re: How do coaches decided who is an OG or OT?

So what you're saying is Collins at OT, take out Alexander or Faulk... Who fills in at guard? Austin? Wiliford? Instead of having our best linemen on the field

It's simple, good height, arm length, quickness, pass blocking = tackle. High football IQ and leadership skills = center. Aggressive maulers that may not have the best pass blocking skills or are a little shorter and heavier/stockier = gaurd

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So what you're saying is Collins at OT, take out Alexander or Faulk... Who fills in at guard? Austin? Wiliford? Instead of having our best linemen on the field

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No indeed! I would never presume to know more than the coaches about who should be playing what position. Wait...except I always thought PP7 should have been a RB or WR. He was 6'-1", 222 lbs, had elite speed, and freakish body control/fluidity. I'd like to meet the knucklehead who saw all that and said, "uhhhh, how 'bout defensive back." Although I admit it worked out well for him.

It has a lot to do with skill sets and measurables versus defensive positions. Tackles tend to be taller as it helps versus various outside rush moves (I.e. swim move). Also, if your scheme relies on pulling guards, you need more fleet-footed guys (regardless of height)....granted, shorter usually means smaller and faster.

Then comes the complexities of blocking schemes by position and who has the aptitude to excel. Obviously, center requires the most aptitude as they recognize alignments and set blocking assignments.

si

It depends on the offense you run, yes the left tackle gets a lot of fame now. But the guards do a lot of dirty work. If your guards are weak, the pocket will collapse on the inside, also lsu runs a lot right up the A or 1 and 2 gaps so it's VERY important that our guards clean out the defensive tackles/ NT compared to our tackles simply kicking out the ends on inside runs