Eagles Position Reviews: Center

by Bob_Q on Jan 22, 2011 7:00 PM EST in Philadelphia Eagles Roster Moves

Now that the offseason has officially started for the Eagles, Andy Reid and company will have to spend the next couple of weeks carefully scrutinizing the 2010 roster. The free agency signing period begins in a little over a month and a half and by that time, the front office should have a good idea of which Eagles players they'll want to bring back for the 2011 season (if there is one). Today, BGN takes a look at the center position.

The Players

Jamaal Jackson: Jackson has certainly had a rough twelve months. Starting with his ACL tear against the Broncos in week 16 of the 2009 season, the former undrafted rookie worked his tail off during the offseason to regain his starting position by the start of the 2010 regular season, only to suffer a season-ending triceps tear in the first game. Now, with a full season to recover, Jackson claims that he'll be back 100% by this year's training camp, but will it be enough? Mike McGlynn has now had almost a full season of experience as the Eagles' starting center and could very well steal Jackson's job away with a solid training camp. Although the 30 year old Jackson is signed through the 2013 season, the Eagles could easily decide to dump him and save $1.6 million.

Mike McGlynn: Despite an up-and-down year, McGlynn exceeded expectations as a fill-in for longtime starter Jamaal Jackson. He performed admirably in the running game, paving the way for the Eagles to accumulate a league-leading 23 first downs when rushing to the center. 2011 will be the final year of his rookie contract, but McGlynn has certainly shown enough potential to be kept around for another year or two. Expect him to appear as either the starting center or a backup C/G next season.

A.Q. Shipley: Although he has been in an Eagles uniform since this time last year, Shipley has yet to crack the active roster. The Eagles have brought him back for a second shot at a backup position by signing him to a reserve/future contract.

Dallas Reynolds: Since signing with the Eagles as an undrafted rookie in 2009, Reynolds has yet to show anything remarkable. The team signed him to a reserve/future contract recently, but don't expect anything more than a second stint on the practice squad.

Who Could Leave

Jamaal Jackson

Who Could Sign

Under 33 year old veteran Olin Kreutz, the Bears solidified their offensive line woes during their bye week and, so far, have made a successful playoff run. The six-time Pro Bowler will be a free agent this offseason and, while getting up there in years, has a wealth of experience in pass protection to offer to the Eagles' younger linemen. He would be a quality emergency signing in case of injury.

Arizona's Lyle Sendlein will be another candidate for the upcoming free agency market. After going undrafted in in 2007, the Texas product quickly climbed the ladder and has held on to the starting center position for the past two seasons, never missing a start. If Arizona lets him go, the 26 year old Sendlein could provide good competition for McGlynn.

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Comments

I think Jackson will return to form. Hes had almost 2 years to recover from the ACL and the triceps thing should be fine by now. I think he beats out McGlynn pretty easily in training camp.

by philiafan14364 on Jan 22, 2011 7:09 PM EST reply actions

I don't think he does.

2 major injuries 2 seasons in a row. No football for almost 2 entire years.. I think JJ is done. I’m about 95% sure he’s done as our starting center.

McGlynn’s our man in the middle now.

thats Cobb on Kolb crime if you ask me... as said by yophillybro

"I'm trading Kolb to Buffalo for Cribbs"- the brilliant Trade Kolb

by wild_eagle on Jan 22, 2011 7:15 PM EST up reply actions

They were saying he JJ may not even be able to fully extend his injured arm, even if it heals correctly. HIs best bet, if he can return healthy, may be a move back to G.

And I don’t know that McGlynn can’t duplicate JJ’s contributions with another full offseason as C.

by DLawrence55 on Jan 22, 2011 7:24 PM EST up reply actions

Yes, that's what I remember hearing. If he cannot extend his arm fully I think he's going to be

ineffective as an OLman period…

Now, McGlynn towards the end of the season was looking damn fucking good lol.

thats Cobb on Kolb crime if you ask me... as said by yophillybro

"I'm trading Kolb to Buffalo for Cribbs"- the brilliant Trade Kolb

by wild_eagle on Jan 22, 2011 7:29 PM EST up reply actions

Yeah, a 3/4 arm is pretty much the death knell for JJ's career

by DLawrence55 on Jan 22, 2011 7:52 PM EST up reply actions

yep, plus hes older anyway

thats Cobb on Kolb crime if you ask me... as said by yophillybro

"I'm trading Kolb to Buffalo for Cribbs"- the brilliant Trade Kolb

by wild_eagle on Jan 22, 2011 10:35 PM EST up reply actions

“Now, McGlynn towards the end of the season was looking damn fucking good lol.”

