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Chick Ludwig covers the Cincinnati Bengals. He also writes about his other passions: college football, basketball and golf.Home > Blogs > Chick Ludwig At Large > Archives > 2009 > June > 28 > Entry
What’s cookin’ in The Nati? The Bengals new starting center — Kyle Cook
GHIACIUC ERA IS OVER;
NOW IT’S COOK’S TIME
===LUDWIG AT LARGE ALERT: Beneath Bengals jersey number 64 beats the heart of a mauler — center Kyle Cook — who promises not to be a swinging gate in front of quarterback Carson Palmer.===
Kyle Cook didn’t inherit the job as starting center for the Cincinnati Bengals.
He earned it.
After a year on the practice squad (2007) and a season ruined by a freak toe injury (2008), Cook seized control of the position with a strong offseason that included stellar performances during the on-field coaching sessions and the full-squad minicamp.
The rugged 6-foot-3, 306-pounder from Michigan State takes over the critical position from Eric Ghiaciuc, who signed with the Kansas City Chiefs as an unrestricted free agent on April 30.
Despite the fact Cook has played in only five NFL games with zero starts, offensive line coach Paul Alexander wasted no time in naming Cook the starter because he trusts him.
“He may be one of the smartest guys we’ve had,” Alexander said.
It sure helps to have brains and brawn.
KYLE COOK PAID HIS DUES;
NOW HE’S STARTING CENTER
What the Bengals want and need, Kyle Cook has.
The second-year center from Michigan State has taken advantage of his opportunity and seized the starting job, replacing Eric Ghiaciuc, who signed with the Kansas City Chiefs as an unrestricted free agent on April 30.
“Kyle’s got the ‘it’ factor,” offensive line coach Paul Alexander said. “The guys follow his direction and that’s what we’re looking for. You have to take charge. That’s one of the requirements of the job.
“You have to make the right calls. You have to synthesize complex things in a hurry and be right. He’s got the brains. He just understands it. He may be one of the smartest guys we’ve had.”
Cook signed as an undrafted college free agent with the Minnesota Vikings, who released him on Sept. 1, 2007. Four days later, the Bengals signed him to their practice squad.
He made the 53-man roster in 2008 and played in five games on special teams. But he landed on Injured Reserve — out for the season — when he dislocated a toe during a freak collision during pregame warm-ups at Dallas on Oct. 5.
Cook used his time wisely — waiting, watching, studying and learning while rehabilitating.
“That was tough,” he said. “But you’ve got to use it as a learning experience. If you sit back and put it on cruise control for the rest of the year, you’re going to be a step behind.
“Even when I was hurt, I was still sitting in the back of the room paying attention, watching film, seeing what works against these guys and what doesn’t work against these guys. You get to see everything that goes on. You learn the right things and you also learn the wrong things.”
The Bengals yielded 51 quarterback sacks in 2008. Ryan Fitzpatrick, who started 12 games in place of injured Carson Palmer, went down 38 times. Ghiaciuc, who started all 16 games at center, was partially responsible. Both are gone — Fitzpatrick to Buffalo, Ghiaciuc to K.C.
Alexander hasn’t tweaked the line. He blew it up and started over with Cook in the middle, flanked by guards Nate Livings and Bobbie Williams, and tackles Andrew Whitworth and Andre Smith.
“I see a lot of great communication, starting with the center, which is key,” Williams said. “Not taking anything away from the last guy (Ghiaciuc), but Kyle Cook is doing an awesome job out there. He’s a good clean-up guy. Guys are out there talking. That’s the main thing, communicating. We’ll just let our ability do the rest.”
Cook has come a long way in three seasons. From practice squad to Injured Reserve to opening-day starter on Sept. 13 against the visiting Denver Broncos if he stays healthy.
“Since the beginning, it’s taken a lot of hard work to get where I’m at,” Cook said. “It feels good right now. The guys are communicating. We’re talking well. We’re getting the calls across the line, which is basic fundamentals — where it all starts.
“But it’s not set in stone. I’ve got to understand what my goal is, what our team goal is, and know that every day I’ve got to come to work.”
Permalink | Comments (8) | Post your comment | Categories: Bengals
Comments
By nyc
June 28, 2009 6:37 PM | Link to this
there is one thing that is very consistent about them bungals…they know they only have to play sixteen games..each year and then the season is over…they decided against extending the season..because the bungals may think they made the playoffs…By Brian
June 28, 2009 6:47 PM | Link to this
nyc is a regular Henny Youngman.By TouchDown Troy
June 28, 2009 8:41 PM | Link to this
I agree Brian NYC you should worry about the Giants they will not make the playoffs this year, they will be crushed by the tough NFC East.By psychostats
June 28, 2009 9:56 PM | Link to this
Let me get this straight. Cook went undrafted in 20007, played one year on the practice squad, and saw minimal game experience last year. Throughout that time, there was barely a murmur concerning his potential. Now we’re suddenly asked to believe that he’s some kind of hybrid between Blair Bush (brains) and Dave Rimington (brawn) — a guy who will play well right now. And long-suffering, highly jaded Bengals fans are asked to swallow this whole? I don’t think so. Poor Carson Palmer is sure to get battered while Cook gains the necessary seasoning.By photoman
June 28, 2009 10:19 PM | Link to this
Good eye psychostats. I think all things are possible; at least ‘till they get on the field. Our Chickster’s commentary might be a “rah rah” to help sell season tickets.By Pharrell
June 28, 2009 10:45 PM | Link to this
Why exactly would Chick care about the Bengals selling more season tickets?By TechGuy
June 29, 2009 8:42 AM | Link to this
I don’t see a point in getting too excited or too pessimistic about Cook until the pads go on. Until then, all we can do is speculate about how good or bad he will be. But I know I would rather go with an unknown in Cook over a known in Ghuichic.By islebfrank
June 30, 2009 5:45 PM | Link to this
By nyc June 28, 2009 6:37 PM there is one thing that is very consistent about them bungals…they know they only have to play sixteen games..each year and then the season is over…they decided against extending the season..because the bengals may think they made the playoffs… Wow, that’s as original as “nyc” MORON