When we think of hard positions to play in the NFL, we often think of positions like quarterback, or offensive tackle, or cornerback. Quarterbacks need to be quick, accurate, and studied. Offensive tackles need to be big, long, and fleet of foot. Cornerbacks have to be fast, nimble, and quick to forget.
All three of those positions can make a case to be of the most difficult in sports, let alone football. But what about center? Center makes the case for being every bit as hard as the other three. Maybe even more difficult.
The Dallas Cowboys center has to be one of the smartest players on the field, if he’s not, his ceiling is limited.
Look at a play in the life of an NFL center. After organizing the huddle and absorbing the play (complete with audibles) the center turns and approaches the football to set up. After surveying the defense, identifying the MIKE and assessing the safeties, He calls the blocking assignments based on the front and numbers.
His call is directly related to the QBs ability to survive and the RBs ability to find a crease, because he’s not just responsible for getting his man right, in many ways he’s responsible for every man’s blocking assignment on the line.
And that’s all pre-snap, because now he’s responsible for snapping the ball. This means he…
1) has to be 100% sure of the snap count
2) be able to accurately pitch the ball back while readying himself to block which is an entirely different animal.
It’s no surprise centers are regarded as some of the smartest players on the field.
One of the biggest knocks on third year Dallas Cowboys center, Tyler Biadasz, has been the cognitive capacity of the job. Biadasz has struggled to make blocking assignments and has often leaned on Zack Martin and even Connor McGovern to help him out.
This is…suboptimal.
As time went on last season, Biadasz stepped up his role in calling assignments. The better his recognition ability became, the better his play was on the field. He was arguably the only lineman to actually improve as the season went on last year.
Is that good enough?
That’s the question. Biadasz is already somewhat capped physically, so unless he’s mastered the mental position of the game, he’s a certified liability. If he can build on last year, Dallas Cowboys fans should feel optimistic about him moving forward.
Pushing him will be a pair of UDFA’s, Alec Lindstrom and James Empey. Both are smaller than Biadasz but both have great command of the game. Lindstrom comes in one of the smartest prospects in the draft. If Biadasz struggles with his calls, Lindstrom could bridge the gap between them.
Centers don’t get quite the recognition they deserve. No, they don’t add much in the form or wins above replacement (WAR) and as such are one of the lowest paid full-time positions on the field, but they play an important role and are regarded as the brains of the offensive line.
In fairness, we’re downplaying the intelligence needed to play QB. The demands of a QB are unparalleled and undeniable. But we’re making a point here and that’s the center position is as mentally demanding as it is physically.