No Snap Decision 

Scouting, Re-routing: It's what this man, the center of them all, the den men...Detroit Lions, has them doing. First there was the so-called Michigan Man, who left the M-Den (aka Santa, on pause). Now it’s time this team of Lions find themselves in yet another “no huddle-hurry-up offense”. As in looking for a suitable replacement, one who is willing to put on this suit of armor...and willingly...

Walked off, the field of play: Unassisted, on his own recognizance…speaking of…

A Mere Image: Hardly recognized himself. When he finally took the time to examine himself, inventoried his injuries…head (technically the throat) to (turf) toe, front (pec) to (“my aching”) back! And the straw that finally broke it. After all the thrills, spills, a cabinet of pills (as in anti-inflammatory) As I said, this was not a snap…selection. Not one to be taken lightly, like the...

Laws of Physiques: Ever since my folks and coaches noted my growing stature…and what’s sometimes called ballast, that lowers my center, of gravity, allows me to get into that dreaded “three point stance” - one hand on the ball, the pointing out various defenders, for my teammates to take note…might even result in an "audible" - an oddball call-out that only the offense knows, when the center, along with the quarterback, doesn't like how the opposers lined up...the ones with the worst breath, right over me...

Epi-center: Was I, as in the fulcrum of where "push, shove, and pull..." all came together. Maelstrom in the middle, is how I experienced it. Knowing all this, was about to un-fold, was not allowed to "flinch" an inch, for fear of being called out - "Illegal Procedure!" and then answering to a higher source (the one who stood over me, almost every play of my entire career)...the quarterback, the one that, while I'm getting head-butted, bucked back and forth, gets the BIG bucks...

Knock knock: As in speaking of getting knocked around, I also came to the realization, based on what the developmental psychologists tell us, that I'm, at the tender age of 29, knocking on the door of what they have come to call, "Full on Adulthood" - a time that my folks and coaches also told me, most of my age peers hope to be...well, centered. Made an executive decision, while I still had a sliver of what the neuro-psychs. call "Executive functioning". Time to go out, on my own (guess it's about time to move out of my parents' basement, anyhow).  

Off center: In retrospect, I finally got a measure of respect, when some of my teammates, along with the beat writer (who spends more time beating us down) finally, talk about oddball terms, referred to me as the "cornerstone" of the offense. 

Frank-ly we are going to miss you, Mr. Ragnow - for it was you that kept this den of Lions centered all these years.