Justin Hartwig?

As long as we are all discussing the O-line lately around here, does anybody have the "inside scoop" on Justin Hartwig?  I tried doing some research on NFL.COM, but because he missed some time due to injuries, and their stats database only seems to go back one year or two, I haven't been able to find out much about this guy.  Maybe I should start by asking some Carolina fans what they think about him?

Is he going to be effective?  Or, like last season's free agent acquisition (Sean Mahan), is he going to be a buster at center (by the way, no insult intended to Mahan-- he's a guard who tried to play center though)?  Is he a good pass blocker or a run blocker?

Thoughts?  What can we expect from Hartwig?  Is he the future of that position on our depth chart?

SteelPlatoon,

I dont know much about him either - I know we have some posters from NC so hopefully they can give us the scoop..  I do know that when rolling through some of the pictures coming out of mini-camp that Hartwig was lined up at Center with what appeared to be the first team line..  for now anyway...  Let em battle it out.

enjoy,

bb

If he stays healthy, he can be an asset. I agree with Mongoose, he is a bigger and more physical than Sean "Backpedaling" Mahan. I know Willie Parker gets more negative plays than anyone, and Ben holds the ball too damn long, but that is the comfort they got used to when Jeff Hartings was at center and Russ Grimm was coaching. 

Maybe Doug Legursky is our diamond in the rough, I liked this kid way back in February, glad we took him in a UFA. Let's hope he either makes the team or pushes Darnell Stapleton in one direction or the other. If all else fails, we draft Jonathon Luigs out of Arkansas next year.

Hartwig was an above average center for many years for the Titans.  He played the past two years with Carolina but wasn't as effective because of injuries.  He is only 29 and should have a few more years left as long as he is healthy.  Carolina wanted him to move to guard but he didn't want to.  Because of injuries and salary the cut him.

I think he will be an improvement over Mahan this year.  He is a nice player to have until the Steelers can draft someone else or see if Legursky works out.

Well here is a link for you guys to get better acquainted with Mr. Hartwig.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Justin_Hartwig