The Bengals have options with the offensive line
by Kirkendall on Apr 20, 2009 9:59 AM EDT
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Would Andrew Whitworth be better suited at left tackle than any rookie tackle in the draft? This is a fair question that has some legs to it. However, Whitworth hasn't been without his struggles. While solid for most of his rookie season at left tackle for the injured Levi Jones, Whitworth was simply schooled by the speedy Dwight Freeney; three sacks if I recall. Remember the tie against the Eagles last year? Jones was simply terrible, having reportedly a "problem with his foot", while we held our breath while Trent Cole was pwning. So Marvin Lewis took him out of the game, moved Whitworth to left tackle and Scott Kooistra to left guard. Whitworth subsequently gave up two sacks to Cole; once tripping over a blocking running back. Later in the game, Whitworth would suffer an injury that ended his season.
If the Bengals decide to move Whitworth to left tackle, I wouldn't have a problem with that. There is the concern that he's struggled against the league's elite players, but many people do. On the other hand, that's a terrible excuse and if the Bengals can't protect Palmer against the league's elite, then we're done before we're started. It's the whole complancy self-argument that if you convince yourself just enough that things will be alright, even though you hold no argument or evidence to support your claims, then doing nothing will the disaster that we see on the side of the roads clogging traffic.
Here's three of 6.4 trillion theories that could be used to address the offensive line.
- Draft an offensive tackle and a center. Place the drafted offensive tackle at the position he'd be more effective and then put Anthony Collins on the other end. Keep Whitworth and Bobbie Williams at the guard spots and either put your rookie center into a trial by fire scenario, or have him back up either Dan Santucci or Kyle Cook in an effort to get the rookie center acclimated to the league.
- Push Andrew Whitworth to left tackle, Anthony Collins to right tackle, draft a center in the second round and a guard later. The guard could likely start immediately or he could also sit behind Nate Livings for a period. The rookie center starts, or, like above, sits behind Santucci or Cook for a brief introduction to the league.
- Keep Levi Jones at left tackle, Anthony Collins at right tackle, both guards at their own spots and have a competition between Santucci and Cook for the center spot. If this happens, I'll cry.
There are options that the Bengals could use when filling out their roster and starting lineup at the offensive line. Option number one seems to carry the most reason. The second option is something that's been promoted from others. The third option is, well, reason for the wife for some sympathy........................
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Whit would be a way better RT than a LT. and that way you can keep Anthony Collins at LT and not stunt his growth. but yeah this is an option to move Whitworth to Tackle
by firstPick on Apr 20, 2009 10:15 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I think it is best to leave Whitworth where he is. Would you rather him be a probowl caliper LG or a mediocre LT? With no disrespect to Levi, his time is done. I wouldn’t mind him sticking around for less money as a backup but his body is too worn to start. This is where it gets interesting.
1. Is Collins a better LT or RT? This should be our deciding factor on who we draft. If he is a better LT, we can either pick A.Smith to play RT or pick one up in the 3rd or 4th round. If he is a better RT, we need to get Monroe in the first.
2. Do the coached think Cook and Santucci are going to be better than any center in the draft?
by smoormandiddy on Apr 20, 2009 10:17 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Just off his body type, his athleticism, and his performance last year, Anthony Collins is a left tackle. Andre Smith could start from day one at right tackle, leaving Bobbie and Whit where they are, Livings and Kooistra in reserve. I’m guessing Levi goes the way of Orlando Pace and that we may shoot for a Tupuo or a Louis Vasquez later on to bolster the bench. While I’m personally sold on Antoine Caldwell as the center to get this year, it is perhaps worth noting that Eric Wood can also play guard and Max Unger can play every position on the line- and tackle to All-Pac10 efficiency. From that perspective, Unger provides the most bang for the buck, especially if we’re set on giving Cook and/or Santucci a shot at starting center.
by IgnatiusJReilly on Apr 20, 2009 10:39 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I think we're having two different conversations here...
…what to do at both tackles, and what to do at center. I don’t honestly think there is any question whatsoever about what the Bengals going to do about the latter: DRAFT A CENTER! Really…Cook and Santucci would have started over Ghiaciuc already if either of them were NFL starter-caliber.
As far as the tackles, yeah…I like Whit, but if he gets schooled by a speedy (albeit elite) DE like Freeney, when Levi Jones can point to times when he has completely BLANKED Dwight Freeney over the course of an entire four quarters, it’s apparent that the Bengals need to draft an elite tackle. Now, whether they draft him for RT and slide Collins over to LT…well, I haven’t watched enough tape to know, really.
by TheWalrus1971 on Apr 20, 2009 10:57 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I’ve heard that the Bengals were looking at Tupuo as Bobbies replacement next year. Letting him sit as depth for RG/RT and let him learn behind Bobbie so next year he can start at RG.
I agree that A Collins looks like a good LT. I Personally believe that because we play three 3-4 teams in our division that we should keep oversized Gs – like Whitworth – to handle the larger 3-4 ends and fast-footed Ts to handle the speedier 3-4 OLB (DEs). Andre Smith has really good footwork and a large span and at RT would be able to dominate both the 3-4 OLB and the 4-3 DE
A line of Collins Whitworth (Cook/then Wood) Bobbie A. Smith looks like a line that can handle both the 4-3 and the 3-4.
