NFL issue - Dallas-Mavs.com Forums

David · 08-03-2002, 04:54 PM

I heard them talking about this on the radio last week. It seems that back in the good ol' days of the 60's, the linemen were in the 250-260 pound range, on average. Nowadays, the linemen are 300 pounds plus. The Cowboys have a couple over 400 pounds. What's the deal? Has the population as a whole gotten that much bigger or is it just the NFL? Some say steriods, but don't they test for that? If it's steroids, why aren't they suspended or somesuch?

Just211 · 08-03-2002, 04:58 PM

Would steoids mak you FAT. Have you seen Gibson, he's FAT. If it is muscle, I'm sure there's plenty of legal supplements that get the job done and the fact that training and diets have improved greatly aid to the growth in players

Drbio · 08-03-2002, 05:00 PM

I don't know, but the amazing thing is the speed. I played college football and at 6'4" 260 I was running a 5 second 40. And I was considered to be a pretty big guy back then with good speed. I wouldn't make the top 20-30 in size on todays teams (esp. since I am down in the lower 200's now). Today, guys that are 6'8" and 370 are running 4.7 40's. I think a lot of it has to do with youth development programs that are available now which were not when I was growing up. I am not overlooking steroids etc because they are undoubtedly a part of many players development, but kids today are bigger than they were 10, 20 and 30 years ago.

David · 08-03-2002, 05:10 PM

<< I am not overlooking steroids etc because they are undoubtedly a part of many players development, but kids today are bigger than they were 10, 20 and 30 years ago. >>

Why are kids today bigger? Is it genetic? Why all of a sudden? That's what I am wondering. You don't see them on the street, in the average population but you surely see them around football teams.

dude1394 · 08-03-2002, 06:28 PM

In my opinion it is better nutrition and more sophisticated training techniques. Weight-lifting also has added a lot since that hasn't always been the case for youngsters.

I also think that large kids are identified earlier and a lot of incentive to play sports.

Big Boy Laroux · 08-06-2002, 09:44 AM

hormones in milk.

Usually Lurkin · 08-06-2002, 11:35 AM

David, this is an interesting topic.
I did a quick search at google, here's a couple points I found:

basketball players are getting heavier, too
(http://www.southjerseynews.com/mille...il081500h.html)

Americans in general getting heavier:
(http://www.healingwithnutrition.com/...anagement.html
from http://www.caloriecontrol.org/calcount.html)

I imagine that better training and earlier intensive training also helps kids develop, and to stay healthy longer.

dallmav · 08-06-2002, 01:42 PM

Its a combination of all the above.

MFFL · 08-06-2002, 04:31 PM

Don't forget that professional athletes train year round now. Up until the 80's most athletes had to have a second job during the offseason.

dude1394 · 08-06-2002, 07:41 PM

Really good point. They used to have training camp just to get in shape. Now they come in after having pumped iron all year.

dude1394 · 08-06-2002, 07:42 PM

Of course they are also probably taking performance enhancing drugs that are undetectable just like those tour de france cyclists. [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif[/img]

David · 08-06-2002, 08:15 PM

<< Of course they are also probably taking performance enhancing drugs that are undetectable just like those tour de france cyclists. [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif[/img] >>

There is some truth in that.