The Bengals did it right at OT

[*Nate (formerly eliminate08)*]

(09-17-2017, 11:23 AM)bfine32 Wrote: Obviously a lot of talk about the oline and everyone can see it is a work in progress. However, the one constant comment I see that doesn't seem to be based on reality is that the Bengals didn't "address" the oline.

In 2015 we realized that Whit was getting a little long in the tooth and Andre Smith was on the final year of his contract. So we draft 2 OTs in each of the first 2 rounds of the draft. Despite the amateur experts in this forum both were considered high draft choices and great prospects. Both were All Americans their final year (Walter Camp/Football writers).

The plan was perfect. Give Ced a "red shirt" year to heal while we didn't need him and let Jake get experience all along the oline. Andre leaves in 2016 and Ced is ready to get his feet wet at RT. He's not ready and gets benched. Understanding that their top prospect may not be ready for primetime they offer a 35 year old Whit a lucrative 1 year deal; unfortunately, LA was willing to employ him until he was 38. The Bengals could not wait that long to try and get return on their investments.

Will Ced and Jake work out? Who knows. But sometimes you have to crack a couple eggs to make an omelet.

I agree with a lot of what you say here Bfine. The problem though is that we should of drafted a decent Center in
this time as well and Paul Alexander cannot coach up these guys. The right thing would of been to replace PA with
a much more competent O-line coach and draft a top Center, then we probably wouldn't be in this boat.

I have said before for all we know Whit might fall off and from what i saw last week he is so giving Whit a 3 year
deal would of also been a mistake it seems.

Bottom line is these young OT's should get better with more snaps and that is all we can hope right now.

Then draft a top Center next year and replace PA. We do this we will be alright i feel.