Cook, Santucci and Crummey

[HAPPYJAQ]

Here's my thinking:

The Bengals will not break the bank on Jason Brown to the tune of 7-10 million dollars or bring back Ghiaciuc.

With several pressing needs, the Bengals will not use a 2nd round pick on a player like Mack or Wood. They'll both be gone before the Bengals pick again in round 3.

That leaves the trio of Cook, Santucci and Crummey. Do you guys have faith in any of these guys as the starting C next season? It was reported that Cook was summoned in to replace Ghiaciuc in a game earlier this past season when he was injured and I thought he played well in the preseason. With Santucci, the Bengals are obviously high on him, but he's been injured the entire time he's been here. Could he be a Frostee Rucker and break out in year 3, after 2 injury plagued seasons? I'm most intrigued by Crummey as an unknown commodity and the last G/C type we picked up from an NFC East team turned out to be pretty good in Richie Braham. Crummey was also a 2nd team All-American his senior season, despite missing games with a broken leg.

Here's an interesting article on Crummey from last year's combine, perhaps explaining how he made it to Cincinnati:

http://www.nfl.com/combine/story?id=09000d...mp;confirm=true

[kurgan74]

If Crummey is healthy, I could see him as the starter this year. He was solid in college. I have no faith in

Santucci. Cook is a mystery.

[BlainThePain]

I think if any of them were worth anything they would have seen some playing time last season when Ghiaciuc was sucking it up and we had three starting offensive linemen out at the same time with injuries. If we don't get a starting center in free agency and/or the draft, I think we'll see Bobbie Williams at center. Alexander took Braham who was an offensive tackle and turned him into a center, he made Mike Goff play some center in 2003, Steinbach got some playing time at center when Braham was hurt, and I remember hearing on the radio last season that Bobbie Williams was getting snaps at center in practice.

I think if we don't pick up any O-linemen in the draft of free agency, our starting O-Line would be:

LT- Anthony Collins

LG- Andrew Whitworth

C- Bobbie Williams

RG- Nate Livings

RT- Stacy Andrew/Dennis Roland depending on whether Andrews is healthy or not.

With all of that said, this is one of the best years to find a center in the off season. Plenty of veteran centers in free agency in Brown, Birk, Meester, Saturday, and Hangartner, and this is one of the deepest drafts ever for center prospects.

[HAPPYJAQ]

I think if any of them were worth anything they would have seen some playing time last season when Ghiaciuc was sucking it up and we had three starting offensive linemen out at the same time with injuries. If we don't get a starting center in free agency and/or the draft, I think we'll see Bobbie Williams at center. Alexander took Braham who was an offensive tackle and turned him into a center, he made Mike Goff play some center in 2003, Steinbach got some playing time at center when Braham was hurt, and I remember hearing on the radio last season that Bobbie Williams was getting snaps at center in practice.

I think if we don't pick up any O-linemen in the draft of free agency, our starting O-Line would be:

LT- Anthony Collins

LG- Andrew Whitworth

C- Bobbie Williams

RG- Nate Livings

RT- Stacy Andrew/Dennis Roland depending on whether Andrews is healthy or not.

With all of that said, this is one of the best years to find a center in the off season. Plenty of veteran centers in free agency in Brown, Birk, Meester, Saturday, and Hangartner, and this is one of the deepest drafts ever for center prospects.

Yeah, Hangartner is my pick if we can't sign Brown. He already will have some familiarity with the line, having played with Whit at LSU. He probably can be had for a decent pay, too. He would be a typical Marvin signee in FA, as an under-the-radar guy.

I'd be alright with Bobbie at C, and that line sounds good, but they will still need to draft a C later on. Antoine Caldwell or Jon Luigs would be my picks after round 2 to learn for a year under the veteran, while playing some guard.

[Kazkal]

Well they did try replacing guycheck but cook went down.

[Clackwoods]

I think if any of them were worth anything they would have seen some playing time last season when Ghiaciuc was sucking it up and we had three starting offensive linemen out at the same time with injuries. If we don't get a starting center in free agency and/or the draft, I think we'll see Bobbie Williams at center. Alexander took Braham who was an offensive tackle and turned him into a center, he made Mike Goff play some center in 2003, Steinbach got some playing time at center when Braham was hurt, and I remember hearing on the radio last season that Bobbie Williams was getting snaps at center in practice.

I think if we don't pick up any O-linemen in the draft of free agency, our starting O-Line would be:

LT- Anthony Collins

LG- Andrew Whitworth

C- Bobbie Williams

RG- Nate Livings

RT- Stacy Andrew/Dennis Roland depending on whether Andrews is healthy or not.

With all of that said, this is one of the best years to find a center in the off season. Plenty of veteran centers in free agency in Brown, Birk, Meester, Saturday, and Hangartner, and this is one of the deepest drafts ever for center prospects.

If Carson looked at this post he would cringe. Their is no way I would want to play behind that line. We need to be active in FA and get a lineman. We also need to draft at least 1.

