Who will be the Starting Center ?

[HOUSE]

Sunday, Jul 15, 2018 07:00 AM

Camp Countdown: No. 11 - Who will be the starting center?

 

Mitchell Courtney 

Contributing Correspondent

 

 

 

 

 

The center position can frequently be the most significant on the offensive line. They are responsible for assignments, blitz pickups, quarterback communication, and much more.

The battle for the starting center job in 2018 is between recently acquired Russell Bodine, and familiar face, Ryan Groy.

Groy originally signed with the Bills in 2015, but he is not quite used to challenging for the starting role; as Eric Wood was a perennial starter in Buffalo.

“It’s just part of being in the NFL,” said Groy. “Guys leave and guys come in. This is my fifth year in the NFL. I am kind of used to the transition.”

Groy’s experience with the Bills certainly works to his benefit, and he realizes the importance of communication at the position.

“The thing when you build chemistry is to have the ability to communicate and understand what you’re looking for on the field,” he said.

 

https://www.buffalobills.com/news/camp-countdown-no-11-who-will-be-the-starting-center

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I would guess Bodine IF AJ is the starter. Groy at LG

Edited July 16, 2018 by THE SLAMMER

[HOUSE]

I am sorry I had so much trouble posting this thread. Somebody was editing as I copied. Every time I copied the coding popped up.

Edited July 16, 2018 by THE SLAMMER

[The Jokeman]

I'd assume Groy but think Bodine could make a push since he was a history with AJ McCarron.

[Pirate Angel]

I think groy is a better player...but he is so valuable to the 53 man roster because he can backup all 3 interior position. I believe this is why he wasn't given a shot at RG last year. Another scenario is If John miller and ducasse don't improve I can see bodine at center and groy at guard

 

[nucci]

42 minutes ago, BILLriant said:

I think groy is a better player...but he is so valuable to the 53 man roster because he can backup all 3 interior position. I believe this is why he wasn't given a shot at RG last year. Another scenario is If John miller and ducasse don't improve I can see bodine at center and groy at guard

 

I concur...I think Bodine is C only and Groy can play all over

[Over 29 years of fanhood]

9 minutes ago, nucci said:

I concur...I think Bodine is C only and Groy can play all over

 

Why didn’t he last year in this case. RG was inconsistent at best  

[Royale with Cheese]

I think it'll be Groy at the end.  If I understand correctly, at the first part of OTA's, they were splitting reps 50/50.  I think by the end, Groy was getting the majority.

I think the Bodine from Cincy showed up early and Groy has already started passing him.  I hope so at least....really like Groy.

2 minutes ago, Over 29 years of fanhood said:

 

Why didn’t he last year in this case. RG was inconsistent at best  

 

I think both of them are just centers.  Groy wasn't really in the running for either guard spot last year.  I don't think they've moved him much this year either in OTA's.

He can play other spots but I think the coaching staff just wants him at center.

[BuffaloHokie13]

I think that to start the year it'll be Groy at LG and Bodine at C. By mid-season Teller will be at LG and Groy will be at C.

[nucci]

7 minutes ago, Over 29 years of fanhood said:

 

Why didn’t he last year in this case. RG was inconsistent at best  

You would have to ask Castillo...also he might not be as good as many think

[Codyny13]

I think Groy showed he can be a good NFL center when Wood got hurt. He’s young and has the ability to possibly be the center for the Bills for the next 5 or 6 seasons.  Unless Bodine obviously shows better, my vote would be for Groy, and for Bodine to be a good backup.

[Hapless Bills Fan]

1 hour ago, The Jokeman said:

I'd assume Groy but think Bodine could make a push since he was a history with AJ McCarron.

 

I believe Groy is versatile and can play guard and center, whilst Bodine is strictly center.

As such, I think if it's 6-of-one, Bodine has the edge to start with Groy being the backup.

 

Bodine is a curious case....IMO the Bengals have under-invested in OL the last few years with several all-pros leaving and not being replaced.  And Bengals fans have been hating on Bodine for being pushed around, but is the problem Bodine, or the guys he was playing next to?  Wood was good playing with Levitre, then looked awful between Urbik and Pears, and magically improved between Cog and Miller only to fall off again last year - was it him, or was it Ducasse and the scheme?

