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

06-20-2014, 12:29 AM

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.

halloween 65 · 06-20-2014, 01:12 AM

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

hagan714 · 06-20-2014, 01:48 AM

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

Seer1 · 06-20-2014, 09:28 AM

Ummmm, yeah....

Danno · 06-20-2014, 10:21 AM

The Saints wanted and needed to get more powerful along the interior offensive line. Veteran Brian de la Puente performed admirably as the starter the past three seasons but Lelito is bigger, stronger and more powerful at the point of attack...
His shotgun snaps are consistently crisp and on target. Sandwiched between Pro Bowl guards Jahri Evans and Ben Grubbs, he anchors his position well in pass protection. And he's athletic enough to sprint to the flanks on the Saints' patented screen passes. He carries himself like a veteran, even though he's only 24.

Music to my ears

Danno · 06-20-2014, 10:24 AM

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

AsylumGuido · 06-20-2014, 10:35 AM

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.

AsylumGuido · 06-20-2014, 10:37 AM

Originally Posted by Danno

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

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

jnormand · 06-20-2014, 09:15 PM

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.

Rugby Saint II · 06-21-2014, 04:48 PM

Originally Posted by jnormand

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.

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.

06-20-2014, 12:29 AM	#1
Threaded by WhoDat!656 10000 POST CLUB Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Shreveport,Louisiana Posts: 16,046 Rating: (0 votes - average) 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. Seer1 likes this. Last edited by papz; 06-20-2014 at 08:54 AM..
Views: 5220

06-20-2014, 01:12 AM	#2
halloween 65 5000 POSTS! + Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Grand Haven, Michigan by way of a little Mississippi River town in Louisiana Posts: 5,893	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!!

06-20-2014, 01:48 AM	#3
hagan714 LB Mentallity Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 15,870 Blog Entries: 68	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 halloween 65 likes this.

06-20-2014, 09:28 AM	#4
Seer1 Site Donor Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Bayou Bayfield CO Posts: 4,722	Re: Transition to center a snap so far for New Orleans Saints' Tim Lelito Ummmm, yeah....

06-20-2014, 10:21 AM	#5
Danno Truth Addict Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Spanish Fort, AL (via NO and B/R) Posts: 24,720	Re: Transition to center a snap so far for New Orleans Saints' Tim Lelito The Saints wanted and needed to get more powerful along the interior offensive line. Veteran Brian de la Puente performed admirably as the starter the past three seasons but Lelito is bigger, stronger and more powerful at the point of attack... His shotgun snaps are consistently crisp and on target. Sandwiched between Pro Bowl guards Jahri Evans and Ben Grubbs, he anchors his position well in pass protection. And he's athletic enough to sprint to the flanks on the Saints' patented screen passes. He carries himself like a veteran, even though he's only 24. Music to my ears jnormand, saintsfan1976, Rugby Saint II and 1 others like this.

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06-20-2014, 10:24 AM	#6
Danno Truth Addict Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Spanish Fort, AL (via NO and B/R) Posts: 24,720	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.

06-20-2014, 10:35 AM	#7
AsylumGuido 10000 POST CLUB Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Bossier City, LA Posts: 26,220	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.

06-20-2014, 10:37 AM	#8
AsylumGuido 10000 POST CLUB Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Bossier City, LA Posts: 26,220	Re: Transition to center a snap so far for New Orleans Saints' Tim Lelito Originally Posted by Danno I know a lot of us despise Jeff Duncan, but this was a good write up. I'm afraid I have to agree. Although I will never forgive him for his "mis-coverage" of the alleged "bounty" affair.

06-20-2014, 09:15 PM	#9
jnormand 5000 POSTS! + Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: The Free State of Idaho Posts: 5,662	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.

06-21-2014, 04:48 PM	#10
Rugby Saint II Bounty Money $$$ Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: 5800 Airline Dr. Metairie, LA. Posts: 24,052	Re: Transition to center a snap so far for New Orleans Saints' Tim Lelito Originally Posted by jnormand 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. 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.

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