A secret is only a secret when no one knows about it. So the fact the Bengals need a starting center to take on the mauling beasts of the AFC North isn't really that much of a secret -- however, the good news is that Shaun Rogers isn't happy so he might be on the way out. Now that Eric Ghiaciuc is leaving, the Bengals have Kyle Cook, Dan Santucci and Andrew Crummey under contract.
Speculation is that there's interest in Jeff Saturday, in which Bengals.com's Geoff Hobson points out:
He may have the savvy and experience the Bengals have missed at that spot since the retirement of Rich Braham, but if they're letting Ghiaciuc go because the 3-4 nose tackles are too big for him, then Saturday is in the same boat.
Saturday is being mentioned with the Pittsburgh Steelers, as a center or possibly a guard as their right guard Chris Kemoeatu is heading for free agency. PFT also speculates that his agent Ralph Cindrich is bringing up Steelers' interest to "squeeze" the Colts. Behind the Steel Curtain likes the news, and thinks it "would be a great fit for a mostly young offensive line."
We still firmly believe that the Bengals should go after one of the high-tier centers available in the second round of the NFL draft. And to be honest, I've been siding with Eric Wood over Alex Mack. Either way, I still don't expect the best centers in free agency to even entertain Cincinnati as an option.