ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. — Connor McGovern is very happy to be going back to his roots this upcoming season as he makes the move on the offensive line from guard to center.
“I would say center is my natural position so it’s just going back home,” McGovern said.
McGovern says that his experience in the position dates back to when he played football in high school.
“Hard to believe, but I was actually undersized growing up in high school,” McGovern said. “I was always center because I was usually the smallest one and then once I hit my growth spurt, I just stayed at center. I went to Penn State at center, moved to guard, then went back to center and it was just always something natural. I always liked being the guy right in the middle, it was always comfortable to me.”
However, since he got drafted, McGovern has spent most of his time in the league as a guard. That is until the Bills released Mitch Morse this offseason, moving McGovern back to the position he knows best.
“I missed it a lot, honestly,” McGovern said. “I got drafted as a center originally and then a new coaching staff came in. I got moved to guard and always kind of seeked my way back to center every time something happened. I’d play a little bit then always went back to guard. Now officially I can move back to center permanently for right now, so I’m very happy.”
McGovern, now the “quarterback” of the Bills offensive line, surely understands the communication aspect of his new role.
“It’s the center’s job to make sure everyone’s on the same page,” McGovern said. “Last year, I helped Mitch a lot with the calls but at the end of the day it was his show to run and now it's mine and I just love that extra weight on my shoulders to do that.”
“Connor, at the leadership position of our offensive line, he’s the one that sets the table to call the huddle to really start the next play,” Bills head coach Sean McDermott said. “I think he’s done a nice job.”
McGovern and the rest of the team are now resting up before training camp kicks off on July 24 at St. John Fisher University.
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