by While Jason Kelce is Undoubtedly a Talented Center, His Role Goes Beyond the Snap
When most fans think of Jason Kelce, they likely envision the fiery, emotional leader in the middle of the Philadelphia Eagles’ offensive line. As the center, Kelce is tasked with snapping the ball to start each play, but his responsibilities extend far beyond that single motion. Despite not being the official play caller, Kelce plays an integral role in deciphering defenses, making pre-snap adjustments, and facilitating effective communication amongst his teammates. Through his experience, intelligence, and communication skills, Kelce quietly orchestrates the Eagles’ offense from the line of scrimmage on every down.
Pre-snap Analysis and Adjustments
One of Kelce’s most important jobs is analyzing the defensive alignment before the snap. As the center, he has a unique vantage point directly across from the nose tackle or defensive tackle. In the few seconds between when the offense lines up and when the ball is snapped, Kelce is scanning the defense, taking note of alignments, gaps, and potential blitzers. Based on what he sees, he will call out protections, blocking schemes, or even suggested play changes to counter specific looks.
For example, if Kelce sees an overloaded blitz coming from one side, he may shout “Mike! Mike! Mike!” to indicate an extra blocker is needed. Or if the defense shows a certain front, Kelce could yell “Slide left!” to signal the line to shift their protections in that direction. His ability to quickly diagnose defenses and communicate adjustments is a huge asset for the Eagles. Even subtle pre-snap tweaks based on Kelce’s analysis can completely change or improve a play before it starts.
“The thing that’s so impressive about Kelce is his ability to recognize defensive fronts and blitzes pre-snap,” said former Eagles offensive lineman Stefen Wisniewski in an interview. “He’s like a quarterback out there. As soon as we line up, he’s deciphering the defense and making calls to get us in the right protections. That gives us a huge advantage before the ball is even snapped.”
Experience and Football IQ
With over 10 seasons of NFL experience under his belt, Kelce has an encyclopedic knowledge of defensive schemes and tendencies. He understands the basic concepts that coaches teach on both sides of the ball. Having seen virtually every blitz or stunt combination, Kelce recognizes defensive alignments and can anticipate certain plays based on down, distance, and situation.
His high football IQ allows him to quickly diagnose what a defense is trying to do and make the proper pre-snap adjustments. Eagles offensive coordinator Shane Steichen has praised Kelce’s mental processing, saying “He’s like a coach out there. The guy just flat-out knows defenses and knows how to attack them.” Kelce’s experience and intelligence give him an innate feel for the game that helps orchestrate Philadelphia’s offense.
Communication and Leadership
Beyond his pre-snap analysis, Kelce’s most underrated skill is his communication ability. He excels at clearly conveying blocking schemes, protections, and potential changes to his offensive line teammates. His loud, emphatic voice cuts through the noise of the crowd and ensures everyone on the line is on the same page before the ball is snapped.
Kelce also provides leadership through his communication. He instills confidence in his line with assertive pre-snap calls and keeps everyone focused with constant reminders of their assignments. His veteran presence alone settles any pre-play nerves. But it’s Kelce’s ability to effectively relay his analysis that truly ties the line together.
As former Eagles offensive lineman Brandon Brooks said, “When you have a guy like Jason making calls and getting everyone on the same page, it makes everything easier. You go into the play knowing exactly what you need to do because he laid it out so clearly for you pre-snap.” Kelce’s vocal, leadership skills are indispensable for the Eagles’ blocking schemes to function properly.
Impact on the Running Game
Kelce’s pre-snap adjustments and communication skills have a significant impact on the Eagles’ rushing attack. With all blockers on the same page, the offensive line can execute double teams, pulls, and traps with precise timing. They know exactly how to attack potential blitzes or overload fronts before the handoff.
Advanced stats show the Eagles have consistently ranked near the top of the league in yards before contact since Kelce took over as center in 2013. This is a testament to how well his line picks up their assignments with Kelce’s guidance. Running backs also praise Kelce for clearly relaying unblocked defenders or potential cutback lanes based on the defensive flow.
As lead blocker Jason Peters said, “When you’ve got a guy like Kelce making the right calls up front, it makes our job so much easier as blockers. We know exactly where the holes will be because of the adjustments he makes. And that allows our backs to hit seams with a full head of steam.” Kelce’s pre-snap role is a major factor in Philadelphia consistently having one of the NFL’s top rushing attacks.
Importance in Pass Protection
While less heralded than his run blocking, Kelce’s pre-snap recognition is equally important for pass protection. He understands defensive tendencies and can anticipate blitz packages or twists based on down and distance. His calls put the line in position to pick up extra rushers before they even come.
Kelce also communicates subtle tips like “Looper on three!” to indicate a delayed blitzer. Or he may shout “Mike’s the one!” to specify who has the blitzing middle linebacker. These small clues allow the line to seamlessly pass off rushers between each other. His ability to quickly read pass rush schemes pre-snap and relay the necessary adjustments gives Carson Wentz optimal protection in the pocket.
According to Pro Football Focus, the Eagles have consistently ranked in the top five of the NFL in sacks allowed since Kelce took over as starting center in 2013. Much of this success can be attributed to Kelce’s pre-snap guidance neutralizing potential blitzers and stunts before they arrive at the quarterback. His communication and experience are invaluable assets for keeping Wentz upright.
The Glue of Philadelphia’s Offense
While he may not call official plays, Jason Kelce is the maestro orchestrating the Eagles’ offense from his position at center. Through his pre-snap analysis, experience, communication skills, and leadership, Kelce helps put his offensive linemates in the best situation to execute their blocks on every snap.
His ability to decipher defenses, make subtle adjustments, and ensure all five linemen are on the same page gives Philadelphia a huge advantage before the ball is even hiked. Kelce understands the concepts that make an offense tick and utilizes his knowledge and instincts to keep the Eagles’ blocking schemes in tune.
In today’s pass-heavy NFL, a center’s responsibilities extend far beyond simply snapping the ball. For Philadelphia, Jason Kelce has evolved into the quiet leader and behind-the-scenes mastermind that makes their entire ground attack and protection schemes hum. His value lies not in flashy stats but rather the subtle ways he sets up his teammates for success before the play even starts. Undoubtedly one of the best at his craft, Kelce is truly the glue holding the Eagles’ offense together.
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