Transition to center a snap so far for New Orleans Saints' Tim Lelito
 

The New Orleans Saints plan to start someone at center that hasn't played a down at the position in the NFL.

The guy being prepped to protect superstar quarterback Drew Brees and make the critical pre-snap reads at the line of scrimmage hasn't played center in an official game since his eighth-grade season in Flowerville, Mich.

And nobody seems the least bit worried about it. Not the coaches. Not the players. Not the front office.

That's because Tim Lelito has played so well this spring he's turned a question mark into a potential exclamation point. What looked like a weakness six months ago, now could be a strength - emphasis on the word "could."

"It's going good," Lelito said Thursday on the final day of the Saints' offseason practices. "I'm feeling confident about it."

So are the Saints.

Read more: Transition to center a snap so far for New Orleans Saints' Tim Lelito | Jeff Duncan | NOLA.com




Some of us fans are a little worried!

The New Orleans Saints plan to start someone at center that hasn't played a down at the position in the NFL.

The guy being prepped to protect superstar quarterback Drew Brees and make the critical pre-snap reads at the line of scrimmage hasn't played center in an official game since his eighth-grade season in Flowerville, Mich.

And nobody seems the least bit worried about it. Not the coaches. Not the players. Not the front office.

Re: Transition to center a snap so far for New Orleans Saints' Tim Lelito
 

We will see how Lelito does!! I hope he is a stud at C. But I do worry!!

Re: Transition to center a snap so far for New Orleans Saints' Tim Lelito
 

well we have a pretty good insurance blanket so lets see how this goes. fingers crossed

Re: Transition to center a snap so far for New Orleans Saints' Tim Lelito
 

Ummmm, yeah....

Re: Transition to center a snap so far for New Orleans Saints' Tim Lelito
 

Music to my ears

Re: Transition to center a snap so far for New Orleans Saints' Tim Lelito
 

I know a lot of us despise Jeff Duncan, but this was a good write up.

Re: Transition to center a snap so far for New Orleans Saints' Tim Lelito
 

I'm not worried at all. The Saints' front office and players have by far more of an understanding of where we stand at the center position than any of us. If they have no concerns then neither do I. I see Lelito being groomed as the center of the future for the Saints. I would not be surprised at all to see Goodwin being the starter come day one. He is a vast improvement over DLP and has a working relationship with the offense.

Re: Transition to center a snap so far for New Orleans Saints' Tim Lelito
 

I'm afraid I have to agree. Although I will never forgive him for his "mis-coverage" of the alleged "bounty" affair.

Re: Transition to center a snap so far for New Orleans Saints' Tim Lelito
 

Sounds good. I actually saw Lelito in a pic standing next to Goody. He makes Goody look small. If he gets the nod, Goodwin will make excellent insurance.

Re: Transition to center a snap so far for New Orleans Saints' Tim Lelito
 

Lelito doesn't have that squat(compact) look that Goody does. Lelito looks like he can get around well which really works to his advantage here in New Orleans.

Re: Transition to center a snap so far for New Orleans Saints' Tim Lelito
 

Wonder how much of an adjustment it is for Drew to have a taller center in front of him.

I could see it either way. It could be tougher to work around a taller center and taking some time to get used to it

or it could be no big deal since he's dealt with linemen being taller than him his whole career.

Re: Transition to center a snap so far for New Orleans Saints' Tim Lelito
 

The article is a bit contradictory regarding his experience. However in summary it appears as if he's got quite a bit of practice at the position and all the skills/measurables to be very good.

"The New Orleans Saints plan to start someone at center that hasn't played a down at the position in the NFL."

"Lelito started at center in the Saints' final exhibition game in Miami last season..."

Re: Transition to center a snap so far for New Orleans Saints' Tim Lelito
 

I don't really doubt his physical capabilities when it comes to playing the center position in the NFL, but I do worry about the mental side of the game with Lelito. Pre-snap reads and line-shifts were one of the biggest weaknesses of DLP and that's really something that'll only really develop when playing the game for real and not prancing around in shorts.

Granted he probably has the traits to lock that aspect of the game down with game experience, but there'll undoubtedly be an adjustment/learning period, which might force Brees to look at the roof of the building a couple of times.

Re: Transition to center a snap so far for New Orleans Saints' Tim Lelito
 

I'm excited to see what he can do. If he's not ready, I'm 100% confident Goodwin can step in and look like he did in 2009.

Re: Transition to center a snap so far for New Orleans Saints' Tim Lelito
 

Re: Transition to center a snap so far for New Orleans Saints' Tim Lelito
 

When you don't have a lot of experience the physical tools become even more important. You can make up for a lot of mistakes on a footballfield by simply applying brute force.

Re: Transition to center a snap so far for New Orleans Saints' Tim Lelito
 

The best written article since Ralphie's "What I Want For Christmas" paper. Anyone who can combine the position of center and the word snap in an article, well what can you say but A+++++++!

"Don't worry" said the circle. "I'll always be around!"

Re: Transition to center a snap so far for New Orleans Saints' Tim Lelito
 

If Lelito provides Brees with one more second than DLP I'd say we have our man.

I got tired of seeing DLP eaten alive by the bull rush.

Re: Transition to center a snap so far for New Orleans Saints' Tim Lelito
 

Nice to have change there... we need it.

Re: Transition to center a snap so far for New Orleans Saints' Tim Lelito
 

I'm cautiously optimistic about Lelito but I can't help but remember the Bucs game last season. That was one of the worst performances we've seen from an O-lineman in a long time.
At least until the Charlie Brown fiasco at St. Louis.