Question of the Day: If the Bengals sign Bobbie Williams back, would you still draft a guard?

by Josh Kirkendall on Mar 22, 2010 2:00 PM EDT in Analysis

Since I have to give him his fair share of recognition, Jaegner was the first to post this over the weekend. You da man.

Idaho guard Mike Iupati - a guy that Scout NFL Network's Chris Steuber calls the "premier offensive lineman in the draft" -- will be making rounds to workout with several teams, including the Cincinnati Bengals. Actually, he could be working out with upwards to 15 teams which makes me think, that boy will need an energy bar.

While the Scouts' report hasn't been confirmed by any of the local beat writers, Iupati working out for the Bengals really wouldn't surprised us. But that would depend on your perspective.

Are the Bengals reacting to a scenario that Williams might not be signed? Obviously this makes the most sense, considering if Williams signed elsewhere, the team would be left with Nate Livings, Evan Mathis, Jason Shirley with an unlikely scenario of working Jonathan Luigs or Dan Santucci at guard. Note: Would it really surprise you if the Bengals elected to move an offensive lineman out of his natural position? None of which really gives me that tingly feeling.

On one hand, the Bengals signing Bobbie Williams back could make the idea of drafting a guard in the early rounds rather moot. But that would be going off the suggestion that the Bengals interest in Iupati would be relative to what happens with Williams. Or, do the Bengals want to upgrade left guard? How much of an improvement is Iupati over Nate Livings or Evan Mathis?

What's your thoughts? If the Bengals sign Williams back, would you still draft a guard high in the draft?

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Absolutely

I think adding a guard in the 2nd-3rd round range would be a smart, forward thinking move by the team…so it won’t happen.

by yofrex on Mar 22, 2010 2:04 PM EDT reply actions

YES

But whom and in what round depends on who is still on the board.

by Phil Francis on Mar 22, 2010 2:08 PM EDT reply actions

agreed

according to the scouting outlets, after Iupati and Pouncey, who are both expected to be gone in the first round, the next best interior lineman (Asomoah) is maybe a late third rounder.

by Cedric Benson Boat Party on Mar 22, 2010 2:12 PM EDT up reply actions

3rd round compensatory

Either Mitch petrus or mike Johnson. 2 solid guards who should be there. People have to remember with so many kids coming out of school this year, the second rd is like 1a and the 3rd rd is like rd 2

RIP Slim.

by brandone on Mar 22, 2010 2:11 PM EDT via mobile reply actions

Yes to petrus,..

He’s another SEC guy who can be good after a year of coaching…

85 + 15 = 100...

by Trevor Long on Mar 22, 2010 3:55 PM EDT up reply actions

Yes it’s a no brainer..

by JamesShively on Mar 22, 2010 2:21 PM EDT reply actions

I would still draft one in the first, if the right one is there

After TE, LG is probably the weakest starting position. Both Mathis and Livings are serviceable, but putting an elite guard there would help Carson immensely.

by jim0ijk on Mar 22, 2010 2:26 PM EDT reply actions

Nope... not till 3rd or later

No way do you pick a guard with the first 2 picks with B. Will back… alot of people are just using there personal love for a player to sway their judgement. I like Iupati but in no way do you use a First round Pick on a guy that could easily not see any playing time for 2 years… B. Will has shown that he has no trouble with the injury bug and like in the article Nate\Mathis are above average LGs… so the odds of him becoming a starter are alot worse than him not… NO Drafting for the future in the FIrst Round!

There are plenty of excellent Guards like Petrus to be had in the middle rounds…

by Jaydolla on Mar 22, 2010 2:29 PM EDT reply actions

I would sign Bobbie AND bring in fresh meat.

Williams is the reason our O-line gelled together so quickly. He’s a hard strong vet and I want him teaching his eventual replacement. However, there won’t be anyone worthy of a 1st or 2nd round for us, so wait until the 3rd and get a good one, and maybe even one later on at the very end or after the draft to bring into camp.

by UpStateMike on Mar 22, 2010 3:05 PM EDT reply actions

You're right UpStateMike

Tell me what sense it makes to not re-sign a veteran of your O-line who knows the habits of his fellow starters? His stats are solid and the kid is MEAN!

If they don’t sign Williams his name will be added to the plethora of discarded Bengals who go to other teams and make a name for themselves and go deep into the playoffs, remember another Williams named Madieu?

That’s just one.

Sign a middle rounder and see about his ability, if he’s good integrate him gradually and start him next year.