No, no he wasn’t. Eagles played a ton of shotgun in the Vikigns and Packers games and it so evident that McGlynn can’t snap the ball consistently. Ditto on picking up inside moves/calling out blitz assignments.

by MG77 on Jan 23, 2011 11:53 AM EST up reply actions

Eh, his snaps weren't that bad to be honest,

shotgun snapping is pretty fucking hard.. He called the right plays, guys were just fucking shit up on the outside.

thats Cobb on Kolb crime if you ask me... as said by yophillybro

"I'm trading Kolb to Buffalo for Cribbs"- the brilliant Trade Kolb

by wild_eagle on Jan 23, 2011 1:56 PM EST up reply actions

Ohhh k

Was not aware of the whole useless arm thing. In that case, yeah, go ahead and scratch him off the list.

by philiafan14364 on Jan 22, 2011 9:45 PM EST up reply actions

Less likely than it was this year when they were counting on JJ to start the season after he didn’t have his usual workout schedule. Just keeping my fingers crossed here.

C is likely going to be a position though they don’t address this offseason given the larger issues on the OL and defense. Just have to hope that McGlynn gets better with more time next year but as I said earlier I didn’t see much improvement in him over the course of the season.

by MG77 on Jan 23, 2011 11:56 AM EST up reply actions

Wasn't Jackson's ACL tear against Denver?

Go Eagles!

by MRPH on Jan 22, 2011 7:23 PM EST reply actions

Correct.

" You're f***ing out! " - Kenny Powers

by PhiladelphiaEagles on Jan 22, 2011 10:40 PM EST up reply actions

McGlynn

Was a beat reason why this line struggled so much this year. He simply can’t snap the ball effectively out the shotgun, has slow footwork, seemed to struggle calling out blitz assignments way too much, too many breakdowns on moves where guys stunt.

For a guy who had an entire year basically as the starter, he showed little improvement from start-to-end which was discouraging. Give his season a C- and call him a below-average starter this year. Passing but barely.

All of McGlynn shortcomings though are things he can work on and should improve a bit but Eagles really need a healthy and effective JJ for this line to be a quality group next year.

by MG77 on Jan 22, 2011 8:10 PM EST reply actions

If we're banking on a fully effective JJ for the line to be quality

Then we’ll be having a discussion a lot like this next year.

Depending on Jackson for things to work is a ridiculous gamble; a lot like RCB was this year, and MIKE, RT, PR, FB were before that. There is just too slim a chance that he makes back at his usual level

by DLawrence55 on Jan 22, 2011 8:23 PM EST up reply actions

Varying levels of risk there though. I wouldn’t opposed to Hobbs starting at the RCB. You know he was a solid NFL starter with a proven track record. The issue was the Eagles didn’t draft a CB higher in the draft who could have really helped them last year. Instead they wanted to get Lindley who they were clearly afraid to play and showed only glimpses of being an effective NFL guy.

MIKE, PR, and FB were are largely different stories since the Eagles were trying to sell a marginal player with no proven track record as a legit solution. There’s a big difference there.

by MG77 on Jan 23, 2011 12:05 PM EST up reply actions

Not to sound picky, but Jamaal tore his ACL against the Broncos in Week 16 of 2009, not against the Cowboys.

www.bleed-green.com

by kingmcnabb5 on Jan 22, 2011 8:20 PM EST reply actions

Right, the Cowboys game was the first he missed

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by JasonB on Jan 22, 2011 8:50 PM EST up reply actions

My bad, guys

Fixed.

