TJJackson Posted September 19, 2006 Report Share Posted September 19, 2006 Ritchie Braham is a player who I have nothing but praise for. Tough, smart, and a gamer. I think he's been a good mentor to the two young centers as well.That said, his contract is up at the end of this year, so it is in a sense a good thing Ghiaciuc is getting playing time, as he is to be our starter at Center (Wilkerson's knee is still holding him back) by the 2007 season opener anyway. Would we have preferred his playing time come later in the season, in mop up duty when we are significantly ahead late in th 4th quarter? Probably. But the game snaps he got last week and from here on - for a while at least - will be of enormous value come 2007. Would I have preferred it to come more at home against a lesser defense? Yeah. But at some point, you've had enough practive, and it is time to see what you can do. It's nowHe's the player I will be watching closest come Sunday. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
walshfan Posted September 19, 2006 Report Share Posted September 19, 2006 There's still the possibility of Steinbach starting at center...Whitworth had a very good game agasinst the Browns.He looks like the real thing at guard..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kazkal Posted September 19, 2006 Report Share Posted September 19, 2006 It shoulden't matter where steinbach is at,the whole line can help Ghiaciuc make the calls. he was able hold up vs the best DT dou last year so he should be able handle casey with some help. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tasher Posted September 19, 2006 Report Share Posted September 19, 2006 There's still the possibility of Steinbach starting at center...Whitworth had a very good game agasinst the Browns.He looks like the real thing at guard.....I doubt that you want to move a starter out of position and then put a backup next to him, that make 2 generally in weaker/less familiar situations...I think that you leave the line intact, especially vs the experienced Pit D-line with Gut-Check at center Vs Browns, it made sense to shift folks, the Brownies line is not very good, and you create favorable matchups on the interior with Witworth and williams size vs Washington.JM.02 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
walshfan Posted September 19, 2006 Report Share Posted September 19, 2006 There's still the possibility of Steinbach starting at center...Whitworth had a very good game agasinst the Browns.He looks like the real thing at guard.....I doubt that you want to move a starter out of position and then put a backup next to him, that make 2 generally in weaker/less familiar situations...I think that you leave the line intact, especially vs the experienced Pit D-line with Gut-Check at center Vs Browns, it made sense to shift folks, the Brownies line is not very good, and you create favorable matchups on the interior with Witworth and williams size vs Washington.JM.02 I think Steinbach is a better center than Guycheck at this point in time.. He can make the line calls as he's played right next to Braham for a long time and he's a smart player..He could pull from the center spot to the outside as well..As for Whitworth ( Kenworth to some!) the guy is a monster ... He finished off his blocks in textbook fashion ..FYI- Rudi ran to the left side 12 for 78 yards and allot of that must be attributed to Whitworth's run blocking .. He held up well in pass blocking with only one miscommunication with Steiney on who was to block a LB...I dont know who will start but my lline would be Levi-Whitworth-Steiney-Williams-Willie... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThortonMelon Posted September 19, 2006 Report Share Posted September 19, 2006 Obviously the coaching staff will do what is best, but I like the idea of moving Steinbach to center and putting Whitworth at LG. Whitworth is better at LG than Giuciac is at center, and Steinbach is probably just as good at center as Braham at this point. Whitworht had a huge game against Cleveland. He is already a better run blocker than Steinbach b/c he is so much more powerful. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ArmyBengal Posted September 19, 2006 Report Share Posted September 19, 2006 I love stirring the Steinbach pot a little bit and seeing where it goes, but that was an interesting point about Whitworth being better at LG than Guycheck is at center... While I believe that may be up for discussion, it's still an interesting point...WHODEY !!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jet23 Posted September 19, 2006 Report Share Posted September 19, 2006 Provided Levi is healthy, I like Steinbach at Center. From where I was sitting it looked like Whitworth was creating a lot of running room for Rudi. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TJJackson Posted September 19, 2006 Author Report Share Posted September 19, 2006 I can see where you are all going with the Steinbach at center idea, but Marvin seems to see things differently......http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/art.../609190393/1066The most definite statement Monday from coach Marvin Lewis was that starting center Rich Braham would not play Sunday at Pittsburgh because of a deep bruise in his left knee. Eric Ghiaciuc will start in Braham's place. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ArmyBengal Posted September 19, 2006 Report Share Posted September 19, 2006 Oh, I know Guycheck is going to be the guy and there is little to no question about it, but it sure is interesting to think about...WHODEY !!