Mason Cole to Center?

Twitter tweets?  This message brought to you by the civil servants at: 

Since when did one practice indictate that this is the new, definitive starting lineup? 

He is actually the prototypical size for an NFL center. I'll take it.

Has LTT been working at RT at all? I don't think anyone was impressed really by Braden last season. Kugler has the size to fill in well for Miller, if not Glasgow (considering he comes back at some point) has shown that he can be an adequate option at center. Kalis showed some good flashes last year, and I think Mags is more suited for guard than tackle. I wouldn't be surprised to see a line (if Glasgow is suspended) of Cole Mags Kugler Kalis LTT. Glasgow really can fill in for either Mags or Kugler when he comes back. I wouldn't be surprised if Dawson found his way into the lineup at some point.

This used to be quite a regular thing in the spring -- guys practicing all over the line. It creates more well-rounded linemen, more versatility in individual players and more options for the coaches. They haven't done much of it lately because they haven't even had a solid 5 that knew their respective positions enough to use some reps building ancillary skills. All that aside, I've always like Cole inside. He had to play outside last year because we didn't have great tackle options and because he was just better suited to handle DE than 3-techniques. But if LTT is ready, move him inside. FWIW, I'm still skeptical about LTT even if I really want him to be ready.

I know it's inevitable with a new staff, but I would love to see an offseason where everyone and their goddamn mother isn't switching positions.

The staff told the players it was a fresh begining so this is a perfect way to open up positions to the best player(s).  

It would be nice to have the same starting center for more than one year.    

At least he's got the right number for Center now.

Pipkins at FB.

Mone at tailback.

Talk about a power I backfield.   

Last year at USC Drevno moved Max Tuerk to center.  He had started games at both tackle and both guards spots as an underclassman prior to Drevno's arrival.  Moved to center and was 1st team All-Pac12.

So I'm just going to go ahead and assume Mason Cole will be awesome this fall.

JTF - Good memory - yes, I think Cole was recruited as a G.  

The starting 5 this fall will be interesting.  I'm expecting a nice improvement from in the OL from last season. 

I'm not 100% Jack Miller would have started, but I wish he was back for his leadership and depth at C.       

 

He's not a kid nor under age. He made an amazingly stupid decision and drank while on probation. However he did not drive and the court merely extended his probation and added to his oversight. The notion that he is unreliable is probably misplaced.

I have no doubt that Harbaugh will make him earn his way back onto the team. I expect that he'll be suspended for at least the first game possibly more than a single game. However any assumption that Glasgow is gone for the season is very premature. Possible certainly, but, assuming that Glasgow is willing to do the required work to return, the most probable outcome is that he returns to the team early in the season. 

We'll know by fall. If he's allowed to take snaps with the team, then it's a safe bet that at some point he'll be back. If not...

Mason Cole is one very talented young man. That said I have a hard time believing that he is the best choice for center. My uneducated guess is that the coaches were experimenting with other OL positions and it was convenient for Cole to play center while they moved folks around.

Harbaugh seems a bit of a mad scientist. I think he likes to try a lot of people at different spots. That might lead to some short term pain for long term gain.

If he's the best option, then so be it.

is just a badass.  And can do it all. . . 

This was supposed to be the year in which we were going to have a strong OL. I am beginning to think that we may struggle again. Losing Miller for the year and Glasgow for a couple games is not promising. I am confident that by the end of the year the offensive line will be solid, but the first 3 or 4 games could be rough. Hopefully we can have an above average OL this year.

on the offensive line makes you better at your primary position.  You better appreciate and understand the responsibilities of your fellow linemen.  It adds to cohesion, improves chemistry, etc.