CSSHEGEWISCHWhile interior linemen have become obscenely huge, that extra mass comes with a reduction in mobility. They may have an advantage in straight-line run blocking or forming the pocket, but how often does an NFL team run sweeps or screnn passes these days. In my sport (rugby), 240-250 pounds is about the maximum size because every player has to be able to cover the entire playing field.
In my sport (rugby), 240-250 pounds is about the maximum size because every player has to be able to cover the entire playing field.
That mass in today's player is much more mobile than the lesser mass of players of past generations. Bigger, Stronger, Faster applies to all players in sports. Players are now trained to the level of thoroughbred racehorses. The strength that the muscles have been trained to exceed the capacities of the connective tissues (ligaments and tendons) to keep everthing in working order and correct alignment.
With the 'two platoon' system of football, the players are trained to the Nth degree for their playing speciality. Were the rules to change that players were required to be both offensive and defensive I am certain the player sizes would change (of course the NFLPA would not be happy about the decrease in their membership). I possess a 1957 Baltimore Colts Media Guide - 33 player roster. Currently there are 53 on each teams NFL roster with a 10 play 'practice squad'.
Never too old to have a happy childhood!
While interior linemen have become obscenely huge, that extra mass comes with a reduction in mobility. They may have an advantage in straight-line run blocking or forming the pocket, but how often does an NFL team run sweeps or screnn passes these days.
Firelock76People smaller than today? Well, it kind of depends... Going by US military records, the average height (remember, this is average, some would have been taller, some shorter) of a soldier in the Revolutionary War was 5'8". Eighty years later during the Civil War, it was the same, during the Spanish-American War, the same again, and again during World War One. By World War Two, the average had gone up to 5'10". Today, the average is 5'11". And of course, just how tall you grew depended on how well you were fed. In medieval Europe the aristocracy towered over the commoners (nobles and knights who were six-footers weren't unusual) simply because they ate so much better. Here in the US country boys typically were taller than city boys due to the food factor. So as I said, it all depends.
Going by US military records, the average height (remember, this is average, some would have been taller, some shorter) of a soldier in the Revolutionary War was 5'8". Eighty years later during the Civil War, it was the same, during the Spanish-American War, the same again, and again during World War One.
By World War Two, the average had gone up to 5'10". Today, the average is 5'11".
And of course, just how tall you grew depended on how well you were fed. In medieval Europe the aristocracy towered over the commoners (nobles and knights who were six-footers weren't unusual) simply because they ate so much better.
Here in the US country boys typically were taller than city boys due to the food factor.
So as I said, it all depends.
Check out the dimensions of professional sports teams, today, 20 years ago, 40 years ago, 60 years ago etc. With the understanding that these individuals would have the best of food, healthcare and training that each of the eras had available.
50 years ago 270-280 pound linemen were considered HUGE. Today players of that size would be told they have to 'bulk up'. 300 pounds has become the low limit for linemen with a number being in the 340-350 range. Even QB's are in the 240-260 range.
People smaller than today? Well, it kind of depends...
wanswheelFirelock, the Green Diamond looks kind of squashed. Pro basketball players probably had to take the Abe Lincoln.
People - in all forms of activity were smaller then than today. George Mikan was a 'giant' playing basketball after WW II at 6'10" - today there are a number of Guard's that are that size.
They gave me a tier 4 gevo for my local the other night. A GE that actually loads and takes off in a timely manner. Also could pull or push what we threw at it (although the amount of cars we moved around were child's play for a road engine). I was pretty impressed with it.
The opinions expressed here represent my own and not those of my employer, any other railroad, company, or person.
Nice job Wanswheel! You continue to amaze!
Firelock, the Green Diamond looks kind of squashed. Pro basketball players probably had to take the Abe Lincoln.
Hey, remember on August 27th I mentioned "The Green Diamond," otherwise know as "The Tomato Worm," or "Tobacco Worm" depending on which part on the country you lived in?
I went looking for some vintage film of the same but had no luck. Maybe this'll do?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TQmnwL5Ds4g
Like I said, so ugly it's classic!
Forgive me for saying this but what happened to Amtrak's P40's?
Alongside the F40PH and F59PHI, I like the P40's, they're a lot better than the P42's.
The red white and blue stripes on the side scream 90's to me.
My favourite diesel locomotive is a GE ES44DC, is also the most used locomotive.
But I don't have a least favourite locomotive. All are beautiful! Instead what's your favourite locomotive?
Does anyone else have a connection between favorite railroads and favorite locomotives. I've always liked the nonturbocharged EMD SD's and my favorite (small) railroads were the old US Steel roads. See the connection?
Favorite: Any of the early Alco road switchers - RS1's 2's or 3's.
All-time favorite: Green Mounatain (ex-Rutland #405)
Least: BL-2. Sorry, to me it just looks like a reject from the designers waste basket.
J. Edgar ALCO PA-1... least favorite...ANYTHING GE
ALCO PA-1...
least favorite...ANYTHING GE
love the looks of the PA
Conrail SD80MAC. The first, successful, 5000 HP, all purpose AC locomotive with cutting edge technology. The 30 of them are still in mainline service on NS over 20 years after they were built.
Nobody else wanted to take a chance on the 20-710 engine. It's still around. The other >5000 HP engines are long gone.
-Don (Random stuff, mostly about trains - what else? http://blerfblog.blogspot.com/)
Least Favorite - built by GE for SCL to house a 5 man train crew - without caboose.
My favorite?
Check out page 24 of the autumn issue of "Classic Trains." Yep, there it is baby, the Illinois Central's infamous "Green Diamond," known to the locals along it's run from Chicago to St. Louis as "The Tomato Worm"
So damn ugly it's classic! Wow!
Here, I'll help you out a bit...
http://streamlinermemories.info/?p=306
Prepare to be stunned.
Least favorite? Whichever one did the best job of killing steam.
blade what is your favorite diesel locomotive? what is your least favorite? Alco RS3
what is your favorite diesel locomotive? what is your least favorite?
Favorite 4 axle EMD = GP40X
Favorite 6 axle EMD = SD60M 3 Window
Favorite 4 axle GE = U25B or B23-7
Favorite 6 axle GE = C30-7
Favorite 4 axle ALCo = RS-27
Favorite 6 axle ALCo = M630 (ok, it's a MLW. All's the same here)
Phil
http://www.railcarphotos.com/PhotoDetails.php?PhotoID=36491
Switchers!!!!!!!!!
J. Edgar wrote:well Awsome its a matter of opinion realy...personally i think EMD's ride better....GE's might pull a little harder but i dont get to the righthand seat...often ....ive had both break down...ive had both stall on either of the 2 ruling grades between Lansing\Plymouth
Thanks for the info.
the Baldwin Sharknoses were the coolest, along with the ALCO PA's. The FM Erie builts were neat as well
Least favorite would be the Dash-9's & the SD90macs, those flared raidators are ugly!
Steve
Favorite Diesel Lococmotive
GP30's
Least Favorite
well any locomotive with a wide cab
J. Edgar wrote: which ever one gets me from Grand Rapids to Detroit.....
which ever one gets me from Grand Rapids to Detroit.....
But which one gets your there more effective?
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