Covitz: Chiefs feel Hudson ready to step up at center

[Tribal Warfare]

Chiefs feel Hudson ready to step up at center
By RANDY COVITZ
The Kansas City Star

The nameplate, 62 CASEY WIEGMANN, still adorns a corner locker in the Chiefs dressing room, a practice uniform still neatly folded over a hanger.

But Wiegmann, the Chiefs’ center for nine of the last 11 seasons, has quietly and unofficially retired. Wiegmann finished his career making 11,162 consecutive snaps — the longest streak by any NFL offensive lineman — covering 175 consecutive starts.

His successor, second-year man Rodney Hudson, who occupies the neighboring locker, has never snapped from center in an NFL game.

Yet, the Chiefs are convinced that Hudson can step into the shoes of Wiegmann, who not only blocked, pulled and trapped in the trenches, but made the line calls for his teammates.

“That’s part of this offseason program, that’s our job to coach him to recognize the fronts, make the IDs, and then to be able to block the correct guy and do it at an efficient level,” coach Romeo Crennel said during last week’s minicamp.

“During this offseason program, he’s taken to it. He’s taken control and command, and he’s making the proper calls in practice. Physically, he’ll be able to make the blocks and pass protect the way we need him to. I’m encouraged by what I see. When we get to training camp, we’ll find out with the pads.”

From the moment Hudson — a 6-2, 299 pounder — was drafted in the second round from Florida State in 2011, it was apparent he would be groomed to fill the spot of either Wiegmann or guard Brian Waters, who was released last summer.

Jon Asamoah, in his second year, took over for Waters, giving Hudson a year’s apprenticeship behind Wiegmann.

“I learned a lot from Casey, a lot of football,” Hudson said, “what to look for, presnap, off the field, how to watch film, what to look for, what gives you keys what the defense is doing. He was very knowledgeable about the game, and it was definitely helping learn from him.”

Hudson also had to learn a whole new position. A starting left guard for four seasons at Florida State, he shifted to center for one game as a sophomore. Hudson earned all-Atlantic Coast Conference honors three times for his play at left guard.

Hudson appeared in all 16 games last year on special teams, but his only start with the Chiefs came at left guard when he replaced an injured Ryan Lilja in the 13-9 loss to Pittsburgh on Nov. 27.

So now, he’s making the adjustment from having to start every play by cleanly snapping a football before taking on a 320-pound nose tackle in front of him.

“You would never know it,” Asamoah said of Hudson’s inexperience as a center. “It shocked me because he seems so natural at it. He spent last year watching and picking Casey’s brain, and he’s picked up a lot of things. He’s amazed me how quickly he’s picked everything up from the second he got here last year.”

If Hudson has anything in common with Wiegmann, it’s durability. Just as Wiegmann never came out of the lineup, Hudson made 48 consecutive starts at Florida State, where he was a unanimous All-American.

“There’s no trick to it,” Hudson said of avoiding injuries. “You stay healthy in the weight room, keeping your shoulders strong, working on things in the offseason to get you to last the whole season.”

Compounding Hudson’s adjustment to a new position is the fact he and his teammates are learning a new offense being installed by new coordinator Brian Daboll.

“There are a lot new things being thrown at him, and for a second-year player who hasn’t started in this league, he’s done a great job,” quarterback Matt Cassel said of his new battery mate.

“Casey Wiegmann had an unbelievable career, was a staple for us these last few years and a guy with tremendous experience, and Rodney learned a lot from Casey. It was a great year for him to be able to learn from such a professional like Casey.”

[InChiefsHeaven]

It would be great if this kid turns out to last a long time. We have the makings of a stellar O line for years to come.

[Hog's Gone Fishin]

Who is his backup if he goes down ? Can Cassel hike the ball to Stanzi ?

[Hoover]

Casey did an interview in Des Moines a while back which stated that if the Chiefs needed him he would be ready. Said that last year proved to him that he didn't need an extensive training camp and offseason programs.

[Canofbier]

This article is missing key pieces of information regarding Hudson's texting habits.

[Mr. Laz]

Originally Posted by Hoover

Casey did an interview in Des Moines a while back which stated that if the Chiefs needed him he would be ready. Said that last year proved to him that he didn't need an extensive training camp and offseason programs.

I wonder if he would consider Oline coaching?

[philfree]

Jon Asamoah, in his second year, took over for Waters, giving Hudson a year’s apprenticeship behind Wiegmann.

So Asamoah took over for Water at RG?

[Sweet Daddy Hate]

Originally Posted by Hog Farmer

Who is his backup if he goes down ? Can Cassel hike the ball to Stanzi ?

By God, you are truly on to something here!

a) Casshole is durable. He can take a licking and keep on sucking!

b) The distance from Center to QB is PERFECT for Casshole's level of accuracy!

Rep.

[Pasta Little Brioni]

We'll get one of these for every guy on the team including the water boy.

[Tribal Warfare]

Kansas City Star Video

[Messier]

Originally Posted by PGM

We'll get one of these for every guy on the team including the water boy.

And I look forward to every single one.

[Ceej]

I really, really like this O-line.

[milkman]

Originally Posted by Hog Farmer

Who is his backup if he goes down ? Can Cassel hike the ball to Stanzi ?

Right now, the only guy on the roster who has ever snapped the ball in a game in his life is Daryl Harris.

Ran Lilja would be the next guy in line.

[Chiefshrink]

Originally Posted by Tribal Warfare

Chiefs feel Hudson ready to step up at center
By RANDY COVITZ
The Kansas City Star

The nameplate, 62 CASEY WIEGMANN, still adorns a corner locker in the Chiefs dressing room, a practice uniform still neatly folded over a hanger.

But Wiegmann, the Chiefs’ center for nine of the last 11 seasons, has quietly and unofficially retired. Wiegmann finished his career making 11,162 consecutive snaps — the longest streak by any NFL offensive lineman — covering 175 consecutive starts.

His successor, second-year man Rodney Hudson, who occupies the neighboring locker, has never snapped from center in an NFL game.

Yet, the Chiefs are convinced that Hudson can step into the shoes of Wiegmann, who not only blocked, pulled and trapped in the trenches, but made the line calls for his teammates.

“That’s part of this offseason program, that’s our job to coach him to recognize the fronts, make the IDs, and then to be able to block the correct guy and do it at an efficient level,” coach Romeo Crennel said during last week’s minicamp.

“During this offseason program, he’s taken to it. He’s taken control and command, and he’s making the proper calls in practice. Physically, he’ll be able to make the blocks and pass protect the way we need him to. I’m encouraged by what I see. When we get to training camp, we’ll find out with the pads.”

From the moment Hudson — a 6-2, 299 pounder — was drafted in the second round from Florida State in 2011, it was apparent he would be groomed to fill the spot of either Wiegmann or guard Brian Waters, who was released last summer.

Jon Asamoah, in his second year, took over for Waters, giving Hudson a year’s apprenticeship behind Wiegmann.

“I learned a lot from Casey, a lot of football,” Hudson said, “what to look for, presnap, off the field, how to watch film, what to look for, what gives you keys what the defense is doing. He was very knowledgeable about the game, and it was definitely helping learn from him.”

Hudson also had to learn a whole new position. A starting left guard for four seasons at Florida State, he shifted to center for one game as a sophomore. Hudson earned all-Atlantic Coast Conference honors three times for his play at left guard.

Hudson appeared in all 16 games last year on special teams, but his only start with the Chiefs came at left guard when he replaced an injured Ryan Lilja in the 13-9 loss to Pittsburgh on Nov. 27.

So now, he’s making the adjustment from having to start every play by cleanly snapping a football before taking on a 320-pound nose tackle in front of him.

“You would never know it,” Asamoah said of Hudson’s inexperience as a center. “It shocked me because he seems so natural at it. He spent last year watching and picking Casey’s brain, and he’s picked up a lot of things. He’s amazed me how quickly he’s picked everything up from the second he got here last year.”

If Hudson has anything in common with Wiegmann, it’s durability. Just as Wiegmann never came out of the lineup, Hudson made 48 consecutive starts at Florida State, where he was a unanimous All-American.

“There’s no trick to it,” Hudson said of avoiding injuries. “You stay healthy in the weight room, keeping your shoulders strong, working on things in the offseason to get you to last the whole season.”

Compounding Hudson’s adjustment to a new position is the fact he and his teammates are learning a new offense being installed by new coordinator Brian Daboll.

“There are a lot new things being thrown at him, and for a second-year player who hasn’t started in this league, he’s done a great job,” quarterback Matt Cassel said of his new battery mate.

“Casey Wiegmann had an unbelievable career, was a staple for us these last few years and a guy with tremendous experience, and Rodney learned a lot from Casey. It was a great year for him to be able to learn from such a professional like Casey.”

He's got no choice but to step up

[milkman]

Originally Posted by sportsshrink

He's got no choice but to step up

And you had to quote the entire story in order to make that single observation.

Good job, dumbass.