What About the Offensive Line?
by IFChris on Mar 4, 2009 5:48 PM EST
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Now that the Bengals have shown a pulse during this year's Free Agency blowout sale, I have a question: Why haven't they turned their attention towards the offensive line? There are an absolute ton of available offensive linemen as free agents. Why haven't any of them been courted by the Bengals? Is the draft the only way to go when trying to shore up your unit of Big Uglies?
Take a look at the offensive line players available and ask yourself, "Can anyone of these plug a hole? If so, why doesn't Cincy go after them? How about just one of them?" Names like Khalif Barnes stand out if you are thinking youth movement. There are also an absolute ton of experienced players available, especially at the Center position.
Seeing how the Coles and Benson signings addressed needed areas, why haven't the Bengals done the same with the offensive line? An infusion of experience and youthful talent cannot be a bad thing for a team as porous as Cincinnati. Furthermore, not every free agency signing has to be a blockbuster. Find a yeoman for a lineman who comes to work everyday and does his job while keeping a low profile.
Again, not every offensive lineman needs to be a Jake Long/first overall pick quality to succeed in the NFL. With that in mind, why haven't the Bengals rolled out the red carpet for every free agent OL with a healthy pulse?
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Um, because they’re the Bengals and they just shot their rather feeble wad on Laveranues Coles?
by IgnatiusJReilly on Mar 4, 2009 5:50 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
They should be farther under the cap
Than that. Besides, the money still hasn’t been counted for Coles. Who knows how much he’ll get as guarantee.
by IFChris on Mar 4, 2009 5:53 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Draft
They are looking to rebuild in the Draft, not saying I agree with that because I think they should have atleast showed some kind of interest in a FA Offensive Linemen.
by CinBengal08 on Mar 4, 2009 5:57 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Experience and youth
One would think a coach would embrace having experience available to teach the incoming youth.
by IFChris on Mar 4, 2009 6:05 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Agreed, they need an experienced Offensive Linemen to try to show some leadership.
by CinBengal08 on Mar 4, 2009 6:07 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
It seems to me they have two problem positions center and tackle. I would rather have seen them shell out the $$$ on Brown and get a top quality vet center vs. a 31 year old WR.If you can’t run then you can’t pass and last year was very evident of that fact. Most of TJs catches were after they were way behind and the defense was in a prevent to run out the clock. However,the Browns don’t like to overpay a center.They would prefer to overpay on an aging WR.My guess is they have the 6th pick in the draft and they feel pretty good that they will get one of the top OTs with that pick.There appears to be three top centers and the odds of one or two of them still being available with the second pick are good.
by redberkey on Mar 4, 2009 6:31 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Perhaps the reason they ain't moving on a centre
Is because they know full well Eric Ghiaciuc is coming back.
Can’t imagine that much interest in him with other teams seeing videos of him against the Steelers and Ravens.
by Squizza on Mar 4, 2009 6:33 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
More offseason transactions?
Recently Marvin Lewis said in an interview that changes were “imminent”. This was said before the news of Coles being signed but does he have a possible Offensive Lineman in mind? I would not doubt it if Cincy resigns Ghiaciuc but maybe they have someone else in mind. Wouldn’t mind the possibility of looking at Tra Thomas from PHI to take the place of Stacy Andrews. I wouldn’t count on Mike Brown looking for more free agency moves but it would be nice to see them make one more move to help out the offensive line.
by CinBengal08 on Mar 4, 2009 6:57 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Great photo. Reminds me of the one year the Bengals were good in thel last 18 years. Guess it just takes some time to build a new O-line, at least for the Bengals.
by ToledoRocket on Mar 4, 2009 7:03 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Jeremy Newberry
The Bengals are going to draft a tackle in the draft and they have young guys that they are grooming to be center, but they need a veteran who can solidify the line, and help Palmer set the offense. Jeremy Newberry would be perfect as a center for the next few years.
by DCBengalFan on Mar 4, 2009 8:23 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Just read the ravens signed Birk.
by IgnatiusJReilly on Mar 4, 2009 8:33 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Birk would have been a good pick-up
The longer they wait though, the more of a Brown kind of market it becomes. So with the depth of centers on the market, it’s certainly not a bad idea to wait as long as they have and get the most bang for thier buck. This draft is definately for a Franchise left tackle. No other way the Begals will ever get one.
It took my two years to come up with an avatar and sig
and this is the best I could come up with.
by einman77 on Mar 4, 2009 9:05 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
amen brother
it would be nice to use the draft to add depth, not fill holes. See Patriots, New England.
by azbengalfan on Mar 4, 2009 9:36 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
What depth?
The era where the Bengals could have won something has passed, for now.
With 85 and Palmer we’re hanging onto a couple of could have beens and in severe danger of wasting the best years of Palmer’s career with a rebuilding OL, a RB that frankly no one else wanted and a couple of 30+ WR starters.
This isn’t a team that will challenge for the championship and the only thing stopping the Browns for admitting this and going full out for another rebuilding stage is the fact they’d lose money. That and their own ineptness.
On the plus side we have a young D that is getting better, the D could use depth and DEs that actually put pressure on the opposing QB, it’s the other side of the ball that looks threadbare atm.
by Squizza on Mar 4, 2009 10:47 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
So I have looked at this many times...
based on other teams needs and luck and also the Bengals management not being completely helpless the first 4 rounds to go as follows for the Bengals.
1, Eugene Monroe OT Virginia
2, Alex Mack C Cal
3. Shone Green RB Iowa
4. Daniel Ellerbe MLB Georgia
Would you be happy with this? As far as I’m concerned this would be the best draft in the Marvin Lewis era, maybe for the Bengals ever!
by Diesel2405 on Mar 4, 2009 11:45 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
I would be ecstatic with this draft
Alex Mack falling to us in the 2nd round would make our draft. I’m just not sure its going to happen. We might also get another 3rd round pick as compensation for last offseasons free agency
by CincyMike56 on Mar 5, 2009 12:17 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
If I had my druthers:
6. B.J Raji
21(or 28). Michael Oher*
38. Max Unger(plays every line position)
70. Pat White
102. Shonn Greene(per WalterFootball.com)
- Presumes a Chad trade, in this case, for one of Philly’s firsts.
by IgnatiusJReilly on Mar 5, 2009 1:50 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
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