"I like prime rib and I'd love to win a Super Bowl. I'm hungry for both of them." -Andy Reid

by Bob_Q on Jan 23, 2011 1:10 PM EST up reply actions

We're In GOOD. ..

Standing at the Center position. … McGlynn needs to hit that GYM and get in that weight-room. …

But even if Jamaal isn’t 100 percent coming back. … McGlynn could hold us over. …

Or if the Bosses answer my dreams. … We’ll draft Pouncey. … And have possibly a bigger, younger and more agile player at the position. … Who’d slide over to his natural position at RG if that wouldn’t work-out/ Jamaal is ready. …

But there would be that learning curve we’d have to endure. … If only for a short time. …

by Illadelphia-Braintrust on Jan 22, 2011 8:52 PM EST via mobile reply actions

what the hell

pouncey sucks rocks at center

"Believe deep down in your heart that you're destined to do great things." - Joe Paterno
I WILL do great things so stand in my way if u want to come across because once the play starts its you and me.....
i always win

by HawaiiEaglesFanatic on Jan 23, 2011 1:05 AM EST up reply actions

OMG I know.

Some of these people need to go back and look at UF tape, he’s awful as a center… Like I seriously think if we had to play him at center I’d fucking piss on Reids yard.

thats Cobb on Kolb crime if you ask me... as said by yophillybro

"I'm trading Kolb to Buffalo for Cribbs"- the brilliant Trade Kolb

by wild_eagle on Jan 23, 2011 1:50 AM EST up reply actions

It was his first year at the position as a SENIOR. … He progressed as the season went on. … AND if you correctly read what I said. … You would see I was looking at Pouncey primarily as a Guard. … A Center in a secondary. …

You all act like he can’t progress at the position. … And you all act like we don’t like combo lineman. …

by Illadelphia-Braintrust on Jan 23, 2011 2:58 AM EST via mobile up reply actions

then why cant mcglynn progress at center also? and unlike mcglynn where his snaps were wobbly and such the other mike’s were over peoples heads to the right of the left. i even possibly see a stawn andrews cause there have been rumors that he only plays well with his brother.

by HawaiiEaglesFanatic on Jan 23, 2011 12:33 PM EST up reply actions

Honestly

McGlynn’s snaps were wobbly and stuff, but that’s what happens, rarely can you get a guy who’s never played Center, and in an offseason move him there and he come in and play as well as McGlynn did, I’ve personally never seen anything like that before hence my thought that he’ll be a damn good center..

Mike’s snaps are shit, he fucks up with underneath a lot, he fucks up shotgun, he’ll launch the ball 5 feet over the QB’s head, he’ll snap it under the QB’s legs.. and aside from that his blocking from the C position really wasn’t that good…

i even possibly see a stawn andrews cause there have been rumors that he only plays well with his brother.

At my brothers playoff game against Lakeland this year I talked to some old guys who were very knowledgable with football, and they go to every lakeland game.. They said Mike’s a headcase, when he’s not playing at a high level he’s worse than any OLman they’ve ever seen, they said he was a failed experiment at C in High School too.. And he plays his best Football next to his Brother, but I can honestly say that’s true with everyone.

thats Cobb on Kolb crime if you ask me... as said by yophillybro

"I'm trading Kolb to Buffalo for Cribbs"- the brilliant Trade Kolb

by wild_eagle on Jan 23, 2011 2:03 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs

Players Have Ceilings. ...

From a talent standpoint alone. … Pouncey would be better than McGlynn. … Experienxe wins out though. … I saying that, NFL coaching could improve technique. … But more importantly we’d upgrade the RG position. … I still have faith in Jamaal. ..

by Illadelphia-Braintrust on Jan 23, 2011 2:05 PM EST via mobile up reply actions

No. He really didn't progress at all, he looked shitty from beginning to end.

AND I did read correctly. I am saying he’s not even a secondary center.

You all act like he can’t progress at the position.

At center no. absolutely not.

And you all act like we don’t like combo lineman.

Ummm when did I say we don’t like combo lineman? please explain to me how you derived that from what was said?

thats Cobb on Kolb crime if you ask me... as said by yophillybro

"I'm trading Kolb to Buffalo for Cribbs"- the brilliant Trade Kolb

by wild_eagle on Jan 23, 2011 1:59 PM EST up reply actions

‘ummm’ when did I say you SAID we didn’t?