[agreen_112]

I think if any of them were worth anything they would have seen some playing time last season when Ghiaciuc was sucking it up and we had three starting offensive linemen out at the same time with injuries. If we don't get a starting center in free agency and/or the draft, I think we'll see Bobbie Williams at center. Alexander took Braham who was an offensive tackle and turned him into a center, he made Mike Goff play some center in 2003, Steinbach got some playing time at center when Braham was hurt, and I remember hearing on the radio last season that Bobbie Williams was getting snaps at center in practice.

I think if we don't pick up any O-linemen in the draft of free agency, our starting O-Line would be:

LT- Anthony Collins

LG- Andrew Whitworth

C- Bobbie Williams

RG- Nate Livings

RT- Stacy Andrew/Dennis Roland depending on whether Andrews is healthy or not.

With all of that said, this is one of the best years to find a center in the off season. Plenty of veteran centers in free agency in Brown, Birk, Meester, Saturday, and Hangartner, and this is one of the deepest drafts ever for center prospects.

If Carson looked at this post he would cringe. Their is no way I would want to play behind that line. We need to be active in FA and get a lineman. We also need to draft at least 1.

That makes me cringe! I still think Levi can protect Carson's blind side though. With a focused and motivated Levi and the usual Whit, the left side is a lock. Bobbie and a healthy Stacy on the right is a lock. Our ONLY problem now is center. They MUST make a run for a veteran C in free agency. This will solidify our line and we can draft another C to study underneath the veteran.

This is Crazy but what if we draft a RT? Wasn't Stacy originally a Guard? Move Andrews to G, Bobbie to Center.

[ArmyBengal]

To start, Center is a HUGE need for this team and if the top rated Center is there at the top of the 2nd, I don't see how they don't take him. At one point in time, Mack was thought to be LONG gone by the 2nd. If he's there, I would sh*t myself !!! As for our own guys:

Cook is 306

Santucci is 304

Crummey is 301

Ghiaciuc is 303 so there isn't much difference in bulk. I'm thinking there probably isn't much difference in any of them sadly enough. This is exactly why Jason Brown makes sense at 320 in free agency (I know, probably won't happen) or Alex Mack at 316 in the draft.

[Bearcat1975]

so far, they have all been "Crummy."

This offense will never get over the hump as long as they are relying on guys named Guy-check and Crummy. Its like having a QB named "Couch," or "Smushed." Never a good idea.

Why don't the Bengals just sign Saturday or Brown, then draft a C? Why do they always insist on trying to run on fumes first?

[JoePong]

Responding to the title of this post, very simply, NO.

Not sure I even have confidence in those guys to be backups, much less to start.

[agreen_112]

Responding to the title of this post, very simply, NO.

Not sure I even have confidence in those guys to be backups, much less to start.

Real talk man... I love your posts.

edit...

*Most* of them.

[TJJackson]

This offense will never get over the hump as long as they are relying on guys named Guy-check and Crummy. Its like having a QB named "Couch," or "Smushed." Never a good idea.

Actually, and this may come as a shock to you, a player's name does not in any way contribute to his ability to play.

I know, I know, maybe you'd better take a few deep breaths before you continue reading.....

Next, go read a little about Crummey. Actually learn about the guy rather than making a call based on his name.

While you do that, I'll go research is Jeff Query asked the best questions, or if any players named Brown ever played for a team other than the Browns. I'll get back to ya.

[Bearcat1975]

This offense will never get over the hump as long as they are relying on guys named Guy-check and Crummy. Its like having a QB named "Couch," or "Smushed." Never a good idea.

Actually, and this may come as a shock to you, a player's name does not in any way contribute to his ability to play.

I know, I know, maybe you'd better take a few deep breaths before you continue reading.....

Next, go read a little about Crummey. Actually learn about the guy rather than making a call based on his name.

While you do that, I'll go research is Jeff Query asked the best questions, or if any players named Brown ever played for a team other than the Browns. I'll get back to ya.

Sheesh, it was a joke. Based on the fact that we all know none of them is the answer at Center for the Bengals or anyone else. We all know what needs to be done, and it doesn't have anything to do with the above 3 or Bobbie Williams at Center.

So I guess I could have just answered "no" to the original question but I thought I would make a funny instead..

[Whur CHad At?]

No.

[sparky151]

JAQ, I have no faith in any of those guys to be the Bengals starting center. Ghiaciuc was perhaps the worst starting center in the league last year and they couldn't beat him out. Let them come to camp and fight for a backup spot. For a starter, we need to find someone in FA or fairly high in the draft.

[HAPPYJAQ]

JAQ, I have no faith in any of those guys to be the Bengals starting center. Ghiaciuc was perhaps the worst starting center in the league last year and they couldn't beat him out. Let them come to camp and fight for a backup spot. For a starter, we need to find someone in FA or fairly high in the draft.

