What's the Plan on Center?

[Woods]

AJ was down to around 290 by the end of the season. He weighed in at 298 going into camp. Its not just size or strength; its technique and learning to use leverage. AJ does not seem to be able to. He is quick and moves well- but is overpowered too easily.

But technique should be able to be learned with practice.

While I agree that the Center position could use an upgrade, I just see too many other pitfalls on the OL at the moment.

Specifically, at OT, we've got Flo coming back from injury, Tucker who just isn't good, M. Colombo who's trying to make a comeback in the NFL, and Petitti, who still needs time to learn the position.

I think we've got to sign Fabini and possibly still draft another OT to groom behind Flo/Fabini (along with grooming Petitti).

 

[Portland Fanatic]

Here's another option at center and guard....

Jason Spitz
Height: 6-3 1/2 | Weight: 313 | 40-Time: 5.38

Official Bio

Strengths:
Extremely strong and it translates to the field...Plays with a bit of an attitude and nasty demeanor...Excels as a run blocker...Is explosive and quick off the line...Versatile with experience at right guard, left guard and center...Durable and has seen a lot of action...Smart and a hard worker with top intangibles.

Weaknesses:
Not a top athlete and doesn't have great feet...Lacks a solid base...Doesn't block well on the move or in space...Needs to play with better balance...Much better as a run blocker than he is as a pass protector...Probably doesn't have a lot of upside and will never be a star...Needs to stick to one position and master its nuances.

Notes:
Almost left for the NFL after his junior season...The type who does everything well but nothing great and what you see if basically what you get...Has starting potential and at the very least should provide value as a backup on the interior.

 

[Woods]

Here's another option at center and guard....

Jason Spitz
Height: 6-3 1/2 | Weight: 313 | 40-Time: 5.38

Official Bio

Strengths:
Extremely strong and it translates to the field...Plays with a bit of an attitude and nasty demeanor...Excels as a run blocker...Is explosive and quick off the line...Versatile with experience at right guard, left guard and center...Durable and has seen a lot of action...Smart and a hard worker with top intangibles.

Weaknesses:
Not a top athlete and doesn't have great feet...Lacks a solid base...Doesn't block well on the move or in space...Needs to play with better balance...Much better as a run blocker than he is as a pass protector...Probably doesn't have a lot of upside and will never be a star...Needs to stick to one position and master its nuances.

Notes:
Almost left for the NFL after his junior season...The type who does everything well but nothing great and what you see if basically what you get...Has starting potential and at the very least should provide value as a backup on the interior.

A 2nd day pick I'm assuming . . . .

 

[DLCassidy]

Anyone for Justin Hartwig of Tenn?

 

[Portland Fanatic]

A 2nd day pick I'm assuming . . . .

Yep...should be a 4th or 5th round pick. I hear he is strong as hell and did better then his write here shows at the combine physically.

This is the kind of player that may be a very average guard, but could be a very good center at the next level. Smart/durable/tough...6'4/313. That's a big center.

 

[Portland Fanatic]

Anyone for Justin Hartwig of Tenn?

Is he an FA?

 

[Doomsday101]

But technique should be able to be learned with practice.

While I agree that the Center position could use an upgrade, I just see too many other pitfalls on the OL at the moment.

Specifically, at OT, we've got Flo coming back from injury, Tucker who just isn't good, M. Colombo who's trying to make a comeback in the NFL, and Petitti, who still needs time to learn the position.

I think we've got to sign Fabini and possibly still draft another OT to groom behind Flo/Fabini (along with grooming Petitti).

I agree which is why I don't think center is even on Dallas radar unless your talking about a backup player or day 2 draft choice.

 

[DLCassidy]

Is he an FA?

UFA with 4 years experience.

Here's his scouting report.

