One of the surprising notes during Monday's release of the team's depth chart was seeing Clint Boling's name featured as the third-team center, behind starter Kyle Cooker and backup center Reggie Stephens. Along with being the third-team center, the team's fourth-round draft pick is also the left guard for the third team, behind Nate Livings and Max Jean-Gilles. Before an explosion of confusion consumes you, take note that quarterback Andy Dalton, wide receiver A.J. Green and linebacker Dontay Moch are the only rookies listed higher than third-string; so take comfort that things will dramatically change by the time the team takes the field on September 11 in Cleveland.
However Boling has taken snaps with the second-team offense in at least three practices, according to the Mothership's Geoff Hobson.
"The No. 1 thing is to make sure the quarterback gets the snap," Boling said after Monday's walkthrough. "Then, get everybody going in the right direction; make sure everybody gets the calls. Then, I've got to make sure I block the guy. It's not something I'm used to and I'm still learning a lot of technique. It's definitely a lot different than guard or tackle. I just want to make sure the more positions I play the more likely I can make the roster and help us win."
Taking snaps at center is a good thing for Boling, considering that the offensive line coach Paul Alexander named guard Otis Hudson as the most improved, sitting comfortably as Bobbie Williams' backup.