Vulnerable Positions .. Center

by MrFurious1 on Aug 18, 2009 9:52 AM EDT Comment 47 comments

With all the postings on roster predictions, I've been thinking about where we're most vulnerable to a significant drop off if somebody goes down.

Some players are obvious. I think Edwards, Evans, TO, Stroud and Poz are probably the most irreplaceable players on the team. I thought about adding Lynch, but I think Jackson and company can do the job and to be honest, I'm not sure if our run numbers will be great either way. We'll find out in the first three weeks.

That brings me to the real point for this post. Who is the backup center? The depth chart shows Brandon Rodd, but I haven't seen him on anyone's 53. I know Wood is a center, but has he been practicing there. It feels like an injury to Hangartner would facilitate another two position shakeup. I don't think that's a good place to be given the shakeup we already have. I'd feel better if the backup center was on the 53 man roster (versus practice squad) and didn't require line changes. This is particularly true since were running the no huddle.

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Seth McKinney is the most realistic option as backup center.

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by Brian Galliford on Aug 18, 2009 10:09 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

And McKinney will make the team.

Playing Realistic Optimist at Buffalo Rumblings since 2008. Fear can hold you prisoner. Hope can set you free.

by MattRichWarren on Aug 18, 2009 11:57 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I'm glad Woods isn't first option

by MrFurious1 on Aug 18, 2009 12:33 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

MrFurious1, I’ve been thinking the same thing…that an injury to Hang would be the most devastating blow on the Oline.

"I know I'm a true receiver..." Roscoe Parrish, Buffalo Bills - May 2009
"In my heart, I know I'm funny." Lt Steven Hauk, Good Morning Vietnam - 1987

by thefourwinds on Aug 18, 2009 12:39 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

He's not the best player

but he’s at a thin and critical position and he’s the only experienced guy between the rooks.

by MrFurious1 on Aug 18, 2009 1:23 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

And is McKinney getting any reps at Center behind him?

"I know I'm a true receiver..." Roscoe Parrish, Buffalo Bills - May 2009
"In my heart, I know I'm funny." Lt Steven Hauk, Good Morning Vietnam - 1987

by thefourwinds on Aug 18, 2009 1:35 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I can’t find it now, but I remember CB saying in a recent Fan Friday that neither McKinney nor Wood have been getting center reps, so I too wonder how they plan on addressing the contingency that Hang goes down during the regular season. Maybe McKinney will start getting reps there?

by thejimbo on Aug 18, 2009 2:25 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Brandon Rodd has been getting all the second team reps there.

Playing Realistic Optimist at Buffalo Rumblings since 2008. Fear can hold you prisoner. Hope can set you free.

by MattRichWarren on Aug 18, 2009 4:30 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

So it almost seems they’d have to keep him, wouldn’t they?

"I know I'm a true receiver..." Roscoe Parrish, Buffalo Bills - May 2009
"In my heart, I know I'm funny." Lt Steven Hauk, Good Morning Vietnam - 1987

by thefourwinds on Aug 18, 2009 4:39 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

He's listed 2nd on depth chart at Bills.com

I have no idea if he’s any good, but I would rather have a clear backup at center that could also play guard versus the other way around.

by MrFurious1 on Aug 18, 2009 4:48 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

@nd team reps during the pre-season and second team reps during the season are two totally different things. I think that Rodd is getting the reps because he’s the only other pure centre that we have on our roster at this point (with Woods’ conversion to Guard and all). But that doesn’t mean that Rodd automaticly makes the team.

McKinney has proven himself to be a worth backup in the past, theres no reason that he can’t handle it during the regular season. I think that he’s taking more reps at guard right now for two reasons: 1. They know what they have at centre for this team, 2. They want to explore ALL their options at Guard (Levitre, Chambers and McKinney) just to make sure that they have the best possible options starting on our O-Line.

So I see no reason why the Bills wouldn’t put Rodd on the PS and have McKinney as the primary backup at centre during the season.

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by CanadianBillsFan on Aug 18, 2009 6:04 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I think in general you would have a valid point, but you’re telling me if Hang gets hurt, McKinney just walks into running the no-huddle pivot with no reps there all training camp and preseason? I don’t buy that.

"I know I'm a true receiver..." Roscoe Parrish, Buffalo Bills - May 2009
"In my heart, I know I'm funny." Lt Steven Hauk, Good Morning Vietnam - 1987

by thefourwinds on Aug 18, 2009 8:53 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Hmmm, good point.

Wood at C and Mac at G?

Captain of the "Promote Bob Sanders to Deffensive Coordinator" band wagon.

by CanadianBillsFan on Aug 18, 2009 10:08 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Wood has no reps at C either….

