burmafrd;4646718 said:
Rumors were in the offseason that Arkin was working on learning to play center
THose rumors appear to be unfounded.
You do not learn to play center in a couple of weeks.
IT takes many months if you have never played the position.
And that is just probably learning to snap let alone how to snap and at the same time take on a 320 lb NT right in your face.
Bold-->Good post. As a former center (and as an observer who begins each snap watching the offensive line), I've always graded center as the hardest job on the line, even though left tackle is the toughest.
As a center, you do not only concentrate on executing your blocking assignment of every called play, you must be flexible enough to readjusting according to offensive and defensive audibles--which prompts defensive lineman and linebackers stances and stunts.
On top of that, your snap timing must be perfect with the quarterback. It does not matter if he's standing under center or in shotgun formation. If his hands are resting just below your butt and you snap the ball too soon, fumble. Likewise, if he steps out too soon while calling yike, fumble.
Spacing between you and the quarterback makes it exponentially worst. Not only are you raising the ball from ground to just below your groin, you're pitching an oblong object through your legs, to an imaginary area situated behind you, that you only instinctively know is there after many rounds of practice.
All this is done by putting the best trajectory on the ball that you can muster in approximately a second's time. Folks, the good ones make it look easy in person or on television, but it's not. And don't get me started on deep snapping...
One extra thing for those who didn't play the sport: communication between center and quarterback must be perfect between them to avoid hand or finger injuries--as any current or ex-quarterback on the site can attest to. When a quarterback steps up behind center, he does not casually place his hands to receive the football. If he isn't careful, his hands may not be open wide enough for the ball to slap between them. Nothing hurts worse than a finger being traumatically bent or smashed.
...well there is one other thing that hurts almost as much. Snapping the football as hard as you can into your groin because the quarterback's hands aren't there to stop it. ow.
: :laugh2:
