Rich Braham - Fractured Left Leg

[Kirkendall]

http://www.cincyjungle.com/

http://www.dispatch.com/bengals/bengals.ph...0926-E7-02.html

[HoosierCat]

Kinda figured it was something along the lines of a fracture or break; always seems to turn out that way when they use the "bone bruise" thing.

Six weeks or more is a long time to risk runing with just one center, tho. I would hate to see them have to IR Richie, esp. if he could be back late in the year and/or for the playoffs. May have to think about some way to get Wilkerson onto the active roster, tho.

[membengal]

I am guessing they view Steiny as their back-up C at this point...

[ThortonMelon]

I think you bite the bullet and move Steinbach to center and put Whitworth at LG. That actually might turn out to be an improvement over the opening day starting lineup in a couple of weeks after they gel. I love what Whitworth brings to the table as a run blocker at LG and Steinbach could probably be one of the best centers in the league with a little seasoning. I just hope that Giuciac is still in the plans as the center of the future.

[GapControl]

This is a definite dent in the overall ability of the O-line no matter how you slice it. I too think Steinbach is now the backup center with Andrews and Whitworth getting more time at guard. I don't know if Stacy has played much gaurd but this may be the time where he starts doing so.

[derekshank]

All things considered... this is the best time for something like this to happen. Our shedule over the next 6 weeks is as easy as we're going to have this season (including the bye).

Also... this could be viewed as a big time positive when you consider the long-term. If they want to know if Ghiaciuc is really the center of the future... we're going to find out. He wasn't impressive against the Steelers... but the only way to know if he's going to get better is to give him reps and playing time.

I'm choosing to see this as a positive. Braham will be back when we really need him... and in the meantime we get to see what we really have in Ghiaciuc. My guess is he'll get better (and you can't have a much tougher first start than against the Steelers), so it might not hurt us much.

[kingwilly]

If we have another 6 sack game (or whatever it was) I hope they take a look to see who needs to get a wake-up call <cough, Willie, cough>.

I am not sure Whitworth can handle Seymour...that could be a bad idea.

[Kazkal]

I think you bite the bullet and move Steinbach to center and put Whitworth at LG. That actually might turn out to be an improvement over the opening day starting lineup in a couple of weeks after they gel. I love what Whitworth brings to the table as a run blocker at LG and Steinbach could probably be one of the best centers in the league with a little seasoning. I just hope that Giuciac is still in the plans as the center of the future.

Guycheck if hes our future center he needs to play.

[TJJackson]

Thats exactly right.

You know Braham needs to be replaced, simply on the basis that his body is wearing out after all these eyars in the league.

The silver lining is that your heir apparent - Ghiaciuc - is getting snaps NOW against QUALITY opponents. Is this going to be painful? Yeah. Replacing a pro bowl caliber (albeit unrecognized) center with a near-rookie is always painful. But it is a necessary pain.

I also agree that Steinbach is your backup center right now

That said - I am suprised they have not elevated Wilkerson from the PS. I take this to mean that he is physically (the knee, as always) not ready - healthy enough to practice, but not healthy enough to get it done on Sunday. Or maybe they are giving Kooistra snaps at center as your 3rd stringer.

[ShulaSteakhouse]

Bengals' need to upgrade the center position in the off-season. Guy-chick is no long term answer IMO. Even Braham was never that great - just reliable.

They need someone who's good from the get-go, Alexander can't develop anyone.

Even Steinbach should be better than he is - much like Goff was when he left here (made his first pro bowl).

[Stripes]

Ghiaciuc is going to have to learn by fire... all the better I guess. As the season progresses, his comfort level out there should improve and he won't be as proned to confusion.

I'm up for drafting a center in the first round next year though.

[HoosierCat]

That said - I am suprised they have not elevated Wilkerson from the PS.

I'm not. You need to cut or IR someone to make room. At this point, I'm not ready to IR Braham. And they are already a little unbalanced because they filled Pollack's slot with McNeal.

With TJ healthy enough to play and Chatman reportedly improving as well, I could see them cutting McNeal (who would then have to clear waivers again and be resigned to the PS) and bringing up Wilk that way. Or they could IR Tab, but that might be premature, too.

Bottom line is that I dont expect anything immediately, they have Steiny to back up Bluto if he goes down vs. the Pats. Then we got a week off to lick wounds and figure out where we stand.

[ArmyBengal]

I also believe IF you are going to call Guycheck the "Center of the future" for the Bengals, he has to play now !!! I also find it amusing that Steinbach is looked upon as the backup center. What was is that was said once about Whitworth being better at his position than Guycheck was at his and it would make sense to move Steinbach to Center to allow Whitworth to get on the field ??

Like I said, I think Guycheck gets more than every opportunity to prove himself, but all it takes it one fluke injury or multiple games like last week and that whole line could change rapidly...

WHODEY !!!