drafting a center

afcardfan

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hi everyone long time listener first time caller, buti think in the 3rd round we should try to draft Nick Leckey the center out of kansas state, that way we can move kendall back to his original position.
 

football24/7

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I like Jake Grove from VT also. Kendall cant seem to hold up thru an entire season . Grove would be a good pick.
 

Cards Czar

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I think Grove will be gone by the middle or in the late 2 nd round,

I really like this guy who we could take with our 4th rounder.


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Pros: A throw-back, hard-nosed, nasty overachiever that is the team leader of an excellent OSU OL. A fierce competitor who gives 100% and has a great work ethic. Plays hurt and does whatever it takes to get the job done.

Cons: Needs to work on footwork, sometimes struggles to finish off assignments, not very athletic. His success comes from his blue-collar work ethics and his tremendous attitude. Being an overachiever isn’t a bad thing. Love this guy.
Draft Exchange Analysis:

A guy who proves you do not have to be as physically gifted as others to succeed. He has tremendous technique and fundamentals, as good as any one in his draft class, and knows how to use them to his advantage. More importantly, I do not think any player works any harder and is willing to give more than this guy to succeed.
In an age of pampered athletes who take things for granted and are of the “modern era” of sports mentality, it is refreshing to see a player like Alex come along and remind us of what football was like in it’s infancy. I have no doubt that if born 50 years earlier, he would have been a great two-way player knocking heads (without a helmet) with any one who dared to enter his area on both offense and defense.

FROM HIS TEAM WEB PAGES:

BUCKEYE NOTES: Heads into his senior year regarded as one of the top centers in college football … has been named to several preseason All-America teams and is the No. 1 college center in the nation according to The Sporting News, which ranks Ohio State’s offensive line as the best in the nation … named to the “watch list” for the Rimington Award (won by Ohio State’s LeCharles Bentley in 2001) and will be a candidate for the Outland Trophy (won by the Buckeyes’ Orlando Pace in 1997) … will be in his second year as a starter … coming off a sensational 2002 season in which he was the Buckeyes most consistent lineman … strong, quick and smart … makes all the calls up front … played at 315 pounds last year, but feels he can be even more effective this year between 295 and 300 … appears to be in the best shape of his career … can also play guard and did so on occasion in 2002 … 17 career starts include three at guard in 2001.

2002 RECAP: Took over for All-American and Rimington Award winner LeCharles Bentley at center and enjoyed an outstanding first year as the starting center … was an iron man, starting every game and leading the offensive line in playing time with 391 minutes, the second highest total on the team … was named OSU offensive lineman of the week following the Washington State, Cincinnati, Northwestern, Penn State, Minnesota, Illinois and Michigan games … had no center-quarterback miscues even though he and quarterback Craig Krenzel were both first-year starters.

2001 RECAP: Played in 10 games during the regular season for a total of 131 minutes … started at guard against UCLA, Indiana and South Carolina … played 30 minutes at Michigan when Adrien Clarke moved to right tackle as a replacement for the injured Shane Olivea (broken ankle) … played his best football late in the year.

2000 RECAP: Impressed the coaches early with his quick grasp of the offense … was the first freshman to crack the two-deep … played in seven games.

HIGH SCHOOL: Played offensive guard and defensive end …USA Today Honorable Mention All-American … had 14 sacks as a junior … PERSONAL: His parents are Mark and Tina Stepanovich … his older brother, Nick, wrestled for the Buckeye the past three years ... favorite childhood memory is high school wrestling … would like to visit every college football stadium in the country.
 
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afcardfan

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Pros: A throw-back, hard-nosed, nasty overachiever that is the team leader of an excellent OSU OL. A fierce competitor who gives 100% and has a great work ethic. Plays hurt and does whatever it takes to get the job done


that is the kind of person we need
 

BuckeyeCardinal

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Stepanovich

Stepanovich can play just about any position on the o-line.
 

AzCards21

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Originally posted by football24/7
I like Jake Grove from VT also. Kendall cant seem to hold up thru an entire season . Grove would be a good pick.

I believe Pete started all 16 games this season. I may be wrong but don't think so. Kendall was a damn good center this season. Of the list of players that need replaced. He is ranked about 50 or 51. Center is not a need right now and Kendall will be even better at that position next season. This was his first year there and I think he did a bang up job.
 

Sandan

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Originally posted by afcardfan
hi everyone long time listener first time caller, buti think in the 3rd round we should try to draft Nick Leckey the center out of kansas state, that way we can move kendall back to his original position.

Kendall moved to center because his body can't handle many more seasons at guard. Apparently you don't get pounded as much at center.

So I don't think he will want to move back unless forced
 

Krangodnzr

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Welcome Af!

I would love to be in Charleston right now. Beautiful city, though the summers are more dreadful than any where I've ever been. :thumbup:
 

Capital Card

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I would be interested in taking a center this year, but leave Kendall as the starter.

I believe we only have Pete under contract for one more season. I do not think he will resign with us after his contract is up. He came here because we offered the most money, a fact he readily admits. However, he is not an Arizona guy. IMO, he heads back to the east coast when his contract here expires.

Go Cards!!!
 

Northern Card

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Originally posted by Capital Card
I would be interested in taking a center this year, but leave Kendall as the starter.

I believe we only have Pete under contract for one more season. I do not think he will resign with us after his contract is up. He came here because we offered the most money, a fact he readily admits. However, he is not an Arizona guy. IMO, he heads back to the east coast when his contract here expires.

Go Cards!!!

If so... as you say... drafting an heir apparent may not be a bad idea...
 

Pariah

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I'm a uge fan of Stepanovich and I think centers might start going as early as the late second round this year. If we want a quality guy in this draft, we'd be wise to take him, or any other top-tier center, in the third.
 

conraddobler

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A J Ricker from Mizzou would be great in the 4th but I doubt he lasts that long. He's an athletic competitor type center he has always been rock solid.

I would draft Sean Taylor, a CB in the 2nd, Cobbs in the 3rd and a center in the 4th.
 

Snakester

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Jake Grove is the best center in this draft in my opinion. He might be there in the top of the second round if we want him. He will not fall past the second round unless something drastic happens to him like being arrested or getting hurt.
 

Assface

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Kendall is the best center we're going to have. He's a top notch lineman and is very smart. The center is the guy who makes all the calls for the O-line so I'd rather have Pete than a rookie. It'll be easier to train a new guard than a rookie center.
 

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