05-03-2017, 02:36 PM
(05-03-2017, 09:52 AM)SHRacerX Wrote: This is a common narrative from the media within the city and outside as well. It is easy to believe that. Whit was a legend, and his play had not substantially declined. However, he turns 36 during the season this year and we know the decline is coming. I am not going to try and pretend that I didn't want him back or the Bengals didn't want him, but when you invest a 1st round pick in the position, at some point you have to get him on the field. He clearly wasn't a RT and he was injured during the season last year. The Bengals said that if Ced was in this year's draft class, at his current health, he would have been the consensus first offensive lineman taken in the draft. That sounds like they believe he can do the job.
As far as the other lineman being one of the two best player, Zeitler graded out just slightly higher than Boling, who played with a substantial injury all season. Zeitler is an above-average pass blocker and average run blocker. You simply can't pay a player like that $12 million a year. The Bengals are VERY high on Alex Redmond out of UCLA. They couldn't say enough positive things about him and how he has taken to their strength training program. They also really like Westerman and feel that the competition between the two of them will yield a suitable replacement for Zeitler. They may actually be better in the running game with one of those two in there.
Fisher was solid when he finally got settled in on one position at RT. Smith will provide quality depth at RT and could start there if an injury forced Fisher to the left side.
Additionally, not always playing from behind, having more versatile weapons at RB, and a healthy TE corps can all contribute to more success from the offensive line. The deck was largely stacked against them last year.
No question not paying them was the right call...but the problem remains that we lost our 2 best lineman and their replacements aren't as good. Maybe the replacements will be better in a certain aspect...like run blocking...but overall the line is worse.
