Oct 9, 2011; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kevin Kolb (4) and center Lyle Sendlein (63) against the Minnesota Vikings at the Metrodome. The Vikings defeated the Cardinals 34-10. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports
Being a offensive lineman in the NFL is like working behind the scenes at ESPN. Everyone in front of the camera gets all the credit, and become celebrities while no one knows the people in the back who make sure everything runs smooth during a segment of Sports Center or First Take.
Offensive lineman hardly receive credit and are not as loved as the quarterbacks, wide receivers, and running backs on the team. Average fans just see the exciting touchdown pass, but they don’t see the war going on in the trenches which give the quarterback enough time to throw that pass. It all starts with the center under the quarterback.
A quarterback has to get reps to build chemistry with his center just like he has to with his wide receivers. After Lyle Sendlein went down to an injury last season, you could see he was really missed by his quarterbacks. In the beginning of the year the interior of the line was holding up while the outside would get beat before the snap. Sendlein got hurt, and then it was the interior getting lit up because the Cardinals didn’t really have a back up center.
Sendlein has been the Arizona Cardinals starting center for the past five seasons. After being undrafted he signed with his hometown team. He has been apart of some real good offensive lines and some real bad offensive lines. Though he’s never been considered a Pro Bowl talent he has been the rock of his offensive line. He’s a leader, and that’s why he has that C on his chest.
He works very hard at what he does and fans should recognize the type of player he is. He comes into work and gets better day by day, and this season if the line is to make a huge leap it’s going to start with him. If you look at the tape from some of last year’s games most of the sacks came from the tackles getting beat. He did his best to do his part, but as team when others mess up it’s on you as well.
Expect the line to improve massively and start to appreciate Sendlein.