The Chiefs continued their Scott Pioli-led roster overhaul, signing unrestricted free agent center Eric Ghiaciuc away from Cincinnati. Ghiaciuc started 16 games for the Bengals last season, and made at least 12 starts each of the last three seasons.
Kansas City already has two centers on its roster, including Rudy Niswanger, who made 15 starts in 2008. What happened prior to Pioli's hire, though, seems to be pretty inconsequential these days -- case in point, Tony Gonzalez's unloading last week. Pioli has made it very clear that he will be heading into 2009 and beyond with a roster filled by guys who fit his vision.
Training camps are underway, the NFL season is a month off, and to get you ready for 2008, FanHouse previews all 32 teams, "heat index" style. We'll rate each club in 10 categories on a scale of 1 to 10, high score wins.
Quarterback: If there is one constant on this team, it is Carson Palmer. Sure, Palmer didn't have his best season a year ago, but his off seasons are better than many QBs best years. In reality, other things factored into his poor season (injuries to the line, injury to Rudi Johnson, receivers pouting). The only issue here is what happens in Cincinnati if Palmer gets hurt. They have no one groomed to come in. Ryan Fitzpatrick and Jeff Rowe are in their second seasons with the team and Carson's brother, Jordan, is fighting for a spot. Heat Index: 8
Running backs: Injuries have hurt this unit in the past couple of years. Workhorse Rudi Johnson finally hit a wall; Kenny Irons blew out his knee in his first preseason game; Chris Perry has never been able to stay on the field. Well, Rudi and Perry are healthy again, with 2007 surprises Kenny Watson and DeDe Dorsey around to give the offense a different dynamic. Cincy needs this unit to get back to form to allow the entire offense to explode. Heat Index: 4
Receivers:Chad Johnson and T.J. Houshmandzadeh are one of the best receiving combos in the NFL. T.J. tied for the lead in receptions; Chad was third in receiving yards. However, this could be the last season either is in Cincinnati. Johnson's issues with the team are well documented. T.J. is in his final contracted season. Chris Henry is finally gone and there are several guys trying to step into that #3 spot. Rookie Jerome Simpson will get a strong look, as will Andre Caldwell and Antonio Chatman. Chatman is the only one with experience and could get the nod. Heat Index: 8
Just over one year ago, I wrote this about the horrible Bengals draft of 2005. In 2008, the Bengals have tried their best to wash their hands of that weekend ... and have seen five of the seven picks leave this season for various reasons. Two were flat out released; one retired due to injury; two were not tendered contracts.
Combined, these seven guys have played just 140 (out of a possible 448) games in the orange and black ... with Chris Henry (35) and Eric Ghiaciuc (32) the only ones to top twenty games. None played in all 16 games this past season -- only two played more than half the year. Three didn't suit up at all.
1st Round [#17]-David Pollack, LB, Georgia: Pollack had an unfortunate neck injury in Week 2 against the Browns in 2006. Despite trying to attempt a comeback, he retired earlier this year. He's played in just 16 games since being drafted. Status: Retired
2nd Round [#48]-Odell Thurman, LB, Georgia: Thurman was to be the focal point of the Bengals defense, before he was suspended for the first four games of the 2006 season for violating the league's substance abuse policy. A few weeks into the season, he was charged with OVI [operating a vehicle while impared]. Two days later, the league suspended him for the remainder of the season (the suspension would continue through 2007). He's played in just 16 games since being drafted and was released yesterday. Status: Released.
3rd Round [#83]-Chris Henry, WR, West Virginia: Look, we all know the deal here. He's a very productive player but can't stay out of his own way. He was suspended for Bengals' first 8 games of the 2007 season and could face a stiffer penalty if some recent off-field issues come back to bite him. He had played in 35 games for the Bengals before being released this offseason. Status: Released.
I said in my Broncos game preview that I considered the offensive line healthy with the return of Levi Jones, because I assumed that Rich Braham was done. It looks like I was correct because Braham's retirement was announced today.
Braham spent his entire career with the Bengals, and he's been with the team for 13 seasons. He was actually drafted by the Arizona Cardinals, but they waived him before he played a game. The Bengals picked him up, and he's been a rock ever since.
I'm guessing that Eric Ghiaciuc will be the center going forward. Ben Wilkerson is another possibility, but Ghiaciuc has played very well this season, and I think he's earned the job.
