When the Bengals did the old best-player-on-the-board routine in the third round Saturday, they got more than Michigan center Rod Payne.
They got an intriguing, bright guy who wants to be a firefighter, buy a Clydesdale, fly an acrobatic plane and who just happens to be a relative of Cincinnati's first-round pick, linebacker Reinard Wilson. But he didn't know it until recently.
''My aunt told me that her husband had a nephew that played for Florida State,'' Payne said. ''They told him the same thing. About having a nephew who played for Michigan. We met up at the Senior Bowl. We kind of went back through the family tree and looked up how we were related through there.''
The pick is not related to any dissatisfaction with starter Darrick Brilz.
Offensive line coach Paul Alexander made it clear Brilz is still the man. But Brilz is 33 and coming off foot problems. And the 305-pound Payne was the top center on many boards as a rare four-year starter at Ann Arbor.
Alexander loves his technique, balance, quickness, polish and resourcefulness.
For one stretch, he snapped left-handed after breaking his right hand. Alexander said Payne is farther along coming out of college than Ken Blackman, taken in last year's third round and now starting at right guard.
''He's one of the best college holders I have ever seen,'' Alexander said.
''He doesn't get called much Š He's a very gregarious type of individual who you'll be running to for quotes. I told him to keep his mouth shut his rookie year, but he won't.''
Payne was already pumping local reporters Saturday night and saying the right things.
''Let me ask you ask a question,'' he said. ''Who is the center there now?''
''Darrick Brilz,' he was told.
''Is he pretty good?'' Payne asked.
''Yeah,'' a reporter said. ''He's been around the league 11 years.''
''Oh well,'' Payne said. ''I get to learn from him.''
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