And hate is hate. … Regarding progression of a player. ..

Dominated for 3 years as a RG at UF. … In a SPREAD-O. … The man comes back his SR season. … Is pushed over to the C, because Urban wants to play his 5 best lineman. … And to boot the offensive-scheme was under-going change. … Constant. … Most people look at things on the surface. … Condemn the man w/ no true understanding of the situation. …

That’s like saying on the last day of class, your college professor shouldn’t give a curve on the Physics final. … When all then while, you’ve been away the whole year and don’t even know that they (the instructor) suffer Down’s Syndrome. …

Not saying he’s the BEST ever. … But w/ ‘some’ time he’d be more than a secondary Center. … And a shoe-in to start at RG. …

I’d book an MVP season for Vick if we were to get Carmini (sp) and the RG from NE. … That is in a perfect world though. …

by Illadelphia-Braintrust on Jan 23, 2011 3:17 PM EST via mobile up reply actions

Whoa there

Dominated for 3 years as a RG at UF. … In a SPREAD-O. … The man comes back his SR season. … Is pushed over to the C, because Urban wants to play his 5 best lineman. … And to boot the offensive-scheme was under-going change. … Constant. … Most people look at things on the surface. … Condemn the man w/ no true understanding of the situation.

I know the situation bud. Infact I’ve been preaching that for a while now.. I know the situation, I’ve admitted he’s a good RG, he’s a shitty ass Center..

The RG from New England is Mankins… And he’s a LG actually

thats Cobb on Kolb crime if you ask me... as said by yophillybro

"I'm trading Kolb to Buffalo for Cribbs"- the brilliant Trade Kolb

by wild_eagle on Jan 23, 2011 10:21 PM EST up reply actions

I Stand Corrected. ...

Regarding Mankins. …

by Illadelphia-Braintrust on Jan 24, 2011 8:25 AM EST via mobile up reply actions

LOL ok..

Well I know I’m right about pouncey.

thats Cobb on Kolb crime if you ask me... as said by yophillybro

"I'm trading Kolb to Buffalo for Cribbs"- the brilliant Trade Kolb

by wild_eagle on Jan 24, 2011 2:14 PM EST up reply actions

I’m really not sold on McGlynn. I know it was just his first year and these guys develop… but I didn’t really think he got better as the season went on.

I can live with McGlynn if they upgrade other spots on the line, but I’m not at all opposed to grabbing a center if one worthwhile is out there.

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by JasonB on Jan 22, 2011 8:52 PM EST reply actions

He HAD to have gotten better through experience alone. … Had to have. … Human-nature? Adaptation? All that biological poppy-cock. …

Did he prove himself to be better than Jamaal? :nope Did he give us an inkling of thought, regarding forgetting about Jamaal? :nope Did he prove himself to be serviceable? :yes

We need to take it back to the off-season of 02 if the cards fall right. … Pick-up Nnamdi. … Pick-up the RG from NE (if they let him walk Pouncey will be one of their targets). … Draft heavy on the back 7. … FIND A GEM in the K.O. return game. … And we’re gone!

by Illadelphia-Braintrust on Jan 22, 2011 9:33 PM EST via mobile reply actions

They need

a real center period.

Listen, Jackson wasn’t an all pro by any means. The 09 season was probably his best season but before that he was up and down. Maybe the 2 year layoff helps?

As for McGlynn, I am not going to knock the guy because the first time he ever snapped the ball was during the offseason & too his wife. He didn’t have a great year either. He would be better suited at the G spot, where he originally plays. ( what a concept ).

There is one scenario I can see them doing. If they go through this offseason like last, meaning they completely overlook their OLine again. I can see Jackson at center, McGlynn starting at RG. They draft / FA a RT

by Easedel on Jan 22, 2011 11:21 PM EST reply actions

JJ was fairly consistent though in ‘07-’09 though as a starter just as Herremans has been the past few years.

by MG77 on Jan 23, 2011 12:00 PM EST up reply actions

Maybe the 2 year layoff helps?

