MOBILE, Ala. -- The time-tested adage for all-star games is that defenses have an advantage because offenses have only one practice week to not only learn an offense, but try to build some chemistry as well.
Defenses, meanwhile, can simply be turned loose and be more effective despite limited preparation. Reese's Senior Bowl North squad coach Mike Smith, however, believes defensive restrictions on what schemes can be used will eliminate much of that advantage in the game Saturday.
"Theoretically that might be the case, but when you are limited in what you can do defensively, which that's what the all-star rules are -- the same rules the Pro Bowl is played under -- it's very limited in the defenses you can play," Smith said. "There's not a whole lot of looks they'll see. When you limit what defenses are going to be able to do, I think it evens it out. You'll get a chance to really see these guys in one-on-one situations."
Defenses run a 4-3 set in the Pro Bowl, and perhaps the most important rule to which Smith referred is that no blitzing is permitted. That should make things far easier on the quarterbacks Saturday, and as well, the offensive line won't have to concern itself with protection checks.
Speaking of his linemen, Smith was impressed by the size his group will bring to Saturday's game. Miami offensive tackle Seantrel Henderson (6-8, 345), Minnesota defensive lineman Ra'Shede Hageman (6-6, 311) and Baylor guard Cyril Richardson (6-5, 340) are among the most imposing up front for the North.
"We've got some big guys. I was impressed at the weigh-in this morning. We have some guys with a lot of size. I watched them in the one-on-one drills," Smith said. "I didn't watch the pass rush (drills), but they showed some strength. It's going to be fun to watch these guys develop. Winning the line of scrimmage is probably the most important thing in the NFL. There are 32 teams here wanting to solidify both of their lines."
