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re: Why are Center recruits so light weight?
Posted on 1/21/10 at 11:19 pm to OBUDan
Posted on 1/21/10 at 11:19 pm to OBUDan
quote:
In a bit of a twist, the Eagles probably have the biggest center in the NFL. He's about 6'3, weighs 330.
Hes 6'4" and yes he is a big guy for OC.
Most list Mawae as the best center in the NFL and there is good reason.
1
Posted on 1/22/10 at 12:33 am to LSUDad
quote:
Most list Mawae as the best center in the NFL and there is good reason
So we have probably the best C and the best G, Faneca, in the NFL both from LSU!
Posted on 1/22/10 at 12:40 am to GeauxDT
quote:
So we have probably the best C and the best G, Faneca, in the NFL both from LSU!
And I'd say Whitworth is among the better tackles in the league as well...
Posted on 1/22/10 at 1:19 am to OBUDan
quote:
Footwork. The Center actually looses a step compared to Guards and Tackles because they take their step when the center hikes the ball. The Center has to hike the ball, make sure the QB takes the ball and then he can make his first step.
You are right but you are also wrong. It is footwork, but you actually take the step while you are snapping. So for instance, if you have to lead with your right foot and snap with your right hand you are in essence stepping over your hand.
Centers have to be a mix of everything on a football field. Strength, speed, intelligence. I hate to quote him in a way but John Madden always said the 2nd most important position on the field is center. I think the example of Wilkerson is the best example of what type of a player you want a center to be. He was smart, had adequate size, very strong, but most of all quick hands & quick feet. Not very many centers can pull, he could like no other. Barring his injury he would have been very successful. A good way of thinking about a center, most undersized high school centers get recruited to play fullback. Because they have the quickness and strength to be able to convert to playing off the ball a bit.
Posted on 1/22/10 at 7:10 am to MiledV-TEC
Proper technique dictates an initial first step while snapping the ball.
Kevin excels primarily due to leverage and technique. He goes 6'4" and 290, but make no mistake he is a master at leverage. You'll see flashes where he is throwing guys a around that are bigger/stronger than he, but it is due to masterful leverage and positioning. I actually refer to this overall as the "Pro Factor". It is why some giants look the part and have measurables superior to someone like Kev, but never excel. Kevin's high motor helps too.
Also, the biggest asset in the pros is consistency in grading out plus longevity/no injuries. Kevin started four straight years at Seattle without missing a game.......then free agency offered him the moon. I'll never forget the gleam in his eye when he told me, "next week, I'll technically never have to work another day in my life." Fortunately for the league, Kevin is all dignity, class, and hard work and today represents LSU proudly.
Kevin excels primarily due to leverage and technique. He goes 6'4" and 290, but make no mistake he is a master at leverage. You'll see flashes where he is throwing guys a around that are bigger/stronger than he, but it is due to masterful leverage and positioning. I actually refer to this overall as the "Pro Factor". It is why some giants look the part and have measurables superior to someone like Kev, but never excel. Kevin's high motor helps too.
Also, the biggest asset in the pros is consistency in grading out plus longevity/no injuries. Kevin started four straight years at Seattle without missing a game.......then free agency offered him the moon. I'll never forget the gleam in his eye when he told me, "next week, I'll technically never have to work another day in my life." Fortunately for the league, Kevin is all dignity, class, and hard work and today represents LSU proudly.
This post was edited on 1/22/10 at 7:14 am
Posted on 1/22/10 at 9:14 am to LSUcjb318
Centers should be 300 lbs and they are usually Guards that switch to centers. Our 2nd string center was 300 lbs.
Posted on 1/22/10 at 9:26 am to MiledV-TEC
quote:
Last word I got, Brett Helms was on the developmental squad for the Houston Texans.
Great and underapreciated LSU Tiger. I wish him the best.
quote:
is footwork, but you actually take the step while you are snapping. So for instance, if you have to lead with your right foot and snap with your right hand you are in essence stepping over your hand.
True to a certain extent, and that is why they have to lighter and more agile than a guard. However they have to allow the QB to cleanly move out of their way before they step. If they don't, they will step on the QB, a la Eli Manning in 2003.
