JPW Posted December 31, 2004 Report Share Posted December 31, 2004 Jerry Fontenot was a great mid-season pick-up but is 38 years old.Rich Braham is under-rated (IMO) but he is 34 years old himself.Larry Moore is on the roster but has he even played this year ? I hope that Braham is able to come back for at least one more year.He is a difference maker for the OL when he is healthy and able to play at 100%.But even if Braham he is able to play another year, the Bengals Need to Find a Center.There has been some talk about moving Eric Steinbach to Center but I don't think that is likely to happen. I see the Center Position as The Area of Greatest Need on the Offense Side of the Ball.I only see two Centers who are UFA :1) Casey Rabach (Baltimore Ravens)Somebody help me out here, I don't know much about this guy.He became a starter for them this year, but how good is he ?And has he played at Center in all his 15 starts, I thought that Mike Flynn was the Ravens Center ? 2) Dominic Raiola (Detroit Lions)This guy has started every Game for the last Three Years for the Lions.But I have no idea what it will Cost to sign him as a FA.BTW his brother is in this year's draft.Donovan Raiola Here are a few more names of Centers in this year's Draft:Ben Wilkerson and Vince Carter are the two names that you hear the most.Ben Wilkerson Vince Carter David Baas has been playing at Center but is expected to move back to Guard as a Pro.David Baas The guy I personally am high on ATM is Jason Brown.Jason Brown And as a Real Wildcard there is Richie Incognito.Richie Incognito I would be interested in hearing everybody else's thoughts on this.It seems to me that the Bengals may Have to be looking for a Center in the Draft.And maybe as early as the 2nd Round... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HoosierCat Posted December 31, 2004 Report Share Posted December 31, 2004 Flynn got hurt early, Rabach took over for him. Did a solid job. Would be worth considering IMHO.I agree re the need we have at center. They either need to find a free agent or draft one on the first day. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bengalboomer7 Posted December 31, 2004 Report Share Posted December 31, 2004 Personally I think Braham is under rated. The line gels so much better with him in the lineup. Hopefully they'll sign him to a one year deal just above the veteran min then draft a center for him to groom and I wouldn't be suiprised if Braham is back as a coach soon after next year Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chrishcovga Posted January 1, 2005 Report Share Posted January 1, 2005 When you're looking to draft a center , For our needs especially, we have to look at a guy that could immediately step in and have the smarts to make line calls, even as a rookie. There are 3 players in this draft that could do that immediately from day one.# 1. Ben Wilkerson C, LSU - Great athlete, student of the game and despite his knee injury has the feet to pull, trap and pass block as well as any lineman in the country. Team leader on and off the field, and has a good Noggin on his shoulders as well. - Knee Injury could drop him to the second round !# 2. David Baas C/G, Michigan - perfect blend of size,strength,and smarts. Won't miss an assignment, and one of those players that knows everyone's job on each play. Not the most athletic, but even while pulling and trapping , his unique size for a center ( 6-5 325 ) make him perfect for handling larger NFL nose tackles and walling off blitzing linebackers. # 3. Scott Muckrowzski C, Bowling Green. Decent size, very good balance, and has NFL blood lines. Clearly the best lineman on the BG offense. Probably not a day one selection, but a good spot to grab him would 4th or 5th round like Alex Stepanovich ( Ohio State ) in '04 draft. - Should start in a year whomever takes him. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WHO DEY AGAIN? Posted January 1, 2005 Report Share Posted January 1, 2005 # 1. Ben Wilkerson C, LSU - Great athlete, student of the game and despite his knee injury has the feet to pull, trap and pass block as well as any lineman in the country. Team leader on and off the field, and has a good Noggin on his shoulders as well. - Knee Injury could drop him to the second round !That would be great for us. I would love to see him as our #2 pick. Could we have 2 LSU guys with the first 2 picks? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HoosierCat Posted January 1, 2005 Report Share Posted January 1, 2005 # 1. Ben Wilkerson C, LSU - Great athlete, student of the game and despite his knee injury has the feet to pull, trap and pass block as well as any lineman in the country. Team leader on and off the field, and has a good Noggin on his shoulders as well. - Knee Injury could drop him to the second round !That would be great for us. I would love to see him as our #2 pick. Could we have 2 LSU guys with the first 2 picks? Nah. We grab Heath Miller in the first, Wilkerson in the second, and Luis Castillo in the third. Game, set match. (Not that we could possibly get that lucky, but...) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
