JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- Jacksonville Jaguars coach Gus Bradley on Monday named Stefen Wisniewski as the team's starting center over second-year player Luke Bowanko.
Wisniewski's past experience in offensive coordinator Greg Olson's system combined with a bit more consistency than Bowanko throughout training camp and the first two preseason games made the difference, Bradley said.
"It was a very difficult decision the way Bo was playing because he did a lot of good things," Bradley said. "I think just for the team's sake where we're at [and] how it felt when we watched and evaluated him, Wis had the edge."
The team signed Wisniewski to a one-year, $2 million contract with $500,000 guaranteed in April. The four-year veteran is familiar with Olson's system, having played for Olson in two of his four seasons in Oakland. He's a durable, dependable player, having started 61 of a possible 64 games.
Wisniewski started every game in 2014 despite playing much of the season with a torn labrum, an injury that required offseason surgery. He was limited in organized team activities and minicamp while recovering from the surgery but has practiced fully throughout training camp.
"Shoulder felt good the whole time," Wisniewski said. "It was just a matter of getting comfortable again. I haven't played any real football at all in seven months so had to shake some rust off. Feel like I'm pretty comfortable. Still got some things to work out but ready for a real game I think."
Bowanko started 14 games as a rookie in 2014, replacing Jacques McClendon in Week 3. The Jaguars hadn't wanted to play the sixth-round pick out of Virginia that early but had no choice. Though he had some ups and downs, the Jaguars were pleased with his progress.
Bowanko also played guard at Virginia, and Bradley said the Jaguars are going to cross-train him there and possibly at tackle, as well.
"Bo could play our backup center, he could be a guard, he could be a tackle," Bradley said. "It tells you how much we think of him as well."
