he “ran 5.41 in the 40. No one at the combine that year ran slower. Great feet don’t mean a thing if you’re too fat and too slow.”
Rethinking Development
Holler’s mantra is clear: train offensive linemen like “big cats, not hogs.” He underscored the benefits of sprinting, even for high school athletes: “90% of bigs in our country don’t sprint. They eat, lift, and chase big numbers, but they can’t run. And that’s why they don’t play long or perform well.”
Coaches, Holler insisted, must reimagine how they train their big athletes. By focusing on speed, agility, and overall athleticism, teams can build linemen who are not only more effective on the field but also capable of thriving in the long term.
A New Perspective
Tony Holler’s insights offer a refreshing perspective on a role often overshadowed by stereotypes. His rallying cry for faster, more agile linemen challenges football programs at all levels to rethink their training approaches. After all, as he pointedly asked, “Do your 240-pound tackles run 4.81? I hope so, but probably not.”
I recommend his resources to anyone looking to put a more athletic team on the field in 2025. I listed some resources to get you started below.
For those of you interested in learning more about Sprint-Based Football for free, tune into Coach Holler’s series Sprint-Based Football on the Coach and Coordinator Network.
Always be growing!
Coach Grabowski
Sprint-Based Football Resources: