I'm not trying to make excuses or back up anyone but OL run about 3 yards or back up about 3 yards every play. They aren't running around and chasing players 20 yards or more every play from across the field or down the field. On top of that our defense is usually on the field a lot more snaps than our offense. Just some things to think about. I'd like to see our starters or the best players we have on defense get 70-75% of the snaps and the back-ups play less, they aren't as good that's why they don't start but honestly some of our back-ups are just as good as our starters.
You have a very valid point about being an in-shape 20 year old. They should easily be able to play 50-60 snaps and have some left in the tank or not dehydrate they are so tired. And I believe you made that point last night when you said- they obviously are not tired when they run off the field. I say let the starters play the first few series then sub in a guy here and there. It seems like we've held to this theory for a long time now even when Crowton was here I believe-well on DL anyway I remember few guys coming in at a time.