Does a 2 year layoff from anything help?

I can see Jackson at center, McGlynn starting at RG. They draft / FA a RT

I’ve been thinking this to.

thats Cobb on Kolb crime if you ask me... as said by yophillybro

"I'm trading Kolb to Buffalo for Cribbs"- the brilliant Trade Kolb

by wild_eagle on Jan 23, 2011 1:52 AM EST reply actions

Directed at Easedel

thats Cobb on Kolb crime if you ask me... as said by yophillybro

"I'm trading Kolb to Buffalo for Cribbs"- the brilliant Trade Kolb

by wild_eagle on Jan 23, 2011 1:52 AM EST up reply actions

i can see it happening if they throw big $$$ at a CB LB and or RT. McGlynn was projected to play RG, possibly RT when coming out of college. The fact they had him at center when he never played the positions just speaks volumes on the sheer dumbassedness of the coaching staff. Yes thats a new word.

On Jackson…the layoff might help him, thats basically almost two years of not getting beat on by 300lb men every week. Then again I think he got hurt the 2nd time because he wasn’t game ready from being rushed back so soon.

Whatever they do, they need legit back up plans. Not ragtag UDFAs and late round picks that are practice squad material at best. For what its worth, they could release Cole & MJG and upgrade through the draft right away.

I still have no idea why Wells didn’t see more playing time. He couldn’t have been worse then either of the two mentioned.

by Easedel on Jan 23, 2011 3:43 AM EST up reply actions

Cole and Max...

Those two fat slobs should feel guilty cashing their paychecks.

by 92-74-99-96 on Jan 23, 2011 4:41 AM EST via mobile up reply actions

Ummm

McGlynn was projected to play RG, possibly RT when coming out of college. The fact they had him at center when he never played the positions just speaks volumes on the sheer dumbassedness of the coaching staff.

They tried him at center for the first time last offseason so for him to go from strictly a OG to playing at the level he did at center is an exponential growth no matter how you look at it… Learning to snap the ball is the hard part, he did a good job at that, the rest is mental… I think if he can get better that quickly at Center I can’t wait to see what he does from year 1 as a starter to year 2 as a starter at Center…

So please educate yourself next time, for them to get a LT from HS to play pretty good at C in less than a year in the Pro’s is sheer amazingness from the Coaching staff.

On Jackson…the layoff might help him, thats basically almost two years of not getting beat on by 300lb men every week. Then again I think he got hurt the 2nd time because he wasn’t game ready from being rushed back so soon

Umm yeah in those 2 year’s he’s destroyed his lower body and upper body.

thats Cobb on Kolb crime if you ask me... as said by yophillybro

"I'm trading Kolb to Buffalo for Cribbs"- the brilliant Trade Kolb

by wild_eagle on Jan 23, 2011 2:07 PM EST up reply actions

Yeah, I wouldn't say sheer dumbassedness (although I'm digging that)

I would say “sheer desperation”

by DLawrence55 on Jan 23, 2011 9:00 PM EST up reply actions

it helped vick.....

by HawaiiEaglesFanatic on Jan 23, 2011 12:34 PM EST up reply actions

But Vick was in Jail.

he didn’t tear his ACL then his Triceps

thats Cobb on Kolb crime if you ask me... as said by yophillybro

"I'm trading Kolb to Buffalo for Cribbs"- the brilliant Trade Kolb

by wild_eagle on Jan 23, 2011 2:08 PM EST up reply actions

The Elephant Man (REID)

I love the team, but hate the front office and Fat Slob Reid. Don’t get your hopes up. I have boycotted this team for 5 years. I spend nothing on Eagles. Including tickets.

Eagles= Virgins of NFC East . It’s like an intense lap dance every year. A beautiful stripper jumps on your lap, gets you almost to climax. Then jumps off your lap when a Super Bowl winner walks in.Leaving you frustrated in a crazy way only to walk into a back room with the Patriot, Giant, Saint, Buc fan and bangs his brains out. BOYCOTT JEFF LURIE

by Pete the Heat on Jan 23, 2011 11:40 AM EST reply actions