schweinhart Posted January 2, 2005 Report Share Posted January 2, 2005 # 2. David Baas C/G, Michigan - perfect blend of size,strength,and smarts. Won't miss an assignment, and one of those players that knows everyone's job on each play. Not the most athletic, but even while pulling and trapping , his unique size for a center ( 6-5 325 ) make him perfect for handling larger NFL nose tackles and walling off blitzing linebackers. Baas should go in the 1st rd. After watching him pretty much lay waste to anyone (including Rodrique Wright) who had to go up against him, IMO Baas should be the 1st non-tackle to go. Being able to chore center definietly adds to his value.After him, I'd say Jason Brown is the 1st true center drafted. Just watching 3 series vs. BC, Brown pulled well, railed right w/ good space kept between the other O-linemen, got out 10 yds downfield after screen pass to lay out a defender, and made it clear that he can road pave w/ the best. The only bad play I saw him make was on a stunt by Kiwi, who knocked Brown off balance w/ a shove and hurried the QB.Wilkerson is a wildcard in this. IIRC he tore his patella tendon but I don't believe as seriously as the Natester. Still, Wilkerson was iffy as a late 1st rounder before the injury.I read one report that had Mruczkowski lacking mobility and I couldn't disagree more. After watching him play 3 times, I say that's his strength. He pulls as fast as anyone and pass protects real well from the spread option used by BG. The only rap I see on him is that he is prone to lunge on blocks w/ his upper body in open space instead of squaring off and leveling them.Vince Carter should get a close look in the Orange Bowl Tuesday and has to be considered in the Day 1 mix for centers.Still, I'm guessing by round.1. Baas2. (1st half) Brown2. (last half) Wilkerson3. (last half) Mruczkowski3. (last half) CarterThere are some underclassmen who could jump in the mix. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
delhole Posted January 3, 2005 Report Share Posted January 3, 2005 I'm suprised no ones mentioned Greg Eslinger from Minnesota. I watched Minnesota in the Music city bowl and this kid can play. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
schweinhart Posted January 3, 2005 Report Share Posted January 3, 2005 Junior centers like Elsinger would certainly add to the mix. Another would be Mike Degory of Fla. who could have a legitimate shot at 1st C picked.Until the underclassmen officially throw their helmets into the ring, the seniors got to be given first consideration.Did not see Bama-Minnesota but would have liked to have seen Gopher DT Anthony Montgomery again. Also a junior, Montgomery could also run up the board to the 1st rd given the DT draft crop. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JPW Posted January 11, 2005 Author Report Share Posted January 11, 2005 Ok now Chris Spencer has declared for the Draft.Chris Spencer Official Bio College: Ole Miss Height: 6-4 Position: Center Weight: 310 Class: Junior 40-Yard: 5.1 SCOUTING REPORT Strengths: Has good size...A very good athlete...Excellent quickness...Is extremely strong...Versatile and has experience at both guard spots as well as center...Smart and makes all the line calls...Still improving and has a lot of upside. Weaknesses: Doesn't have a ton of starting experience...Has only played center for one full season with the Rebels...Will need to coaching and development to work on mastering the nuances of the position. Notes: Was a top prospect coming out of the prep ranks...Should rank among the top centers available due to his size, athleticism and potential. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chrishcovga Posted January 11, 2005 Report Share Posted January 11, 2005 I'm suprised no ones mentioned Greg Eslinger from Minnesota. I watched Minnesota in the Music city bowl and this kid can play. I posted about Eslinger before in another forum, but he's already made mention that he's staying for his senior year. He's as good as they come, but he's not particularly a big player. Another one of those Too small to play guard, not tall enough to be a Tackle. But his strength and smarts are about as even keeled as Wilkersons'. If We could add an extra 2nd rounder , or a high 3rd and he's available, do you know how happy I would be we if we could land this kid.... Also Chris Spencer now throws his name into a somewhat ( for centers ) deep crop. His upside is pretty good, but lack of experience make him a lock for a 3rd round pick , or early day 2 selection. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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