Offensive Line Part 1: Center and Guard

 One could argue the most crucial unit of the Philadelphia Stars will be the Offensive Line. A great offensive line must be able to protect the quarterback in critical passing situations against the best pass rush attacks, as well as assert physicality in the run game. The Philadelphia Stars offensive line must be fundamentally sound and reliable, as well as very tough and physical. This starts on from the inside out, with a great pair of guards and a tremendous center. 

 Outside of the quarterback, the center position is the most important position on the offensive side of the football. The center and the quarterback must be on the same page and be able to communicate quickly and seamlessly to set protections so that the offense can run efficiently. Also, the center must have quickness and athleticism to take on both defensive linemen and linebackers. Dylan Parham out of Memphis, who is coming off an All-AAC campaign in his first year at center could be a perfect fit. Although Parham has played most of his career at guard, he may be too undersized to play guard professionally, therefore playing center for the Stars could help Parham continue with his development at the position. Parham`s guard background help`s him play with a good base and has taught him to use him hands at an elite level. Finally, Parham`s elite guard background has also helped him to develop athleticism to protect against a variety of defensive opponents, weather those opponents are a nose guard, a defensive tackle or a linebacker.

 Sandwiching Parham into the interior of the offensive line will be the two guards. These guards must physical and downhill, as well as quick and aggressive, as they could be asked to move in space on pulls or screens. Virginia Tech`s Lecitus Smith is an athletic interior offensive lineman, who came to Virginia Tech originally as a tight end out of Fitzgerald High School in Fitzgerald, GA. Smith has a big frame and tremendous strength which give him a great base from which he can physically develop during his time with the stars. Smith also possesses exceptional athletic skills from playing tight end so he will be able to move in space against pass rushers, line backers or even defensive backs.

 The final piece to the interior offensive line will be current Montreal Alouette offensive guard Chris Schleuger. Schleuger played his college ball at University of Alabama-Birmingham, so the Iowa junior college product will be a familiar face in the site city for the league's first season. Schleuger spent a training camp with the Pittsburg Steelers in 2018 and has been a solid contributor to the Alouette`s in a mostly back-up capacity. Schleuger will bring a veteran presence to the inside of the offensive line that will be a must have if, in fact two rookies in professional football are starting at the other guard and center.

  Part two covering both the right and left tackles will be out tomorrow!

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