Braham will be honored in a pre-game ceremony this Sunday before the Steelers game.
I've been holding out hope that Kelley Washington would make a healthy return for weeks now, but it looks like that's not in the cards. He was placed on injured reserve today, and the Bengals signed Skyler Green off of waivers. Green was Dallas' fourth round pick back in April, and he appeared in two games for the Cowboys. Not sure what the deal is with Dallas giving up on a relatively high draft pick so quickly, but it seems like there might be some upside there. He's only 5'9 though, so it's probably best not to hope for too much.
Other injury notes:
Rich Braham and Levi Jones more than likely won't return this Monday night. You have to wonder what's going on here, and if we'll be seeing these two again this season. I certainly hope they return, but at some point their roster spots might be better used elsewhere.
Eric Ghiaciuc and Brian Simmons are both banged up, but both will play.
This is a little surprising to me, but it looks like Eric Ghiaciuc will probably be starting Sunday. I figured the Bengals would take the safer route and just start Ben Wilkerson, but Ghiaciuc practiced on Friday and looks good to go. Rich Braham is still doubtful and not practicing. Reports on him were pretty rosey until the week of the Baltimore game. He had to leave practice early that Tuesday, and I'm starting to think he might have reinjured himself.
Other injury notes:
Kelley Washington was downgraded to doubtful, and he unfortunately didn't practice all week. It's weird how things seemed to be getting better with him too, and then ... nothing. It wouldn't surprise me if Washington also had a setback, but you'd never know it with the Bengals. Marvin Lewis really hates having to give out more info than he absolutely has to.
Tory James, T.J. Houshmandzadeh, and John Thornton are all probable, and all practiced Friday. I honestly don't know if Thornton coming back is a good or bad thing though.
I said yesterday that I wouldn't be surprised to see Ben Wilkerson play center on Sunday, since Eric Ghiaciuc is banged up. He's been wearing a brace this week, and hasn't practiced. Rich Braham is still questionable, and I just can't see the Bengals bringing him back for a game they should be able to win with Ben Wilkerson at center. It makes a lot more sense to keep Ghiaciuc and Braham out against the Raiders, bringing them back for the Colts, and it certainly made things easier when Wilkerson played so well against the Ravens. The Bengals are pretty fortunate to have one of the deepest offensive lines in the NFL. It took a while to come together this season, but they played three backups last week against a top defense and did fine. Not many teams would be able to do that.
Kelley Washington is questionable and didn't practice on Wednesday. This is a little disappointing to me. I'm looking forward to the Bengals getting Washington back since they're pretty thin at receiver right now.
Oakland has two injured players. Jerry Porter won't be playing, and guard Barry Sims is questionable.
Finally, I think this pretty well illustrates how bad the injuries have been this season (set to a great song):
Mark Curnutte reported on Monday that Bobbie Williams, out with appendicitis, should be back this Sunday against the Raiders. Stacy Andrews has been Williams replacement, and he's done an excellent job of it, but having Williams back is certainly a good thing. He participated in practice yesterday, so it seems as if it's a lock that he'll be starting.
Other injury notes:
Kelley Washington, Brian Simmons, and Deltha O'Neal all practiced. I can't wait to see O'Neal and Washington back on the field, particularly Deltha. The Bengals defense will only get better when he returns.
Eric Ghiaciuc is off crutches and said to be doing better. My guess is that Ben Wilkerson will play this Sunday, and then we'll see Rich Braham back for Indy in two weeks, but that's only my guess. If the Bengals get Braham back for the final three games that'd certainly be a big boost.
Tab Perry said his hip injury isn't as bad as Bo Jackson's, so yeah, that's good news.
Last year I honestly think the Bengals peaked a little too early, but we might be seeing the reverse this season. The Bengals have been playing their best football of the year lately, and they seem to be getting healthy right on time.
For the first time in quite awhile the Bengals prospects are looking pretty damn good.
They're 7-5, just a half game out of the Wild Card race, and they're looking at ten days off after playing (and winning) three games in just twelve days. That's awesome news for a team that's been as banged up as the Bengals. Here's the early health outlook for Oakland:
Eric Ghiaciuc (pictured at right) was the only Bengals injury last night. He suffered a sprained knee and was replaced by Ben Wilkerson, who saw his first NFL action last night, and performed extremely well. Ghiaciuc is questionable for Oakland, but that's not as bad as it sounds because Rich Braham will almost certainly be back by then, and the aforementioned Ben Wilkerson looked more than capable. Plus it's Oakland. If Ben Wilkerson has to play against anybody Oakland is a pretty good opponent.
