12-04-2017, 10:19 AM
(12-04-2017, 10:13 AM)PDub80 Wrote: This is a 100% FALSE Narrative.
Let's be honest here, the O-line needs a major makeover from it's most recent makeover. That's not a secret secret and no one who watches the Bengals should argue that. But, Jeremy Hill, who was drafted to be an AFC North type main back, ended up being a disaster after one strong (just over) 1/2 rookie season and Bernard is not going to be a bell cow. He just isn't. Play maker, yes. Main back NO. Even with a strong O-Line Hill played his own part of "the real issue" by stinking it up for the last several seasons. BJGE wasn't particularly dynamic in the play-making department, and neither was Benson before him. Both of those guys made Rudi Johnson (a plodder himself) look like Eric Dickerson by comparison.
The problems in the run game were not JUST O-line problems. They corrected the RB issue with the drafting of Mixon. Mistake corrected.
Back to the "We don't draft O-line high gripe". The Bengals DID and HAVE drafted O-Line high. The last 2 are serious messes. The Bengals missed on that. The one before them, Zeitler, was a hit, but he got a huge payday with $60MILLION from the Browns. Do you know what types of teams give $60million to guards? Dumbass teams like the Browns. The Bengals have shown to give big paydays to their own players along the line... ESPECIALLY offensive linemen. In the Marvin era: Levi Jones, Whitworth was paid and extended several times, and Willie Anderson.
The idea that the Bengals don't draft linemen or don't pay them is sour grapes from some picks that didn't work out. They will correct it, just like they did with RB.
How can you say that the issue was indeed the RB's and then say mistake corrected with Mixon when he averages 3.2 ypc?
The Bengals draft and pay Tackles. Guards and Centers...not so much.