On C, i want a mauler. A gritty strong guy who can destroy LBs and handle the 3-4 NTs we encounter. For that i see Wood, Mack or Caldwell being the only viable options.
The Bengals must build a team that first and formost can handle the 3-4. It’s what we encounter the most. Design that O-line to play the 3-4 and we will see a playoff berth every year.
by Sheffieldbengal on Apr 20, 2009 11:04 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I know I am about to say something very unpopular.. but I would honestly love to see us get A. Smith and Unger or Wood. Maybe get a backup G later in the draft, but I think Smith and one of the centers would give our line an immediate impact.
OK, now I’ve sold myself to the devil, but after watching A. Smith’s video this guy is the second coming of Big Willie. Sure he made bad choices, but if we pass on this talented guy we would be making one ourselves. Plus, doesn’t it bother anyone else that Monroe and J. Smith have had some injury issues?? Why do we want to draft O-line guys who already have knee probs and such.. Lets get the powerhouse in A. Smith and watch our running game actually produce.
by 80%OFTHETIMEIMRIGHTEVERYTIME on Apr 20, 2009 11:26 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
We're cool with that actually.
We’ve examined Andre Smith in the past and we’ve convinced ourselves that if the Bengals draft him, it’ll be a good selection. We need a center, one of the top three is cool iwth us.
Blogger at CincyJungle.com -- SB Nation Cincinnati Bengals blog.
by Kirkendall on Apr 20, 2009 11:51 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Whats unpopular about that?
Any of those 3 Tackles would be a great pick…and better be the pick at #^. And I agree Andre3000 is probablythe best.
by JohnCockToastin on Apr 20, 2009 3:07 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I don’t see Andre Smith being picked before 6 and I’m sure at least 2 of the 3 top centers will be there for our second round pick. So as long as Mike doesn’t screw this up we could end up with 2 great O-linemen in the first two picks.
by smoormandiddy on Apr 20, 2009 12:14 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
"So as long as Mike doesn’t screw this up"
I always get that stomach-kick feeling when somebody says something like that…
It’s usually followed by the haunting memory of whatever coach/spokesperson/whomever from the Bengals saying something like, “Well, our philosophy is to go after the best player available in the draft, regardless of position.”
by TheWalrus1971 on Apr 20, 2009 12:22 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
If one is good.... two better?
I too think A. Smith wouldn’t be a bad option with the 6th, either at RT or LT. Would love to see E. Wood with the second. If available late in the late third/early fourth, what about A. Caldwell from Alabama or J. Luigs from Arkansas… both center/potential guard combo guys?
by tharrison on Apr 20, 2009 2:12 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
"Well, our philosophy is to go after the best player available in the draft, regardless of position."
I just puked in my mouth.
Blogger at CincyJungle.com -- SB Nation Cincinnati Bengals blog.
by Kirkendall on Apr 20, 2009 12:29 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
With the sixth pick the Bengals select Michael Crabtree…
by Sheffieldbengal on Apr 20, 2009 2:13 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
O-line
I continue to hope that Jacksonville or SF will trade up with us to grab someone preferably Sanchez or Crabtree, so we can pick Andre Smith 2-4 picks later. I see Monroe and Jason Smith being gone when we pick. but if we could trade back a few spots for an extra 3rd round pick, we could package 2 3rd rounders and move up back into the second. We could end up with Andre Smith, A top center porspect, probably Wood, and a pass rusher, another corner, or MLB (Lauranitis).
by jim0ijk on Apr 20, 2009 2:37 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I was almost sold on Caldwell to go along with Andre Smith but Max Unger’s ability to play anywhere on the line at an elite level gives me pause. Only trouble is, I had our second rounder(38) going elsewhere(Connor Barwin!) because Caldwell could be got in the third. Decisions, decisions.
by IgnatiusJReilly on Apr 20, 2009 2:52 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Unger
Would you rather take a guy who only plays center but is great at it or a guy who is pretty good at any position on the line? If it’s a 2nd or 3rd round pick, I’ll take the former. If it is a late round pick, I’ll take the later.
by smoormandiddy on Apr 20, 2009 3:10 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
"I’ll take the former. If it is a late round pick, I’ll take the later."
I agree. If someone is a specialist at one spot and is great, I’m fine with that. This playing multiple positions is only beneficial with back up players.
Blogger at CincyJungle.com -- SB Nation Cincinnati Bengals blog.
by Kirkendall on Apr 20, 2009 3:59 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Andre Smith at RT + Alex Mack at C + Anthony Collins at LT is best option
by Mike Boyd on Apr 20, 2009 4:57 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Scenario 1
Best OT available at 6 and a DE/OLB in the second (38). I believe that Caldwell can be had in round 3. My dream is that he can be had with the 98th pick so that we could use the 70th on a RB (preferably Rashad Jennings). I’m not super confident we get him at 98. Opinions?
by BamaBengal on Apr 20, 2009 9:32 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
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