Why the Bengals will win in 2017

[*SHRacerX*]

(05-02-2017, 12:01 PM)BengalChris Wrote: Regarding not respecting the passing game you very well could be right, but the O-line was bad, very bad in the running game, but to do nothing to improve the O-line in either free agency or the draft was inexplicable. It's not like Ogbuehi showed any promise last year, he just threw up all over the place and Bodine hasn't exactly been moving anyone off the ball. Fisher may very well be the better LT and starting at that position by the end of the season.


If our running game improved at all it's from Mixon's ability to make people miss in the backfield, but neither Bernard nor Hill were able to do that last year. Maybe the threat of Ross on the outside will be enough to keep defenses honest. If Hill has room to run he's a good RB, same for Bernard.

I think the running game was poor for several reasons:

1.) Jeremy Hill shows little vision and isn't decisive any more for whatever reason.
2.) Opposing defenses know our playbook is very limited when Hill is in there
3.) Teams didn't have to worry about getting beat over the top except from one guy, AJ, and he was going to see double coverage
4.) The offensive line was more finesse scheme and not as much power.  I think we will see that change this year.  

The only thing that worries me about the offensive line is Ced.  He simply has to play to the level of "solid LT".  I like where they are at with the rest of the line, but he worries me still.  Hoping he is a totally different player now that he should have a full camp and be 100% healthy.  If he does crap the bed again, they won't be able to wait until week 13 before making a move.  Fisher would get a shot at LT and Andre Smith would play RT.