Will We See Andre Smith Against the Ravens?

by IFChris on Nov 6, 2009 4:32 PM EST in I Wonder.. Comment 15 comments

Is this the weekend the Bengals see their first round draft pick hit the field for the first time this season? Considering what we were told going into the bye week, no doubt many Bengals fans were thinking, "Yes, I'll finally get to see Andre Smith play when the Ravens come to town," however, those thoughts might have been a bit premature. It's either that or Marvin Lewis just wants to keep everybody on their toes.

Or he's just practicing his non-committal skills.

Offensive line coach Paul Alexander would not discuss Smith's status. On Wednesday, Bengals coach Marvin Lewis said Smith "would have to be one of the best 45 guys" to suit up.

So yeah, that sounds like an "I'll never tell" if there ever was one. It seems the Bengals staff seems really hesitant to use any of the offensive rookies at their disposal. Granted, Smith's ankle and his weight have been issues, but while every other team in the NFL showcases their new offensive talent, the Bengals take "wait and see" to a totally different level.

Now, if you are a defensive rookie with miles of potential, you'll have every opportunity to play through your mistakes. Unfortunately, that same level of approval seems to be missing for known college stars like Chase Coffman, and now Smith. Of course, the lack of Andre Smith "he's playing" talk might just be gamesmanship on the behalf of the coaches. Or it could very well be Lewis and his staff doesn't want Smith to stop working hard, and they feel any news about playing time could affect Smith's preparation.

Considering how well the Bengals have been running the ball, it's hard to not think how an Andre Smith, a player known as being an incredible run-blocker, might improve that aspect even more.

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Normally I'd agree with you

But I think this weekend they can’t afford any miscues on offense.

So far, these truths have been self-evident:

1) The offensive line has been excellent at opening holes for the running game (i.e. Benson).

- This has been true in both 5 and overloaded 6 linemen formations. Adding a rookie tackle with little practice to the mix can’t be expected to raise the ceiling much higher, and odds would say adds more risk in missed blocks or missed assignments.

2) The offensive line has been getting better and better at pass protection of Palmer.

- He’s had clean pockets more and more, and the number of people getting to Palmer has dropped over time.

3) TE’s have been needed more for blocking than passing.

- TE blocking has helped both the aforementioned running game and passing game. If we were short on pass options at WR, Coffman would have more of a chance. But Palmer has legitimate targets in 2-3 WRs, at RB, and last at TE (though if it’s Coats, I’d say don’t even bother – just make him a blocker) every down. Coffman might be great at pass catching, but he needs to at least be a threat in the running and passing game so defenses don’t cheat.

4) The offense has proven they can click, as demonstrated by last week’s beating of the Bears.

- Palmer can find the man if there is good protection. Benson can find the hole if there is good blocking. The WRs can exploit a cover-2 when they execute the right routes.

In all of these truths, the need does not cry out to jeopardize execution or chemistry with untested rookies in a critical and dangerous division game with serious playoff implications.

by rorschach1979 on Nov 6, 2009 5:33 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

That's certainly another school of thought...

…but unless they just plain don’t activate Smith for Sunday, I think we at least end up seeing him in garbage time, once the Bengals are up 45-10 again! ;-)

by TheWalrus1971 on Nov 6, 2009 6:45 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I don’t expect to see him active, honestly. He doesn’t have the versatility to even be an injury replacement, which we really need with Kooistra now gone.

Maybe (and I stress maybe) he plays in Pittsburgh. That gives him another week to practice as a lineman, rather than just a goal-line or unbalanced TE for the run game. But even that’s risky, against the weird Pittsburgh blitzes.

I’d say his first game is Oakland.

by rorschach1979 on Nov 6, 2009 7:56 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I don't think we see him

until Detroit or KC-if then. He needs to be better than what it playing now.

by featherman on Nov 7, 2009 9:44 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

*is

by featherman on Nov 7, 2009 9:45 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I completely agree with you Rorschach1979

I think the offensive line has dealt with the “loss” of Smith just fine, and I think we’re definitely more likely to have miscues because you put him in, than if you leave him out.

I think that if the Bengals get a commanding lead, and then they want to bring him in with O’sullivan at the helm or something like that to get him some reps thats just fine…..that could be beneficial for everyone. Considering that would really help if we are up that way, then we could just run the ball and get some major yards (possibly), if he’s really up to the task and really that good.