 

 

[BuffaloBillyG]

Well, let me preface this with the standard "I hope they start whoever shows best". 

 

That said, I hope its Groy. He's "our guy". Been here longer. I realize thats not the best reason.

[Soda Popinski]

I think it's going to be Bodine, McDermott had every opportunity to play Groy last year at G because Vlad and Miller were not getting it done and he never even got a whiff of a starting job.    IDK what McDermott has against Groy I think he's the better center out of him and Bodine.  But my money is on the guy they got.   

[Pirate Angel]

16 minutes ago, Over 29 years of fanhood said:

 

Why didn’t he last year in this case. RG was inconsistent at best  

Having groy as a backup opens up another slot on the 53 man roster, unless he was marginally better he may have been viewed as a more valuable asset as backup to all 3 interior positions.

[billsbackto81]

I think Groy will start at C. Though he can play other positions across the line its most likely at an average level of play. His best position is C. Bodine though dependable is considered hot garbage by the Cincy fan base. Maybe McD see something in him that is scheme specific and he does well.

[Captain Hindsight]

Groy may not have gotten a shot last year because Dennison/Castillo liked Vlad too much.

 

If he is the best, he will start

[dollars 2 donuts]

2 hours ago, THE SLAMMER said:

Sunday, Jul 15, 2018 07:00 AM

Camp Countdown: No. 11 - Who will be the starting center?

 

Mitchell Courtney 

Contributing Correspondent

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The center position can frequently be the most significant on the offensive line. They are responsible for assignments, blitz pickups, quarterback communication, and much more.

The battle for the starting center job in 2018 is between recently acquired Russell Bodine, and familiar face, Ryan Groy.

Groy originally signed with the Bills in 2015, but he is not quite used to challenging for the starting role; as Eric Wood was a perennial starter in Buffalo.

“It’s just part of being in the NFL,” said Groy. “Guys leave and guys come in. This is my fifth year in the NFL. I am kind of used to the transition.”

Groy’s experience with the Bills certainly works to his benefit, and he realizes the importance of communication at the position.

“The thing when you build chemistry is to have the ability to communicate and understand what you’re looking for on the field,” he said.

 

https://www.buffalobills.com/news/camp-countdown-no-11-who-will-be-the-starting-center

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I would guess Bodine IF AJ is the starter. Groy at LG

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The center position can frequently be the most significant on the offensive line. They are responsible for assignments, blitz pickups, quarterback communication, and much more.

The battle for the starting center job in 2018 is between recently acquired Russell Bodine, and familiar face, Ryan Groy.

Groy originally signed with the Bills in 2015, but he is not quite used to challenging for the starting role; as Eric Wood was a perennial starter in Buffalo.

“It’s just part of being in the NFL,” said Groy. “Guys leave and guys come in. This is my fifth year in the NFL. I am kind of used to the transition.”

Groy’s experience with the Bills certainly works to his benefit, and he realizes the importance of communication at the position.

“The thing when you build chemistry is to have the ability to communicate and understand what you’re looking for on the field,” he said.

 

https://www.buffalobills.com/news/camp-countdown-no-11-who-will-be-the-starting-center

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I would guess Bodine IF AJ is the starter. Groy at LG

 

 

 

Slammer, I do get you on this.  However, and forgive me for not having a link, but it is my understanding that Groy has not played a single snap at Guard this offseason.

 

Yes, he is listed as a back up and could probably do it, additionally I thought of him as well as a starting Guard, but they haven't played him there this year.

 

Sal may have mentioned it on WGR.

[BmarvB]

Groy had the versatility Bodine doesn't, and he filled in very well when wood went down. I like him to start

[Hapless Bills Fan]

1 hour ago, Over 29 years of fanhood said:

Why didn’t he last year in this case. RG was inconsistent at best  

 

If you bring in your reserve center to start and he gets hurt, then what happens if your center gets hurt?

Remember when Gailey had Levitre playing center?  Yeah.

