MHR University- Extra Credit Option 9- Center

After breaking down those areas we consider “need” areas, I would like to go into more of a breakdown coming into the draft in the positions we are “set.” Mike Shanahan has never been known to leave any area alone if he feels a good player or a need is there. The last part of the Extra Credit Series will look at areas on our roster we could improve and the guys we can possibly bring in to help that. Onto the piece.

Center-

            Center is a position we have done well to address in the Free Agent period. We have a few guys “On the Bubble” as MattR puts it. This article will be slightly shorter than previous because the position is filled with guys who while older than the dirt they play on, are solid contributors. Tom Nalen is a solid guy. He is hands down the best center on the team. His experience in the Zone Blocking Scheme leaves little doubt about his ability to perform in it. Injuries plague Nalen however and we culd look at losing him in the next two years. Casey Wiegmann is another veteran who will be able to back up Tommy if injury were to happen. He is a solid center who had a very bad year on a poor line last year in Kansas City.  It shouldn’t take him too long to figure out how Denver runs the Zone Scheme and should therefore be a solid back up. Here is where we get into trouble. Mark Fenton who was a draft choice a few years back is currently a practice squad player. We need much better depth and could very well pull a guard to play center, like Hamilton if need be. We need depth at this position and there is no more to say to that point. On to the Draft Prospects

Draft Prospects:

Mike Pollack

            Very impressive in workouts, probably a round three guy at best though because most people look at center as a final offensive line position to draft. Still a strong player who has experience in a ZB that Arizona St. runs occasionally.

Drew Miller

            Drew may be more enticing because he played all three positions on the line at Florida. He does well with his feet and can knock someone down on the move which is quite a difficult task to do in the SEC. Slated as a late round pick could move as high as round 4.

John Sullivan

            The only big knock on Sullivan is that his head isn’t always in the game. A rouge cheerleader caused him to high snap in the Michigan game. He took responsibility for it but it was costly. Fairly fast and agile but his strength is a little on the weak side.

The boys at walter break it down further:

http://walterfootball.com/draft2008C.php