UPDATE: Center Alex Stepanovich signs with the Atlanta Falcons

by Josh Kirkendall on Mar 8, 2008 4:12 PM EST in Contracts

UPDATE: Falcons sign Alex Stepanovich.

The Bengals are really not expected to re-sign center Alex Stepanovich -- after all, it's telling when Eric Ghiaciuc struggled against big guys and the team didn't feel confident enough to put in Stepanovich. The former Bengals and Arizona Cardinals center visited Atlanta on Friday.

Stepanovich's departure would likely mean several things. One of which frees up a spot for that position suggesting the Bengals go after another center in the draft. That Dan Santucci would become the team's backup center if Ghiaciuc remains the starter. Santucci was originally waived before last season's first regular season game. After signing on with the Indianapolis Colts practice squad a day later, the Bengals signed Santucci from the Colts four days later. I know, I know. Why waive a guy one day only to sign him off another team's practice squad less than five days later. Aye.

Kyle Cook, the team's third center, was signed from the practice squad to the off-season roster when the 2007 season completed.

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Center

Unfortunately, the pool of draftable centers is not that strong, and I am not sure if the Bengals will use a pick one when they can probably sign a college FA and groom him for the future. Honestly, I would not mind seeing them draft a guard--although that runs against conventional wisdom. I just don't understand why we are paying almost 20 mil for three tackles.

by goffchile on Mar 8, 2008 5:56 PM EST reply actions

Re:

Regardless, Cincy will need to pick up another OC.
I see them doing this via the draft.

by davidincincinnati on Mar 8, 2008 8:47 PM EST reply actions

Another OC?

They can replace Brat in the draft?!?!

DO IT!!!!!!

LOL

by BeerRun on Mar 8, 2008 9:01 PM EST reply actions

Ghiaciuc

A lot of people seem to be down on Ghiaciuc because he isn't 'big enough' to handle to NT's in our division. If you look around the league, the best centers aren't necessarily bigger than Ghiaciuc (neither was Braham or Hartings), but they are more experienced. I think it usually takes 3 years to learn how to be an NFL center, and Ghiaciuc's inexperience was compounded by the number of line combinations we have had. Ghiaciuc may never be good, but I think there are few centers that play well earlier in their career and if there is any coach on the Bengals I trust to develop a player, it is Paul Alexander.

            Age    Ht    Wt    Exp
Jeff Saturday         32     6-2     295    9
Dan Koppen          28     6-2     296     5
Matt Birk          31     6-4     308     10
Andre Gurode          30     6-4     312     6
Nick Hardwick     26     6-4     295     4
Eric Ghiaciuc          26     6-4     302     3
Sean Mahan          27     6-3     301     5
Olin Kreutz          30     6-2 292 10

by Smigelskas on Mar 8, 2008 9:29 PM EST reply actions