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Bengals offensive line coach Paul Alexander is so pleased with center, Russell Bodine that he went ahead and named the rookie fourth-round pick the opening day starter.
Alexander says Bodine is Opening Day center. all systems go
— Geoff Hobson (@GeoffHobsonCin) August 18, 2014
Paul A. on Bodine: "He's taken the first snap ever since OTAs. That kid has so much talent, he's loaded with talent" #Bengals
— Paul Dehner Jr. (@pauldehnerjr) August 18, 2014
Paul A. on if he'd give Mike Pollak some snaps with 1s at center: "Right now it's full speed ahead with Bodine."
— Paul Dehner Jr. (@pauldehnerjr) August 18, 2014
Offensive coordinator Hue Jackson is pleased with Bodine as well, but he's not quite ready to name the former North Carolina Tar Heels lineman a starter just yet.
Was chatting with Hue when Alexander spoke to others. Of Bodine, Hue said: "I've been happy with him. I'm going to push him as far as I can"
— Coley Harvey (@ColeyHarvey) August 18, 2014
Re: Mike Pollak getting snaps at center, Hue said he "deserves an opportunity to see what he can do w the guys.We'll see how it all unfolds"
— Coley Harvey (@ColeyHarvey) August 18, 2014
It's not as though Bodine has looked great this preseason, so it's unlikely head coach Marvin Lewis is ready to name Bodine the starter. Alexander will have his say, but Jackson will probably have a stronger voice, and it sounds like he wants to see what Mike Pollak can do.
The veteran lineman has battled a knee injury this offseason that has led to Bodine getting most of the first-team reps at center in OTAs and during training camp.