(03-10-2017, 12:29 PM)BengalFanInNJ Wrote: http://www.bengals.com/news/article-1/Lewis-doesnt-mind-17-urgency/3054bdc8-d4c8-4286-9e4c-b301e614839c

As usual Lewis has a lot on his desk. Literally. On Friday there was the obligatory self-help book, along with notes to himself, as well Rick Gosselin’s annual NFL special teams breakdown from The Dallas Morning News and the Bengals’ 2016 GPS report that monitors his regulars’ daily bodily functions.

He won’t talk free agency or next year’s depth chart, expect to say they want their own players to return and no one has won anything yet. But when asked about the offensive line, everybody’s top off-season worry, Lewis warms to the subject.
Especially after quarterback Andy Dalton was sacked 41 times. It’s only the third time a Bengals quarterback was sacked at least 40 times under Lewis.
“(The line is) not a concern. We know all areas of our team, particularly the offensive group, have to do a better job of protecting our quarterback and that comes from every person and every position group on the offense,” Lewis said. “(Protecting the passer) is always a priority. It’s never changed. It just doesn’t fall on the line. It falls on everybody.”

I guess my follow up question would be: "Does that include you and your coaches?  Because you should all be fearing for your job after last year...at least the offensive units and HC."

Let's look at the scouting report on Cedric Ogbuehi prior to the draft:

STRENGTHS: Gifted athlete with foot quickness and ability to move easily in space. Has feet to slide and meet speed rushers. Easy weight shift to recover against counter moves. Is a second-level winner. Gets on top of linebackers quickly and can adjust in space to moving targets. Played in warp-speed offense and is well-conditioned. Keeps feet moving through contact on zone plays and sustains blocks until he wins. On gap plays, works to secure inside shoulder and gets defenders turned. Has played both tackle spots and right guard. Has matched up against premier college defensive linemen.

Let's stop there. Forget about the weaknesses. Focus on the positive. If Cedric is going to be the Bengals' left tackle, let's get behind him and be as supportive as possible. It's not his fault the Front Office drafted him.

(03-10-2017, 05:31 PM)SunsetBengal Wrote: Oh, the Browns fans are crazy optimistic right now. 

Well, you're half right.

(03-10-2017, 10:12 PM)Fan_in_Kettering Wrote: Let's look at the scouting report on Cedric Ogbuehi prior to the draft:

STRENGTHS: Gifted athlete with foot quickness and ability to move easily in space. Has feet to slide and meet speed rushers. Easy weight shift to recover against counter moves. Is a second-level winner. Gets on top of linebackers quickly and can adjust in space to moving targets. Played in warp-speed offense and is well-conditioned. Keeps feet moving through contact on zone plays and sustains blocks until he wins. On gap plays, works to secure inside shoulder and gets defenders turned. Has played both tackle spots and right guard. Has matched up against premier college defensive linemen.

Let's stop there.  Forget about the weaknesses.  Focus on the positive.  If Cedric is going to be the Bengals' left tackle, let's get behind him and be as supportive as possible.  It's not his fault the Front Office drafted him.

It's not his fault the FO employs a dinosaur to coach him.

We just have to have faith and trust Paul "The Process" Alexander.

In over 20 years as an O-line coach he has never had a a first or second round draft pick flop. So based in history both Cedric and Jake should develop into at least solid NFL starters.

We should also remember '09 when Paul's O-line featured. A second year undrafted free agent at center with zero NFL starts (Cook), a second year undrafted free agent at guard with 6 career starts (Livings), a journeyman OG who had been cut by the Panthers and was on his 3rd team in 3 years (Mathis), a second year fourth round pick at OT with 6 career starts, and a second year undrafted free agent with one career start at OT (Roland). They also had Bobbie williams and whitworth, but that team was coming off a 4 win season. No one expected them to sweep the division with that pile of scraps making up the O-line. But when you have a guru like Paul Alexander running the O-line anything is possible.