06-08-2018, 03:13 PM
(06-05-2018, 11:46 PM)fredtoast Wrote: How can you not mention the fact that a healthy, focused John Ross would be like getting an extra first round pick this year.
For a while he was all a lot of people would talk about because they could rip Marvin, or rip Ross, or rip the front office over picking him. But now that Ross has admitted that Marvin had legit reasons not to play him and all the news about his heath is positive the amount of conversation about him has dropped off.
Even if he just has the type of seasons that Marvin Jones had here (50-60 catches, 700-800 yds) he could have a huge impact on our offense
Yes, Ross really could be the X-factor this year.
(06-06-2018, 06:48 AM)SHRacerX Wrote: Although it was certainly listed under offseason changes here, the massive overhaul to the offensive line and the blocking scheme (and coach) is the single greatest change this team made for some time.
Lazor looked at what wasn't working and who wasn't working and came up with a plan. An injury at the end of the season to Ced forced Boling outside and gave Westerman and Redmond some much-needed evaluation time. Both looked to be significant upgrades over Hopkins, at the very least. I am thrilled we have both of them to compete for the RG position this year, as it not only will improve both of them, but covers the team better in the event of an injury.
Billy Price is a massive upgrade over Bodine. He is not only arguably the best at his position coming out of college, but he was a true leader at OSU and that is something this team has needed since Whit headed to the West Coast.
Cordy Glenn is a proven veteran that is another massive upgrade over his predecessor, Ced.
Boling really proved his versatility by starting and playing very well at LT last year. A small part of me wonders if the team wouldn't be better served with Boling at RT and Westerman at LG, with Redmond at RG. If nothing else, Boling gives the team some flexibility in the event of an injury.
RT I am less enthused about, as it seems like they are throwing a lot of bodies against the wall and hoping one sticks. My guess of what is competing there is that Fisher will win the job and, hopefully, can be a solid contributor with a clean bill of health.
The mere adaptation of a different scheme had 100 yard rushing days for both Mixon and Gio down the stretch last year. With better talent and a more aggressive scheme, I think there could be substantial improvements in the rushing attack.
Which leads me to the final and most important point: Andy Dalton. He has never really had a great rushing attack here, and he has proven time and time again that when he is given time, he can pick teams apart. A healthy Eifert and Ross could be huge upgrades, but more than anything the Bengals have taken the steps to address a horrible offensive line and I can't wait to see the dividends.
Great post SHRacer. Pretty much summed up my thoughts about the O-line to a T.
Boling at RT should be a thought man. I think he played very good against Suggs at LT and he is a good run blocker
and can pull block very well. Westerman is more of a LG then a RG anyways from everything i have seen and Redmond
is more of a road grading RG. The O-line could very well look like this opening day....
LT - Cordy Glenn
LG - Christian Westerman
C - Billy Price
RG - Alex Redmond
RT - Clint Boling