 

1 hour ago, Soda Popinski said:

I think it's going to be Bodine, McDermott had every opportunity to play Groy last year at G because Vlad and Miller were not getting it done and he never even got a whiff of a starting job.    IDK what McDermott has against Groy I think he's the better center out of him and Bodine.  But my money is on the guy they got.   

 

If Groy outplays Bodine at center, he'll start and they'll have to activate an extra OLman on game day. 

[Soda Popinski]

3 minutes ago, Hapless Bills Fan said:

 

If you bring in your reserve center to start and he gets hurt, then what happens if your center gets hurt?

Remember when Gailey had Levitre playing center?  Yeah.

 

 

If Groy outplays Bodine at center, he'll start and they'll have to activate an extra OLman on game day. 

One of Groy's disadvantages are he can play all 5 positions, he's lined up as a tackle before, that may be why McDermott likes having him because he doesn't have to have any other active backups on gameday.  

[dollars 2 donuts]

1 minute ago, Soda Popinski said:

One of Groy's disadvantages are he can play all 5 positions, he's lined up as a tackle before, that may be why McDermott likes having him because he doesn't have to have any other active backups on gameday.  

 

 

Ya know what, points to you, Soda.  I didn't think of that.

[Doc]

It should be Groy starting with Bodine backing-him up and allowing him to move to other positions in case of injuries.  Bodine should be tried at L or RG to see if removing snapping duties helps him play better.  And as for Bodine's history with AJM, I don't think it will matter because I don't think AJM will start.

[frostbitmic]

IIRC, when Groy first signed with Buffalo they had him play some LG in the preseason and he was pretty bad but he was the only other player on the team that could backup at Center, which is why he made the team.

 

Of course he' has been here a few years now and maybe his game at Guard has improved but I still don't see both he and Bodine playing at the same time unless it's an emergency situation.

 

I do believe that Groy will have every opportunity to win the starting job and it should be a good competition.

 

At Guard I think you'll see Miller on the left and Ducasse on the right.

[John from Riverside]

4 hours ago, BILLriant said:

I think groy is a better player...but he is so valuable to the 53 man roster because he can backup all 3 interior position. I believe this is why he wasn't given a shot at RG last year. Another scenario is If John miller and ducasse don't improve I can see bodine at center and groy at guard

 

The problem with this thinking is the best 5 should play......no matter what.

[Doc]

47 minutes ago, frostbitmic said:

IIRC, when Groy first signed with Buffalo they had him play some LG in the preseason and he was pretty bad but he was the only other player on the team that could backup at Center, which is why he made the team.

 

Of course he' has been here a few years now and maybe his game at Guard has improved but I still don't see both he and Bodine playing at the same time unless it's an emergency situation.

 

I do believe that Groy will have every opportunity to win the starting job and it should be a good competition.

 

At Guard I think you'll see Miller on the left and Ducasse on the right.

 

I don't remember his play the first year he was with the Bills, but in the 2nd year he filled-in very well for (IMHO better than) Wood for 7 games.  The next season they tried him at LG and he wasn't so great.

[billsredneck1]

i think john miller's natural side is left g and he could probably be a very good road grader there while groy gives some help to whoever's getting skinned on the right side.

although if groy is on the left and teller comes on good, maybe we'd be better off with groy at center and teller to his left. i could see this taking place when they put josh allen in.

[John from Riverside]

7 minutes ago, billsredneck1 said:

i think john miller's natural side is left g and he could probably be a very good road grader there while groy gives some help to whoever's getting skinned on the right side.

although if groy is on the left and teller comes on good, maybe we'd be better off with groy at center and teller to his left. i could see this taking place when they put josh allen in.

I think that everyone is praying that Teller is a late round gem for us......

[Over 29 years of fanhood]

2 hours ago, Hapless Bills Fan said:

 

If you bring in your reserve center to start and he gets hurt, then what happens if your center gets hurt?

Remember when Gailey had Levitre playing center?  Yeah.

 

 

If Groy outplays Bodine at center, he'll start and they'll have to activate an extra OLman on game day. 

 

I guess I understand... but I hate to think you don’t put your best o line men on the field However you can, unless they are so close it doesn’t matter. 

 

 

 

[Happy]

18 minutes ago, John from Riverside said:

I think that everyone is praying that Teller is a late round gem for us......

