With the divisional rival San Francisco 49ers next up on the schedule, the Saints limped into the week minus two starters along the offensive line, including starting center Joel Hilgenberg. Our pro department franticly perused their emergency (may-day) personnel books and brought in eight to ten offensive linemen for Tuesday tryouts at the Saints facility.
The Saints offensive line coach at the time Paul Boudreau (currently in the same position with the Atlanta Falcons) worked out the entire contingent and recommended a center from USC who ran 5.68 in the forty that very day. Jim Mora, looked up over his reading glasses and said; “Paul, in five days we are going to line up against the world champion 49ers, with a center that can’t run a lick, how do we do that?” Boudreau looked up at the head man and stated, “Well Jim, don’t send him deep!”
The truth be known, Boudreau one of the top coaches in the game, was far more concerned with his new centers initial quickness, explosiveness on contact and body control then he was with his time for the forty.
Offensive line position skill criteria checklist
t
Stance
Initial movement off the football
Explosion
Balance / Base
Strength
Contact balance / finish
Single block
Use of hands (placement)
Blocks fits / Sustain
Co op / Scoop block
Reach block
Second level efficiency
Adjust in space on the move
Block effectiveness downfield
Blocking range
Pull and lead skills
Trap skills (long and short)
Lateral quickness
Footwork
Knee and ankle flex
Direction change
Recoveries
Short setting skills
Quicks to set point (OT)
Punch and lockout (force separation)
Bull rush (anchor)
Speed rush (kick and slide)
Angles
Reaction / Awareness
Slide Protection
Blitz and stunt pick up
Production