Vikings centers Pat Elflein, Nick Easton asked to get up to speed
Vikings would like a starter to emerge quickly in competition between Elflein, Easton
MANKATO – Vikings rookie center Pat Elflein has a few seconds to boil down hours of playbook study. The hand of 329-pound Linval Joseph is stamped in the dirt across the line. An $18 million quarterback waits on him.
Who’s the middle linebacker? What protection adjustment is needed based on the play call and one of the defense’s frenzied looks? Making the right calls — and loudly enough — will help decide whether or not the third-round pick can compete with incumbent Nick Easton for the center job, which is a key opening remaining in the retooled Vikings offensive line.
There’s no time to waste, according to offensive line coach Tony Sparano.
“You really want to get that body in as soon as possible,” Sparano said. “I think the longer a center position competition goes, as opposed to maybe some other competitions within the line, you know, that can cause confusion.
“There’s no real timetable,” he added. “We just know it’s got to happen fast.”
The clock is ticking. Elflein, swapping first-team series with Easton during Saturday’s first padded practice of training camp, makes a late change. Turning his head left and right, he shouts the new call...
http://www.startribune.com/vikings-centers-pat-elflein-nick-easton-asked-to-get-up-to-speed/437415933/#1
Hurry-up Vikings, we ain't getting any younger!
Elflein is a quick study by many accounts, but the former right guard is only in his second full year playing center. And the 23-year-old Ohio State product is still gaining confidence with each snap. He will question his own calls at times.
“Coach Sparano calls it chasing ghosts,” Elflein said. “Where when you’re trying to make the correct call and there’s a lot going on, really just kind of overthinking it, so you’ve got to know to stay true to your rules.”
That’s where Easton, the third-year center out of Harvard, has a leg up in the competition. Easton has five career starts under his belt, all coming in the final five games of last season. His debut came on a Thursday night game against the Cowboys, when Easton took some lumps that Elflein is also bound to see.
What will separate either is how well each holds up against Joseph, the Vikings’ Pro Bowl nose tackle, in practice. On Saturday, Easton locked Joseph into a stalemate with a successful shuffle during 1-on-1 drills. Joseph was later too much for Elflein in the same session.
“I mean, that’s the bottom line,” Sparano said. “There’s no better test.”
I keep forgetting that Easton is a big guy. For some reason, I keep thinking he is a Sully type.
My gut feeling is that Easton wins this. He was brought in 2 years ago to be the long term center. He got his feet wet last year and I think that was great experience and allowed him to really hone in his work this off season.
Hopefully Elflein was drafted because he can be a guard or center. Maybe guard is his spot for now.
Nick Easton isn't a big guy: 6'3", 305 lbs. Same as Elflein. But he is a scrappy dude. Not sure how strong he is, but he must be alright if he can put some snaps together where he can hold Joseph to a stalemate. I'm sure he's also more comfortable than Elflein currently.
They're identical in size. Here's where they differ: Easton 29 reps, 31 vert, 5.0 forty. Elflein 22 reps, 23 vert, 5.3 forty. Easton is stronger, faster and much more athletic. And since he went to Harvard, he's probably smarter, too, though that kind of "smart" has very little to do with football succedss. It sounds like Elflein's advantage is work ethic, leadership, instincts and football smarts. That's just a guess though based on what I've read. May the best man win.
I'd kinda like to see Easton win this and move Elflein to RG. On a related note, I heard Isadora's looking pretty good, too. Be nice to finally hit on one of those day-3 linemen.
Just for fun I looked up LInval's 225 reps. 39. DAYANG.
@"MaroonBells" said: Just for fun I looked up LInval's 225 reps. 39. DAYANG.A beast. And he's 6'4", with long arms. Do you know how hard it is to bench press with long arms? The Giants let Joseph walk because they like Jonathan Hankins....who they just let walk and he signed with the Colts.
And I think Easton can play guard just like Elflein.
@"twgerber" said: And I think Easton can play guard just like Elflein.Maybe so. But that's probably more of a stretch than Elflein, who, by all acounts, actually played better at guard than center. Personally, I think if Easton wins, Elflein competes with Berger at right guard. If Elflein wins, Easton's on the bubble.
@"MaroonBells" said: They're identical in size. Here's where they differ: Easton 29 reps, 31 vert, 5.0 forty. Elflein 22 reps, 23 vert, 5.3 forty. Easton is stronger, faster and much more athletic. And since he went to Harvard, he's probably smarter, too, though that kind of "smart" has very little to do with football succedss. It sounds like Elflein's advantage is work ethic, leadership, instincts and football smarts. That's just a guess though based on what I've read. May the best man win.I'd kinda like to see Easton win this and move Elflein to RG. On a related note, I heard Isadora's looking pretty good, too. Be nice to finally hit on one of those day-3 linemen.
