05-04-2017, 01:00 PM
(05-03-2017, 09:52 AM)SHRacerX Wrote: This is a common narrative from the media within the city and outside as well. It is easy to believe that. Whit was a legend, and his play had not substantially declined. However, he turns 36 during the season this year and we know the decline is coming. I am not going to try and pretend that I didn't want him back or the Bengals didn't want him, but when you invest a 1st round pick in the position, at some point you have to get him on the field. He clearly wasn't a RT and he was injured during the season last year. The Bengals said that if Ced was in this year's draft class, at his current health, he would have been the consensus first offensive lineman taken in the draft. That sounds like they believe he can do the job.Last year all we heard about Ced was he was a perfect fit for RT and now since he was a complete failure last year there changing their tune and saying he is a LT. Sorry not buying it if they truly felt that way they would not have kept him there that long. Secondly all the had to do was franchise Whitworth and work out a two year deal in the offseason. It was an easy deal for them. Thirddly Zeitler was rated a top 25 offensive lineman last year and has been very good for us. I get not signing him to that type of contract but relying on a 5th Rd pick( although to Thier credit it did work out with Iloka a safety) and an undrafted player seems risky. As far as playing with a lead will be better sure but they have to get the lead first.
As far as the other lineman being one of the two best player, Zeitler graded out just slightly higher than Boling, who played with a substantial injury all season. Zeitler is an above-average pass blocker and average run blocker. You simply can't pay a player like that $12 million a year. The Bengals are VERY high on Alex Redmond out of UCLA. They couldn't say enough positive things about him and how he has taken to their strength training program. They also really like Westerman and feel that the competition between the two of them will yield a suitable replacement for Zeitler. They may actually be better in the running game with one of those two in there.
Fisher was solid when he finally got settled in on one position at RT. Smith will provide quality depth at RT and could start there if an injury forced Fisher to the left side.
Additionally, not always playing from behind, having more versatile weapons at RB, and a healthy TE corps can all contribute to more success from the offensive line. The deck was largely stacked against them last year.