That's a good point, but don't you sense the Bengals stick with high draft picks (Keiwan Ratliff, Caleb Miller, Landon Johnson, Chris Perry, etc.) longer then they should? Maybe they're trying to prove a point to themselves that they can make these highly-drafted guys players, when most of them were "reaches" in the first place.

I'm not sure if Cook can play, I'm fairly sure than Santucci is a scrub and Crummey is a huge question mark, in my mind. He's really just starting to get healthy now and he was probably a 3rd or 4th round pick last year before he broke his leg.

[cincy9275]

JAQ, I have no faith in any of those guys to be the Bengals starting center. Ghiaciuc was perhaps the worst starting center in the league last year and they couldn't beat him out. Let them come to camp and fight for a backup spot. For a starter, we need to find someone in FA or fairly high in the draft.

marvin does not like to play young players. so we really don't know what we have in crummy or the rest until they play some games. take collins and sims, they did not get a chance until levi and thorton where hurt. yet when they did play they were head and shoulders better than the people they replaced. marvin even admitted that was one of his flaws. the one thing that really scares the shoot out of me is alexander, anybody with a set of eyes could plainly see stacey andrews is not very good at all. then for him to call him the best rt in football? i know that everyone entitled to there own opinion. but WTF was he watching?

[HAPPYJAQ]

JAQ, I have no faith in any of those guys to be the Bengals starting center. Ghiaciuc was perhaps the worst starting center in the league last year and they couldn't beat him out. Let them come to camp and fight for a backup spot. For a starter, we need to find someone in FA or fairly high in the draft.

marvin does not like to play young players. so we really don't know what we have in crummy or the rest until they play some games. take collins and sims, they did not get a chance until levi and thorton where hurt. yet when they did play they were head and shoulders better than the people they replaced. marvin even admitted that was one of his flaws. the one thing that really scares the shoot out of me is alexander, anybody with a set of eyes could plainly see stacey andrews is not very good at all. then for him to call him the best rt in football? i know that everyone entitled to there own opinion. but WTF was he watching?

It all depends on what Stacy you get. The one from pre-season and the first 12 games was a backup, at best. Down the stretch, he was dominant. I think he is one of the better athletes in football, at any position. No way do I give him 7 million a year, though. The Eagles must have a lot of confidence in their O-line coach, but he didn't do to well with Winston Justice.

I agree with you on the Marvin playing young players, thing. There's no possible way that Crummey can be worse than Ghiaciuc and he seems like a good prospect. With Brown going to the Rams, the Bengals must sign a FA Center, unless they commit with giving Bobbie Williams a full camp to learn C. I would actually like that idea more than signing any FA C who is still out there.

[HairOnFire]

It all depends on what Stacy you get. The one from pre-season and the first 12 games was a backup, at best. Down the stretch, he was dominant. I think he is one of the better athletes in football, at any position. No way do I give him 7 million a year, though.

All talk about performance aside, did the Bengals really overpay Stacy when they franchised tagged him? The only reason I'm asking is because one year later a damaged version of Andrews signs a long term deal that averages nearly as much as the tag price.

[Spor_tees]

It all depends on what Stacy you get. The one from pre-season and the first 12 games was a backup, at best. Down the stretch, he was dominant. I think he is one of the better athletes in football, at any position. No way do I give him 7 million a year, though.

All talk about performance aside, did the Bengals really overpay Stacy when they franchised tagged him? The only reason I'm asking is because one year later a damaged version of Andrews signs a long term deal that averages nearly as much as the tag price.

It's all about how much of that is guaranteed money. Also I am sure that the Eagles took out an insurance policy on his contract that if he can play next year or if he gets injured again, they get some of their money back. Sure it will still count against the cap, but not come out of their wallets. Media outlets most of the time only tell you the max amount a player can make in a season and not they guaranteed amount. That's why it was plastered all over everything that Albert Haynesworth was getting $41 million in guaranteed money out of his $100 million.

[Baraka]

no, i don't faith in those guys at center, not because i think they're scrubs, but they haven't shown any of us anything. after reading about crummey, it seems like he just had bad luck, he was one of the top guards coming out so i like that he's probably completely healed. i'm not sure where but i've read that kyle cook is the strongest o-lineman on the team, for whatever that's worth.

there's a possibility that the opening game starter is already on the team, my hope now is that mack falls to us in the second or wood in the third.

does anyone know the remaining FA options at center?

[HAPPYJAQ]

Matt Birk and Jake Grove might be the best options still available. I was hoping for Hangartner, but he just signed with Buffalo. Melvin Fowler is out there, too, but he might've fell off the radar after the fight during the game last season. Jeremy Newberry was a good player in SF, but lost his game somewhere in San Diego.

What about the Bengals bringing back Ben Wilkerson, who's a RFA? I didn't think he really got a chance here and I remember him playing well in the only game he played in as a Bengal. Then again, he couldn't beat out Ghiaciuc.