05-08-2022, 10:34 PM
(05-08-2022, 09:26 PM)TheLeonardLeap Wrote: Never understood the huge discount of having a good center. He's the only guy who touches the ball more than the QB (because sometimes the QB doesn't take the snap, but the C always snaps it). Pressure up the middle is devastating because then there's no pocket to step up into, and being able to run up the middle is demoralizing to a defense because you're consistently converting those short yardage downs on the ground and just dragging out drives and tiring the defense out.
Packers had the 7th rushing YPC offense in 2020, lose Corey Linsley, and go to 20th rushing YPC in 2021.
Chargers add Corey Linsley and go from 30th rushing YPC in 2020 to 17th rushing YPC in 2021.
2017 with Travis Frederick the Cowboys were 3rd in rushing YPC.
2018 without Frederick they were 14th in rushing YPC.
2019 with Frederick they were 5th in rushing YPC.
2020 without Frederick they were 23rd in rushing YPC.
The Falcons added Alex Mack in 2016 and went to 5th in rushing YPC (and the SB, and an MVP for Matt Ryan) up from 25th rushing YPC in 2015.
Just don't get why some people discount the Center position. It's probably a big part of why the Bengals almost never have good rushing offenses. (Only 2 top-10 rushing YPC seasons out of the last 20 years, most of the time very low.)
Though the Chargers also added All-Pro Rashawn Slater at left tackle and Matt Feiler at left guard in 2021. While I don't disagree that the NFL as a whole undervalues the center position considering they are often among the longest-tenured starters on a team's OL, I can't give 100% of the Chargers' improved rushing to All-Pro Corey Linsley. Signing or drafting a top-notch center makes sense as a long-term investment. Linderbaum was the best-ranked center in the draft and he wouldn't be there later in the 2nd round
Drafting a punter in the 4th round, worked for the Ravens. They had 6 out of 11 draft picks in that round. They have a 39-year-old punter who struggled at times last year. They knew there were teams, including the Bengals, looking to draft this guy, who to the surprise of fans who fell in love with Punting God Azaria, was actually the NFL evaluator's #1 punter. They had the picks that allowed them to indulge in what many consider a vanity pick. Even still there was the same opportunity to pick up a WR in addition to the punter. They will end up with someone like Antonio Brown or Jarvis Landry.
Fueled by the pursuit of greatness.
