what is it at the center position that makes Richberg excel there where he didn't at guard. Is it quickness to handle the penetrating tackle? Something else? Why couldn't he do that at guard, or is that because he had other responsibilities?
Richenberg was playing next to Walton...that in itself limited him
Richenberg was also a rookie And playing guard for the first time.
We'll never know but I think if he played guard this year he'd be better than he was last year.
And that's above the fact that he's a more natural center.
what is it at the center position that makes Richberg excel there where he didn't at guard. Is it quickness to handle the penetrating tackle? Something else? Why couldn't he do that at guard, or is that because he had other responsibilities?
My uneducated guess would be that center is Richburg's natural position where he's comfortable at making the line calls and adjustments. Also, I don't believe centers pull as much as guards do in the run game (again, an uneducated guess).
what is it at the center position that makes Richberg excel there where he didn't at guard. Is it quickness to handle the penetrating tackle? Something else? Why couldn't he do that at guard, or is that because he had other responsibilities?
1. He was adjusting to the NFL game last year
2. He was playing injured for part of last year
Probably just a short-term depth signing. Here's a funny bit of typical cluelessness from the Huddle Report:
Quote:
San Diego Chargers sign Center J.D. Walton
This is big news!
Normally, when the San Diego Chargers sign an offensive lineman off the street, you're hoping that the guy never makes it into the game. It's usually some career backup or a rookie that's never really played before. J.D. Walton is neither of those things.
In fact, J.D. Walton was Mike McCoy's starting center for two seasons with the Denver Broncos (both the Tim Tebow year and the Peyton Manning year). He spent last season starting all 16 games at center for Eli Manning and the New York Giants. This is a guy that, if all things were fair, might have a shot at stealing the Chargers' starting Center spot.
For now, he'll be a backup for Trevor Robinson, while Chris Watt recovers from a groin injury. Still, it's a bit surprising that Walton (who was in Training Camp with the Miami Dolphins) was available at all.
12. New York Giants (20th)
Pass blocking rank: 12th
Run blocking rank: 12th
Penalties rank: 14th
Stud: This is what they wanted from Geoff Schwartz (+5.6) when they signed him.
Dud: It never works well for any team when they’re having to start Marshall Newhouse (-9.3).
Summary: As bad as they are at tackle, they are as good (if not better) on the interior. Indeed, when the combo of Justin Pugh, Schwartz, and Weston Richburg line up, there may not be a better interior line in football right now.
12. New York Giants (20th)
Pass blocking rank: 12th
Run blocking rank: 12th
Penalties rank: 14th
Stud: This is what they wanted from Geoff Schwartz (+5.6) when they signed him.
Dud: It never works well for any team when they’re having to start Marshall Newhouse (-9.3).
Summary: As bad as they are at tackle, they are as good (if not better) on the interior. Indeed, when the combo of Justin Pugh, Schwartz, and Weston Richburg line up, there may not be a better interior line in football right now.
I think Pugh has been our best OL, but the grade for Schwartz seems ok. It's a cumulative grade, so +5.6 basically means he's been above average in each game, which IMO is fair.
I also agree with Newhouse's grade. I think a strong pocket by Pugh-Richburg-Schwartz and a quick release has allowed Eli to avoid some would be sacks from Newhouse's man.
Massachusetts. I think the playing out of position is less a factor than that he was a rookie thrust into a bit of a shitshow in the middle of the line, i.e., next to Walton, and adjusting to speed, strength of DTs and NTs opposite him. Compare this to 2015 where he had capable players bookending him, can't help but improve his performance.
He's still young, and to my eye his frame can stand to add muscle and bulk without hampering his athleticism.
totally overlooked. Jerry and company deserve a lot of credit for going with Richberg over Marcus Martin, who a lot of people wanted and was considered the #1 center in the draft by a good margin.
Martin has been TERRIBLE in San Francisco, even with some pretty good guards next to him. He's probably a big reason why Kaepernick is all of a sudden playing shell shocked.
It seems the whole line is so much more cohesive Â
If Staley actually can't go, it probably becomes four fifths - or even five fifths, if they move Alex Boone to left tackle, where he has no business playing.
I don't think there was a consensus top center in the 2014 Draft Class. Richburg seems to be a good fit for the Giant offense, though it's possible that the Giants took him a little earlier than they needed to. He was the 43rd pick; the next center off the board was Martin at #70.
There are several other starters around the League who were drafed much later, and it seems premature to assume that Richburg will have the best career of the bunch, even if Martin continues to under-achieve. Russell Bodine has started every game since joining the Bengals. Ditto fifth-rounder Corey Linsley in Green Bay. Travis Swanson is entrenched in Detroit. New England got good value with James Stork, though he's on IR (DtR) currently. Matt Paradis is starting in Denver after a year on the practice squad. Sixth-rounder Luke Bowanko was a rookie starter in Jacksonville, but has been ousted by Stefen Wisniewski. Same has happened to UDFA Johnotthan Harrison in Indy.
development by not letting him play in his natural spot. Does anyone honestly believe Walton outperformed Richburg in camp last year? You have to tip your cap to Reese and Coughlin for remedying the OL this year. Our LT, LG, and C are set for years.
