Bengals Round Table: Expectations Against The Detroit Lions And The Offensive Line

by Josh Kirkendall on Aug 9, 2011 1:16 PM EDT

The writing team at CincyJungle pulled out their chairs at Writers Of The Round Table to discuss the Cincinnati Bengals, current issues that face the team and topics of general interest to us. With Jason Garrison, Naji Bsisu, Joe Goodberry and Josh Kirkendall, we begin talking about our general expectations about this Friday's game against the Detroit Lions, quickly side-tracked about the overall state of our offensive line.

Expectations for Friday Night Against The Detroit Lions

Naji Bsisu: Andy Dalton showing good command of the offense, no false starts on the offensive line and a defensive line that can generate pressure on the QB. I'm also hoping our secondary holds up against Megatron.
Jason Garrison: I want to see an organized offense led by Dalton. I want to see a tough and determined defense led by Maualuga and I want to see ZERO injuries - that's the most important part.
Naji: I agree, leaving with no injuries is very important. We're not a very deep team.
Joe Goodberry: Yes, no injuries. I just want to see how our second-year players have progressed. Players have said that their second season is when they've had their biggest gain. So does last year's class look that much better? It was such a good draft class in 2010, if most of them take the next step. It will be the foundation of this team.
Josh Kirkendall: To be honest, I'm very interested in the offensive line. The love-affair with the "new" Andre Smith interests me. The coaches are obviously confident enough to appoint him as the team's starting right tackle.

Jason: That makes me really happy. Hopefully Smith lives up to where he was selected in the draft. The Bengals could definitely use him.
Joe: Andre Smith has the power to make this offensive line dominant again. Having two bookend tackles makes a HUGE difference. Like when the Bengals had Levi Jones and Willie Anderson.
Josh: Those were the glory days. I honestly believe that this offensive line could improve immensely according to Smith's performances and improvements. I mean the alternative is Dennis Roland, who is the type of gamer that can't get past the easiest round at the easiest setting in Halo. Also hearing a lot about Otis Hudson and to be honest, I want to see what he can do. Paul Alexander labeled him the most improved offensive lineman thus far.
Joe: Hudson had some really raw skills coming out. I bet he's Alexander's pet project.

Jason: What is your deal with the offensive line?
Josh: Can't get enough of them. The offensive line IS football. They're at the backbone of the sport. When you think of football, you think of lineman in three-point stances, breathing heavily into the frozen air during that quiet second just before the ball is snapped and all hell breaks lose. The offensive line is football.
Naji: I think the offensive line can make or break an offense.
Jason: That's definitely true, the more time Dalton has to throw and the more room Benson has to run, the better off we're going to be. I'm excited about Smith but I'm worried about Nate Livings. The fact that he's first on the depth chart bothers me. I know it's early but still.

Josh: I want to piggyback on Joe's earlier point, the progress of second-year players. Jermaine Gresham, Jordan Shipley, Geno Atkins, Carlos Dunlap and even Otis Hudson will all be second-year players. That's a hell of a core.
Joe: You can't hit on all of them and I'm getting worried about Ghee and Muckelroy long term. Add Reggie Stephens as a possible contributor.
Josh: To be honest, I'm not so sure about Stephens. Clint Boling is getting his fair share of snaps under center, plus we've seen how quickly the Bengals abandon backup centers; think Jonathan Luigs. I'm sure Stephens is relatively safe, but the note on Boling working at center made me take notice.
Joe: I thought the same thing. But I also could see Bobbie, Livings, Jean-Gilles and Boling as their 4 guards. None could play Center until Boling took snaps. I think that move was more for the active gameday roster
Jason: I was really excited when the Bengals selected him because I was thinking that he could play guard and possibly start. I'm not going to lie, the fact that they're moving him to center, or trying to move him to center, bothers me.

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Comments

Also worried about Ghee and.. to a lesser extent Muck.

Ghee hasn’t been healthy yet it seems. Muck is missing a crucial development year.

It is odd to me that Boling would get snaps at center but I just think it’s a versatility thing. I hope anyways.

I think the line has the potential to be great, and if Smith doesn’t cut it Collins is always there to switch to RT.

And for the first point, I just want to see the offense move. No confusion. And for defense, I want to see the front 7 step up and help the defensive backfield for a change. That’s all. Doesn’t have to be polished. Just do roughly what you’re supposed to do.

by Cry on Aug 9, 2011 1:37 PM EDT reply actions

Potential For a Train Wreck

With a new QB, new WR’s and an new offensive scheme this could be ugly. Add to that two new linebackers and another playing a new position and a new cornerback. Just a lot of moving parts that the coaching staff is trying to put together in a short period of time. I know all teams are under the same constraints, but most of them are not trying to integrate as many new players as the Bengals are trying to do.

