2008 vs. 2007 - Personnel Comparison by Position

As we begin the slow part of the NFL year now that the draft is over, WDR will take a close look at each position in 2008 and compare it with that position in 2007. This investigation was due to the inability of the Cincinnati Bengals to make any substantive changes from the 2006 season to the 2007 season. 

From 2006 to 2007, the team’s composition was largely unchanged. Our biggest free agent signings were Michael Myers at defensive tackle and at linebacker, with Dhani Jones added after the season started. Another linebacker signing, Ed Hartwell, failed to even make the squad.

Further, no coaching changes were made between the 2006 and 2007 seasons. It is unclear how anyone could think a team that made minimal personnel changes and zero coaching changes (aside from Hue Jackson’s departure, which proved to be costly) could improve from one year to the next. But we certainly tried and failed in 2007. Meanwhile, other teams such as the AFC North rival Cleveland Browns and the New England Patriots, addressed major needs last offseason, which led to vast improvement in the 2007 season.

As such, we will take a look at what has been done so far. While veteran(s) who are cut from another team closer to training camp still potentially could be added and there is a small chance Chad Johnson is traded post June 1st for 2009 or 2010 draft picks, after the draft and the free agent frenzy have passed, the majority of the roster is largely in place. 

For each position, we will determine whether the projected starter for that position has improved, declined or stayed the same. There are obvious positions where no change is needed, such as quarterback. However, given that we were 7-9 last year and were not close to making the playoffs, maintaining the status quo at numerous positions, especially those that were the weakest, should be red flags for any team that has playoff aspirations.

We begin where the football does on every play, at center.

CENTER

2007 Starter: Eric Ghiaciuc

2007 Backup: Alex Stepanovich

2008 Projected Starter: Eric Ghiaciuc

2008 Projected Backup: Dan Santucci

It is no secret that the offense has struggled since the loss of former center, Rich Braham who last played during our 2005 playoff season. Since his loss, young center Eric Ghiaciuc has been called on to fill the void. Ghiaciuc has struggled in both the pass and the run against larger nosetackles such as Pittsburgh’s 325 pound Casey Hampton. This season, Ghiaciuc will also have to deal with newly acquired Cleveland Browns’ defensive tackle, 340 pound Shaun Rogers.

The press has, at times, been critical of Ghiaciuc the past two seasons while partially excusing him due to lack of experience (and perhaps rightly so). The coaching staff has also admitted that Ghiaciuc must improve. But the decline of production in the running game has killed this team. In Braham’s last three full seasons, consider the following statistics:

2003

Rushing Yards: 1987

Yards Per Carry: 4.1

2004

Rushing Yards: 1839

Yards Per Carry: 4.2

2005

Rushing Yards: 1910

Yards Per Carry: 4.2

However, in the last two seasons, where Ghiaciuc has gotten the majority of the starts at center, rushing yards and yards per carry have declined:

2006
Rushing Yards: 1629

Yards Per Carry: 3.7

2007

Rushing Yards: 1556

Yards Per Carry: 3.7

Now, the decline in production of our running game should not solely fall on the shoulders of Eric Ghiaciuc. We’ve had injuries to highly drafted running backs Chris Perry and Kenny Irons. Rudi Johnson has also had his share of struggles. In addition, we’ve had to deal with our poor decision of not re-signing former guard Eric Steinbach but instead choosing to give aging veteran tackle, Willie Anderson, a multi-year extension, which is another article entirely. 

But as we will see in the examination of other positions in future posts, the starting O-line and running backs will consist of the same players that we had last year. Given the poor rushing performance the last two seasons, this should be a cause of concern…especially when Marvin Lewis has stated that a top priority for next season is to re-establish the running game. 

Can our players improve and re-establish it? Maybe, and they will have to if we are to make the playoffs. But you might hope the Bengals consider signing a free agent center when ours has clearly struggled and with the solid market for centers this past offseason. Instead we have decided to stick with what we have. 

Perhaps Ghiaciuc who is reportedly a hard worker will turn it around in 2008 as he becomes more seasoned. But while we’ll certainly be rooting for him, it is a trend that we’ve seen in the past and will see upon examining other positions. We stick with the same players for long periods despite the poor performance of our football team. 

Prognosis at Center: No Change

Up Next: Guards

Comments

[raindogzilla]

When I look at centers across the league, they aren't any bigger than Ghiaciuc. So, I'm wondering whether it's a question of strength or of technique. I mean, as a center, he shouldn't have any problem getting off at the snap.