Giving Collins reps for remainder of 2009 might serve Bengals best

by Josh Kirkendall on Nov 18, 2008 11:13 PM EST

Team served best if youth learns under fire during dismal season.

Levi Jones, while healthy is a good left tackle, should get healthy now and let Anthony Collins finish the season.

If you think about it, the Bengals will have Anthony Collins next season, a guard/tackle combination in Andrew Whitworth and then Levi Jones. That's for certain. Stacy Andrews could easily bail into free agency once his contract expires this season, and the health of Jones is a growing concern (OK, it's a super-big concern). What's the mainstream thought of whom the Bengals are going to draft? An offensive tackle: Michael Oher, Andre Smith (if he comes out), Phil Loadholt, Alex Boone.

Where would Jones go?

Even with the terrifying prospect that Anthony Collins will make his first career start against Pittsburgh's James Harrison, there's a lot to look forward to. He is, after all, the future of the team's younger generation of offensive linemen. Now would be a great time to accumulate reps, allowing him the chance to finish the season so Levi Jones can focus on getting 100% healed for 2009. One would have to assume that Jones' qualification to sticking with the team would be getting healthy; provided what we're seeing is a result of health issues. That's ala Bengals, playing the character "Rudi Johnson", presented by Levi Jones. In preparation of Andrews leaving, keep Jones and draft a lineman. In preparation of Jones leaving (ala Willie Anderson), sign Andrews and draft a lineman. I prefer the latter, but expect the former.

Now that's a bunch of pesky "ifs", similar to how we approached running backs this off-season. Remember we were told that Rudi Johnson looked great. Then he got hurt, was shopped, forced to wait, later cut, checked out motor city gig, and signed a deal. Of course, Chris Perry's season was critical, make-or-break, instead he sucked, sucked some more, then watched Cedric Benson sign, start, while Perry brooded. Essentially, we hoped for the best and were answered with the worst (ala, Cincinnati Bengals, American government).

So the obvious answer to all this, based on the history of happy-pray time, is to build your offensive line with youth as quickly as you can, extending beyond this season's introduction of Collins. You don't have to cut Jones, like you didn't have to cut Willie Anderson. Get Anthony Collins in there, let him learn the game under fire, and let Jones focus on his rehab. Find a way to get Stacy Andrews signed long-term and you have a much improved offensive line. There's always that one guy lurking with comments of "what if he's terrible." And that guy would be wise to ask.

For a time, Collins could be terrible, learning to play in the NFL will be a lesson on how advanced the game is played. Remember, this should be his senior year at Kansas, so he could very well be terrible to start. He'll grow into the game with time, eventually becoming a foundation of the team's youth movement. But he needs the reps, as many as possible.

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The future of the O-line does not look good to say the least. Whitworth looks good and B.Williams is passable, but the other 60% is not in good shape.
1. Center: Either a first day draft pick or big money free agents needs to be acquired. Also, if Ghaicuic is under contact for next year, he needs to add 20lbs. Everyone says he has athletic ability, but he’s been thrown into the back field for the last 2+ years. Maybe if he gets stronger he could be decent.
2. Tackle. Cutting/trading Jones should be seriously considered. He hasn’t played well for 3 years, and he’s not getting any younger or growing a new healthy leg. The cut should be done circa the draft, so that we can use the money saved to get a good center, or to resign Andrews. To that point Andrews should only be resigned at a reasonable price. He has played OK this year, but he does not deserve Pro-bowl money. Hopefully the other teams in the league have watched him, and won’t offer him a big contract, but given the fact the Max Starks is getting paid 6+Mil. as a backup in Pittsburgh, he’ll probably be over paid by someone. Giving Collins a try seems obvious. If he is decent (as good as Jones), it makes things easier.
3.Philosophy. I think that this is the most important. I believe we have had the attitude that we should have a really intimidating passing attack that keeps the safties out of the box, and an extra CB on the field, and given those favorable conditions, we can run the ball. This was the case in ‘05. However, even then, if my memory services me correctly, we had a lot of trouble running the ball to put away games and on short yardage situations. But if the passing game is off, via injury or wind/snow, everything goes to hell. I think this is attributable to the line coach Paul Alexander. He goes after athletic college tackles (Jones, Whitworth, Collins, Steinbach) and then forces them into every position. Gheicuic fits the model of athletic/weak o-line also. Having Palmer, it’s good to have lineman suited to pass protect, but it’s clear we need some more strength.

Looking forward, I would like to see Whitworth moved to RT, his natural position in my opinon. Keep B. Williams at RG. As far as LT, LG and C, the highest paid free agent, and either the 1st and/or the 2nd rd draft picks need to be dedicated to getting 2 quality people and we scramble to fill the last position with Collins.
Therefore, I don’t see the line getting better in the near future.

by R.F. Mehl on Nov 19, 2008 12:12 AM EST reply actions

Start Collins!

We NEED to get Collins reps! It makes no sense to let a veteran with shot knees (Jones) to keep playing in a lost season when we can develop young talent. Even if Harrison beats him multiple times its not like its Carson that will be getting hit, it will be our free agent backup. Let Fitz use those crazy legs while Collins can gain some valuable learning experience. Jones is done, let him go in the offseason and draft a tackle in the first round (Oher please!)

by CincyMike56 on Nov 19, 2008 10:44 AM EST reply actions