Backup center discussion
 

There was an [URL="http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/06/04/AR2008060404331.html"]article in the WaPo[/URL] last week that stated Jansen has been taking snaps at center and as of right now he would be the #2 guy if Rabach went down. Anyone else have a problem with this? I really hope that's not the plan for the season. There's gotta be a guy out there that would be serviceable enough as a backup center. I wonder what happened with the plans to work in Reinhart at center.

re: Backup center discussion
 

yeah, that's not a good look at all. we really need to find somebody.

apparently lecharles bentley is taking a physical today. the browns don't need him though. plus this is the final year of his contract and he hasn't done a thing for them. so hopefully he'll get cut (or least shopped) and we can go after him.

re: Backup center discussion
 

Cerrato said last week that he doesn't anticipate Rhinehart getting time at Center in the immediate future, but that Crummey would be getting a look there.

re: Backup center discussion
 

[quote=SmootSmack;451960]Cerrato said last week that he doesn't anticipate Rhinehart getting time at Center in the immediate future, but that [B]Crummey would be getting a look there[/B].[/quote]

That would be a situation equally crappy to having Jansen be the backup. I trust Buges when it comes to identifying talent along the offensive line for the long term, but Crummey's still an undrafted rookie who's natural position is not C.

Jansen as the back-up center makes me nervous. It reminds me of the attempt to move Todd Wade to G. It just feels like square peg in a round hole. I don't care how many snaps Jansen took at C in college, it's different in the pros.

I definitely have my fingers crossed when it comes to Rabach's health this season.

re: Backup center discussion
 

I read the article few days ago; I don't think it looks good for us.. However his size may help other O-line men since he is pretty big and he could push some D-line men around.. But this definitely does not look good, and I wonder why we did not go after any free agent Cs or even undrafted rookies?

re: Backup center discussion
 

I think that you guys are making a big deal out of nothing. How hard is it to slam the ball into your taint before you engage in a block?

re: Backup center discussion
 

I think the potential problem is with his height. At 6-6 that's really tall for a center and opposing defensive lineman would have an advantage regarding leverage and getting under his pads. He would have to play awfully low. And then there's the potential issue with the shotgun. Snapping in the gun is not an easy thing to do and it's something that requires a lot of practice.

re: Backup center discussion
 

[QUOTE=J. Spanky;451958]yeah, that's not a good look at all. we really need to find somebody.

apparently lecharles bentley is taking a physical today. the browns don't need him though. plus this is the final year of his contract and he hasn't done a thing for them. so hopefully he'll get cut (or least shopped) and we can go after him.[/QUOTE]

didnt they just sign him like two years ago to a huge deal and then he went down for the year with a knee injury.
How is he already on the last year of that contract.

re: Backup center discussion
 

[quote=Angry;451965]I think that you guys are making a big deal out of nothing. How hard is it to slam the ball into your taint before you engage in a block?[/quote]

It is pretty big deal, Center is basically the QB of O-line.. You would have to read the D-line and even anything that would hint blitz then you would have to tell ur sides to watch our for them.. Once you snap the ball, u have to make sure u put it in right place (Like Matty mentioned, especially during the shotgun formula)..

re: Backup center discussion
 

[QUOTE]I think that you guys are making a big deal out of nothing. How hard is it to slam the ball into your taint before you engage in a block?
[/QUOTE]

HAHA yea seriously Jansen will probably get hurt again and Rabach will be fine. All this fuss is about who can slam a ball into their taint better then who.

re: Backup center discussion
 

[quote=Mattyk72;451966]I think the potential problem is with his height. At 6-6 that's really tall for a center and opposing defensive lineman would have an advantage regarding leverage and getting under his pads. He would have to play awfully low. And then there's the potential issue with the shotgun. Snapping in the gun is not an easy thing to do and it's something that requires a lot of practice.[/quote]

1. Santana Moss is only 5'10" and plays reciever against taller corners with a height advantage, but still manages to get the job done. The height thing is no excuse to me.

2. The skins have not run the WCO but are doing it this year. It is going to take alot of practice but they will get it done.

3. We are doing several things against the norm, but they are nothing to hyperventilate over. These guys are all still professional athletes.

re: Backup center discussion
 

I'm sure all they are doing is having Jansen pratice so if they loose Rebach in the middle of a game we have his back up. Then we could have our back up center on the pratice sq. and not taking up a spot on the active roster. I also heard Buges interviewed last week on the Riggo show and he said both Thomas and Jansen have come into to camp in very good shape after rehab. He said they are knockin players off the ball and the entire O line looks really good. They have Heyer (speeling) playing both sides of the line and he has really come along way this off season. He thought that our depth was strong and that he was very comfortable with our O Line.

re: Backup center discussion
 

Once Crummey can get healthy I think he is going to be a great addition to the line. From what I saw of him at Maryland, I think he will be solid at guard or center.

re: Backup center discussion
 

[QUOTE=Mattyk72;451966]I think the potential problem is with his height. At 6-6 that's really tall for a center and opposing defensive lineman would have an advantage regarding leverage and getting under his pads. He would have to play awfully low. And then there's the potential issue with the shotgun. Snapping in the gun is not an easy thing to do and it's something that requires a lot of practice.[/QUOTE]

One problem that Campbell had last year was that he was having to almost squat on the ground when he was under center and I know that was something the coaching staff wanted to address for next season. Could be the reason why they were trying Jansen out there. And, maybe it looks like the road for JJ is coming to an end, especially with his rash of injuries the past few seasons.

re: Backup center discussion
 

[quote=Angry;451974]1. Santana Moss is only 5'10" and plays reciever against taller corners with a height advantage, but still manages to get the job done. The height thing is no excuse to me.

2. The skins have not run the WCO but are doing it this year. It is going to take alot of practice but they will get it done.

3. We are doing several things against the norm, but they are nothing to hyperventilate over. These guys are all still professional athletes.[/quote]

I'm not saying height is an excuse, it's just a potential issue at that position. There's a good reason why 6-6 centers aren't common.