So, wait: why are centers cheaper than guards, again?

[BWillie]

Because they don't matter that much. Probably the least important position on offense unless you are a pound it running team.

[Hydrae]

Originally Posted by BWillie

Because they don't matter that much. Probably the least important position on offense unless you are a pound it running team.

The exchange between the center and QB isn't important? The center is also the one who set the protections for the rest of the line. When it comes to the logistics of the entire offensive line, they may actually be the most important. So, this is a very valid question and I look forward to the other responses.

[BWillie]

Originally Posted by Hydrae

The exchange between the center and QB isn't important? The center is also the one who set the protections for the rest of the line. When it comes to the logistics of the entire offensive line, they may actually be the most important. So, this is a very valid question and I look forward to the other responses.

I didn't say it isn’t important I said it is the least important.

There has to be a least important position on offense. What would you say it is? I would say center or running back.

[DJ's left nut]

Originally Posted by Hydrae

The exchange between the center and QB isn't important? The center is also the one who set the protections for the rest of the line. When it comes to the logistics of the entire offensive line, they may actually be the most important. So, this is a very valid question and I look forward to the other responses.

Pretty easy threshhold to clear.

It's the kind of think that talking heads love to blather on about but just about anyone can be taught to snap a ball effectively in a week or so. Now with the rise of the shotgun formation, it's a little more complicated because they need to have the flexibility to be able to snap the ball with adequate velocity and then get immediately into their block.

But I think the difficulty is really overstated. If Trey Smith needed to learn to snap a football, he could get that done in a couple weeks fairly easily, IMO. But could Creed take Smith's role and be able to anchor a ground game with the sort of pulls and traps that Smith can execute with grace and power? I don't think he can. He's not as powerful as Smith is.

I think some discrepancy is warranted.

[Hydrae]

Originally Posted by DJ's left nut

Pretty easy threshhold to clear.

It's the kind of think that talking heads love to blather on about but just about anyone can be taught to snap a ball effectively in a week or so. Now with the rise of the shotgun formation, it's a little more complicated because they need to have the flexibility to be able to snap the ball with adequate velocity and then get immediately into their block.

But I think the difficulty is really overstated. If Trey Smith needed to learn to snap a football, he could get that done in a couple weeks fairly easily, IMO. But could Creed take Smith's role and be able to anchor a ground game with the sort of pulls and traps that Smith can execute with grace and power? I don't think he can. He's not as powerful as Smith is.

I think some discrepancy is warranted.

Fair enough and I know your knowledge level exhibited on this site enough to respect it.

[crispystl]

Originally Posted by Hydrae

The exchange between the center and QB isn't important? The center is also the one who set the protections for the rest of the line.

This is where I believe the value is and I'm a bit confused by the valuations too.

[Wisconsin_Chief]

Originally Posted by BWillie

Because they don't matter that much. Probably the least important position on offense unless you are a pound it running team.

This really is the correct answer, and our history proves it. We won a Super Bowl with a street free agent playing the position.

That’s not to say you can just throw some scrub out there and it won’t hinder you a bit, but if you have 4 other decent lineman around him, it’s a position you can just “get by” with. That doesn’t mean you let the best center in the NFL walk if you happen to find him, but quite frankly we’d probably only notice a slight drop off from the line as a whole if we did.

I’ll put it like this; having a great center can help you, but it isn’t going to move bar if you don’t have one. That said, I still want to keep Creed. He’s an elite player, and you don’t let those guys leave at any position if you can help it, especially a guy who is home grown. Plus, Pat wants him here, and that means he stays no matter what.

[DJ's left nut]

Originally Posted by Wisconsin_Chief

This really is the correct answer, and our history proves it. We won a Super Bowl with a street free agent playing the position.

That’s not to say you can just throw some scrub out there and it won’t hinder you a bit, but if you have 4 other decent lineman around him, it’s a position you can just “get by” with. That doesn’t mean you let the best center in the NFL walk if you happen to find him, but quite frankly we’d probably only notice a slight drop off from the line as a whole if we did.

I’ll put it like this; having a great center can help you, but it isn’t going to move bar if you don’t have one. That said, I still want to keep Creed. He’s an elite player, and you don’t let those guys leave at any position if you can help it, especially a guy who is home grown. Plus, Pat wants him here, and that means he stays no matter what.

I also think a C takes FAR fewer 1v1 reps than any other position on the OL. They're almost always getting or giving help.

OTs are on an island the most, obviously. But if you see a team line up win a wide front with 4 down lineman, the assignments are going to be that the OTs take those DEs and the OGs take the 3 techniques with the C looking for someone to hit.

If you don't have best of breed, I think you're better serve to just continue to cycle through the position. Just as we did with Hudson and Morse who were very good but not All Pro level players.

Now if you have the best in the league at your position, I think you try to retain that guy just as we did with Butker. Less important position or not, when you have a guy looking to stay who's better than everyone else out there at his job, I think you have to try to get that done.

Maybe look at a C as a relief pitcher. Most relief pitchers are jus failed starters. If your SPs are OTs, then Cs are middle relievers. If a SP fails then goes to relief and excels, he's going to end up a closer or setup man at worst. And those guys can still get paid really well. Not as good as the starters, but they get really nice checks.

Now if they go to relief and they're still only pretty solid, they're gonna end up in the 6th or 7th innigs. And even the best of the middle relievers isn't likely to get paid at/near closer money.

Because in the end, a C is still probably someone who simply lacked the physical traits to be an OT or G.

[sedated]

Originally Posted by Wisconsin_Chief

We won a Super Bowl with a street free agent playing the position.

Didn't we also win a SB with a street free agent at LT?

[Wisconsin_Chief]

Originally Posted by sedated

Didn't we also win a SB with a street free agent at LT?

I wouldn’t really call Donovan Smith a street free agent. He was an established, Super Bowl winning LT who had been starting for almost a decade. Reiter was literally a league minimum scab we picked up off the scrap heap.

I see your point, though. Many people were uncomfortable just handing the LT job to Smith because he did seem washed. We were lucky enough to squeeze one last decent season out of him, but I definitely wouldn’t roll the dice like that again, and they clearly didn’t want to, either.

[Valiant]

I am sure it has been said.
But I assume getting a good center is about twice as easy as other lineman spots. Honestly unless he wants a discount it would be better to use that money elsewhere and just keep drafting rookies. Especially with mahomes mobility and escaping pressure. That 12mil a year difference between a rookie and vet could be used elsewhere at greater positions of importance.