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You don’t see a lot of
6-6 centers.
Joe Tippman is an excellent prospect, but it just doesn’t happen a lot.
A lot of times you don’t see them because the center is such a big leverage position, that you want a guy with a lower center of gravity. Also 6-6 guys sometimes struggle to keep their pad level low, something else important in winning the leverage game.
“I guess you could say some teams prefer a more shorter, squattier guy, but I think at the end of the day you’re looking for smart, tough, reliable, athletic,” Joe Douglas said when asked why some teams don’t love tall centers.
It also probably makes it hard on the QB sometimes throwing over the middle.
While Tippman has offensive tackle size at 6-6, 313, he doesn’t have ideal arm length (32 3/4’’), so it was good for him that the Wisconsin coaches moved inside to guard/center a couple of years ago, because he probably wouldn’t have stayed at OT in the NFL, so it was good he got an early jump on going inside.
He’s a really good fit for the Jets’ zone blocking scheme because he’s got good mobility, a must in a system that requires linemen to work on the move a lot.
He’s also extremely bright, so the mental challenges of playing NFL center won’t be too much for it.
While Tippman is a terrific prospect, it’s hard to imagine they are going to start a rookie center out of gate with a 39-year-old QB, Aaron Rodgers under center, with veteran Connor McGovern also on the roster.
“Aaron’s done it before, he’s had a rookie the last couple of years (Josh Myers),” Robert Saleh said. “If the rookie does his job and he wins it, I think he’ll earn the respect of his peers.”
So Saleh is promoting an open competition.
“You guys know how we are, everyone’s competing,” Saleh said. “Doesn’t matter where you get drafted, doesn’t matter what you get paid, you’re coming in to compete to begin with, so it’s going to be an open competition.”
Some would argue it’s hit or miss with the open competition mantra considering rookie QB Zach Wilson was handed the job in 2021 when Mike White had the better camp.
Or Jermaine Johnson and Michael Clemens being ahead of Bryce Huff to start last season. In fact, Huff was inactive the first three games last year behind them.
So the open competition thing sometimes can be easier said than done.
But in this case, while Tippman is a really good prospect, it’s hard seeing Rodgers checking off on starting the season with a rookie center.
And Rodgers will have a say in this. As we know, Rodgers isn’t shy about chiming in.
So my guess is that Tippman starts the season as a backup swing player since he had guard experience as well, and will be the heir apparent to McGovern, and take over for sure in 2024.
But this is a good value pick. We all know the Jets wanted to add an offensive lineman early in this draft, and the value was at center where they were picking, with Tippman and John Michael Schmitz still on the board. Once Syracuse OT Matt Bergeron went to Atlanta at 38, center was the way to go.
Heavy Wisconsin theme to the Jets personnel moves this week – trade for Green Bay’s Aaron Rodgers, draft an edge rusher from Milwaukee (Will McDonald pictured above) and then a Badgers center (Joe Tippmann).
April 28, 2023
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