FanNation - The Republic of Sport

Secret Squirrel said 04/28, 09:22 PM
I was thinking you'd take that...

So...

I'll take...

THE CENTER!!!!!!!!!

Secret Squirrel said 04/29, 11:19 PM
You're forgetting the most important thing that the center does. He snaps the football. If you don't get a clean snap off, you really can't have any sort of play whatsoever. Yes, the center makes the line calls too, and that is very important, but not as important as getting the play started cleanly.

"If the LT can't protect, the QB can't have time to throw w/out pressure from his blindside and this takes away a huge part of your offense."

If the CENTER can't protect, the QB can't have time because he has three guys rushing straight into his face. THAT takes away a huge part of your offense.

If you can't run behind your center and guard for not even three yards and a cloud of dust because you have two huge DTs in your face, you've got serious issues....

Yes, we all know that the LT is an important position on the offense, but the Center is the anchor of the line. You don't have a good center, you don't have a good line. Look at some of the best lines in the NFL last season, who were their centers? Jeff Saturday, Matt Birk, Dan Koppen, Andre Gurode. These guys all made the pro bowl, and their lines were some of the best in football due to them...

Secret Squirrel said 04/30, 08:28 PM
I honestly do not believe the snap argument is far fetched. Think about it. If you have a center who can't snap from the shotgun set, you are limited to the under center formations that don't give the QB the options that are available through the 'gun. Without argument, the snap is the most crucial part of the play, because without a good one, the play goes to hell quickly....

Yes, the center has help on his blocks sometimes...but most of all, HE helps the guard with the DT. If the center misses his assignment, the entire line can break down like a stale cookie. If the LT misses, the QB has one guy chasing him from the blind side. If the C misses, the QB has 2-4 guys chasing him from every direction.

As to your comment, why don't we see centers drafted? Because it isn't as sexy of a position. The Left Tackle is definitely harder to come by and they get more credit for what they do. The center is a more common position, but they get little to no credit for what happens during the game.

I know this from experiences with the Vikings. Matt Birk was injured a few years ago, and into that spot stepped Melvin Fowler. The play of the line instantly decreased.