2014 Free Agency Rumors and or Speculation

[run pMc]

Ummm...actually 3rd, arguably 2nd.

Maybe, but many left tackles aren't even paid that. Mack's good, but he's not worth that money IMO. Is there a C in the game worth $8M/yr? I'm not sure there is.

He'll probably be in the Pro Bowl just on the recognition from this contract.

[Guiness]

Ummm...actually 3rd, arguably 2nd.

I think with the hybrid defenses being thrown out there right now, centers become more valuable as line calls become more important.

[Rutnstrut]

I think with the hybrid defenses being thrown out there right now, centers become more valuable as line calls become more important.

Exactly, but not 46M valuable.

[Joemailman]

I think with the hybrid defenses being thrown out there right now, centers become more valuable as line calls become more important.

This would seem to mean that Centers have to be smarter, not necessarily better physically. Maybe that's why it looks like they want to go with a guy from Cornell who scored 30+ on the Wonderlic.

[red]

Ummm...actually 3rd, arguably 2nd.

i don't buy it, its rare when a center has to go 1v1 on a guy, both tackles are definitely more important, and i would say the guards do more work in both the running and passing games

yes, a center does call out blocking assignments at the line, but you don't need to be a rocket scientist to do that. they snap the ball,but how hard is that, really? the QB has his hands cupped around your balls, you're job is to pretty much try and hit yourself in the nuts with the football. then after the snap you help a guard block 1 guy. i just don't see it being that important

and i think proof of that comes in the draft when its pretty rare to see centers going in the first 2 rounds (1 maybe 2 a year)

if i'm a GM, i pay my tackles before i pay my guards, and i pay my guards before my center

and on a side note. the browns now have one of the best LT's, and best centers in the game, yet have jack shit at QB or RB for those guys to block for. whats the point?

[Patler]

Maybe, but many left tackles aren't even paid that. Mack's good, but he's not worth that money IMO. Is there a C in the game worth $8M/yr? I'm not sure there is.

He'll probably be in the Pro Bowl just on the recognition from this contract.

He has been to the Pro Bowl twice already, in 2011 as a substitute and in 2013 as an original selection. In 2013 he was also voted 2nd team All-pro, behind only Kalil. He has the recognition without the new contract.

[pbmax]

Centers are drafted earlier, in part, because the physical type isn't as rare. Size isn't the same premium it is at Tackle. I don't think that minimizes their role though.

[red]

well, when you look at the way things work a lot of times. if you're a tackle in college, and you can't cut it as a tackle in the pro's, then you move to guard

if you then can't cut it as a guard, or if you were a guard in college but can't cut it there in the pro's, you move to center

[Guiness]

CJ3.9YPC remains available. A little surprised by this, I can't see him getting signed before the draft now. I wonder how long before he realizes his salary is going to be a fraction of what he was scheduled to make?

[red]

CJ3.9YPC remains available. A little surprised by this, I can't see him getting signed before the draft now. I wonder how long before he realizes his salary is going to be a fraction of what he was scheduled to make?

why would anyone want him? he's a giant head case and a distraction for his team. he's a horrible teammate, he's blamed almost every single member of his team over the last couple years for him sucking, and he gets less then 4 yards per carry

you can get that our of a mid round rookie for like 350,000 a year

someone might take a flyer on him for cheap, but my guess is his career is very close to being over

[Bretsky]

I think he still have stuff left in the tank but he's looking for as much money as he can get and his attitude is marginal. I'd pass

[Guiness]

why would anyone want him? he's a giant head case and a distraction for his team. he's a horrible teammate, he's blamed almost every single member of his team over the last couple years for him sucking, and he gets less then 4 yards per carry

you can get that our of a mid round rookie for like 350,000 a year

someone might take a flyer on him for cheap, but my guess is his career is very close to being over

Yup, my guess too. He might be able to extend his career in a Tomlinson-like fashion if he's willing to swallow his pride but at this point I'd bet he's asking a lot more than a team will pay him for that type of a role.

I wonder how much of his speed he has retained? Maybe he can return kicks!

[Patler]

Patler woulda given Scott Wells more!

No, not even close.
I argued at the time that retaining Wells was more important than keeping Finley, because they had no one on the roster ready to step in for Wells. I mistakenly thought that Quarless would be ready to play in 2012, but if not they had lots of guys to catch the ball. A TE doesn't have to be one of them.

But, I wasn't in favor of an offer even as much as Wells got from the Rams, because he was either injured or nursing what were borderline significant injuries for years. When they talked that kind of money, I said let him go.

I admit to liking the Saturday signing. I thought he still had a year or two left. He didn't.

[gbgary]

when you have a qb like rodgers you pay his protectors more...if they're worth it. just sayin.

[bobblehead]

well, when you look at the way things work a lot of times. if you're a tackle in college, and you can't cut it as a tackle in the pro's, then you move to guard

if you then can't cut it as a guard, or if you were a guard in college but can't cut it there in the pro's, you move to center

To answer both your points, center isn't as important in college as it is in the NFL. Although you do bring up valid food for thought. In college a lot of centers are undersized try hard guys who can't cut it in the pros, but that doesn't diminish their role in the NFL.