Vikings centers Pat Elflein, Nick Easton asked to get up to speed

[purplefaithful]

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-cente...7415933/#1

[Guest]

Ha ha, no pressure kid.

[Guest]

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.

[Guest]

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.”

[Guest]

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.

[Guest]

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. 

[Guest]

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. 

[Guest]

Just for fun I looked up LInval's 225 reps. 39. DAYANG. 

[Guest]

@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. 

[Guest]

And I think Easton can play guard just like Elflein.