Scott Mruczkowski Done for Season; Chargers Sign Player with Equally Difficult Name

by creanium on Dec 22, 2009 6:02 PM PST in San Diego Chargers News

Scott Mruczkowski, the Chargers' backup Center thrust into the starting role after Nick Hardwick went down with a knee injury midway through the first game of the season against the Oakland Raiders, has officially been placed on the Injured-Reserve list. With Nick Hardwick coming back to play this Friday against the Tennessee Titans, the Chargers needed a center to fill the hole vacated by Mruczkowski.

Now that we've all finally gotten a handle on how to pronounce Mruczkowski's name, the Chargers decided to give us another challenge and signed Eric Ghiaciuc as a backup center.

Ghiaciuc, pronounced GUY-UH-CHECK, was drafted in the 5th round of the 2005 draft by the Cincinnati Bengals. He started 42 games in his 4 seasons with the Bengals. He was picked up by the Kansas City Chiefs this year as an unrestricted free agent, but was waived by the team before the season started.

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from what i have read one PFT

He is nothing special.

Hopefully he is the 4th center behind Hardwick, Norman and Green.
Im guessing he will spend the season on the inactive list unless there is an injury.

Life is like riding a bicycle, to keep your balance, you must keep moving.-Einstein

by cameronm on Dec 22, 2009 6:19 PM PST reply actions

on PFT comments*

i need to slow down sometimes

Life is like riding a bicycle, to keep your balance, you must keep moving.-Einstein

by cameronm on Dec 22, 2009 6:20 PM PST up reply actions

I’m pretty sure the team has given up on Green as a Center.

"I did not invent the wheel, I was the crooked spoke adjacent." - Aesop Rock

by John Gennaro on Dec 23, 2009 2:22 AM PST up reply actions

That's not what Norv was saying in his press conference the other day

But, obviously, the signing indicates that he’s more of the emergency variety.

Wisdom can not be cultivated through ignorance of information.

by Wonko on Dec 23, 2009 9:30 AM PST up reply actions

He's a vet.

He’s got experience. Hopefully his services won’t be needed.

"I aim to misbehave." - Mal Reynolds

by Zach (maestro876) on Dec 22, 2009 6:46 PM PST reply actions

Thanks Moose

Hell of a job by Mruczkowski this season. Hopefully Hardwick has recovered enough and will be able to shake off the rust in a hurry.

by CABurrito on Dec 22, 2009 9:19 PM PST reply actions

This seems to tell me something

The Bengals must run a similar offensive line scheme as us, since is the second guy we’ve picked up from them (the other was a PS guy that we discarded quickly when we got Runyan).

Wisdom can not be cultivated through ignorance of information.

by Wonko on Dec 22, 2009 9:25 PM PST reply actions

It is where we got Goff from, who was one of the original building blocks for this line.

"I did not invent the wheel, I was the crooked spoke adjacent." - Aesop Rock

by John Gennaro on Dec 23, 2009 2:23 AM PST up reply actions

That was a different Bengals team then

Don’t you think? Maybe the OLine coach was still there back then, I admit that I didn’t check.

Wisdom can not be cultivated through ignorance of information.

by Wonko on Dec 23, 2009 9:31 AM PST up reply actions

Thank AJ

that we didn’t IR Hardwick. Smart decision.

If the thunder don't get ya then the lightning will!!

Robert Hunter

by Buck Melanoma on Dec 23, 2009 5:32 AM PST reply actions

Hope he isn't needed...

http://www.arrowheadpride.com/2009/5/3/863323/differing-views-on-chiefs-new#comments

"The way this works is you string together some good games, some good practices and you get momentum and you gain confidence," linebacker Mike Vrabel said. "It can be a real positive for your team. It builds on itself."

by cpa913 on Dec 23, 2009 8:24 AM PST reply actions

merry chrismas

okay i have cereal palsy arhrtis and chronic fatiue as well i have a grea life loveing folks some days are better that other days i got a make a wish in 2001 saw my favorive team the broncos was the trip of the lifetime i wish everyone couild gotten to enjoy that with me i know some of u hate the broncos and that ok but i bleed organ and bule

by j-man on Dec 23, 2009 1:18 PM PST reply actions

thanks j-man

same to you!

by $#%@ eli and his daddy on Dec 23, 2009 7:33 PM PST up reply actions

The main knock on Ghiaciuc

that I’ve been getting is that he’s not strong enough to hold up at the POA. Scout Insider has a profile on him if you have an account.

I sure hope Nick is ready, although I’m a bit torn about his first game back being against a team like TN. They will go after that ankle, I feel certain.

If the thunder don't get ya then the lightning will!!

Robert Hunter

by Buck Melanoma on Dec 24, 2009 5:59 AM PST reply actions

Eric Ghiaciuc

Ghiaciuc is bright, articulate, a fierce competitor, fast, and plenty strong. His ‘problem’ is\was the Bengals and Chiefs were looking for excuses and used him as a scapegoat. He’ll do just fine if called upon…he started for 3+ years for the Bengals and no matter what anyone says, you don’t start in the NFL if you can’t get the job done. The Chargers are fortunate he was\is available.

by ArizonaJerry on Dec 25, 2009 10:31 AM PST reply actions