linemen

I know linemen need to get big but the average weight of linemen is way too high.

American fotoball linemen's only job is to run into other linemen.

That would give teams a bit of wiggle room to use huge linemen if they want to, though the tradeoff is smaller ball-handling players.

The problem is, I think, that a lot of the critical info is inside the tackle box with the actively engaging linemen.

For example, in a short yardage play, they might sub out 1-2 receivers and sub in linemen.

The overweight players are overweight for the same reason that (American) football linemen are: it's useful for their skill.

Enforcing knee braces, putting weight limits for linemen and making an exception for marijuana will also never work IMO.

Misdirection is a key part of game planning; for example, they might sub in two more linemen and still pass the ball, as the defense is expecting a running play.

Keep in mind linemen are making intense physical contact every single play of the game.

If it's a run play, it's unlikely receivers are getting knocked around, but linemen are.

Tackles have a much higher incidence than the center, the guards or the defensive linemen.

There is some research to support the hypothesis that helmets change the way linemen tackle.

It looks like their is a further specialization into linemen and "skill" players.

Linemen need all of the weight they can get where "skill" players want to be bigger and stronger to some extent but still need to be agile.

"my linemen are doing a great job today"...

That was waved away with "well, if I were working on power lines, I would just assume they were always live anyway" by people who have never had an outdoors job, and whose entry-level salaries are where linemen top off at the end of a career.