Whitworth was a left tackle in college ball. I seriously doubt that when he was drafted in the 2nd round in ’06, it was with the intention that he displace Jones or Anderson immediately. The thought more likely was that he would either learn behind them or shift inside to begin with, and then start at LT once he was up to pro speed at the position. I have greater confidence in how Whitworth will play than how things will turn out at LG, C, or RT.

My take:

1. Sign Smith and play him at right tackle.

2. Start Collins at left tackle.

3. Keep Whitworth at left guard and (of course) Williams at right guard.

4. Look seriously on the waiver list for an upgrade at center. Consider offering a draft pick for an upgrade. Look, I hope Cook and/or Luigs pan out, but this “reminds people of Branham act” wore out halfway during Ghiaciac’s tenure.

As Shakespeare wrote, you can summon demons from the vasty deep, but will they come when you do call for them?

Or, as Carson Palmer thinks as he lines up under center these days, “Three years of wishful thinking is enough….”

Anyone can play “well lets see”. Take a stand for God’s sake. All of the quibbling about will they or won’t they is getting old. I say they will be better. I say they will be above league average for a few reasons. The talent will overall be better as Ghiacuic is gone and if my mother was his replacement the talent average would improve and she, God rest her soul, has been dead for 10 years. Levi was done and nobody else wants him either. Our under performing FA went to hold the hand of his head case brother – no lose there either. Collins is just as good at least and probably an upgrade. Everyone we lost was no big loss. Everyone is most concerned about the Oline and, yea there are question marks, but odds are we will be ok there. On additional reason is that the Oline situation is known going into training camp and play schemes can be devised to help the Oline out. Last year we didn’t really know until it was too late to do anything about it. We only need the Oline to be good. You do not need a great Oline to win if other areas are up to the task. Look at the Steelers for example. My big concern is our backup QB as even very good Olines give up sacks and it only takes one hard hit to put our season in the tank.

It is not good enough, to just say we will see. Take a stand – I say if we don’t have a winning season it will not be primarily because of the Oline.

I originally wanted Whit at LG and Collins at LT. Or Whit at RT and Collins at LT. My friends have convinced me that Whit is best candidate to go to LT, and the club is set on it, so I’ll leave it at that.
As for RT, Roland looked to be developing last year. He is a big guy who looks to have the right measurables. Maybe he only needed some experience, which he was starting to get.
Collins has the mobility to be the next Steinbach, with better size. He has the potential to become a great LG.
Wait Smith out. This guy went and basically tricked the Bengals on Alvin Keels. Now the team has the leverage. THEY DON"T NEED HIM. If he goes unsigned all year, that will show him and Keels what they get for their manipulation. If he goes back into the draft next year — LET HIM. Use the money they would have spent on Smith for Collins, and if they like Roland pay him a bit more too. Or use the money to extend Hall, re-sign Henry, etc. There are lots of good uses for the money that would be spent on the #6 pick in the draft — They don’t have to use it on Collins. This team would be better off letting him twist in the wind, send a signal, use the money better, develop the players they already have, etc. I think they would do great by putting the screws to Smith & Keels — but they don’t have the guts because it would be a public relations fiasco, no doubt. The talking heads would say it is an example of how screwed up the Bengals are — even if in reality it could be the best move they could make.