I think, now, the entire Bengal Nation has to agree “If it ain’t broke, then don’t try to fix it”

We’re doing just fine without him in there with the starting offense!

by Whodey4life88 on Nov 7, 2009 9:18 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

This is what happens when you have a good team.

Rookies aren’t forced on the field before they are ready which can hurt their long term development. Instead of asking when guys like Coffman and Smith aren’t starting, we should be thrilled that they aren’t even needed yet.

by smoormandiddy on Nov 6, 2009 7:59 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Amen

And what an amazing thing it is that this is true :)

After so many years when we needed stellar drafts and all sorts of things to line up for there even to be a chance the Bengals had a good season, now most of the draft class isn’t even really involved and success is happening on the field. They can mature into NFL players before they are called on to contribute. That’s been missing for so long – and let’s hope the CBA crap and upper management doesn’t find a way to F up this great thing.

by rorschach1979 on Nov 6, 2009 8:03 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

honestly, i’d love it if they kept andre inactive this week and worked him in next week against pittsburgh in the unbalanced line packages as the tight end. that ultimately gives you a needed advantage against the steelers, because they won’t be able to get any film on him at all, turning him into a sort of secret weapon at the point of attack.

i'm going to go america all over your ass!

by Raging Clue on Nov 6, 2009 8:56 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

The NFL is a Learn by Doing league....

I see what you guys are saying with the “ain’t broke, don’t fix it” approach and there’s a lot of merit in that, but, Smith was the best run-blocking tackle in college. Talent like that will not hurt an already-good run-blocking line.

Even on a play or two, here or there.

by IFChris on Nov 6, 2009 10:18 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

No doubt Andre will be a worthy addition to our O-line. That’s what the Bengals drafted him for, and one hopes the skills transfer to the big show.

I just don’t think it’s wise to throw the man to the wolves, sink-or-swim style, in such a huge game with little practice time. Picking spots for him is all well and good (and definitely should be the way he is eased into the work), but not against Baltimore, maybe even not against Pittsburgh. Mistakes in those games could be the critical difference between a win and a loss, and those 2 games are huge. Let him earn his wings playing in still needed but less critical games like Oakland, Cleveland, and Detroit. I’d rather have a full complement of more versatile and proven NFL linemen against the best of the best.

The crucial point is having to deactivate someone else for Andre. That changes this from an iffy proposition to an unpalatable one.

by rorschach1979 on Nov 7, 2009 12:11 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I can agree with you too............HOWEVER.....

Bengal Nation and a possible playoff run are on the line in the next two games. These two games really make or break this team. No time to be changing up what we have firing on all 8 cylinders. Stomping Da Bears with a 45-10 win, pretty much says we’ve got what we need in there right now. Unless something changes, they should leave the lineup alone.

I’m not saying Smith shouldn’t get a start this season, or at least a game or two under his belt…..but I am saying that now is not the time. This team has got it’s swagger back and we shouldn’t mess with a chemistry that is whoopin ass! The next two games are just too important to take a chance on a guy that hasn’t taken a single snap so far this season.

by Whodey4life88 on Nov 7, 2009 9:24 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Let the big man grade the road

When we are up 45-10 again.

by KentuckianaBrowncoat on Nov 7, 2009 12:03 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

As a Lions fan I dream of O-Line Consistency.

And I believe you are hard pressed to break up the cohesiveness that has been formed between the 5 guys that have started for you this far into the season.

As an ex left guard, the men next to you are your best friends. Especially when you see very positive results on a weekly basis.

I am visiting your site to see if I could find any up to date info on C. Benson. Debating on starting him this week, I did last time you guys played the Ravens and he didn’t disappoint.

Good Luck today.

Man invented language to satisfy his deep need to complain. Lily Tomlin

by Leapin Lion on Nov 8, 2009 11:05 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

ced’s been playing lights out all season, and i’m inclined to tell anybody to start him as their fantasy back no matter the opponent; however, there’s a part of me that believes the ravens’ specific defensive mission this week will be to stop cedric benson.

i'm going to go america all over your ass!

by Raging Clue on Nov 8, 2009 11:08 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs