Despite some uneven pre-season performances, it appears that rookie Kendrick Green is in line to be the starting center Week One in Buffalo.
In fact, no less an authority than Mike Tomlin has never refuted questions to that effect. But if the coach has shared that view with Green that's news to him.
"Nah, he hasn't told me anything," Green smiled after Tuesday's practice. "I'm just going to approach it like I'm trying to win the job."
After one particular slip–up in Philadelphia (back that in a minute), it looked like Green played better in the Detroit game, but there is still plenty of room for improvement. "Just a lot of technical things," Green said, really speaking for the entire offensive line, "but effort wasn't one thing coach (Adrian Klemm) corrected us on and you can start with that but we're definitely not satisfied."
Green definitely wasn't satisfied with that aforementioned play in Philadelphia when he was pushed back into Mason Rudolph. "Yeah, after that play I was like 'Oh my gawd," he said shaking his head, "I was really pissed. Definitely something I've watched on film, something I've repped out here a few times; obviously it's something that comes with taking reps and getting experience."
Green also had the experience of hearing about it from Tomlin, himself. What did the coach have to offer? "I'll leave that between he and I," said Tomlin, "I don't talk about our business in this forum but I'm glad he's motivated by his tape because our tape is our walking, talking breathing resume, that's all we have as professionals. It's less about what we say and more about what we do and the plays we leave on tape are important."
So how's Green doing? "He's doing great," according to the coach.
Green is a bit more expansive, saying it's not really the speed and size of the NFL that's been the toughest adjustment. "I would say it's more so adjusting to playing center," said Green who was primarily a guard at Illinois. "I didn't play too much center in college, just here and there; it's a grind just like everything else and I'm up for the challenge. I was told that's what my job is going to be so I've got to accept it and do my job. I'm taking it on full speed.""
