Ask Jim Owczarski

[Benton]

(08-03-2015, 11:45 PM)jowczarski Wrote: Four days of camp and just two questions?  

Wilder to fullback or H-back: How have they been using him so far? Where is he lining up?

He is lining up in that FB/HB spot currently, and he’s running out into patterns and also taking carries, but I think we’ll know more about that overall spot now that they’re into pads and getting closer to that first preseason game. He’s kind of just … there. Hewitt is the clear man at that spot to start.


Feelings towards Andre Smith?
Is the team content on letting him walk and having Cedric/Fisher take over next season?

Great question. Andre told me for this story that he wants to have his best season ever and is feeling as good as he has since his rookie year. Now, I know Bengals fans roll their eyes (or get mad) at that, but let’s face it – he performs like a top 5 right tackle, the better off the team is. And, the more likely the Bengals are to at least offer an additional contract to him. He’s young enough to warrant another 3-5 year deal – but it could be a situation just like the last time … but unlike the last time, if he does indeed put that together, he’ll have a stronger resume to take onto the open market.

Yes, they drafted Fisher & Ogbuehi with an eye toward the future, but a prospect is always unknown. If you feel you know what you have and can keep that asset around, you do it and deal with the other stuff as it comes.

Taking from the article, does it look like the backfield is going to be able to press as well (or hopefully more) this season? We were in the top half of the league against the pass last season, but I'm wondering if the personnel changes are going to keep the pressure on, or if we're going to be look at a different approach than last year.