Jul 30th 2008 8:12AM by JJ Cooper (author feed)
Filed under: Steelers, AFC NorthWe’re just a couple of days into training camp, but already the signs about the Steelers center situation aren’t good.

Apparently Sean Mahan and Justin Hartwig are engaged in a “heated battle” (Mike Tomlin’s words) for the starting center job. Considering how bad Mahan was last year, if Hartwig can’t clearly earn the starting job in short order, it’s a sign more of Hartwig’s inability than Mahan’s ability. As mentioned here a couple of months ago, Hartwig is nothing special–he’s pretty clumsy on his feet and struggled mightily at times last year.

Which is why this ESPN prediction is pretty interesting: AFC North blogger James Walker says he expects LeCharles Bentley to sign with the Steelers. Of course, Walker expects Bentley to play guard if he signs with Pittsburgh, but he is one last hope for Steelers fans who still remember what it was like when Pittsburgh was known for great center play.

There are a lot of questions about Bentley’s health–he hasn’t played a snap in two years, and he’s coming off of a serious knee injury and a life-threatening staph infection. But he also is a former Pro Bowler who, if he can come back at 90 percent of what he was before the injury, could give the Steelers the upgrade that Hartwig may be unable to give. Pittsburgh would likely have to clear some salary cap room to bring in Bentley, but it’s not like he’s been turning down many multi-year offers, so he’ll likely go for an incentive-laden deal.