Second-string Center Could Be Our Achilles Heel

[OnceARam]

I am of the strong opinion that 1 or 2 of the 10 Ram OL'ers from last year roster will work out @ the center's post.

I just do not see it as an issue.Like I have said in the past that with the Line Calls being made by McVay the learning process will not be such a sharp steep learning curve as one where the center is responsible for such important duties..

Are you saying that you expect McVay to make line calls from the sideline, pre-snap?

 

[Soul Surfer]

We've been so devoid of talent on the roster for so long that im not used to seeing posts debating the ability of the back ups.

That is just how GOOD we are!

And don't forget it!

 

[Soul Surfer]

Are you saying that you expect McVay to make line calls from the sideline, pre-snap?

I think he just misspoke and meant Goff.

 

[Soul Surfer]

You shouldn't feel that confident about John Sullivan. I hope it comes down to McMeans or Wichmann.

I think Eldrenkamp has more "potential" to reach a "higher ceiling".

Practice squad minimum IMO.

 

[Soul Surfer]

Me too and let's not forget Jake Eldrenkamp, who looks the part!

He certainly looks good in blue and gold.

I'll give him that.

 

[BonifayRam]

They have NEVER mentioned Wichmann, to my surprise. Why? I don't know, it's arguable that Wichmann played better, even in my own assessment, but Brown, IMO translates to Center, Wichmann, does not. If Wichmann can improve his body...all players need to, including Brown, I don't see him as a Center conversion, but he could stick as a Guard. I like Donnal, probably more than most based on the draft a couple years ago. He also needs to improve his strength, but I like the way he plays.

Lots of interesting scenarios on the OL this year, and I love the Kromer signing, maybe our best draft choice

The left side left hand dominant Jamon Brown is a more compacted large thick OL'er @ 6-4/325 pounder. JB has long arms 34 1/2 that he used effectively when he played OT in College. My big hope is he can ascend to match Saffold level play @ left OG. I maintain that JB should be a very good LG in the NFL.In my mind JB can play center without any problems. JB has shown he can play all four OL positions & there is NO reason JB could not make it five.

Cody Wichmann is the bigger of these 3 OL'er in this center discussion. CW can get much thicker & stronger of all the 2015 class. It would not surprise me if CW's over 6-5 frame is close to 330 pounds of good muscle when we see him in camp. CW also should be a serious solid candidate for starting center too. CW is a true phone booth dominator but has negative issues playing when hurt.But high ankle sprains will degrade most players & he had had back to back seasons with this issue. CW has proven he can be versatile in playing left or right posts. CW play OT in college too.

Andrew Donnal is a leaner type body frame of the three over 6-6 approx 316 pounder but gets lower & bends much better than JB & CW. AD is the most advanced technically sound of the four of the 2015 draft selections when the 2016 season concluded. AD was able to process through the offense better than any other OL'er & continued to improve even though he had a badly injured hip that required surgery in January. AD does not generate the power of the other 2 but is building a nice good size bag of tricks & uses his brain more than his brawn. AD is highly versatile of the 3 having played 4 of the 5 positions in NFL games. I bet AK wants to add to AD bag of tricks real bad.

There's a reason that Snead did not utilize any of his valuable 2017 draft picks on the troubled OL. The above three are entering their 3rd seasons & have seen a ton of action in starts among-st them so they know what needs to be done to be effective wherever they end up playing .I believe the magical elements that been missing in these 3 OL'ers game has arrived in Aaron Kromer & McVay & finally no doubt they see Outstanding Versatility in abundance!

 

[tomas]

Years three to four is when, (average) NFL offensive linemen start to come in and be red to red-minus type starters.

 

[BonifayRam]

Are you saying that you expect McVay to make line calls from the sideline, pre-snap?

What I have read is the center is no longer will be responsible for making the OL calls. Once again that's from reading & listening to what McVay has conveyed. Best of my understanding currently is McVay makes the OL calls for the offensive play call. I believe @jrry32 may have more information on this than I.

Now how this call is transmitted to the OL'ers has not been shared as best as I know now.....its been eluded by members here that the QB will make the OL calls but I have not heard or read that from the Ram Org. .If a member has more details or information that would help clear that element up I would really like to see or read if its possible.

So it may very well be transmitted to Goff by McVay & Goff instructs the OL'ers or it might end up being transmitted by another method I am not sure but what is clear the center will not be performing that responsibility.

 

[Soul Surfer]

When we say, "line calls" we are not talking about the offensive lines positioning.
We are referring to blitzer's being picked up, (primarily) and the person making the line calls is reassigning the blocking scheme.

Most of the time it is done by the Center because the Quarterback is calling the play and maybe even changing the play with an audible.
That's why you see the Center pointing at a certain player and yelling (for example) "57"!
He is letting the Tackles and Guards, (and Runningbacks and Tight end and even Receivers) who are often in a three-point stance and not able to see what's going on as well) that a player is approaching the line of scrimmage and appears to be blitzing so look out for this guy.

No way McVay makes line calls because as I pointed out they turn the quarterback's helmet speakers off 15 seconds before the play clock expires and the defense knows this so that's when they make their shift to try to throw the offensive lineman off.