Brandon Linder getting center snaps

An interesting development the last two days at Jaguars camp has been rookie Brandon Linder getting snaps at center, including with the second team Tuesday.

Throughout the first three weeks of camp, Mike Brewster, Jacques McClendon, Luke Bowanko and Matt Stankiewitch have taken the center reps. Patrick Lewis played the position in college.

So why Linder now?

The Jaguars, naturally, are downplaying it.

“He did a nice job [Monday] – it’s new [for him],” coach Gus Bradley said. “You may see him in there some at the center spot. When? That’s what we’ll decide tonight.”

I asked offensive coordinator Jedd Fisch this morning if center is a three-man race between Brewster, McClendon and Linder.

Fisch said: “We talked [last week] about the interior line and how we’re trying to figure out which two of the three we’re going to play. It’s still the same discussion.”

Kinda, sorta.

Last week, the discussion was Brewster playing center and Linder/McClendon playing right guard.

This week, the discussion has changed.

I asked Bradley if the Linder-working-at-center deal is the Jaguars’ acknowledgement they have a problem at center three-plus weeks before the opener.

“No,” said Bradley, who added, “The challenge for us is, ‘OK, we have to keep continuity.’ But, yet, we have to find out what the best combination is. … But Brewster has really done a nice job this week. I think that he’ll play good against Chicago.”

Some thoughts at what could be happening:

*The Jaguars intend to start Linder at right guard and Brewster at center, BUT like another player (maybe Drew Nowak) at guard more than they like McClendon. In this roster math, they would keep Nowak as a reserve guard and make sure Linder is able to move over to center if called upon.

*Brewster has experience at guard (left side) and the Jaguars could be thinking about moving him to right guard and Linder to center. A long shot theory.

*They don’t think Bowanko is even close to being ready to play and  might try to stash him on the practice squad.

*The Jaguars are going to give Linder a crash course at center to get him ready for Week 1. This would be the panic button.


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