There's a weird schizophrenia with the center position in the NFL. Everyone says how valuable the position is to the offense -- sometimes even going as far as saying it's the second most important position behind QB. But then there's the reality that suggests teams think they can get by on the cheap at center.
Not just that it's the lowest paid OL postion, but teams don't seem to worry about planning for it or invest heavily to make sure they have a great C. Centers are rarely first round picks and not a lot overall are even drafted. It's like they just feel one will just fall into their lap.
It's almost regarded as lowly as the FB position -- which is a decent comparison, for when a team has a great one they can make the whole offense that much better. And yet teams don't trip over themselves to make sure they have a great one.
On the contrary, Rams fans have witnessed first hand the devastating effect of having a terrible center, so why isn't it a top planning priority?
Well maybe those other teams get lucky finding centers, but I'm guessing most Rams fans that have lived under Rams Luck(TM) are not big on trusting the "one will fall in our lap" theory. So the Rams need to make their own luck and target one, but should they do it via draft or free agency?
As for draft, the Chargers, Pats, and Packers all ended up plugging in rookies -- 3rd rounder (Chris Watt), 4th rounder (Bryan Stork) and 5th rounder (Corey Linsley), respectively. So why overspend in free agency for a C? Just spend a 5th round pick, plug in the rookie in and profit. If it worked for NE or GB, how hard can learning those calls be anyway?
Besides, we also just lived with the Scott Wells saga. Rams Luck(TM) believers also assume any expensive vet free agent C will just be hurt every game again, so why bother overspending and repeating the Wells mistake?
On the other hand, the free agent option is compelling. I'm a believer that experience at the C position is valuable, and there are free agents that are known quantities of experience out there.
Also, the draft has its own degree of unknown. Why should we expect any draft pick to pan out like those other lucky teams? We already tried drafting Jones and Rhaney and Rams Luck(TM) screwed them, too. Plus we have limited draft picks that need to go to other needs. And just because Wells was a mistake, a big difference is getting a free agent on the right side of 30 this time.
I could probably be convinced either way on this, but as of now I would like to see the Rams go for it and target a free agent like Rodney Hudson. But if it breaks the bank, pass. I could be talked into thinking all will be fine with Jones, Rhaney and another draft pick competing in the preseason. After all, could it be worse than Wells? Of course I said that with offensive coordinator, too, so I'm a bit worried the "it can't be any worse" standard becomes the pattern that defines the offseason.
