State Of The Arizona Cardinals Roster: Centers
by Andrew602 on Mar 3, 2010 2:24 PM MST
in NFL Offseason/Free Agency
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PrintOne of the most un-noticed positions on the roster is often the center. In all reality, the center handles the ball just as much as the quarterback and is the first offensive lineman to initiate a block. The Cardinals don't have the most experience and depth at center, and both are set to become restricted free agents. With the inevitable loss of Mike Gandy, keeping both free agent centers around should be the Cardinals number one priority.
Lyle Sendlein
Age and 2009 Stats: 25-years old (03/25/1984) - 2 sacks allowed, 3 penalties for 30 yards
Contract Status: Restricted Free Agent
2009 Review: It's never easy to evaluate a center but from what we saw out of Sendlein in 2009, I'd say he had a successful year. When you're undersized and undrafted, you're rarely going to dominate at a pro bowl level, but what Lyle has done with his time with the team is respectable. He's managed to become a very consistent piece of the Cardinals offense and has been one player the team could depend on. Injuries weren't a problem in 2009 and surrendering only two sacks for the year is tremendous. He didn't make any head-scratching plays and was very likable player.
2010 Outlook: Sendlein may never develop into a stalwart on the Cardinals offensive line, but he's consistent enough to remain the starter for the time-being. He's a restricted free agent and the Cardinals are expected to offer him a 2nd-round tender. If they do, they may offer him a long-term deal next season should Ken Whisenhunt believe Sendlein can produce quality starting play for the remainder of his career.
Season Grade: B-
Ben Claxton
Age and 2009 Stats: 29-years old (07/30/1980)
Contract Status: Restricted Free Agent
2009 Review: Claxton didn't play a lick of offense so evaluating his play in 2009 isn't possible. We do know that he was impressive enough to the coaches that they didn't go out and search for a veteran back up.
2010 Outlook: Keeping Claxton should be relatively easy considering he's a restricted free agent.
Season Grade: N/A
When it's all said and done, I expect the Cardinals to tender both of these players. Ken Whisenhunt hasn't shown any interest in shuffling the offensive line other then shifting Levi Brown to Mike Gandy's position. While Sendlein isn't the most polished center in the league, he's been productive with what he's given and I believe he'll get better the more he starts with the team. What are your thoughts on the centers and should the Cardinals bring both back?
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Sendlein Improving
I thought Sendlein’s performance continued to improve last year. He performed much better than the previous year. It helps to be healthy.
I keep thinking he needs to put on weight, maybe thats as big as he can get with still being mobile.
Never do card tricks for the group you play poker with.
Definitely Keep Both
Sendlein, in my opinion, earned his starting spot in 2009. He wasn’t dominating, but he wasn’t a liability. Most importantly, he was consistent. Maybe you can pick out the game against the 49ers and speculate that they had a beat on Lyle, but that doesn’t mean we should make a center change. I’m impressed with his play and he’s young. He has room to improve and the time to make that improvement. It’s also a great benefit to a team, the line, and the quarterback to stay consistent at center. Switching up centers can affect everyone’s timing. So, Lyle is certainly the player we need to bring back.
Claxtion is simply a “make life easy” kind of contract we need to offer. By bringing him back, we provide a backup at the center position so we don’t need to waste any time searching for a free agent center and alleviates the need to draft a center. Keeping both players allows us to remain focused on other team needs.
Oh Brother!
A B grade for a guy who can’t block anyone?! let’s break this down. sendlein cannot knock anyone of the line of scrimmage during running plays. he also can’t block even average noseguards in the nfl by himself. he also needs help handling anyone in front of him on pass protection! good centers do a hell of a lot more than just try to get in a guys way like sendlein does! a b grade for this? please! I’ll tell you what. I know I’ve ranted on and on about how bad this guy is but I’ll issue a challenge for anyone out there: name one guy in this league that he has beaten by himself on the line of scrimmage and i’ll quit trying to explain to everyone how bad this guy is!
Really don't need to
Not many centers can’t take on a NT by themselves. Sure he is undersized but his run blocking numbers a good. He yielded 4.7 YPC on his left and 3.5 on his right on a combined 65 carries. Also he only allowed 1 sack, but he did allow 13 QB pressures.
Even maybe the best center in the league, Nick Mangold yielded 3.8 YPC and his left and 3.3 on his right on a combined 210 carries. Mangold numbers are bit watered down because of more than triple the carries.
So basically, his numbers aren’t disastrous and definitely not deserving of your tirade. Go look at Reggie Wells numbers and than Levi’s. That’s where my frustration lies.
They are who we thought they were!
by Jesse Reynolds on Mar 4, 2010 1:28 AM MST up reply actions
you can believe what you want to!