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bengalboomer7 Posted September 19, 2006 Report Share Posted September 19, 2006 How can we possibly NOT sign Steiny. Here we are talking about a guy playing three different Oline positions and don't have a care in the world about it, in fact, are confident in him wherever he plays. SIGN THIS GUY LONG TERM!!!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ShulaSteakhouse Posted September 19, 2006 Report Share Posted September 19, 2006 How can we possibly NOT sign Steiny. Here we are talking about a guy playing three different Oline positions and don't have a care in the world about it, in fact, are confident in him wherever he plays. SIGN THIS GUY LONG TERM!!!!!! Best trap/pull blocking lineman on the team to-boot. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stripes Posted September 19, 2006 Report Share Posted September 19, 2006 I don't want Steinbach playing center anyways... good call by Marvin. We have Ghiaciuc for a reason, and he hasn't done anything to suggest he can't handle the responsibilities of starting at center. I think he'll play well, even against Casey Hampton. Against LeBeau's blitz schemes, I want Steiny at guard where he plays his best, and having Levi back will be huge. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HairOnFire Posted September 19, 2006 Report Share Posted September 19, 2006 Ghiacuic is the so-called center of the future so he needs to lay claim to the job now that's temporarily vacated. For the most part he was solid against the Brownies, but I did see one disturbing stat. Rudi only had 2 yards rushing up the middle, and that was gained on three carries. No kidding, Johnson's outstanding production Sunday was almost evenly split between runs to the left and right. FWIW Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DontPushMe Posted September 19, 2006 Report Share Posted September 19, 2006 (Wilkerson's knee is still holding him back)Wilkersons talent is holding him back. The knees are fine, the coaches, and Wilkerson himself have both said so.How can we possibly NOT sign Steiny. Here we are talking about a guy playing three different Oline positions and don't have a care in the world about it, in fact, are confident in him wherever he plays. SIGN THIS GUY LONG TERM!!!!!!At the expense of what? Not re-signing Justin Smith, Robert Geathers, or Madieu Williams? Not sure when Madieu is a FA but it cant be much longer. Like everyone has said, Whitworth looks like hes got what it takes to be the LG, at a much lower price tag. Wont be able to pull like Steinbach, but he is a road grader and did fine in pass protection. Eventually we have to adress the defense. We've already put big money into the tackles, and pretty good money into RG, without even getting into the other big contracts on offense. We cant afford keeping Steinbach without letting some of the guys on defense walk. It would be nice to be able to keep everyone, but thats the one downside to drafting so well (if you can even call it that), sometimes you have to let good players walk. Just have faith that the guys who step in, in this case Ghiaciuc and Whitworth, are as good as the guys they are replacing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ArmyBengal Posted September 19, 2006 Report Share Posted September 19, 2006 I HATE seeing Bach leave and will be upset by it, but we have dumped an ass load of cash into the offense. We will see what happens I guess. Bach just brings more to the table than your normal Guard...WHODEY !!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HoosierCat Posted September 19, 2006 Report Share Posted September 19, 2006 I HATE seeing Bach leave and will be upset by it, but we have dumped an ass load of cash into the offense.Very true. And the biggest ass load has been on The Man With The Golden Gun (and bionic knee). Without him, this team goes nowhere, so protecting him is priority No. 1.On top of that, we went to the playoffs last year with a defense ranked, oh, about 873rd in the league. And it wasn't a key defender getting knocked out, or locker room meltdown on defense, that killed us against Pitt in the playoffs.Finally...who on the defense are we going to spend this money on? Suggest Justin and you will quickly be assured by many that he's our very own Zaphod Beeblebrox, i.e. just a guy, y'know? Sure, we could pop out a couple extensions, but that won't break the bank. And no, the front office is not going to go out and drop a Brinks truck on some big-bucks outside FA. That isn't their strategy and we all know it.There's a lot of good reasons to hang on to Eric, and outside of Justin little cause to drop an ass load on the D. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oldcat Posted September 19, 2006 Report Share Posted September 19, 2006 Was that all after Braham went out?Or just because Washington is a big tub of goo? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ArmyBengal Posted September 19, 2006 Report Share Posted September 19, 2006 I'm not, nor have I ever thought to dropping the big dollar contract on anyone on the defense... I would like to see J. Smith stick around, but not if it costs us the bank. Some extensions would be great (Madieu), but I have always backed keeping Bach.If the argument is Whitworth was brought in to take Bach spot, couldn't the same be said of (name your postion on defense) in the next draft ?? I just think (and always have) that you don't just let the top pick of the second round just walk. You want Carson to keep playing to his current level and want to protect his knee ?? Then you better be d*mn sure you have the players that are capable of doing that very thing. Bach has PROVEN himself on this level, not just college...WHODEY !!