INDIANAPOLIS --- Combine the fact that it was the 4th preseason game, along with Jonotthan Harrison's thumb not quite at 100% and Khaled Holmes still recovering from an ankle injury, and that meant the Indianapolis Colts' 2nd round pick Jack Mewhort moved from guard to center to start in the 28-7 loss to the Bengals Thursday night.
"I think very valuable," said Mewhort in the locker room after the game, when asked how valuable those extra reps were at center in a game, after taking reps here and there in the middle of the offensive line throughout training camp. "I went out there and tried to get everybody on the same page, but obviously I don't think I did as well as I think I could have. There's some things I know I can correct."
It's a steep learning curve for a rookie offensive lineman, having to learn two positions, but Mewhort is embracing it.
"They always say the more you can do," said Mewhort. "So, I want to go out there and have confidence playing that center position if my number gets called, and I'm in a situation like that again."
And for the rookie out of Ohio State, having to comprehend two positions in his first NFL preseason came as no surprise. He said it's something he knew that would be required of him entering the preseason.
"At guard, you're playing based off of what the center is telling you to do, and when you're at center, you're kind of the guy out there telling everybody else what to do," explained Mewhort. "It's important that you get everybody else on the same page and communicate well. If not, then it's going to be on you. We won't have success if the center is not making the right calls."
Now Mewhort's first regular season game is around the corner, and it's a pretty big challenge against the likes of Denver's defense that features Von Miller and DeMarcus Ware.
"I'm very excited," said Mewhort. "Obviously, I'm just focused on right now and going back to the (Indiana Farm Bureau Football Center) and getting better. I hope I played myself into a position where I can contribute on this football team. I'm excited to be a part of it."
Mewhort's versatility on the offensive line can should help the Colts in 2014.