He's probably smarter, but probably not as good. One went to a football school, the other played football while he was at school.
@"MaroonBells" said:Doubt he is on the bubble. If he loses, he is a Berger type of backup. Smart enough to play any spot on the interior. And a solid backup at center.@"twgerber" said: And I think Easton can play guard just like Elflein. Maybe so. But that's probably more of a stretch than Elflein, who, by all acounts, actually played better at guard than center. Personally, I think if Easton wins, Elflein competes with Berger at right guard. If Elflein wins, Easton's on the bubble.
I'd honestly like that scenario too, where Easton wins the C spot and they move Elflein to RG. Since I haven't read it anywhere, can anyone tell me which G spot they've been trying Isadora at? It'd be nice to see him bump in behind Boone and maybe take over next year. Hey you folks attending training camp, can I bribe any of you to really focus in on the OL and then do a writeup about that unit? I'd honestly like a review of each guy, or at least the guys who are truly in contention for starters and first backups. Yeah, it's a lot to ask, but I'm sure I'm not the only one here who'd love to read up about it :D
with Easton, Elflein, as G/C candidates, and the emergence of Isiadora at G as well as a couple other guys that can play G as well like Sirles, is there any chance that Bergers spot is in question? Considering that he has been talking retirement, would the team opt to keep some youth with potentially a higher upside, or are they going to let Joe try it one more year and risk exposing one of there hopefuls to the waiver wire?
@"greediron" said:The only reason I say that is that Easton hasn't played any position but center, and least for the Vikings. And if Elflein wins, I would think Berger becomes the backup center with Isadora the backup guard? But...now that I really think about it, that would leave us very thin on the interior.@"MaroonBells" said:Doubt he is on the bubble. If he loses, he is a Berger type of backup. Smart enough to play any spot on the interior. And a solid backup at center.@"twgerber" said: And I think Easton can play guard just like Elflein. Maybe so. But that's probably more of a stretch than Elflein, who, by all acounts, actually played better at guard than center. Personally, I think if Easton wins, Elflein competes with Berger at right guard. If Elflein wins, Easton's on the bubble.
Berger could maybe end up splitting time with someone else this season. Just to keep him fresh and give a youngster some game reps.
I'm anxious to see how preseason plays out...remember we don't have to cut anybody till after the final preseason game this year.
@"JimmyinSD" said: with Easton, Elflein, as G/C candidates, and the emergence of Isiadora at G as well as a couple other guys that can play G as well like Sirles, is there any chance that Bergers spot is in question? Considering that he has been talking retirement, would the team opt to keep some youth with potentially a higher upside, or are they going to let Joe try it one more year and risk exposing one of there hopefuls to the waiver wire?Berger has been arguably their best lineman the last two years. You don't just cut him. He can play although I think this is his last year.
@"twgerber" said:you could argue that, but you could also say that is the "smartest kid on the short bus" argument. you might be better off long term, and possibly even short term by choosing to go with the younger guys now that will be here for a few years. I like JB, but his play is nothing spectacular, his greatest asset was his flexibility, but he wasnt above average at either position IMO.... so I wonder if we have two flex guys and a few other younger players that could handle the G position.. do you risk losing an up and comer for a guy on his final hurrah? I wouldnt look to cut him out right, I would hope to trade him for a late round pick or something.@"JimmyinSD" said: with Easton, Elflein, as G/C candidates, and the emergence of Isiadora at G as well as a couple other guys that can play G as well like Sirles, is there any chance that Bergers spot is in question? Considering that he has been talking retirement, would the team opt to keep some youth with potentially a higher upside, or are they going to let Joe try it one more year and risk exposing one of there hopefuls to the waiver wire? Berger has been arguably their best lineman the last two years. You don't just cut him. He can play although I think this is his last year.
@"MaroonBells" said:And with Berger one hit from retirement, that wouldn't be a good move IMO. Easton garnered some praise from Zim last year for being prepared enough to play a position he had never practiced when the mash unit got so thin. He played guard in a heavy front for goal line I think. So I think he is capable.The only reason I say that is that Easton hasn't played any position but center, and least for the Vikings. And if Elflein wins, I would think Berger becomes the backup center with Isadora the backup guard? But...now that I really think about it, that would leave us very thin on the interior.
As to Berger being the best lineman? Not sure where that comes from, but he wasn't so great IMO. His pass pro has always been suspect, he doesn't set protections well. He is a good backup, but barely a serviceable starter at center.
I'm also curious where TJ Clemmings has been lining up. Vikings were trying him at OG in OTAs; still there in TC? No doubt he increases his value if he can play both G and T. Clemmings has become a whipping boy and I hear little mention of him here, but he still probably has the most physical potential of any OL on the team.
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