Sign Williams and keep your continuity!

Jeez!!

Minister of Great Legs

by Drofintellact on Mar 22, 2010 7:42 PM EDT up reply actions

BPA

if they think hes is BPA then yes we draft him. he would be an upgrade, and best player available

www.fantasydaddy.com

by Joe Goodberry on Mar 22, 2010 3:13 PM EDT reply actions

Guard or Tackle, O-line a priority

I am still not sold on andre smith, and Whit is a natural guard so I think we draft a tackle.

with the uncertainty of Williams return, Smiths so far injury highlighted career and the way we have had to rotate offensive linemen due to injury for the past few years. I think that offensive line is still our biggest need at this point. If the draft were today I think I would lobby for a o-lineman or DB in the first round and the other in the second. Draft a 1st round LT with good pass protection skills, if both him and andre smith work out for us then we can switch Whit and have an elite LG and hopefully a little better pass protection for Palmers blindside, with Mathis and livings as backups and Whit used to playing Tackle even an injury to two of the starters shouldn’t slow us down much and that is what you need to finish the season strong.

TE- if we wanted a better tight end than Reggie Kelly we should have signed Ben Watson, there will not be a tight end in the draft that can block solidly like Kelly.

by Kenny of the Jungle on Mar 22, 2010 3:45 PM EDT reply actions

We should draft an O-lineman every year.

by goffchile on Mar 22, 2010 3:48 PM EDT reply actions

IMO

I think you guys should draft a CB.

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by Zachary Beard on Mar 22, 2010 3:51 PM EDT reply actions

well i think you guys should draft 2 CBs

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by Joe Goodberry on Mar 22, 2010 3:53 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs

Fair enough

Kyle Wilson and Patrick Robinson would make me a happy man.

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by Zachary Beard on Mar 22, 2010 3:57 PM EDT up reply actions

Kyle Wilson is the man

www.fantasydaddy.com

by Joe Goodberry on Mar 22, 2010 4:13 PM EDT up reply actions

so i hope you take Robinson

www.fantasydaddy.com

by Joe Goodberry on Mar 22, 2010 4:13 PM EDT up reply actions

In the 2nd

wilson is ours in the 1st.

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by Zachary Beard on Mar 22, 2010 4:21 PM EDT up reply actions

i honestly dont see Robinson being there in round 2 for you guys. too many teams in the top of round 2 need a CB. If the Ravens fo CB round 1, they should go DL or deep threat WR in the 2nd. even maybe a TE with some athelticism to help Heap

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by Joe Goodberry on Mar 22, 2010 4:23 PM EDT up reply actions

Well IMO this should be Ozzie's board on draft day for the 1st round

1.Kyle Wilson
2.Carlos Dunlap
3.Benn/Thomas/or Bryant
4.Gresham

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by Zachary Beard on Mar 22, 2010 4:42 PM EDT up reply actions

i agree

I really like Thomas and he would be perfect for what the Ravens need. Thomas to run streaks all day on the outside until he learns more routes, then have Mason and Boldin work the opposite side and the slot.

having said that, i hope you dont take him either.

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by Joe Goodberry on Mar 22, 2010 4:46 PM EDT up reply actions

lol

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by Zachary Beard on Mar 22, 2010 4:49 PM EDT up reply actions

nice comeback firstPick!

Wait, was that an insult? I’m not sure

by The Dealio on Mar 22, 2010 6:42 PM EDT up reply actions

Iupati or Maurkice Pouncey would be ideal.

You can’t ever have too many maulers up front, and the Bengal’s OL isn’t exactly legendary for being immune to injury…

No amount of prosperity is sufficient to eliminate all misfortune, and sloth is impervious to opportunity.

by kazahani2 on Mar 22, 2010 4:02 PM EDT reply actions

OL

is intriguing to me because I really think we’re pretty deep there right now. we’ve got Evans, Mathis, Roland, Collins, and even Shirley… who apparently “shows promise.” With that said, I do think we need to make sure we have someone to replace Bobbie Williams, not this year but soon. Thats why I’m all about Iuptai baby!

by The Dealio on Mar 22, 2010 6:51 PM EDT reply actions

Shirley

Let us not forget that when we were desperate for defensive tackles last year, we signed Shaun Smith of all people. This with Shirley already on the roster. There had to be a reason they didn’t press him into
ergency DT duty.

by BamaBengal on Mar 22, 2010 9:32 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions