When I heard the news last week of the “new look” Bengals O-Line, I didn’t understand what I was hearing. The Bengals are opening up with a lineup of RT Andre Smith-RG Bobbie Williams-C Kyle Cook-LG Nate Livings-LT Andrew Whitworth. The move didn’t surprise me, but I did scratched my head a little. I knew Andre Smith would be at right, he’s too big to play LT, and he will get bigger. Big Bobbie will man the RG position once again. The coaches like Kyle Cook a lot. They think he is super smart. He and Big Bobbie are strongest guys on the team, watching them bench press is pretty impressive. That has nothing to do with football, but it’s a added bonus. Starting out with Nate Livings at LG is where I said, “Huh?” Now don’t get me wrong, I like Nate a lot and I went against him the most in practice the most because he was the guard on our scout team. He is big and strong enough to do the job. He has paid his dues more than anyone on that team. Being on the practice squad for three seasons, watching everyone get moved up to the active roster and not getting a shot, takes a lot of patience. He never said a word or even complained in the locker room. He just kept doing his job. And he is a good guy too. Good family man and players respect him. So the Bengals are showing him a tremendous amount of respect by naming him the starter to open spring drills. He is a good player also, so that helps. Moving Whitworth to LT is the move that surprises me. I thought he did a good job in 2006 filling in for the injured Levi Jones. The one game he struggled was the Monday Night game in Indy. Colts DEDwight Freeney got the best of him. Not his fault though because we should have been running the ball more that game. But Big Whit has the skills to play LT and he will be a leader. The odd man out right now is LT/RT Anthony Collins. I thought he would be the LT and Whit would continue to play LG. I have the feeling the coaches don’t want to give AC too much too soon. And its better to have too many “starters” than not enough. So this will be a interesting battle during training camp.
20 Responses to Bengals O-Line
Roeda
May 20th, 2009 at 9:12 am
JT,
Do you think this could be a game Marvin is playing with the media and really just giving these guys experience for potential back up roles? I know it sounds far fetched, but Marvin seems like one that would do that.
Paul
May 20th, 2009 at 9:39 am
Why move Andre to RT?
Brian
May 20th, 2009 at 10:00 am
Could Collins end up being Williams replacement down the line? You want to get your best guys on the field right? If Whit and Smith are the tackles, then the only spot left is guard. Assuming Livings does the job at LG, and since Williams is getting older and towards the end of his contract, he seems to be the odd man out soon. Collins would probably have to work on his run blocking. If he improves there, Collins and Smith would give us a very athletic, yet tough right side. Both guys can pull, which should give Brat ideas for future schemes.
Thinking out loud 5.20.9 : ctrentrosecrans.com
May 20th, 2009 at 10:34 am
[...] * John Thornton on the new-look Bengals O-Line. [...]
Ron E
May 20th, 2009 at 11:23 am
If you could pick the starters strictly on run blocking, who would you pick? Pass blocking?
mark
May 20th, 2009 at 11:34 am
JT,
do you think its possible for them to change their mind and get collins back in and push whit to LG if livings starts to struggle or is this really set?
BearcatsFan
May 20th, 2009 at 11:41 am
I don’t think Marvin is playing any games, it is too early to read into it so much. They will all compete for their position and the best will start the season. I think JT is on the money, Whit can play either LT or LG depending on how well Nate Livings and AC do this summer (Is kooistra a career backup I don’t think he has a chance to win a starting role?). It is about having the best starting 5 which is not necessarily the same as having the best at each position. I’m excited for the new line, it will give Carson to step up in the pocket with some confidence and return to his pro bowl form.
Brad
May 20th, 2009 at 12:18 pm
I don’t think its a bad thing that Whit is at LT atm and Collins is backing him up. I know Marvin said Whit is there for as long as he is there, but that seems to be coach speak to me and you should take that with a grain of salt. If Livings can’t play the lg spot, they always have the option of moving Whit back inside and putting Collins at the LT spot.
J Goods
May 20th, 2009 at 1:45 pm
We all know how Confident Anthony Collins is, hes boarderline cocky. Do you think the Coaches are maybe bringing him back to earth with this move? Did he think he would be handed the LT job? this is going to be interesting to see play out.
al smith
May 20th, 2009 at 4:12 pm
Chad has finally been citied…at the Lakers game last nite!
Thoughts>?
Andy11
May 20th, 2009 at 6:44 pm
One thing I like about this O line is the SIZE. Williams and Smith on the right….Huge…. Whit and Livings on the left…..Huge….. and Cook isn’t that big but it sounds like he is strong. You would think at very least that this line could run block like a mofo. Short yardage shouldn’t be a problem anyway. If it turns out they can pass block, it’ll be a good year. I like all the size and strength going up against the rest of the AFC North.
The Bengal Thing
May 21st, 2009 at 1:13 pm
Ok…. prediction time JT!!!!!
Bengals just released Digger. So, who is coming on board. You don’t make a cut like that at at a time like this unless there is a specific reason.
So, who are we making room for? You?
JT
May 21st, 2009 at 2:47 pm
Haha. I’m not sure. I haen’t heard anything from them other than rumors. But, I wouldn’t look for anything to happen on that front. I’m pretty busy with other things
But……Marvin drives by my house everyday going and coming from PBS…..he would let me know
JT
May 21st, 2009 at 2:48 pm
Chad is working out there? Good place to train
JT
May 21st, 2009 at 2:49 pm
Yea, something is up with that move. But I really think that Whit is a good LT. He also was a good guard, so they must really like Nate because Whit could be a pro bowl LG and AC was good enough to start a LT..
JT
May 21st, 2009 at 2:50 pm
I think Koostra will be a back up. Sometimes you get put into a hole on a team and can never get out. Unless he goes to another team
JT
May 21st, 2009 at 2:51 pm
Collins has time. No need to give it all to him now. Make him earn it
JT
May 21st, 2009 at 2:52 pm
He was never going to be a LT.
Glenn Groh
July 29th, 2009 at 1:12 pm
John, two things. The first – I hope your blog will tell it like it is, regardless of past ties to the Bengals. After 20 years of fan frustration, someone, somewhere should be candid about this franchise. The second – would you agree that the Bengals will only be as good as the OL protects Carson? All other areas appear to be ok, but I would think that the first thing that every Def coordinator will be planning to do, is to pressure Carson – knowing, regardless as to which team, that he’s the ONE who can beat them.
JT
July 29th, 2009 at 11:32 pm
I will be as candid as needed to be. But my voice is only as good as yours. One person being candid won’t do much. Fans voices speak loudly. If fans walked away, sports teams would fold. To your second question, Yes, the OL and Carson have to work better this year. Carson needs to come back strong and better than he was last year. And the OL needs to gel quickly. Andre Smith needs to get into camp on time, and he needs to play better in the fall that he did in the spring. Big year for all in Bengalsland. I predicted playoffs back in February, I am sticking with it.