Andre Smith: Huge Improvement at Left Tackle

[Fan_in_Kettering]

We know how it all started. Remember? Andre Smith at the combine with his massive man-boobs flapping, right? He had some good years with the Bengals at right tackle as well as some underachieving seasons. Andre spent time in Minnesota and Arizona and now he’s back in Cincinnati — at left tackle.

At left tackle Andre is a different player. While he has always been terrific as a run blocker at either position, his pass protection is noticeably better at left tackle. This makes sense because Andre played left tackle with the Crimson Tide and his platform and footwork reflect this. At right tackle his pass protection techniques looked robotic to me but at left tackle his natural instinct comes through.

The Cincinnati offensive line isn’t going to be stellar in 2019 but in pass protection I see a huge improvement already. Jim Turner has a very effective pass blocking technique which forms a pocket, moves the pocket, and sometimes expands the pocket. The run blocking will improve as the season progresses and Andre Smith will be a big part of it.