IN SEARCH OF THE ELUSIVE
ALPHA HOGMOLLIE
The New York Giants Latest Attempt at Center: Guard Nick Gates
It's ponderous to me how such an integral, physical, cerebral, technical position as center warrants so little consideration. There's always some stop gap measure available to fill the slot, never a premiere talent. Smart teams know better and reap the benefits, others not so much. The Giants are grouped in with the latter and it drives me nuts. I'm not just talking about Dave Gettlemen either.
The Colts recently made Ryan Kelly the highest paid center in the NFL. Why do you think the Steelers locked up Maurkice Pouncey long term? Remember in SB51 how the Falcons crumbled in the second half against the Patriots? All that transpired after center Alex Mack sustained a broken leg late in the second quarter. Atlanta's running game vanished from sight, pass protection was compromised and Matt Ryan came under attack. Not even Bill Belichick can defend against a great center. Ask him ... I'll wait ....... The Falcons ability to sustain first downs was completely wiped out all due to losing Alex Mack. Just a few first downs, two first downs, one more first down, and the Patriots do not win. A formidable New York Jets running game among other things withered away once Nick Mangold hung up his uniform. Ask Tom Brady what he thought of Dan Koppen.
I can go on because I believe center is the fifth most important position on the field. It's a multifaceted position. No one touches the ball more. Every play starts with them. They're in charge of an entire unit - the offensive line. On each and every play they must analyze and adapt to what is being presented before them, then disseminate this information and insure the line operates in unison. In that regard, centers are not allowed to be wrong, unlike, say, a receiver running a wrong route or a running back rushing the wrong gap. For as long as the line is operating as one, defective and broken plays can be altered and even saved. Otherwise, a center needs to be correct with each and every call, be it pass protection or run blocking. Defensive linemen will also tell you the shortest path to the quarterback goes through center. They must identify the blitz despite being entangled with a nose tackle. Thus centers work with quarterbacks and even help call audibles and influence play calling. They must know a quarterback's snap count like his heartbeat. How come you rarely ever see a center jump off-sides? Because they're smart and disciplined, and they have the damn ball!
Show me a legitimate Super Bowl contender and/or winner and I promise you in most instances there is a Pro-Bowl quality center nearby. This a not a foreign notion to the Giants. Bart Oates was a five time Pro-Bowl center and member of the Super Bowl XXI and XXV champions.
In 2000, Dusty Ziegler is imported from Buffalo as the upgrade over Derek Engler and Brian Williams. No Pro-Bowls, no Super Bowl victory either, just good enough for an NFC title.
In 2004 Shaun O'Hara is brought in to solidify the middle of the line. It becomes a dominant offensive line that would set a record for most consecutive starts together. O'Hara is a three time Pro-Bowler and center for the XLII Super Bowl champions.
George Young .. Bart Oates .. strong running game .. Lombardi trophies.
Ernie Accorsi .. Shaun O'Hara .. strong running game .. Lombardi trophy.
Before the 2011 season O'Hara is cut and replaced with former San Francisco Niner David Baas. He is decent but a noticeable downgrade. Fortunately he is playing alongside four line mates chasing down a second Super Bowl trophy. Any David Baas deficiencies where covered up by them. He was never a Pro-Bowl quality center and was fortunate to win a Super Bowl (with the Giants).
Nick Gates is young, tenacious, willing and able. Alas he is not a center. Gates is a guard who will start the season at center. This will be his second active season with the Giants. He appeared in all sixteen games last season, but all at guard. Which is to say this will be his first regular season experience at the new position. He is 6'6", 318 lbs., out of Nebraska. If I'm stereotyping line men, well then he fits the traditional description. But can a novice master the responsibilities of playing center and still develop effective technique. This very transition has overwhelmed many linemen in the past. Center is a unique and demanding endeavor requiring a measure of leadership skills as well.
Gates replaces Spencer Pulley as the starting center. However, both will man the position. Pulley was the one who replaced Jon Halapio who couldn't stay on the field due to injuries. Halapio was drafted in 2014 by the Patriots, but did not play his first NFL game until joining the Giants in 2016. For you locals, Halapio in 2015 played for the Brooklyn Bolts at Coney Island prior to his arrival at MetLife Stadium. What the heck does that tell you?
Fuhggeddaboudit..!!
The position of center has been problematic ever since the team and Shaun O'Hara parted ways. That's on Jerry Reese and Dave Gettleman, who still doesn't seem to care.
But, hey, I hope Nick Gates wins the day.
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