Courtesy Hamilton Spectator:

Say this about Hamilton Tiger-Cat offensive line prospects, they certainly have big shoes to fill.

Literally.

One common trait among six-foot-five-inch pass blockers who tip the scales at 325 pounds is huge feet. We’re talking human aircraft carriers here. And a size 15 or 16 football cleat takes an inordinate amount of shoe leather.

Ticat offensive line coach Jeff Bleamer, a former offensive lineman himself and a size 15, said those who ply their trade in the trenches need a set of flatbed trailers to carry the load.

“They need big feet for a good base. You don’t see too many offensive linemen walking around with a size 10. Most offensive linemen have size 14 and up,” Bleamer said, adding the big cleats are a source of power.

Bleamer said the biggest feet he ever saw belonged to one-time Tiger-Cat, Alouette and Philadelphia Eagle offensive lineman Ed George. Size 17.

“You could probably fit a small family into size 17,” Bleamer quipped.

Offensive linemen need the big boots to provide proper agility as well for pass protection purposes.

“It’s not natural to backpedal and have a 260-pound person running into you while you’re backing up. That’s where good feet come into play, being able to readjust your stance while you’re fighting with a guy.”

Cat guard Jordan Rempel is a big ole Saskatchewan farm boy. Rempel has had size 16 feet since he was 16 years old.

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