Roster analysis: Casey Rabach, Will Montgomery and the future at center

I would personally love to see the team use a second round pick on Rodney Hudson (C, Florida State). Scouting report makes him sound like a great fit for this offense. Personally he reminds me of Ryan Kalil who's probably my favorite Center in todays NFL.

Either way I think Center is going to be en vogue this offseason a la LT last offseason.

Rodney Hudson
OFFENSIVE CENTER
88
SCOUTS GRADE
Grading Scale
1 = EXCEPTIONAL 2 = ABOVE AVERAGE 3 = AVERAGE 4 = BELOW AVERAGE 5 = MARGINAL

Production -1 - 2007: (13/10) Nine starts at left guard, one at left tackle. 2008: (13/13) Starts every game at left guard. 2009: (11/11)

Height-Weight-Speed - 3 - Lacks ideal height but is thickly-built and well-proportioned. Has a lot of sand in his rear yet moves very well on tape.

Durability - 2 - Had a streak of 31 consecutive starts broken by a knee sprain against Wake Forest in 2009.

Intangibles - 1 - A team leader. Leads by example. Hard worker on and off the field.

Pass Protection -1 - Plays with great awareness and communicates well with center and tackle. Plays with a wide base, is a natural knee bender, can sink hips after initial contact and anchor versus powerful bull rushers. Has quick feet and does a nice job of mirroring and sliding. Moves feet after contact and generally plays with very good balance. Does not have explosive initial punch but has adequate upper-body strength and uses hands very well.

Run Blocking -1 - Knows his assignments, does a great job with his first step and takes excellent angles as a run blocker. Almost always in good position, drives his legs after initial contact and works hard to finish. Lacks elite size and strength but consistently gets movement as a run blocker.

Awareness - 1 - Excellent awareness in both pass protection and the run game. Does a great job of passing off defenders before picking up the stunt, twist or delayed blitz. Keeps his head up and on a swivel. Always looking to give extra help.

Toughness - 2 - Is a solid finisher. Great effort. Stamina is outstanding for the position. Mentally and physically tough.

I hope this team can find an Alex Mack equivalent.

Don't think I don't remember you hyping him up to us two years ago when he was coming out of college SFREDSKIN :) . But seriously your right, and Rodney Hudson of FSU and Stefan Wisnewski of Penn State are said to be great center/guards. Plus their are other great Centers coming out, including the undersized but smart Thomas Byrd of Boise state, and the TCU Center, Kirkpatrick who was last years remington trophy winner (best center in the country).

And in free agency, I like Lyle Sendeline of the Cardinals, a smart underrated center.

I think that anyone would be better than Rabach -- If the line is improved across the board (except for Trent Williams of course), the overall quality would be greatly improved.

Don't think I don't remember you hyping him up to us two years ago when he was coming out of college SFREDSKIN :)

Why do you think Peyton Hillis is having the kind of season he's having. Hm-mm, Joe Thomas at LT and Mack at C.

Don't think I don't remember you hyping him up to us two years ago when he was coming out of college SFREDSKIN :) . But seriously your right, and Rodney Hudson of FSU and Stefan Wisnewski of Penn State are said to be great center/guards. Plus their are other great Centers coming out, including the undersized but smart Thomas Byrd of Boise state, and the TCU Center, Kirkpatrick who was last years remington trophy winner (best center in the country).

And in free agency, I like Lyle Sendeline of the Cardinals, a smart underrated center.Hudson would be a GREAT fit for the zone blocking scheme. He might be a bit undersized, but there isn't a more athletic interior lineman in the country.