RE: What really annoyed me is that we wasted a year of Richburg's Â
development by not letting him play in his natural spot. Does anyone honestly believe Walton outperformed Richburg in camp last year? You have to tip your cap to Reese and Coughlin for remedying the OL this year. Our LT, LG, and C are set for years.
It's not like Richburg sat on the bench. He was the starting LG and was able to work on adjusting to the speed of the game without having to worry about making all the line calls. And sliding Richburg to OC would've just left a gaping hole at LG.
development by not letting him play in his natural spot. Does anyone honestly believe Walton outperformed Richburg in camp last year? You have to tip your cap to Reese and Coughlin for remedying the OL this year. Our LT, LG, and C are set for years.
Disagree. Who would have played left guard? He learned how to play in the NFL without pressure of making line calls and worrying about both the left and right guard next to him who were crappy.
Per Sy, we have a LG playing at a probowl level too!
Richenberg was also a rookie And playing guard for the first time.
We'll never know but I think if he played guard this year he'd be better than he was last year.
And that's above the fact that he's a more natural center.
My uneducated guess would be that center is Richburg's natural position where he's comfortable at making the line calls and adjustments. Also, I don't believe centers pull as much as guards do in the run game (again, an uneducated guess).
1. He was adjusting to the NFL game last year
2. He was playing injured for part of last year
Link - ( New Window )
This is big news!
Normally, when the San Diego Chargers sign an offensive lineman off the street, you're hoping that the guy never makes it into the game. It's usually some career backup or a rookie that's never really played before. J.D. Walton is neither of those things.
In fact, J.D. Walton was Mike McCoy's starting center for two seasons with the Denver Broncos (both the Tim Tebow year and the Peyton Manning year). He spent last season starting all 16 games at center for Eli Manning and the New York Giants. This is a guy that, if all things were fair, might have a shot at stealing the Chargers' starting Center spot.
For now, he'll be a backup for Trevor Robinson, while Chris Watt recovers from a groin injury. Still, it's a bit surprising that Walton (who was in Training Camp with the Miami Dolphins) was available at all.
I guess there's a tendency among fans to assume (we do it too) that if a guy started sixteen games, he can't be completely horrible. Guess again.
Charger Fan/Blogger hails the arrival of J.D. Walton - ( New Window )
12. New York Giants (20th)
Pass blocking rank: 12th
Run blocking rank: 12th
Penalties rank: 14th
Stud: This is what they wanted from Geoff Schwartz (+5.6) when they signed him.
Dud: It never works well for any team when they’re having to start Marshall Newhouse (-9.3).
Summary: As bad as they are at tackle, they are as good (if not better) on the interior. Indeed, when the combo of Justin Pugh, Schwartz, and Weston Richburg line up, there may not be a better interior line in football right now.
12. New York Giants (20th)
Pass blocking rank: 12th
Run blocking rank: 12th
Penalties rank: 14th
Stud: This is what they wanted from Geoff Schwartz (+5.6) when they signed him.
Dud: It never works well for any team when they’re having to start Marshall Newhouse (-9.3).
Summary: As bad as they are at tackle, they are as good (if not better) on the interior. Indeed, when the combo of Justin Pugh, Schwartz, and Weston Richburg line up, there may not be a better interior line in football right now.
I think Pugh has been our best OL, but the grade for Schwartz seems ok. It's a cumulative grade, so +5.6 basically means he's been above average in each game, which IMO is fair.
I also agree with Newhouse's grade. I think a strong pocket by Pugh-Richburg-Schwartz and a quick release has allowed Eli to avoid some would be sacks from Newhouse's man.
He's still young, and to my eye his frame can stand to add muscle and bulk without hampering his athleticism.
Martin has been TERRIBLE in San Francisco, even with some pretty good guards next to him. He's probably a big reason why Kaepernick is all of a sudden playing shell shocked.
mfsd, they have also (more often than not) been playing for rushers to come through how they want them to, and then take advantage of it
I don't think there was a consensus top center in the 2014 Draft Class. Richburg seems to be a good fit for the Giant offense, though it's possible that the Giants took him a little earlier than they needed to. He was the 43rd pick; the next center off the board was Martin at #70.
There are several other starters around the League who were drafed much later, and it seems premature to assume that Richburg will have the best career of the bunch, even if Martin continues to under-achieve. Russell Bodine has started every game since joining the Bengals. Ditto fifth-rounder Corey Linsley in Green Bay. Travis Swanson is entrenched in Detroit. New England got good value with James Stork, though he's on IR (DtR) currently. Matt Paradis is starting in Denver after a year on the practice squad. Sixth-rounder Luke Bowanko was a rookie starter in Jacksonville, but has been ousted by Stefen Wisniewski. Same has happened to UDFA Johnotthan Harrison in Indy.
Incidentally, a lot of fans wanted to trade for Alex Boone last year, and he is looking like junk.
It's not like Richburg sat on the bench. He was the starting LG and was able to work on adjusting to the speed of the game without having to worry about making all the line calls. And sliding Richburg to OC would've just left a gaping hole at LG.
Disagree. Who would have played left guard? He learned how to play in the NFL without pressure of making line calls and worrying about both the left and right guard next to him who were crappy.