Big Line vs Athletic Line

[*SHRacerX*]

(12-28-2017, 10:28 AM)Wyche Wrote: You want Nasty Nate Livings?  Is that you Piano Man?

Seriously though, if I was building a line, I would want big with an attitude of a grizzly bear if I'm stocking an oline.  You do need some athleticism to be able to handle the speed edge rushers in today's game, but give me a Butterbean with the footwork of Sugar Ray Leonard at OT....and a buncha bar room brawlers in the middle.

I think this is the biggest weakness on the entire team.  Boling is serviceable, but the Center and RG position were the worst in the NFL.  If those two positions are improved, this line looks a whole lot better because as much as we may not want to acknowledge it, the team struggled to run the ball with Whit and Zeitler.  Zeitler was a good pass protector, but just ok as a run blocker.  I also think the scheme had a LOT to do with it.  Damn slide blocking scheme that never creates a cut back lane.  When they went power, they did better.  For whatever reason, they didn't do that as often.  

My point is that Redmond and Westermen showed an improvement of over 100% over the PFF ranking of Hopkins and that was just the stats.  The naked eye was night and day different.  Today should convince the Bengals that they are the way to go next year if they can create against the rat defense.  I mean, does everyone think it is because the Lions suck that Gio had the best rushing day by a RB all year?  And his off-the-street running mate contributed also?  

Westerman should get a shot at Center and Redmond should be our RG.  That would allow them to draft a RT that is a mammoth of a man in Rd 2 after getting a playmaking Safety or LB in Rd 1...also provides more flexibility of sliding if some teams are pursuing a QB.