If you choose to believe whatever you read off football focus thats your problem but these guys aren’t credible at all! Just ask yourself how can anyone who doesn’t have inside information like" what play was called, blocking assignments, coverage, etc" be able to make a credible grade? Furthermore you failed to mention that this same site has ranked antrell rolle as the 67th ranked safety! If you choose to believe that hogwash, that means that he’s the worst starting safety in the game!
Sendlien couldn’t hold Mangolds cup Your numbers are so misleading! Anyone with a decent eye for the position can easily watch sendlien at the point of attack and see that he’s over matched with ease. but to all the non believers just ask your self, when watching sendlien, does he provide any push in the running game? He gets pushed backwards! Please explain to me how is that’s effective run blocking? he’s deficient in run blocking. Now, ask yourself, how is he in pass protection? Once again both he and wells gets pushed around like rag dolls – by average players even! He is mostly responsible for the niners noseguard getting a big contract because the guy whipped the interior line of the cardinals! So if you are a below average run blocker and an below average pass blocker, how are you a good player?! I’ll you that outside of the cardinals fans this guy isn’t regarded as a good player!
by lifelongcardfan on Mar 4, 2010 8:09 PM MST up reply actions 1 recs
hahahahaha!
I meant to say in my last sentence that, “I’ll assure you that outside of the cardinals fans, this guy isn’t regarded as a good player”.
by lifelongcardfan on Mar 4, 2010 9:25 PM MST up reply actions
I don't use the rankings to base my observations
I use the numbers along side with my own critiques of the player.
I have been coaching the line for four years now and have been very successful (at a high school level granted lol). All I watch is the line; the position I study the most is the line.
All I will say is to each their own opinion.
They are who we thought they were!
by Jesse Reynolds on Mar 5, 2010 12:57 AM MST up reply actions
Better Yet!
I’ll bet anyone a weeks pay that the guy doesn’t get another offer from a nfl team!
Sendlein just signed a 2nd round tender
so I wouldn’t expect any teams to want to give up a pick for him. If he were unrestricted, however, I expect he would start receiving attention from a couple Center needy teams.
Section 135, Row 35
by AJ BirdWatcher on Mar 4, 2010 7:14 AM MST up reply actions 1 recs
why do people think lyle is undersized?
i’d say he’s almost spot on with the nfl average size for centers and possibly just a bit bigger. i like lyle and unfortunately i don’t have any game tape or i would take that bet. i watched every snap last season and the one before….. lyle’s a baller.
probably because he doesnt way as much and isnt as tall, just my guess.
Never do card tricks for the group you play poker with.
Sendlein, Lyle C 6-3 305
The NFL C average height = 6-3 & weight = 304
The AFC C average height = 6-3 & weight = 302
The NFC C average height = 6-2 1/3 & weight = 307
No way
If this stat is legit I would be shocked. He looks considerably smaller out there.
Never do card tricks for the group you play poker with.
by sc464 on Mar 4, 2010 4:53 PM MST via mobile up reply actions
I was wondering where the "he is too small" came from.
He’s bigger than many Cs in the league as it is.
Life's too short. Be a fan. Orlando Magic, Arizona Cardinals,Tampa Bay Rays and of course "the U"! What a winning combo.
the stats are legit.........crunch the numbers for yourself
AFC Centers
Hangartner, Geoff C 6-5 301
Jake Grove C 6-4 300
Dan Koppen C 6-2 296
Nick Mangold C 6-4 305
Birk, Matt C 6-4 309
Cook, Kyle C 6-3 312
Mack, Alex C 6-4 311
Hartwig, Justin C 6-5 312
Myers, Chris C 6-4 299
Saturday, Jeff C 6-2 295
Meester, Brad C 6-3 311
Mawae, Kevin C 6-4 289
Hamilton, Ben C 6-4 290
Smith, Wade C 6-4 296
Morris, Chris C 6-4 305
Hardwick, Nick C 6-4 295
The AFC C average heighth = 6-3 & weight = 302
or in inches 75.88
NFC Centers
Gurode, Andre C 6-4 318
O’Hara, Shaun C 6-3 303
Cole, Nick C 6-0 350
Rabach, Casey C 6-4 295
Kreutz, Olin C 6-2 292
Raiola, Dominic C 6-1 295
Scott Wells C 6-2 300
John Sullivan C 6-4 301
McClure, Todd C 6-1 301
Kalil, Ryan C 6-2 295
Goodwin, Jonathan C 6-3 318
Faine, Jeff C 6-3 291
Brown, Jason C 6-3 328
Heitmann, Eric C 6-3 312
Unger, Max C 6-5 309
Sendlein, Lyle C 6-3 305
The NFC C average heighth = 6-2 1/3 & weight = 307
or in inches 74.69
oops my bad
the afc average height is 6-3 3/4
the nfc average height is 6-2 2/3
the nfl average remains the same at 6-3
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