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BlainThePain Posted September 19, 2006 Report Share Posted September 19, 2006 I'm not, nor have I ever thought to dropping the big dollar contract on anyone on the defense... I would like to see J. Smith stick around, but not if it costs us the bank. Some extensions would be great (Madieu), but I have always backed keeping Bach.If the argument is Whitworth was brought in to take Bach spot, couldn't the same be said of (name your postion on defense) in the next draft ?? I just think (and always have) that you don't just let the top pick of the second round just walk. You want Carson to keep playing to his current level and want to protect his knee ?? Then you better be d*mn sure you have the players that are capable of doing that very thing. Bach has PROVEN himself on this level, not just college...WHODEY !!!Guards are about the easiest position to replace in the NFL. I want to see him resigned, too, but I'd much rather see them lock up Madieu and J Smith. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
walshfan Posted September 19, 2006 Report Share Posted September 19, 2006 In retrospect wouldnt it have been better to sign Steinbach and insert Whitworth at RG????The money you save by not keeping Tory and Bobbi wouldnt have covered allot of it.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BlainThePain Posted September 19, 2006 Report Share Posted September 19, 2006 In retrospect wouldnt it have been better to sign Steinbach and insert Whitworth at RG????The money you save by not keeping Tory and Bobbi wouldnt have covered allot of it..The difference between what Bobbi got and what Steinbach is going to get is huge. We aren't keeping Tory anyway so that's not really money saved. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
derekshank Posted September 20, 2006 Report Share Posted September 20, 2006 Ghiacuic is the so-called center of the future so he needs to lay claim to the job now that's temporarily vacated. For the most part he was solid against the Brownies, but I did see one disturbing stat. Rudi only had 2 yards rushing up the middle, and that was gained on three carries. No kidding, Johnson's outstanding production Sunday was almost evenly split between runs to the left and right. FWIWI saw that stat too... but I think it is a bit deceiving. Firstly... Braham played the entire 1st quarter... so it wasn't all because of Ghiacuic. But the real issue with that stat is that it's not really even true. The stat seems to indicate that all of Rudi's runs were on sweeps... and that is false. He ran between the guard and the tackle the entire game.It's possible that we didn't run between the guard and center because we had a back-up center... but I think because we only ran there 3 times the entire game had a lot more to do with Ted Washington than with anything else. Rudi was running wild on their defense with the gameplan we had, so there was no reason to deviate from it. I don't think that Ghiacuic was to blame for that stat... but we'll find out soon enough against Pitt. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HairOnFire Posted September 20, 2006 Report Share Posted September 20, 2006 Ghiacuic is the so-called center of the future so he needs to lay claim to the job now that's temporarily vacated. For the most part he was solid against the Brownies, but I did see one disturbing stat. Rudi only had 2 yards rushing up the middle, and that was gained on three carries. No kidding, Johnson's outstanding production Sunday was almost evenly split between runs to the left and right. FWIWI saw that stat too... but I think it is a bit deceiving. Firstly... Braham played the entire 1st quarter... so it wasn't all because of Ghiacuic. But the real issue with that stat is that it's not really even true. The stat seems to indicate that all of Rudi's runs were on sweeps... and that is false. He ran between the guard and the tackle the entire game.It's possible that we didn't run between the guard and center because we had a back-up center... but I think because we only ran there 3 times the entire game had a lot more to do with Ted Washington than with anything else. Rudi was running wild on their defense with the gameplan we had, so there was no reason to deviate from it. I don't think that Ghiacuic was to blame for that stat... but we'll find out soon enough against Pitt. Agreed. I had considered most of your points, and in the end came to the same conclusion. In short, the strategy worked against Ted Washington and the the Browns, but it probably won't work against the Steelers, and at some point the interior run game will have to resurface with a vengance because history says that's where Rudi shines. That said, while I would give Ghiacuic a passing grade against the Browns he had several breakdowns in pass protection and never seems to flash the pure power of Braham or even Wilkerson. I'll be very interested in judging Ghiacuic's play after a week of prep as a starter. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ArmyBengal Posted September 20, 2006 Report Share Posted September 20, 2006 I will say I was talking Ghiacuic's play after the game against the Jags last year and how he handled thier interior d-line and am hoping for the best against the Steelers Sunday. If he plays well, this conversation will shift again, so we will have to see...WHODEY !!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.