(06-29-2017, 10:59 AM)JagsorDie Wrote:

(06-29-2017, 10:48 AM)NYC4jags Wrote: Yes, he played some center in college and Mayock touted him as a good starting center prospect prior to the draft. 
It does appear that the Jags brass like Shatley at Center if Linder indeed ends up at guard  -- and I've seen no indication that they are even looking at Cann there as of now. 

Maybe camp yields some different looks in the middle. 

It will be interesting to watch this line settle into a starting unit by August 24th.

I like that we have options. Maybe it is just me, but I feel like haveing Linder at C is putting him in a place out of desperation. I don't think anyone would argue that there isn't anyone else better at guard on the roster. Since that seems to be his #1 position, I feel like moving  him to center when he did not get beat out at guard is just a desperate move.  I understand moving him to fill the hole at center but imo  I don't think it makes much since when you are creating another hole guard in the process.

There were ways to rationalize moving Linder to center last season. I get why they did it. Had Joeckel panned out to be a decent LG it may have worked pretty well - and Linder did play the position well. 

However  -- now we have even more focus on the run than what they attempted (and failed) at doing last season. This likely means they'll run no small number of "power run" formations and plays. These plays often involve a guard pulling from one side to the other to help the FB pave a running lane.  That guard will ideally continue on to block at the "second level."  
If this scenario does indeed prove to be heavy in the Jags offensive rotation, then having your best interior lineman at guard instead of center should prove to be an asset in the run game.

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