Who is the backup to the backup at center?

[Carolina_Packer]

Putting the long snapper in is too risky. If he gets hurt, that chain reaction would be too much. Lang has done it before, he can do it again, if necessary.

[Patler]

Putting the long snapper in is too risky. If he gets hurt, that chain reaction would be too much. Lang has done it before, he can do it again, if necessary.

Ya, I suspect Lang is #3. The problem is, he, too, is "questionable", just like Linsley and Tretter. Conceivably, at some point tonight they could be without all three. Realistically, I expect at least two, if not all three will be ready to go at the start of the game.

[mraynrand]

Goode could fill-in at center (in a pinch) without practice time. The other linemen obviously will need to practice snapping.

I disagree. While Goode could obviously snap the ball, he hasn't practices with the line on protection calls and schemes. Sitton and Lang if they had to shift would probably be much more prepared to adjust and know what to do, but even they would need some practice.

Don't mischaracterize what I'm saying. For me the bottom line is preparation. What is the team preparing and practicing for?

In the case of a tire-fire emergency, with no chance at practice/prep, my inclination would be that a veteran O-linemen would be a better source for a center than the long snapper, due to familiarity with the O-line schemes and calls. Goode could snap the ball, but he probably would be more lost on protections and combo blocks, etc.

[mraynrand]

Putting the long snapper in is too risky. If he gets hurt, that chain reaction would be too much. Lang has done it before, he can do it again, if necessary.

I think this suggests why the LS is protected by rule - because teams don't wants their LS to get hurt, because they don't have adequate backup for that specialty.

[pbmax]

Lang has been mentioned by name as the emergency center before. Sitton has had snaps at center in past weeks where there has been an issue as well.

So the open spot is actually backup(?) to the backup(Sitton) of the backup(Lang) of the backup (Tretter).

Linsley has practiced this week ahead of Tretter when Tretter was healthy. So unless his status drops past questionable, I think we see him start.

[pbmax]

It proves that someone the size of a LS can fill-in at center without "getting killed", which was the main argument earlier. But the goal posts keep moving - now size is no longer the issue since that argument was debunked.

There are literally a hundred starting centers in college who cannot play center in the NFL without getting mauled. Are we even sure Goode played O line in college?

His Packer bio does not mention it.

[Patler]

There are literally a hundred starting centers in college who cannot play center in the NFL without getting mauled. Are we even sure Goode played O line in college?

His Packer bio does not mention it.

I looked at some draft profiles and college articles. No mention of anything but long snapping after high school.

[Harlan Huckleby]

Are we even sure Goode played O line in college?

He may not be able to play center, we'd have to ask him. Then again he might be up to the job. It's an individual question. The generic arguments that a LS can't execute short snaps, don't block as part of their training, would get quickly killed - these are wrong. Some of the LSs cross train as centers, it can be done.

The fact that somebody didn't play a position in college is moving the goal posts unreasonably (altho your point that somebody may have no experience at all at o-line makes some sense.) The unpracticed tackle some want to throw out there never played center either. The TE filling in as emergency LT never played that position before either.

The LS is more likely to execute the snaps without turnovers than an amateur, that's why a LS is a good choice in some cases.

[mraynrand]

Sure Harlan, the LS might be better at snapping the ball. Let's concede that. But unless he practices with the O-line and is familiar with protection calls and blocking schemes, he will likely be a liability in there, even if he can compensate for size and a career lack of experience. So at least you have a significant trade-off to make. You must be able to see that.

[Harlan Huckleby]

But unless he practices with the O-line and is familiar with protection calls and blocking schemes, he will likely be a liability in there

Sure, it would be a crippled offense, especially if LS never practiced at center. Throwing a TE or tackle into center position will be bad too.

[mraynrand]

Sure, it would be a crippled offense, especially if LS never practiced at center. Throwing a TE or tackle into center position will be bad too.

I assume you meant your TE at tackle analogy.

As far as center goes, you have to admit that you are talking about an emergency situation where you've lost both centers, Lang and Sitton. OK, if that happens, you put Goode in there.

[pbmax]

Well, I'll be damned:

Jason Wilde @jasonjwilde 1h1 hour ago
Rodgers solves who-was-next-on-the-offensive-line mystery. "We were one injury away from Brett Goode being out there at emergency center."

Nice call Harlan.

[smuggler]

Lol Harlan... your avatar owns

[Harlan Huckleby]

Actually the argument was whittled down to the minutea of whether Brett Goode would play ahead of any other lineman due to his center skills, and in the last game I'm not sure there were any warm bodies left on the bench.

But no matter: yesterday was a proud moment for Brett Goode and his family. The QB confirmed that Goode was this close to being a contender.
Congratulations, not-so-big fella!

[esoxx]

Lol Harlan... your avatar owns

Why is it every time I see that avatar I think of Najeh Davenport.