Playing Realistic Optimist at Buffalo Rumblings since 2008. Fear can hold you prisoner. Hope can set you free.

by MattRichWarren on Aug 19, 2009 8:32 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I know that, but he does has first team reps. I just don’t see Rodd sticking around with this team.

Captain of the "Promote Bob Sanders to Deffensive Coordinator" band wagon.

by CanadianBillsFan on Aug 19, 2009 11:58 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Rodd won't.

McKinney will. He has been taking third team reps at C.

Playing Realistic Optimist at Buffalo Rumblings since 2008. Fear can hold you prisoner. Hope can set you free.

by MattRichWarren on Aug 20, 2009 8:19 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Someone else would know better than me, but I’m pretty sure that McKinney has been getting the third team reps at center. And I think he’s getting the 3rd team reps because he’s already on the 2nd team as a guard (and statistically, he’s twice as likely to be needed there than he is at center).

I think he’s pretty much a lock to be active on gamedays and the guy who would finnish the game in place of any injured starter at center or guard.

by kaisertown on Aug 19, 2009 1:41 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Agreed

~K
"As the governor of Louisiana once said, the only way Chris Kelsay can lose his job is if he got caught in bed with a dead girl or a live boy."

by Kurupt on Aug 19, 2009 1:42 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I will watch today if I get a chance.

Playing Realistic Optimist at Buffalo Rumblings since 2008. Fear can hold you prisoner. Hope can set you free.

by MattRichWarren on Aug 19, 2009 8:32 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

possibly

Eric Wood could play center if he had to. That was his position in college, so he would be able to move over. We do have a few players that could play guard in his place.

by JTM1023 on Aug 18, 2009 11:25 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Wood is not there only because he’s a rookie learning a new position. In my opinion if Hangman goes down for the season and McKinney doesn’t hold his own, look for Wood to take over and butler to slide back to Guard while Bell takes over at RT. From what I am seeing of Bell, he’s close to being ready.

I am not concerned at all. A lot can be said of the amount of movement that has occurred on our line but one thing is sure is that we have a lot of guys that know how to play multiple positions, which is why we don’t need to worry about this. Obviously it is not the preferred option but the fact remains that we are in good shape across the line.

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by keysh67 on Aug 18, 2009 11:34 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

sounds good to me.

We would like to minimize the disruption on the O-line. But if McKinney ends up being Preston reincarnated, we just don’t have the depth at center to make that possible.

I would love the Bills to win games, but I will be happy if they are competitive without snatching defeat from the jaws of victory.

by Joe P. on Aug 18, 2009 12:07 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Sounds like a great plan to me Keysh. I think that I actually feel more comfortable with Butler at guard then at tackle, so it wouldn’t be a bad plan.

Captain of the "Promote Bob Sanders to Deffensive Coordinator" band wagon.

by CanadianBillsFan on Aug 18, 2009 6:06 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Hang and Edwards Communication

I have yet to see these two guys communicate on a regular basis. We are two games into the preseason and there is not alot of stunting going on. I see our O-Line focusing on thier direct responsibilities. I see Trent making audibles at the LOS. What I don’t see is the two of them picking out blitzers before the ball is snapped. This is something I expect to see more of in the next couple games. Trent needs this help in his development as well as the young O-Line.

by VanScottM on Aug 18, 2009 11:53 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Thanks for this FanPost. I have been wondering the same thing. I hope that Seth McKinney can hold up against the nose tackles in our division, but I’m not optimistic.

by Dyl on Aug 18, 2009 2:09 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Your Welcome

It’s funny because every year there are certain positions where I look forward to seeing the backup get an opportunity (Edwards for Losman, Greer for whoever else was supposed to be a better CB, Steve Johnson for one of the last year’s receivers other than Evans, etc, etc). This year, I want to see Stevie, Bell, Nelson, Bird, Nic Harris, Ellis get a chance for some reps. It doesn’t mean I want them all to start or that I want a starter to go down … I just want to see them get reps. I can say with complete certainty that I don’t want to see anyone else playing center this year than Hangartner and I don’t even know how good he is.

by MrFurious1 on Aug 18, 2009 2:41 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Well the good news is we should not have to address WR or DB next year in the draft

I would like to see us to further build the lines

"Hold ya chin up...nuh nuh nuh...gone"
-Marshawn Lynch-

by billsoferie on Aug 18, 2009 3:03 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

lol – good luck with the DB part of that

I am so clever that sometimes I don’t understand a single word of what I am saying

by J2 on Aug 18, 2009 3:17 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Well atleast one is a givin

