While the Bengal’s cut their most experienced Center in Eric Ghiaciuc, there seems to be some hope in the younger more inexperienced centers as well as the potential for an old favorite to return to Cincinnati.
The Kansas City Chiefs picked Ghiaciuc off of waivers after he wasn't re-signed by the Bengal’s, and like many Bengal’s fans the Chief’s are apprehensive about this “seasoned” center. Ghiaciuc’s slow footwork and size have come into question for the Chief’s scheme, yet due to the fact that he has started 42 games at center the Chiefs are also excited that he could help their offense.
With Ghiaciuc gone who will start for the Bengal’s at center this season? Chuck Ludwig seems to think an old Bengal favorite in Eric Steinbach will return to the starting guard role for the Bengal’s and possibly push Bobbie William's into the center role. He believes that the Browns new management, along with the expensive contract of Steinbach’s may cause him to be cut by the start of this year or potentially before the 2010 season.
While I would love this to come true there are many holes in this theory. Steinbach is simply too good of a player for a team to simply drop, also if he were to be dropped why would he ever come back to a team that pretty much drove him out of town? Every Bengal fan now realizes that by re-signing Willie Anderson and Levi Jones to expensive long contracts and by keeping up no communication with Steinbach, was a humongous mistake. Yet the past is the past and we would definitely love to have him back, but why would he ever want to be a Bengal when many teams would also love to have his services?
Assuming Steinbach doesn’t get cut and join the Bengal’s, who will be our starting center this year? As of right now it looks like Santucci will start the first couple of games with Luigs nipping at his heels the entire time. Luigs preformed very well during this past week and looks to be a potential long term starter for the Bengal’s if we can surround him with a solid foundation to improve and groom him for the position.
On a different note, Quan Cosby officially signed with the Bengal’s and looks to be a potential threat to take Antonia Chatman’s position at punt returner. Hopefully he can stay healthier then Chatman if this does happen.
