David Newton: Elflein at C in 2022

[MHS831]

This is not my opinion--but David Newton got me to thinkin about what they might be thinkin once the reality of their situation, free agency, and the draft sets in.

David Newton is writing as if Taylor Moton and Pat Elflein are the core OL and the other three OL positions need to be addressed.  According to PFF, Elflein surrendered no sacks in just over 500 snaps but had a 50.1 rating during a season in which he played G and spent time on IR before taking over at C. Some of that is due to poor performance at G before transitioning to C. At Center, Playing beside two of the worst Guards in the NFL was a difficult task, and it made it (for me) difficult to see how good Elflein can be at C. But, according to Newton in a recent SI article about each teams’ biggest needs, the Panthers are looking for 2 guards and possibly a LT.  That assessment completely omits any indication of where Brady Christensen will play—

My point:  I understand that the first reaction is going to be, “He sucks!” and that may be accurate, but let’s assume that we have a serviceable center in Elflein (he has 2 years left on his deal and he will be 27).  We are all fairly certain Christensen will start next year; we just don’t know where yet-LT or LG.  If we sign one offensive lineman (probably a high end Right Guard UNLESS Deonte Brown is that guy)—can we draft a LT and let BC compete with him, the loser going to LG?

It is really hard to gauge what we have at OL because it is about chemistry—knowing what your teammate is going to do—nonverbal communication.  We had 12 or so different combinations.  Elf had to learn a new offense from the G role, and then is moved to C as he returns from IR.  50.1 is a low rating, but that should be improved considerably with some consistency and if he is flanked by competent Guards.  You can’t fix every problem this year, and Elf might be decent enough for us to pass on C this year, according to Newton. 

Now, consider what we have in Brown and his potential to play RG.  Rhule was right--at 365 lbs. he is too fat for his body to play G in the NFL.  However, at 330 or less, he can play at a higher level.   If that could work—and he looked good in the few plays he got a chance vs. the Bucs---could we really only need a LT (Christensen/Brown as the new guards surrounding Elflein)?  So my point is this—did we have the answers on the roster but could not tell because we moved people around so much?

Final “mind blown” statement of disbelief that will earn me pie and praise:  If they believe in what they have in BC at LT, and they plan to play Elflein at C and Brown at RG---we only need a Left Guard, and we could get a good one in free agency.  

Real World:  I am not sure you want to bank on D. Brown staying at 325.  I think we need to sign a free agent G and draft a LT.  However, if they like what they see on tape from BC, do not be surprised to see Guards in free agency and a QB in the draft.  Just sayin.

 

Edited January 18, 2022 by MHS831

[KSpan]

Of all the O positions to suck at, center ain't it. Agreed that it's tough to fully judge since OL is so reliant on each other but Elflein is just not very good, and without star guards next to him should definitively be in line for replacement.

[Harbingers]

Linderbaum or bust. 

[Waldo]

He shouldn't even be on our roster in 2022 but Rhule is still here. Hard pass if we were serious but I'm all for it. Let him play us into that #1 pick please. 

[Newbie]

5 minutes ago, Harbingers said:

Linderbaum or bust. 

I want Linderbaum as well. Out of curiosity, where do the “analytics” say you should pick a Center?

[mrcompletely11]

Centers are a dime a dozen in the draft

[davos]

I think we will need to accept Christensen as a swing backup under this regime. A nice one at that that can start but this staff clearly doesn’t have a clear picture in mind for him.

[Mr. Scot]

4 minutes ago, mrcompletely11 said:

Centers are a dime a dozen in the draft

Not if you know what you're doing.

[AU-panther]

Everybody wants to complain about the versatility comments by Rhule but the day Erving and Elflein were signed it was pretty obvious that Erving was signed to be the day 1 starter at LT and that Elflein was slotted to start at LG with the possibility of transitioning to center in 2022.  

                                                                                                

[Icege]

Pat Elflein starting still?

Edited January 18, 2022 by Icege

[AU-panther]

Right now my money for next year would be either

High draft pick LT, BC or FA, Elflein, BC or FA, Moton

or

BC, Draft Pick/FA, Elflein, Draft Pick/FA, Moton

Also, I wouldn't get your hopes about Brown solidifying the RG spot.  It would save us some resources, but he was a late round pick for a reason.

 

[Mr. Scot]

Just now, Icege said:

Pat Elflein over Tyler Linderbaum?

Linderbaum doesn't play enough positions.

[Khyber53]

I wish you were right, but I don't think Elflein was very good at center and really bad at guard. Injuries are also a knock on him. Since entering the league he's had to have surgeries on a shoulder and an ankle, has lost time (and team) due to a thumb injury and was out for part of this last season with a hamstring injury.

I'd look at carrying him as a back-up center (and perhaps backup guard), even though he has a high salary cap hit with us. He might be a good mentor for a rookie center. Paradis is probably gone but his dead money will linger on with us like a ghost of what should have been. 

I say we draft Tyler Linderbaum in the first round and lock things down. He might be the smallest center in the draft, but he has the resume and tape to make up for it. If he's gone, there's a lot of picks being made before we dive back in after the first round. 

What intrigues me is that we have Baylor's center, Jacob Gall is sitting out there for a late round draft pick possibility. I know, the Baylor thing, but Gall transferred from Buffalo to Baylor after Rhule left. At Buffalo he was grading out just below Linderbaum's performances (90.5 to 91.5 for Linderbaum). At 6'2" 305 he's a beefier choice. We could pick him up and have a real find there. Still, Linderbaum in the first is what we should do and only deviate from that if Linderbaum is gone. If he's out, grab the best tackle on the board.

And @MHS831, I disagree with one other thing. I hate seeing us keep trying to transition tackle prospects to the guard positions. I think it is one of the biggest problems we've traditionally had here. Tackles and guards, when assigned properly, are just wired differently from each other. It's bears and bulls: one stands and mauls, the other muscles and crashes. Tackles need length and lateral movement, guards need muscle, mass and a mean streak.

 

[Icege]

Just now, Mr. Scot said:

Linderbaum doesn't play enough positions.

But he plays guard and defensive tackle too