Hartwig has adequate size to play the center position and has good upper and lower body strength. He takes a good quick first step and takes good angles to his blocks. He is not intimidated by a defender lining up on his nose and has the lateral movement to be able to sustain his blocks. He locks on well with his hands and works hard to finish his blocks. He plays with good intelligence and does a good job of recognizing the blitz and getting into position for picking up the blitz as well as twists and stunts on the inside. In pass protection he shows that he can re set his feet and mirror and slide with a defender. He can combo up to a linebacker and is fairly effective getting to a moving target however he tends to get overextended in these situations and too often loses his footing and goes to the ground. He is not a natural knee bender and does not play with good leverage consistently. He will fight to hold his ground but can be knocked back by a strong bull rush. He is a better run blocker than pass protector and when he has an angle block he can get movement in the line of scrimmage. However, he lacks explosiveness and a great punch coming off the ball. He has some difficulty with quick one-gap penetrators, however, he is very consistent in most areas of his play and does not make mental mistakes. He continues to show good improvement in his play.

 

[DLCassidy]

More on FA Centers from Scouts, Inc.

Center
LeCharles Bentley, the best available center, should be a hot commodity. With all the troubles in New Orleans, Bentley might happily accept a fresh start on a winning franchise. Bentley plays low and is strong, tough and nasty. He ranks among the league's better players at the position.

Mike Flanagan and Jeff Mitchell are veteran linemen who have been quality performers over their careers but are coming off seasons that weren't among their best. Teams will have doubts about the long-term viability of both, so short-term contracts at the buyer's price are likely -- and could bear big rewards. Mitchell anchors a very solid Carolina line and, as the younger of the two linemen, is the more attractive commodity.
Justin Hartwig, a starter in Tennessee, is intelligent and works hard. But he isn't especially powerful, explosive or athletic in space.
Trey Teague has extensive starting experience, but he doesn't play with a great base and is too light to battle NFL nose tackles.
Seth McKinney and Melvin Fowler are younger options who still are developing. Each could be attractive to teams that are searching for a youngster who is potentially on the rise to come in and challenge a veteran at the position. On the whole, this is an above-average group of free-agent centers. Expect a good bit of movement at the position this offseason.

 

[DLCassidy]

This list was put out before Mawae was cut but he's available also.

 

[silverbear]

Here's the subject of my confusion. It's all about unconfirmed rumors. So maybe things will change. But....if Bentley is headed to Philly

Bentley has also reportedly scheduled a visit with the Cowboys, so I wouldn't call his signing with Philly a done deal... neither would he, when he was asked about it...

As for other free agent possibilities, there's Justin Hartwig from Tennessee, Seth (or is it Steve??) McKinney from Miami, and if the Iggles do sign Bentley, they might well release Hank Fraley... any of the 3 would be a major upgrade at the position, though not quite as good as Bentley...

I really don't care for any of the centers in this draft...

 

[silverbear]

I think they'll probably stick with Johnson for this year.

Parcells likes his O-Linemen to have some size to them, but he wants them somewhat mobile as well. Johnson is really the only guy that fits that.

Say WHAT??!?

Johnson's problem is that he's too SMALL, and not strong enough... he gets knocked back off the line of scrimmage way too often, especially against bulky nose tackles...

Center is a major hole in the Cowboys' offensive line, almost as big as right tackle...

 

[silverbear]

6'05" 305 is not undersized.

Johnson wouldn't make 305 if you put bricks in his pockets... he's 295, tops...

 

[silverbear]

I love when I hear this over and over....you're right he's bigger then most at the center position.

No, he's not... more to the point, he's not physically STRONG enough for the position... he's like 30 pounds heavier than Mark Stepnoski was in his prime, and maybe half as strong as Steps was...

 

[Chocolate Lab]

Personally, I'd rather see something done at guard since both guards are old and they don't have much range.

I agree... Funny how we didn't do any better running it when Gurode replaced Johnson, but when Gurode replaced Rivera, we ran all over Carolina. Hmmm...

And IMO, LA isn't much better on the other side.