Bobbie Williams will be back from his appendix surgery. He's been replaced by Stacy Andrews, a guy who's 6'7, 350 pounds. Andrews has played like a monster, but Williams is a capable vet. The Bengals are pretty much fine here with either guy, and the upside to Williams getting hurt has been the discovery that Andrews is good enough to see game time.
Deltha O'Neal will be healthy. The defense has been great the past two games, but it's going to be even better when Deltha O'Neal lines up opposite of Jonathan Joseph instead of Tory James. I'm sure James will still see plenty of playing time, but it'll be less than he sees with O'Neal hurt, and that'll only help the Bengals. James is a lot more palatable an option when he's only playing part time.
Kelley Washington will be back. Maybe he can get some of Chris Henry's playing time, since Henry seems to be afraid of getting hit lately.
John Thornton will be back. Not really sure if this is a plus though. The defensive line was outstanding last night without him.
Rich Braham is questionable, but my guess is he'll be ready for Oakland or Indy. Holding him out until Indy might not be a bad idea if he's not totally healed up.
Levi Jones is still questionable. Whitworth has been a great replacement, so I'd rather not see Levi back until he's 100%. No reason to risk further injury, and Levi should be a big boost down the stretch.
Things are looking up. I'm going to have a good time settling in and watching all the teams the Bengals are chasing this weekend, secure in the knowledge that the Bengals already did their part for this week.
Levi Jones was back on the field on Thursday, participating in practice, but he's still listed as questionable.
He was joined by Rich Braham, who continues to improve. He's out for Sunday, but it doesn't seem out of the question that both Braham and Levi could be back for the Cleveland game next week. It's obviously impossible to overstate how huge that would be for the Bengals.
Mark Curnutte mentions the possibility of Eric Ghiaciuc and Andrew Whitworth both continuing to see playing time if the Bengals are out of the playoff picture. It's more of a question with Ghiaciuc I think, since this is probably Braham's final year and the Bengals need to be grooming his replacement, but I think the Bengals still need at least two more losses to be officially out of the race. While it's certainly not a lock, the Bengals should at least beat Cleveland in two weeks and Oakland in four. They've also at least got a shot against the Saints and Ravens, so it could be a while before the seventh loss comes. Once it does though I think the Bengals will need to start looking towards the future.
The Chiefs continued their Scott Pioli-led roster overhaul, signing unrestricted free agent center Eric Ghiaciuc away from Cincinnati. Ghiaciuc started 16 games for the Bengals last season, and made at least 12 starts each of the last three seasons.
Training camps are underway, the NFL season is a month off, and to get you ready for 2008, 
Just over one year ago, 
I said in my Broncos game preview that I considered the offensive line healthy with the return of Levi Jones, because I assumed that Rich Braham was done. It looks like I was correct because Braham's retirement was announced today.
I've been holding out hope that Kelley Washington would make a healthy return for weeks now, but it looks like that's not in the cards. He was placed on injured reserve today, and the Bengals signed Skyler Green off of waivers. Green was Dallas' fourth round pick back in April, and he appeared in two games for the Cowboys. Not sure what the deal is with Dallas giving up on a relatively high draft pick so quickly, but it seems like there might be some upside there. He's only 5'9 though, so it's probably best not to hope for too much.
This is a little surprising to me, but it looks like Eric Ghiaciuc will probably be starting Sunday. I figured the Bengals would take the safer route and just start Ben Wilkerson, but Ghiaciuc practiced on Friday and looks good to go. Rich Braham is still doubtful and not practicing. Reports on him were pretty rosey until the week of the Baltimore game. He had to leave practice early that Tuesday, and I'm starting to think he might have reinjured himself.
Mark Curnutte reported on Monday that Bobbie Williams, out with appendicitis, should be back this Sunday against the Raiders. Stacy Andrews has been Williams replacement, and he's done an excellent job of it, but having Williams back is certainly a good thing. He participated in practice yesterday, so it seems as if it's a lock that he'll be starting.
For the first time in quite awhile the Bengals prospects are looking pretty damn good.
Levi Jones was back on the field on Thursday, participating in practice, but he's still listed as questionable.
