JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- Behind most of the NFL's great pass rushers are scout team offensive linemen who have helped their distinguished teammates prepare for Sundays. While the pass rushing results are easy to see, the preparation process during the week leading up to a game is largely hidden.
Backup and practice squad offensive linemen are asked to present their pass-rushing teammates with a technique similar to the approach used by their weekly opponents. The concept helps with the strategy behind planned pass-rushing attacks.
William Poehls served as a sparring partner for the Jaguars' pass rushers last season. A scout team offensive tackle, Poehls practiced against the likes of Yannick Ngakoue, Calais Campbell and Dante Fowler, who combined for 37.5 sacks through 19 games (including the playoffs).
"Me and Yannick like to joke a little bit that 'that sack' was mine when he beats a guy," Poehls said to First Coast News on Friday. "But obviously, that's not true because Yannick is just a really talented guy. But yeah, I try to give Calais and Yannick and Dante all the reps I can and try to show them things other guys can do."
Poehls was inactive for all 19 games last season after being claimed off waivers from the Chicago Bears before Week 1. A practice squad journeyman prior to his arrival in Jacksonville, Poehls was just happy to be on the active roster and help his teammates prepare to excel on game days.
He wasn't upset about being a healthy scratch week in and week out. His team-first mentality never waned.
"Not at all," Poehls said. "I love football, period, so I would get excited even if I was on practice squad, knowing that I'm not going to play, knowing that I'm not going to dress, it's all about cheering on my teammates."
Poehls has been around the NFL since 2014. With prior stops in Tennessee, Buffalo and Chicago, Poehls has worked in a few different schemes and against several notable pass rushers.
He has embraced his role as a sparring partner for some of the top pass rushers in the league. Practice makes perfect and Poehls has a lot of experience in that aspect of the NFL grind.
"I love just being around practice," Poehls said. "I love practice and that's all I've gotten so far and that's cool with me."
Poehls appreciates the strategy behind his scout team job. The 6-foot-8, 344-pound lineman enjoys testing his teammates on a weekly basis to make them better at their craft.
"Absolutely, I think that I've been on practice squad for so long - and even being on the scout team this year - your goal is to make the other side of the ball better," Poehls said. "The best you can do is give the best look you can give and try to beat [the other side of the ball]."
While Poehls has an affinity for enhancing his various teammates' approaches towards pass rushing, he wants to improve as well. Poehls is competing for a backup role with the Jaguars this offseason.
Looking to stick around for another season in Jacksonville, Poehls' versatility will be his calling card. While he played guard at Montana during his college career, Poehls has mostly lined up at offensive tackle for the Jaguars. He has the ability to play both guard and both tackle positions.
"I think being able to play in multiple positions when you're in the position I'm in is vital," Poehls said.
"I think that's part of the reason I was able to stick around my first year here because I was able to play multiple positions. That's really just continuing to expand my repertoire because before I was just on the right side and then I move to the left, and now I'm even working on center a little bit. The more you can do, the longer you can stay in the league."
Along with taking center snaps, Poehls is working to improve his effectiveness in the Jaguars' blocking scheme. He is competing to become the Jaguars' swing tackle, which would allow him to finally receive some playing time if injuries pile up on the offensive line this season.
Poehls understands that a gradual improvement this summer could help him not only make the team but also keep his name off the inactive list on game days.
"I think every year you have to improve on things, so it's a constant [feeling] of trying to get better," Poehls said. "I think I try to do that every year, no matter if I'm a starter, Pro Bowler or All-Pro, I'm still going to work to get better and that's the case here. I know what to expect because I've been around a little bit but it doesn't change my work ethic at all."
Follow Mike Kaye on Twitter at @Mike_E_Kaye.