2011 Season in Review: Center

by Sander on Feb 9, 2012 9:42 PM EST in Player Analysis

What happened in 2011

Decent, unspectacular play. That's what most centers produce, and it's what the Tampa Bay Buccaneers saw out of their own centers this season. Jeff Faine wasn't horrible, but he's declining and that's visible. He's having more and more problems taking on defensive linemen one-on-one, and there's no real drop-off from him to backup center Jeremy Zuttah. Faine once again missed a game with injury, forcing Zuttah to move to center.

Center isn't a difficult position on the offensive line to fill, as centers spend most of their time helping out their guards rather than blocking defensive linemen one-on-one. Intelligence and the ability to set protection schemes are very important, however, and Jeff Faine does do a good job in that respect. The Bucs see very few free rushers get to the quarterback, which in part is a reflection of Faine's ability and in part a reflection of Freeman's.

2012 Outlook

With mediocre-at-best play and a salary cap number of around $8 million, Jeff Faine's future in Tampa Bay is uncertain. While the Bucs don't need to cut Faine to clear cap room - they're so far under the cap they could sign five top free agents and still have plenty room left - they may want to save $6 million in actual spending by cutting him.

This shouldn't really impact the quality of play in 2012, if the Bucs also re-sign Jeremy Zuttah. Given the fact that Zuttah has been a useful utility player and even played under Greg Schiano at Rutgers, this seems like it would happen fairly quickly. Jeremy Zuttah can start at center, where he should look better than at left guard. The Bucs do need to find a backup for the position, although Ted Larsen could play center in a pinch as well.

2012 Options

There are always some centers teams can plug-and-play available in free agency and late in the draft. It's just not that hard to come by good centers. There's exactly one really good center who will hit free agency this offseason: Chris Myers of the Houston Texans. Of course, Myers operates in a zone-blocking scheme and probably isn't a fit for the Buccaneers - and it seems very unlikely the Texans will let him leave in the first place.

In the draft the Bucs have a few options, most notably Peter Konz, who is the top-rated center in the draft. Behind him Ben Jones and Michael Brewster could get a look too, but I wouldn't expect the Bucs to spend an early-round pick on a center.

Projected 2012 Depth Chart:

Jeremy Zuttah, New Addition

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Comments

I think we should stay with Faine another year

and roll the dice on a 4th or 5th round pick and keep Zuttah at G. How long does Zuttah have left on his contract?

by 37champs on Feb 9, 2012 10:06 PM EST reply actions

He is a FA

by Bucsfan123 on Feb 9, 2012 10:21 PM EST via iPhone app up reply actions

I think Faine is too brittle now...

as he has only played a half season each of the last 2 years. Need a serious, bigger upgrade like a Peter Konz.

by Cracker Ball on Feb 9, 2012 10:23 PM EST up reply actions

I pray he's available at 2nd and Dom picks him up..

Check out my skate video, where I break my face: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LmfM5XZaFR0&feature=related

by Titankillah on Feb 9, 2012 10:56 PM EST up reply actions

3 years.

Or have you blacked out the Mahan experiment?

by NewLogic on Feb 10, 2012 12:35 AM EST up reply actions

Drafting offense seems a little crazy.

Konz will go in the first round. But, that being said our offense could be greatly improved and maybe even find a way to score something called touchdowns. That in itself would help our defense tremendously. Keeping our defense off the field is a good idea.

by Chengdu Buc on Feb 10, 2012 1:05 AM EST reply actions

Faine=turnstile

by aakks on Feb 10, 2012 6:41 AM EST reply actions

Faine is terrible, both as a center and as a leader.

He needs to find his way out of town. His blocking has clearly declined, he often plays “tag” with defensive linemen (they touch him and as they run past him at Freeman or Blount he chases them down).

As you can always expect come from behind victory is when you least expect it.

by Buc Wild on Feb 10, 2012 7:17 AM EST reply actions

I would mind

an upgrade at center and think its time. Especially since he is an FA. Lets get a bigger/better/healthier C. but I thought I read somewhere that if Faine was gone then Zuttah would go too. I may be wrong on the players but remember something like that about our OL.

by Gobucsgo on Feb 10, 2012 10:36 AM EST up reply actions

Probably last year when Joseph said if Trueblood left he'd be gone

We want the ball, and we're gonna score!

by anthonyh60 on Feb 10, 2012 6:45 PM EST up reply actions

Yeah

thats it. I remember the bucs being strong armed by a good player to protect a mediocre one. so that makes sense.

by Gobucsgo on Feb 11, 2012 8:34 AM EST up reply actions

Now this is one point we agree on.

I think you were the guy during game threads that would say watch Jeff Faine. He was at one point the highest paid center. He is clearly not worth it. He’s soft. He whiffs alot of blocks, he gets hurt too much, he gets overpowered by DT’s too much, he cant push the DT forward on run blocks and he is overrated. We should trade him for whatever we can get him for. ASAP. I do agree however he does anchor the O-Line very well but we can find someone else to do that plus actually block.

ALL ABOARD THE TRENT RICHARDSON TRAIN!!!

by dcbucsfan on Feb 10, 2012 11:00 AM EST up reply actions

Sorry Sander

I dont like the option of Larsen playing Center either. He is terrible as well and he should just be cut. I like Zuttah at C and maybe getting one in the draft as well, or at LG or RT. I like the idea of Trueblood at LG too.

ALL ABOARD THE TRENT RICHARDSON TRAIN!!!

by dcbucsfan on Feb 10, 2012 11:02 AM EST reply actions