“I need centers,” Redskins coach Jay Gruden said, speaking in a radio interview after the draft. “That’s my biggest fear as a coach.”
Centers. Not a blindside hit to the quarterback. Not a non-contact knee injury at one of the skill positions. Centers.
Fear can be worsened by experience. A turbulent cross-country trip can increase a fear of flying. One flub of a phrase can exacerbate a fear of public speaking. Gruden has seen Kory Lichtensteiger convert from guard to center only to get hurt repeatedly, prompting a similar conversion for Spencer Long. Now, Long is expected to miss about two weeks while recovering from a knee arthroscopy, according to a report from CBS Sports’ Jason La Canfora.