 

This^^^ as well as a revitalized John Miller.  Still leaves RT as a big question mark.

[GunnerBill]

3 hours ago, Hapless Bills Fan said:

 

If you bring in your reserve center to start and he gets hurt, then what happens if your center gets hurt?

Remember when Gailey had Levitre playing center?  Yeah.

 

 

I have to say Hapless I have never understood that logic. What if your center gets hurt your backup comes in and immediately gets hurt? Whichever way around you square it you are still saying "if two players get injured we are in trouble". Anyway.... it is kind of irrelevant here because thinking back to his first pre-season here when Rex did play Groy at guard the results were not good. We have never seen him start a regular season game at guard for the Bills (he has subbed in for Richie a couple of times) but the evidence we have on tape suggests to me he is a much better C than he is a G.  I expect him to win the starting C job in camp.  

Edited July 16, 2018 by GunnerBill

[JohnC]

5 minutes ago, GunnerBill said:

 

I have to say Hapless I have never understood that logic. What if your center gets hurt your backup comes in and immediately gets hurt? Whichever way around you square it you are still saying "if two players get injured we are in trouble". Anyway.... it is kind of irrelevant here because thinking back to his first pre-season here when Rex did play Groy at guard the results were not good. We have never seen him start a regular season game at guard for the Bills (he has subbed in for Richie a couple of times) but the evidence we have on tape suggests to me he is a much better C than he is a G.  I expect him to win the starting C job in camp.  

What is evident is that regardless how the shuffling of players plays out our OL is very mediocre. Injuries are inevitable. And when they occur when the line is already to begin with less than stellar then further lackluster play should not be a surprise.

 

I understand why Cordy Glenn and Incognito were dispatched. But without question removing these two competent players from the unit is going to leave it in a more diminished state when compared to last year's unit, a unit that was less than average. Right now, I am troubled by the caliber of that unit. 

[GunnerBill]

1 minute ago, JohnC said:

What is evident is that regardless how the shuffling of players plays out our OL is very mediocre. Injuries are inevitable. And when they occur when the line is already to begin with less than stellar then further lackluster play should not be a surprise.

 

I understand why Cordy Glenn and Incognito were dispatched. But without question removing these two competent players from the unit is going to leave it in a more diminished state when compared to last year's unit, a unit that was less than average. Right now, I am troubled by the caliber of that unit. 

 

I am troubled by the number of question marks. And I think everyone should be. I think the talent level there is questionable but it is an area where coaching and cohesion matters.  Sadly Juan Castillo remains our line coach. 

[SoTier]

44 minutes ago, Doc said:

 

I don't remember his play the first year he was with the Bills, but in the 2nd year he filled-in very well for (IMHO better than) Wood for 7 games.  The next season they tried him at LG and he wasn't so great.

 

Groy was only active for 5 games in 2015, and started none, which is why you don't remember him.

 

If Groy had truly been "better than" Wood in 2016, why wouldn't he have challenged Wood for the starting spot in 2017? 

 

Bodine has been a starter for his entire career, including on the 2014 and 2015 Bengals playoff teams.  His play suffered after LT Andrew Whitworth left the Bengals for LA (FYI- the Rams made the playoffs with Whitworth minding Goff's blind side).  It doesn't seem likely that Groy will win the job.

 

[GunnerBill]

1 minute ago, SoTier said:

 

Groy was only active for 5 games in 2015, and started none, which is why you don't remember him.

 

If Groy had truly been "better than" Wood in 2016, why wouldn't he have challenged Wood for the starting spot in 2017? 

 

Bodine has been a starter for his entire career, including on the 2014 and 2015 Bengals playoff teams.  His play suffered after LT Andrew Whitworth left the Bengals for LA (FYI- the Rams made the playoffs with Whitworth minding Goff's blind side).  It doesn't seem likely that Groy will win the job.

 

 

The offseason the Rams signed Whitworth they also had an interesting first choice for their new center..... one Ryan Groy.  The Bills chose to match the offer sheet.  I think Groy will prove to be a decent player and win the job. I don't think he had a shot at challenging Wood based on intangibles as much as anything. I think Wood was the epitome of a McDermott guy. 

