2012-GameRelease-Divisional

“You’re in the middle of the offensive line, so you have to make sure both sides of the line are on the
same page. You’re the guy who has to communicate well and be on top of everything.”
The job suited him, in part because he’s quick and not particularly big for an offensive lineman. The 49ers
list Goodwin at 6-foot-3 and 318 pounds, though he hasn’t tipped the scales at 318 in more than 10 years.
He typically plays at about 305.
Still, the biggest difference between the duties of a center and other offensive linemen is his responsibility
to make calls at the line of scrimmage. Goodwin barks out instructions on nearly every play – first calling
out the defensive front, then following with code words to convey the blocking scheme.
And if the defense shifts into another formation before the snap, Goodwin reacts accordingly. He might
not frantically point and gesture with Peyton Manning-like animation, but his teammates invariably get the
message.
“There are times when we all see things one way and Jon sees something completely different,” Boone
said. “He’s always on top of it. … It’s unbelievable how fast he can think and how quickly he can make
adjustments at the line.”
Familiarity can be challenge
Every now and then, a center’s calls prompt knowing smirks from the opponent.
Defensive tackle Hollis Thomas was Goodwin’s teammate with New Orleans for three seasons (2006-08).
Thomas landed at Carolina in ’09, leading to some amusing moments when the Saints met the Panthers.
Goodwin made his calls at the line of scrimmage – and Thomas sometimes laughed or stood up and
shouted, “Pass!” He knew the Saints’ terminology, which helped him figure out what was coming next.
“I just laughed back at him,” Goodwin said. “They knew all our calls. But if you have good technique and
play the game the right way, you can still block guys.”
As you probably can tell, Goodwin is mostly businesslike and straightforward. He doesn’t tell many funny
stories, though he did strike a playful tone when reminded he controls the ball at the start of every play.
“It would be nice to somehow find a way to keep the ball and score,” he said. “I still haven’t found a way to
pull it off within the rules.”
Even laboring in obscurity, Goodwin qualifies as an indispensable part of this 49ers team. He has started
all 24 regular-season games of the Harbaugh era, since joining San Francisco in August 2011.
Goodwin must be doing something right: The 49ers are 19-5 during that stretch, and they lead the NFL in
yards rushing per game this season, a good indication of an offensive line’s efficiency.
Or, for another sign of Goodwin’s value, consider Boone’s reaction when asked about sliding over to
assume the center’s duties.
“I have no desire to ever play center,” he said. “I’m going to snap a ball, have a 350-pound guy come at
me, one-hand him, make sure the quarterback gets the ball and look this way? No, I’ll let Jon take care of
that.”
And he will.