Any Quality Centers Available via FA?

[patmoran2006]

?
Or this is a position that will need to be drafted?

[Devin]

Re: Any Quality Centers Available via FA?

I dont remember seeing much in the way of FA or draft to be honest. But I havent gone over all C prospects yet. Draftboy might know.

[Yasgur's Farm]

Re: Any Quality Centers Available via FA?

I haven't seen any quality FA centerage available... I say we try and grab Ryan Lilja from Indy to solidify the interior and draft a franchise center.

[Mahdi]

Re: Any Quality Centers Available via FA?

Jeremy Newberry the C from the Raiders is the only player I want in FA. He made them into a running team.

[DraftBoy]

Re: Any Quality Centers Available via FA?

Id look towards the draft, thinking maybe a Steve Justice from Wake Forest around Rd 4 or 5 could be a good pickup. I honestly dont think we'll be doing much of anything in FA anyways.

[Mahdi]

Re: Any Quality Centers Available via FA?

Id look towards the draft, thinking maybe a Steve Justice from Wake Forest around Rd 4 or 5 could be a good pickup. I honestly dont think we'll be doing much of anything in FA anyways.

Neither do I ,,, but if we get one player I want Newberry,,,, the rest through the draft.

[YardRat]

Re: Any Quality Centers Available via FA?

I could see us signing Stepanovich from Cinci or Goodwin from NO. I'd take Newberry as long as we also drafted a C late Day 1, early Day 2.

[bflojohn]

Re: Any Quality Centers Available via FA?

Jeff Faine from the New Orleans Saints is an unrestricted free agent. when he went to N.O., I think that he helped solidify their OL. Remember, going into last year, many football people thought their OL was horrid! It just goes to show how important to line play a solid center is, IMO!!

[djjimkelly]

Re: Any Quality Centers Available via FA?

ive heard lacharles bentley wants to be a starter in cleveland look for him to be on the move considering how well their o line played without him and how much he makes

i believe hank fraley is the center there right now

[Mr. Pink]

Re: Any Quality Centers Available via FA?

ive heard lacharles bentley wants to be a starter in cleveland look for him to be on the move considering how well their o line played without him and how much he makes

i believe hank fraley is the center there right now

You've heard wrong. Bentley if back with Cleveland next year, meaning he can play in the NFL, will line up at guard.

If Cleveland was interested in releasing him, they would have already done so.

If Bentley is indeed released, traded, waived...it's going to be because his career is over.

[Goobylal]

Re: Any Quality Centers Available via FA?

You've heard wrong. Bentley if back with Cleveland next year, meaning he can play in the NFL, will line up at guard.

If Cleveland was interested in releasing him, they would have already done so.

If Bentley is indeed released, traded, waived...it's going to be because his career is over.

Pretty much. I believe Bentley reduced his salary and/or bonus, meaning he's a lot cheaper for them, so if he's gone, it means he's done.

Faine and Newberry would be the best choices in FA while in the draft, there are no Mangolds. Then again, Mangold isn't looking so great this year, without Pete Kendall next to him.

[djjimkelly]

Re: Any Quality Centers Available via FA?

You've heard wrong. Bentley if back with Cleveland next year, meaning he can play in the NFL, will line up at guard.

If Cleveland was interested in releasing him, they would have already done so.

If Bentley is indeed released, traded, waived...it's going to be because his career is over.

i guess your more on top of this then the browns beat writer i heard on sirius yesterday

[The Jokeman]

Re: Any Quality Centers Available via FA?

?
Or this is a position that will need to be drafted?

Looking at free agency here's a run down of the UFAs:

Amano, Eugene: Career Backup/also plays G

Faine, Jeff: Replaced Fowler as the starting C in Cleveland, now starts in NO. I'm not sure would sign but arguably an upgrade over Fowler.

McCollum, Andy: 14 year veteran, no thanks.

McKinney, Seth: Started for Cleveland due to LeCharles Bentley's injuries, prior to was starter for Miami but signed with Cleveland as a backup two years ago. Wouldn't call an upgrade but if seeking veteran depth an option.

Newberry, Jeremy: 10 year veteran so not much upside but does offer better size than Fowler at 315# and plenty of starting experience. I'd give a chance to compete for the starting job, at worse a backup. Favor over McKinney.

Romberg, Brett: Been a career backup in the NFL, might make a better case for the CFL due to his Canadian roots. Though maybe Ralph brings him in to back up Fowler in hopes to draw more Canadian fans.

Stepanovich, Alex: has been a starter since being drafted since 2004. Yet injuries have limited him the last few years and didn't do much for the Bengals this year. Offers more size then Fowler but not sure if is an upgrade as his strengths are as a run blocker yet the team's he's been on haven't been great running the ball.

Wade, John: Developed into a full time starter in Tampa Bay after being a bench player for year's in Jacksonville. No he's 32, if looking for a one or two year answer while develop someone behind him might be worth pursuing but not sure this regime would part with Fowler.

Wiegmann, Casey: Started the last seven seasons in KC, and has a history with Jauron in Chicago but at 34 his best years are behind him so I'd pass.

[patmoran2006]

Re: Any Quality Centers Available via FA?

Looking at free agency here's a run down of the UFAs:

Amano, Eugene: Career Backup/also plays G

Faine, Jeff: Replaced Fowler as the starting C in Cleveland, now starts in NO. I'm not sure would sign but arguably an upgrade over Fowler.

McCollum, Andy: 14 year veteran, no thanks.

McKinney, Seth: Started for Cleveland due to LeCharles Bentley's injuries, prior to was starter for Miami but signed with Cleveland as a backup two years ago. Wouldn't call an upgrade but if seeking veteran depth an option.

Newberry, Jeremy: 10 year veteran so not much upside but does offer better size than Fowler at 315# and plenty of starting experience. I'd give a chance to compete for the starting job, at worse a backup. Favor over McKinney.

Romberg, Brett: Been a career backup in the NFL, might make a better case for the CFL due to his Canadian roots. Though maybe Ralph brings him in to back up Fowler in hopes to draw more Canadian fans.

Stepanovich, Alex: has been a starter since being drafted since 2004. Yet injuries have limited him the last few years and didn't do much for the Bengals this year. Offers more size then Fowler but not sure if is an upgrade as his strengths are as a run blocker yet the team's he's been on haven't been great running the ball.

Wade, John: Developed into a full time starter in Tampa Bay after being a bench player for year's in Jacksonville. No he's 32, if looking for a one or two year answer while develop someone behind him might be worth pursuing but not sure this regime would part with Fowler.

Wiegmann, Casey: Started the last seven seasons in KC, and has a history with Jauron in Chicago but at 34 his best years are behind him so I'd pass.

Well done. That's how you answer a post.

[patmoran2006]

Re: Any Quality Centers Available via FA?

To sum it all up.

We're probably stuck with Fowler in 2008.