Posted on 1/22/10 at 11:36 pm to OBUDan
quote:
So we have probably the best C and the best G, Faneca, in the NFL both from LSU!
And I'd say Whitworth is among the better tackles in the league as well...
Don't forget Stephen Peterman is still in the league. One Pro guide has the best OG tandem in the NFL, Alan Faneca and Brandon Moore(N Y Jets). Whitworth is the leader of the Bengals line and can play a # of the positions on that line. Nate Livings is also on the same Bengals line (Nate started 6 games last year). Nate was a College Free Agent that signed with the Bengals.
Posted on 1/23/10 at 12:36 am to LSUDad
quote:
True to a certain extent, and that is why they have to lighter and more agile than a guard. However they have to allow the QB to cleanly move out of their way before they step. If they don't, they will step on the QB, a la Eli Manning in 2003.
As far a any type of a pull goes but a center should never take a step back. A side step at the worst, if a center ever takes a step back that means he is not confident in the match-up or frankly he is getting his arse kicked.
Posted on 1/23/10 at 8:20 am to Suntiger
quote:
Footwork. The Center actually looses a step compared to Guards and Tackles because they take their step when the center hikes the ball. The Center has to hike the ball, make sure the QB takes the ball and then he can make his first step. As for the 3-4 defenses. The guard's help if there is a huge NT or the center just has to use leverage, again where it helps to be shoreter and again lighter.
Your reason is correct but not the explanation.
Footwork is extremely important to a center but not because he is a step late. Centers, when run blocking, are taught that their first step should be simultaneous with the snap of the ball. There is no way a center could execute many of the types of blocks (scoops, reaches, and pulls) that he is commonly asked to do if he was waiting to take his first step.
Whether running a pass-first or run-first offense, your center needs to have great footwork because he is expected to get out of his stance and execute his assignment just as fast and aggressive as the guards and tackles, while "multitasking" (ie getting the QB the ball.) On the high school level, you often have to sacrifice size to get this level of footwork & athleticism.
AJ
***** Nevermind, didn't see the posts above before I posted this.
This post was edited on 1/23/10 at 8:23 am
Posted on 1/23/10 at 8:27 am to Suntiger
One thing to keep in mind is that linemen are taught to take very short first steps. Some offensive line coaches teach a very short (ie 6 inches) "directional" step to create momentum and stability followed by a longer "power" step. So most linemen, when run blocking, should not be extending their first step a long way.
AJ
AJ
Posted on 1/23/10 at 10:36 am to OBUDan
People don't realize how much having savey olineman can help you. Itsnot a matter of size and brute strenge as it is leverage and footwork. In LSU terms, the difference between Andrew Whitworth and Brad Smalling is technique.
IMHO, we should have 8 oline recruits in every class.
IMHO, we should have 8 oline recruits in every class.
Posted on 1/23/10 at 11:31 am to rcocke2
B/c they have to scoop up to LB and if they play for the packers they will pull.
Posted on 1/23/10 at 11:36 am to LSUcjb318
quote:
But against a 3 4 defense he will be getting punked by the nose tackle.
Then you double team the NT, and you still have a lineman left to block a blitzing LB.
Posted on 1/23/10 at 11:38 am to LSUDad
quote:
Brett Helms
We REALLY missed Helms this season.
Posted on 1/23/10 at 2:11 pm to OBUDan
The center needs speed and agility simply to get the ball snapped and then quickly get into position to block. That takes a lot of quickness for a big man.
In addition, it is perferable, but not required for the center and guards to have a lower center of gravaty to get a push up the middle, and to be shorter than the tackles to make a better line of sight for the QB to throw over. They also don't need to be tall with the long arms like a tackle, because no one is coming around the end on them. They will face more of a bull rush. If the center is not quick, the DTs will be half way by him before he ever gets out of his stance.
In addition, it is perferable, but not required for the center and guards to have a lower center of gravaty to get a push up the middle, and to be shorter than the tackles to make a better line of sight for the QB to throw over. They also don't need to be tall with the long arms like a tackle, because no one is coming around the end on them. They will face more of a bull rush. If the center is not quick, the DTs will be half way by him before he ever gets out of his stance.
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