[Doc]

2 minutes ago, SoTier said:

Groy was only active for 5 games in 2015, and started none, which is why you don't remember him.

 

If Groy had truly been "better than" Wood in 2016, why wouldn't he have challenged Wood for the starting spot in 2017? 

 

Bodine has been a starter for his entire career, including on the 2014 and 2015 Bengals playoff teams.  His play suffered after LT Andrew Whitworth left the Bengals for LA (FYI- the Rams made the playoffs with Whitworth minding Goff's blind side).  It doesn't seem likely that Groy will win the job.

 

Because Wood was a team leader, highly-paid, and Groy had value as a backup.

[John from Riverside]

1 minute ago, GunnerBill said:

 

The offseason the Rams signed Whitworth they also had an interesting first choice for their new center..... one Ryan Groy.  The Bills chose to match the offer sheet.  I think Groy will prove to be a decent player and win the job. I don't think he had a shot at challenging Wood based on intangibles as much as anything. I think Wood was the epitome of a McDermott guy. 

I do wonder why he has to work so hard for it though Gunner

 

I would think Groy would just be penciled into it by now

[Bob in STL]

You play your best lineup.  If Groy wins the job he starts, no matter if he is a the more versatile backup.  Bodine was brought it to push Groy, and maybe Bodine starts and Groy gets a Guard spot? 

 

Last year was a bit curious as most fans thought Vlad DuCasse was bad but Groy never got a shot at replacing him.  With a new OL coach and new scheme maybe John Miller can reclaim the RG spot and get his career going again.

 

The LG spot is a bigger worry.  RI will be tough to replace. 

 

No matter how I look at this the interior 3 is unproven and with questionable talent. 

[John from Riverside]

Just now, Doc said:

 

Because Wood was a team leader, highly-paid, and Groy had value as a backup.

That is right

 

People are so quick to downgrade Groy because he did not start over Wood....

 

Wood was a pro bowler...team leader....and was getting the bigger check.  It is not that hard to figure out.

 

What I AM trying to figure out is why Groy is having to work so hard trying to secure the spot now.......I dont think that just because you can play multiple spots on a line that means you should be playing none of them.....the best 5 should play.

[GunnerBill]

Just now, John from Riverside said:

 

What I AM trying to figure out is why Groy is having to work so hard trying to secure the spot now.......I dont think that just because you can play multiple spots on a line that means you should be playing none of them.....the best 5 should play.

 

I think by mini camp he was in with the 1s at C most of the time.  Bodine might have had a familiarity with AJ advantage to begin OTAs. I think he is the better player and will win the job but McDermott doesn't give things to people.  He will have to prove it and it will be a competition until the pre-season games I think.  

[Hapless Bills Fan]

2 minutes ago, Bob in STL said:

You play your best lineup.  If Groy wins the job he starts, no matter if he is a the more versatile backup.  Bodine was brought it to push Groy, and maybe Bodine starts and Groy gets a Guard spot? 

 

Last year was a bit curious as most fans thought Vlad DuCasse was bad but Groy never got a shot at replacing him.  With a new OL coach and new scheme maybe John Miller can reclaim the RG spot and get his career going again.

 

The LG spot is a bigger worry.  RI will be tough to replace. 

 

No matter how I look at this the interior 3 is unproven and with questionable talent. 

 

Who is this new OL coach of whom you speak?

29 minutes ago, GunnerBill said:

I have to say Hapless I have never understood that logic. What if your center gets hurt your backup comes in and immediately gets hurt? Whichever way around you square it you are still saying "if two players get injured we are in trouble". Anyway.... it is kind of irrelevant here because thinking back to his first pre-season here when Rex did play Groy at guard the results were not good. We have never seen him start a regular season game at guard for the Bills (he has subbed in for Richie a couple of times) but the evidence we have on tape suggests to me he is a much better C than he is a G.  I expect him to win the starting C job in camp.  

 

I understand your point, and certainly if "the backup" is clearly the better player, he should start....as I understand the argument it's "other things being equal, save your backup QB and your backup center".   And maybe it's a myth I've been sold, who knows, though the guy who explained it to me had some chops to be knowledgeable....