AZCardinals.com: Center may be college non-center

[RugbyMuffin]

http://blog.azcardinals.com/2016/04/19/center-may-be-college-non-center/

Very interesting topic, IMHO.

It is lying season, so take it with a grain of salt, but it brings up an interesting topic.

Here is my list of offensive linemen that would "fit" the Cardinals. Wonder how many could play center ?

Ryan Kelly, OC (Rnd: 1 -3)
Germain Ifedi, OT (Rnd: 2)
Sebastion Tretola, OG (Rnd: 2 -3)
Joshua Garnett, OG (Rnd: 2 -3)
Christian Westerman, OG (Rnd: 2 -5)
Graham Glasgow, C/G (Rnd: 3 -5)
Caleb Benenoch, OT (Rnd: 3 -UDFA)
Brandon Shell, OT (Rnd: 4 -6)
Fahn Cooper, G/T (Rnd: 4 -7)
Ted Karras, OG (Rnd: 5 -UDFA)
Clay DeBord, OT (Rnd: 7 -UDFA)
Clint VanHorn, OT (Rnd: 7 -UDFA)
Aaron Neary, G
Charles Vaillancourt, G

 

[BigRedRage]

I read something about the whitehair kid being versatile enough to play all positions along the line

 

[oaken1]

I read that article a few minutes ago. Fortunately it was quoting SK and not BA....makes it easier to get a line on their thinking.

 

[Ohcrap75]

Don't forget my boy Isaac Seumalo from Oregon St. He actually has experience at center also. I like him as well as any option besides Kelly and Martin. My guess is that he will go in either 4th or 5th. Westerman would be very intriguing at center too. Unfortunately I think he and Nick Martin are in no mans land for us. Too early to take them with our first pick but doubt they last until our third rounder.

 

[Mitch]

Don't forget my boy Isaac Seumalo from Oregon St. He actually has experience at center also. I like him as well as any option besides Kelly and Martin. My guess is that he will go in either 4th or 5th. Westerman would be very intriguing at center too. Unfortunately I think he and Nick Martin are in no mans land for us. Too early to take them with our first pick but doubt they last until our third rounder.

Seumalo is exactly who I was thinking of too. Very intriguing prospect. Spencer Drango of Baylor may project to C as well.

 

[az jam]

Typical Keims/Arians draft smoke screen. Means they most likely will draft a player who has played center in college.

 

[stretchthefield]

1st OG/C - Nick Martin
3rd CB - Cyrus Jones
4th OG/C - Isaac Seumalo

 

[don7031]

Kansas City was able to convert Mitch Morse from college tackle to center successfully last season.

 

[Harry]

A high percentage of NFL guards were college tackles. Some centers were also collegiate tackles or more often guards. The skill set is a little different. Typically a center needs to be bright and quick thinking. He needs to be quicker than most guards. Arm length is nice if you can get it though some successful centers have not had this. Having a big bottom or strong lower frame is the preference of many scouts. Of course you look at all the standard stuff, blocking at the second level, hitting a target in space and how agile the footwork is.

The biggest drawback is that the center is the guy who calls the blocking adjustments and points out most of the stunts. If he's never done it before, you're always projecting. That's the trickiest part. Also you want a guy who wants that job. I've talked to several players who don't like blocking from a diadvantaged standpoint. I like a mean guy personally, who likes to think of himself as captain of the line and who holds other blockers accountable. On some teams the QB likes to do the latter personally.

 

[ASUCHRIS]

A high percentage of NFL guards were college tackles. Some centers were also collegiate tackles or more often guards. The skill set is a little different. Typically a center needs to be bright and quick thinking. He needs to be quicker than most guards. Arm length is nice if you can get it though some successful centers have not had this. Having a big bottom or strong lower frame is the preference of many scouts. Of course you look at all the standard stuff, blocking at the second level, hitting a target in space and how agile the footwork is.

The biggest drawback is that the center is the guy who calls the blocking adjustments and points out most of the stunts. If he's never done it before, you're always projecting. That's the trickiest part. Also you want a guy who wants that job. I've talked to several players who don't like blocking from a diadvantaged standpoint. I like a mean guy personally, who likes to think of himself as captain of the line and who holds other blockers accountable. On some teams the QB likes to do the latter personally.

Glad to see you posting so much.

One advantage the Cards have in the transition is that they can let Mathis make the line calls this year, allowing a young/new center to learn on the job.

 

[juza76]

Bidwill has to call russ grimm back
He should give a big contribution helping young player transition to center position