Jason Kelce Becoming An Animal On Offensive Line
Danny Watkins recently joked that rookie center Jason Kelce reminded him of “the fastest hedgehog you’ve ever seen.”
“The way he has his facial hair, his hair, he really does,” said Watkins. “He’s a stout, stocky, strong, fast kid. I’m jealous of how fast he is and how quick he comes off the ball.”
Accomplished offensive line coach Howard Mudd must like the hedgehog type, because Kelce — a sixth-round pick out of Cincinnati — has been splitting time with Jamaal Jackson as the first-string center at training camp. With Jackson healthy, few thought there would be a competition at the center position. And even if there was, it would be Mike McGlynn fighting for the spot.
Not even Kelce really saw this coming.
“I’m surprised that I was thrown into the mix as soon as I was,” admitted Kelce, “but I’ve taken it on.”
Mudd prefers nimble, lighter lineman that can explode off the ball; that plays to the strengths of Kelce, who weighs in at 282 pounds. Jackson, in contrast, is listed at 325. And while the Bearcats’ offense differs from Philadelphia’s (they often run out of the shotgun), both teams like to throw the ball quite a bit.
“I think I got to a great situation here in Philadelphia,” said Kelce. “There are a couple veteran centers that have played a long time in Mike McGlynn and Jamaal Jackson who have been able to help me out. And Howard Mudd is obviously used to working with guys my size.”
Like the Colts’ Jeff Saturday, for instance?
“He actually doesn’t mention him as much as you’d think, but we do watch film and technique, and he’s always quick to point out Jeff in the film room,” said Kelce.
Marty Mornhinweg recently said that Kelce is “outstanding mentally for a young man.” That said, the coaching staff has stressed just how much all the rookies are cramming to learn in a condensed amount of time.
Meanwhile, those first-team reps keep coming.
“He’s a superior athlete. He’s just so quick,” said Watkins. “I really like playing next to him. He just comes off the ball and is so fast.”
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