"Hold ya chin up...nuh nuh nuh...gone"
-Marshawn Lynch-

by billsoferie on Aug 18, 2009 3:21 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

or TE

"Hold ya chin up...nuh nuh nuh...gone"
-Marshawn Lynch-

by billsoferie on Aug 18, 2009 3:03 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

not the TE that is

"Hold ya chin up...nuh nuh nuh...gone"
-Marshawn Lynch-

by billsoferie on Aug 18, 2009 3:03 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Glad you clarified. 4 guys is enough, thank you.

by Defensewinsgames on Aug 18, 2009 3:07 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Lines and LB ... That's It!!

by MrFurious1 on Aug 18, 2009 3:10 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

So 4 DE’s, 3 T’s and 2 DT’s?

Captain of the "Promote Bob Sanders to Deffensive Coordinator" band wagon.

by CanadianBillsFan on Aug 18, 2009 6:08 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Wow, my math is horrible today… we have 8 picks next year right?… and I forgot about the LB’s… ok new plan…

3 DE’s, 2 OLB’s, 2 T’s and 1 DT? does that sound good?

Captain of the "Promote Bob Sanders to Deffensive Coordinator" band wagon.

by CanadianBillsFan on Aug 18, 2009 6:10 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

2 DT, 1 T.

by WhyBillsWhy on Aug 18, 2009 10:29 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

We need a high pick LB over DL

"Hold ya chin up...nuh nuh nuh...gone"
-Marshawn Lynch-

by billsoferie on Aug 18, 2009 3:17 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Could not disagree more. LBs are a dime a dozen. You can find a decent one falling into the second round. First round is all D line. It’s weird we’re already planning for next offseason.

by WhyBillsWhy on Aug 18, 2009 10:31 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I would consider 2nd round a high pick

"Hold ya chin up...nuh nuh nuh...gone"
-Marshawn Lynch-

by billsoferie on Aug 19, 2009 2:38 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

My point was that DE is a position that is coveted at the top of the top rounds and players get a little overvalued. So, if you want a good one, you need to get into the mix early. Good LBs fall more often because the first round is packed with DE, T, and QB picks. Look at Aaron Curry. Picked at #4 even though he was the best player in the draft just because of the position he plays. In my mind, you always pick DE before LB if they’re remotely close talent-wise.

by WhyBillsWhy on Aug 19, 2009 5:02 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I suppose,

I just feel we are deeper in talent on the DL than we are at LB.

Stroud will be good for a few years and Williams has been constantly improving. not to mention the possible re emergence of Mcargo.

"Hold ya chin up...nuh nuh nuh...gone"
-Marshawn Lynch-

by billsoferie on Aug 20, 2009 8:46 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

McKinney has more starting experience than any backup on the team except for Josh Reed. He’s going to be the backup at center and while I doubt he’s any good, he should be as or more solid than most of our other backups.

I think young players, espcially draft picks get hyped up and fans have too much conifidence in them and too little confidence in proven vets like McKinney.

by kaisertown on Aug 19, 2009 1:51 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I completely see your point, and I’m not arguing that Rodd is better than McKinney, it just surprises me that the coaching staff would hang so much of this year’s “new and improved no-huddle attack” on the health of one lineman (Hangartner). If he goes down, I doubt McKinney will be able to seamlessly step right in.

Does no one else see this as a problem?

"I know I'm a true receiver..." Roscoe Parrish, Buffalo Bills - May 2009
"In my heart, I know I'm funny." Lt Steven Hauk, Good Morning Vietnam - 1987

by thefourwinds on Aug 19, 2009 8:42 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

No doubt it will not be seamless

But the Bills 2nd team is running the same offense.

I would love the Bills to win games, but I will be happy if they are competitive without snatching defeat from the jaws of victory.

by Joe P. on Aug 19, 2009 11:21 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

But that’s exactly my point, McKinney isn’t even the 2nd team center (Rodd is). He’s at most 3rd team, and hardly getting any reps in the pivot.

"I know I'm a true receiver..." Roscoe Parrish, Buffalo Bills - May 2009
"In my heart, I know I'm funny." Lt Steven Hauk, Good Morning Vietnam - 1987

by thefourwinds on Aug 19, 2009 11:41 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

he is the 2nd team guard, so he knows the offense

3rd team C should be enough to keep him familiar with the center’s duties in an emergency. If Hang goes down in a game, we are talking about him filling in for part of one game. Would it be ugly? Probably. After that, I am sure he would be putting in extra time with Edwards and the 1st team offense.

I would love the Bills to win games, but I will be happy if they are competitive without snatching defeat from the jaws of victory.

by Joe P. on Aug 19, 2009 1:34 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs