Offseason 2008 Wish List: Part 2

Center: Last year when I mentioned that the Bucs needed an upgrade at center, I was shouted down by most everyone who said that the team had needs elsewhere. Well, not actually shouted down since most of the opposition came from people who had Calvin Johnson's dick in their mouths, but you get the idea. And last year the major weak point in the offensive line was the center. This isn't an I-told-you-so moment because, of course, I'm not talking about you. I just want to disprove the idea that you can ignore the line in favor of skill positions.

The center is the leader of the offensive line and needs to be smart and able to set the point immediately and make adjustments on the fly. John Wade has all that and it's been great having his leadership to help all the other linemen who are, at most, in their second year. But the center also has to hold up physically, and Wade isn't getting the job done. In 2006, he was being pushed around a lot and not helping to open running lanes. This year he was getting run over like a crossing guard on Randy Moss's route home and allowing defensive linemen and linebackers a clear inside lane to the quarterback. The position requires a physical presence that Wade just doesn't seem to have anymore.

The only centers coming available in free agency that I know anything about are Jeremy Newberry in Oakland and Seth McKinney in Cleveland. Forget McKinney who ended 2007 on injured reserve, and it wasn't the first time. Newberry visited the Bucs last offseason but wasn't signed. He's durable and a physical player up the middle and would make an excellent addition. He'll be 32 when next season starts, so he's still got some gas left and would provide experience upon Wade's departure. As much as I like bringing rookies in to grow up within the system, that's not the position you want a rookie starting in.

But as long as I'm talking about rookies, here are a couple at the position. Steve Justice (Wake Forest) will probably be the top rated center in the draft. He's generally thought of as smart but weak at the point of attack. The Bucs already have that, but maybe he could be coached to be more physical? I dunno... offensive line coaching isn't exactly a strength of this team. Cody Wallace (Texas A&M) is another top center prospect. Wallace is a solid run blocker but may need some help in the passing game. He's a natural center, though, and has a lot of experience in college.

Additionally, Dan Buenning might be ready to compete for the position in camp and may actually go into camp as the starter if Wade is let go. Buenning has been hurt all year and didn't get to immerse himself in the position and has been inactive just about all year. If Jon Gruden had thought he was ready, he would have activated him instead of Matt Lehr. I understand he was injured, but apparently not badly enough to put him on IR.

I'd like to see Bruce Allen sign Newberry to compete with Buenning and having Lehr remain the swing guy who can also play guard. Drafting a center isn't essential at this point because Buenning is still young and hasn't really had an opportunity to display his skills at that position. Whatever they decide, it's pretty obvious that the team needs an upgrade at this position. It's the final piece of the offensive line. Once that position is settled, I think the Bucs can have a serious, consistent presence up front for several years to come.