The Bodine Witch Hunt

[oncemoreuntothejimbreech]

http://articles.mcall.com/2011-07-31/sports/mc-notebook-eagles-0731-20110731_1_desean-jackson-eagles-president-joe-banner-danny-Watkins

Quote:"I knew that [new Eagles offensive line coach Howard Mudd prefers] athletic linemen," Mathis said. "I was in a scheme in Cincinnati where it was more bigger linemen. I didn't fit real well. So to come here, where athletic linemen are a little more respected, it's a little better for me."

https://www.profootballfocus.com/blog/2009/11/27/interview-evan-mathis/

Quote:PFF: You’ve plied your trade up to now as a back-up lineman, which has involved you playing multiple positions on the line. How has the chance to settle on one position allowed you to improve your performance?

EM: I never wanted to be the sixth man who could play all the spots well. I wanted to be a guy who could play one spot great. I haven’t played the same position for two years in a row since high school. I moved between LT and RT while also doubling as the backup center my first three years of college. I was moved to LG my senior year and that gave me my best shot at the NFL. When I was drafted, Carolina moved me to the only position I had never played, RG. After not playing my rookie year, I started my 2nd year at RG, only the next year to be moved to tackle and not play a snap. They bounced me to third team center the next year only to cut me at the end of camp. I got picked up by Miami and practiced every spot with them and splitting reps at RG on Sundays. They cut me after week 12 and that’s how I ended up in Cincinnati. The Bengals had me practicing at every spot on the line every week for the rest of the season. After the season, I called Marvin Lewis and told him I wanted to play defensive end. He ultimately laughed at me and told me he thought I could compete for one of the inside spots. I conceded and vowed to do what it takes to get the job done. They had me working the inside three spots in mini-camp and OTA’s. When camp came around, I worked mostly LG and was able to settle in and get comfortable. Personally, I believe that staying in one spot is much better for players than having to bounce around. If I play a few weeks in a row at LG and then make a sudden move to RG, it will feel kind of awkward and takes a minute to get used to again, even though I’ve taken thousands of reps at that position.

http://www.bengals.com/news/article-1/O-Line-embraces-move-back-to-09-style/93751472-cc70-4996-bffb-d4a0ad8ecfe5

Quote:It would all seem to indicate the Bengals are going to go to more of a power running game with not as much zone while searching for more athletic guards to ease the transition from Williams, heading into the last year of his deal.

But Alexander laughed and said, "If I can't tell the players (the scheme) I'm certainly not going to tell the media."

Yet he did say that he's not going to divert from stockpiling big maulers because it fits his technique and the AFC North: "Little, quick, athletic soft guys don’t get it done."

"Here is what has happened" . . . a coach who admittedly prefers fat ass Olinemen like Lutui and Livings over "athletic" Olinemen like Mathis had Mathis bouncing along all five Oline positions in practice.  During games Alexander rotated Livings and Mathis by quarters at one point.  Howard Mudd, who Alexander himself noted was "the best," did more with Mathis in 3 months than Alexander did in 3 seasons.