How tiring is it to be a D-lineman/O-lineman

[cokomenow]

I was just thinking about the Patriots recent acquisition of Albert Haynesworth, and how people said he gave up on plays. Now I know he's not exactly the paragon of a hard-working lineman, but I was wondering how much of one's total energy does a lineman (both offensive and defensive) expend on any particular play? Granted, they have roughly 20-30 seconds before each play, and rest when the team changes possession of the ball, but do they go 100% all the time?

[IndyJayman]

I would imagine that it wears you down quite a bit.

[Coffeedrinker]

I was just thinking about the Patriots recent acquisition of Albert Haynesworth, and how people said he gave up on plays. Now I know he's not exactly the paragon of a hard-working lineman, but I was wondering how much of one's total energy does a lineman (both offensive and defensive) expend on any particular play? Granted, they have roughly 20-30 seconds before each play, and rest when the team changes possession of the ball, but do they go 100% all the time?

That is a good question. Think of it this way, if you try to knock down a wall how much energy must you expend? How much energy does the wall have to expend? So it is harder on defensive players than offensive lineman (not saying that it's easy).

Some of it depends on the play. I was talking to a Colts lineman one time and he said that if the play is on the other side of the field and past where they are or if he's pass blocking and the pass has already left Manning's hands then he will tell the defender and most the time they will stop. So, I don't think they go 100% all the time but pretty close to it.

[BleedthisBlue]

It takes way more energy to play D than it does O, in its simplest reasonings its a lot easier to save energy when you know where the play is going it takes far more to react to where it is going