I’m not saying this is the way the season is going to go, but the first couple of preseason games might be hard to stomach while the players try to learn the system.

by AWC71 on Aug 9, 2011 1:55 PM EDT reply actions

Thank god

Fairly is hurt. And we only have to deal with Suh. I’d feel bad for Dalton if he had to face those two on his first offensive snap.

by sgiridharan1982 on Aug 9, 2011 2:15 PM EDT reply actions

isnt it better if he has to face them before it actually matters?

the only good thing about Dalton not facing fairley is he wont get hurt as easily

by BeWarned on Aug 9, 2011 2:25 PM EDT up reply actions

I mean the alternative is Dennis Roland, who is the type of gamer that can’t get past the easiest round at the easiest setting in Halo.

steep criticism lol.

by BeWarned on Aug 9, 2011 2:22 PM EDT reply actions

RE:

Heh. I was playing Halo 2 the other day and it actually occurred to me early in the game (where a couple of Hunters appeared out of nowhere) after beating a level saying, “I bet Dennis Roland couldn’t beat THAT!”

Managing Editor at CincyJungle.com -- SB Nation Cincinnati Bengals blog.

by Josh Kirkendall on Aug 9, 2011 7:04 PM EDT up reply actions

There is only one player to worry about

The starting QB. Nobody else counts like he does. Its Dalton, Dalton and give me some more Dalton. He will have to make all the NFL throws in the game. Can he go deep and hit Simpson/Green in stride? Can he spot the safety sneaking up to jump a short route? Can he handle pocket pressure? How does he react after getting sacked a couple times?

by BENGALS69 on Aug 9, 2011 2:25 PM EDT reply actions

Has anyone else noticed this?

There have been a ton of injuries already to this year’s draft class (not in Cincy, thankfully). I’m amazed at Fairly, Prince Nagana…nagana.. naganna play in 2011, Julio Jones, etc all getting hurt and bad enough to lose them for good chunks of the season.

On topic, I think the coaches realize that Boling is the real deal and are testing him out at Center so he can step in if someone on the line needs a rest, esp guard or center. We might see him snap the ball against Detroit, but he needs to learn alot about being a center to be in the real game. I’d be fine with him starting at G or C later in the season if he is asked.

Sure. Everyone has a plan, until they get punched in the mouth - Mike Tyson

by UpStateMike on Aug 9, 2011 2:34 PM EDT reply actions

RE: Injuries

Read that we’re seeing more Achilles injuries this year than any year before it.

Managing Editor at CincyJungle.com -- SB Nation Cincinnati Bengals blog.

by Josh Kirkendall on Aug 9, 2011 2:40 PM EDT up reply actions

Lots of questions

That will only be answered by playing the games. I see lots of reason for hope with the young players, and not just the 2nd yr guys. Add Johnson, Smith, Simpson, Rey, Coffman, etc. We have a large core of young players that have exciting potential, but need to really step up to larger roles. They will determine our success or failure. There seems to be a lot of hope riding on potential across the roster. It makes exciting but totally unpredictable.

by K312 on Aug 9, 2011 2:49 PM EDT reply actions

Isn’t the primary alternative for Smith Collins?

I’d much rather have Whit/Collins than Whit/Roland. Whit/Smith could be a huge LT/RT combo for us, though, and Collins makes a sweet backup.

by Aether on Aug 9, 2011 3:24 PM EDT reply actions

RE:

Not according to the depth chart — for whatever that’s worth though.

Managing Editor at CincyJungle.com -- SB Nation Cincinnati Bengals blog.

by Josh Kirkendall on Aug 9, 2011 7:03 PM EDT up reply actions

Right

Because Collins is listed at backup for LT. I’ve got to think, though, that if Whit is still in and playing, and Smith gets injured or benched, that the first one in to replace him will be Collins.

Like for WR, Caldwell is listed behind Green and Cosby behind Simpson, but if Simpson is out, then the next WR up would probably be Caldwell and not Cosby. It’s more a 1-2-3-4 situation, with the odd numbers listed in one slot and the evens in the other slot.

by Aether on Aug 11, 2011 4:48 AM EDT up reply actions

For Naji

Did the Bengals Off Line break Palmers drives last year? Is Carson a better QB with an Off Line that is not a QB kILLER! I understand your take Naji. Nice Job. You hit the nail on the head!!!