Center
 

From the drills yesterday it looked like Wood and Unger were the most athletic of the centers. Are either worth KC's 2nd round pick? Will they make it to the 3rd round? Any late round sleepers at center?

I wonder how many teams need centers. It'd be great if one fell, since there are three real quality centers counting Mack. But add one team to the list in Indy, they're letting Saturday walk and would be happy if one of those guys fell to them in the 2nd.

The Colts drafted 3 centers last year so I don't know if they need to take another one.

They drafted Mike Pollack last year and also have Steve Justice.

Both can play center.

Did not realize. So any idea how many are looking?

They also drafted Jamey Richard.

I thought that AQ Shiply looked pretty good yesterday, and Antoine Caldwell has been on teh radar for a while.

I also thought Shipley looked good. I like squat, scrapy centers. Rumor has it A.Q. has a nasty temper.

The only thing that worries me is his T-Rex arms. I read that he might be there in the 4th or 5th round. I wouldn't mind him at all around the 5th round.

Unger is definitely worth a 2nd round pick. I actually have him rated higher than Mack. I really liked how smooth Wood's feet looked. I liked Shipely also. He's built like a fire hydrant. His shorter arms will hurt him.

I'd take Wood in the 3rd round.....hopefully he's still there.

I thought Wood really helped himself yeaterday, and he could very well end up in the second round.

I think Unger's going to be an amazing pro as well. I like him better than Mack because he's so athletic and he could easily handle right guard and right tackle.

I've had him rated higher than Mack since the Senior Bowl and would be stoked if the Chiefs chose him in the 2nd round.

How did Caldwell look? I thought he did well in the Senior Bowl and I think I'd be happy with him as a true center.

I don't remember him doing anything that stood out.

He did about as well as I expected.

But the reason I mentioned Shiply specifically is because he surprised me.

Cool, thanks!

Cincinnati needs a center real bad.

A lot of people have Unger rated as the best center, but Wood looked good to me.

He's fluid in his footwork and hip movement. His feet are quick up and down, like some draft guys say, "like a typewriter."

In the mirror drill he moved really well, I thought. I think if we go with a QB at #3, we almost have to take a 'backer next. But, one of those two centers would be really tough to pass up in the second.

Antoine Caldwell, Alabama
Height: 6-3. Weight: 309.
Projected 40 Time: 5.13.
Combine 40 Time: 5.23.
Benchx225: 23. Arm: 34.
Projected Round (2009): 2-3.
Also jumped 9'3" on broad jump which was the top distance for offensive linemen. Broad jump is a good indicator of drive and being able to explode into blocks.

Jonathan Luigs, Arkansas
Height: 6-4. Weight: 301.
Projected 40 Time: 5.14.
Combine 40 Time: 5.14. 6th best time for 2009 offensive linemen.
Benchx225: 26. Arm: 31 1/4.
Projected Round (2009): 2.

Alex Mack, California
Height: 6-4. Weight: 311.
Projected 40 Time: 5.13.
Combine 40 Time: DNP.
Benchx225: DNP. Arm: 33.
Projected Round (2009): 1.

A.Q. Shipley, Penn State
Height: 6-1. Weight: 304.
Projected 40 Time: 5.09.
Combine 40 Time: 5.19.
Benchx225: 33. Arm: 29 3/4.
Projected Round (2009): 4.
2/22/09: Ridiculously short arms could cost him, though he's very talented and will be taken in the middle rounds.

Max Unger, Oregon
Height: 6-5. Weight: 309.
Projected 40 Time: 5.20.
Combine 40 Time: 5.27.
Benchx225: 22. Arm: 33 1/2.
Projected Round (2009): 1-2.
2/19/09: Max Unger did a good job of putting on about 10 pounds since the end of the 2008 regular season.

Eric Wood, Louisville
Height: 6-4. Weight: 310.
Projected 40 Time: 5.09.
Combine 40 Time: 5.17.
Benchx225: 30. Arm: 33 3/4.
Projected Round (2009): 3.

Bench Press - top offensive linemen. the short arms helped Shipley with BP
Name Reps
Vasquez, Louis 39
Bright, Travis 34
Garcia, Juan 34
Boone, Alex 33
Shipley, A.Q. 33
Smith, Jason 33
Felix, Robby 33
Cooper, Jon 31
Meredith, Jamon 31
Feinga, Ray 30
Bruggeman, Rob 30
Wood, Eric 30
Fletcher, Alex 30

This is a good year for centers in the draft. I'd like KC to hold off until the 3rd round and hopefully be able to get Caldwell.

Draft Scout Snapshot: DS Rating on 8/24/08: #3 C, #45/750 Overall, Projected Rnd: 2-3
2007: Caldwell served a four-game suspension in the fall of 2007 for his part in the Alabama textbook scandal. Named permanent team co-captain for the 2007 season … 2007 Coaches Second-Team All-SEC selection … Started in the first seven games of the season and in the last two games, including the PetroSun Independence Bowl victory over Colorado ... was the starter at center for the first five games before starting at left guard against Houston and at right guard at Ole Miss after injuries and family health situations forced some shuffling in the offensive line. 2006: Second team All-SEC in '06. Extended his consecutive starts streak to 25 games, starting at center in each of the 13 outings in 2006. Second on the squad with 58 knockdowns during the regular season. He led the team in knockdowns in four games. 2005: A 12-game starter, Antoine played 772 snaps during the season and earned Rivals.com First-Team Freshman All-America honors. After starting the regular season at guard, he moved to the starting spot at center for the Tide's 2006 AT&T Cotton Bowl game with Texas Tech. 2004: A broken foot sustained early in fall camp forced Caldwell into a redshirt season.

02/06/09 - PRO POTENTIAL: OC Antoine Caldwell -- Considered one of the top centers in college football. However, centers are not always a priority in the NFL, and Caldwell is expected to be a mid-round draft pick.

01/20/09 - 2009 Senior Bowl Monday Practice: While he was occasionally beaten by quickness, Alabama center Antoine Caldwell proved capable of handling even the best of the South's defensive tackles when he was able to get his hands on them. Strong and balanced, Caldwell locked up defenders well in one-on-one drills, easing some of the concerns scouts had about his lateral quickness and agility. - Rob Rang, The Sports Xchange, NFLDraftScout.com

12/16/08 - 2008 AP ALL-AMERICA FIRST TEAM: Antoine Caldwell, senior, 6-3, 305, Alabama, has been selected AP All-American First Team for the 2008 college football season as voted on by The Associated Press. Andre Smith and Caldwell, both consensus first-team All-Americans, anchored the Crimson Tide’s heralded offensive line that helped pave the way for the SEC’s No. 2 rushing offense at 196.5 yards per game and a 125.8 passing efficiency that ranked fourth in the league. Smith became Alabama’s second Outland Trophy winner and was a finalist for the Rotary Lombardi Award while Caldwell was a finalist for the Rimington Trophy, which goes to the nation’s top center. - Alabama football

http://www.nfldraftscout.com/ratings...=2009&genpos=C