The center is the quarterback of the offensive line, directing protection schemes and blitz pick-ups.And with the Tigers’ young corps of signal-callers, senior and third-year starter Brett Helms has embraced that role.”I accept that as my responsibility and try to take the pressure off the young guys and the quarterbacks,” Helms said. “I try to make all the calls for them and let them just go out and not think too much and make plays.”Helms, who is on the Rimington Award watch list for the nation’s best center, said he tries to make as many calls as possible, delivering between two and five calls before each play.Senior guard Herman Johnson said Helms is a smart player who knows a lot about the offense and defense.”He makes calls that some of us don’t even catch,” Johnson said. Junior left tackle Ciron Black said Helms knows the offense “as [well] as any person on the field.””He’s more than capable of making checks and stuff like that for the quarterbacks if they need it,” Black said.Despite missing time in fall practice with a calf strain and playing only two drives against Appalachian State, Black said Helms “didn’t miss a beat” during the Tigers’ season opener.”He just looked like the same old Brett Helms,” Black said. “Quick as a cat.”Helms said the long break between the Appalachian State and North Texas games will help him heal from his preseason injury.”It was big for me,” Helms said. “I had a little soreness after Appalachian State but nothing bad at all … I’m 100 percent healthy.”Helms didn’t always have such a grasp of the offense, despite playing in five games in 2005 with two starts after redshirting his freshman year in 2004.”I was just trying to fit in and do what everybody told me to do,” he said. “It’s a little different now.”Black said he, Helms and Johnson communicate at least “every other play.””We just talk about anything,” Black said. “Whether it’s adjustment or a check or something like that, making a read or something like that for blitz pick-up … me, him and Herm really talk a lot.”Black said Helms is one of the first people he talks to when he has a question about a play, and Johnson said Helms “easily” knows the playbook as well as some of the coaches.”He spends so much time watching film,” Johnson said. “In his playbook, on some plays he’ll change the block up on it to make it easier for us.”Black said the left side of the offensive line are the three leaders in the film room, talking to the younger players and giving them advice.”If he has to, Brett will get on the younger guys,” Black said.One of those younger guys is redshirt freshman Trey Helms — Brett’s younger brother.”I like it,” Brett Helms said of playing with his younger brother Trey. “It kind of reminds me of my senior year in high school when he moved up from the ninth grade team and played with us.”Helms is now leading his brother with the other LSU offensive linemen, helping him with footwork and strength and learning the playbook.”He’s going to be a good player,” Helms said.Contact Robert Stewart at [email protected]