The 2 most important positions on offense...QB and LT

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(08-24-2020, 10:09 AM)Au165 Wrote: The importance of a single offensive lineman has been seriously diminished over the last decade. As pass rushers began moving around more it has become way easier to negate top pass protectors. The rise in pay of the other line positions has kind of coincided with this shift along with just a really talented interior pass-rushing group league-wide that has flipped the idea of pass rush being an edge thing.

While I get what Fred was trying to say, in general, you are right in that any major weakness on the offensive line will be exploited.  For the Bengals, as of right now, that is most likely RT.  

A year ago, it would have been LT with a hodgepodge of also--rans filling in for Jonah and Cordy.  No longer with Jonah healthy.  You could also say it was the "forced in to the starting role" Michael Jordan, as the early starter (Boling) and the later starter (Glenn) were both out and he was forced in to duty.  He was just 21 years old last year.  He struggled early, as did the LT position, but overcame an injury and was at the very least, serviceable by year's end.  

Hopkins started out solid and faded a bit, but is at least solid and will probably look better with better play around him.  

John Miller was kind of "meh" but didn't stick out as a huge issue.  His position was upgraded by the bigger, stronger, XSF.  

Bobby Hart was better last year but still ranked near the bottom of the NFL at RT.  A lot of us were hoping Adeniji or Johnson could push him out of a job, but with no preseason...that isn't very likely.  

In summary, on the offensive line, the biggest glaring weaknesses (LT) has been massively upgraded with Williams.  LG looks to be much better than one year ago.  We don't know as much about RG, but if he beats out Price, then I think he is an upgrade.  

Hart is the big question mark.  Will he finally repay all the trust and confidence?  Can he avoid stupid, untimely penalties?  One thing is for sure, the blocking for the decisive and mobile Burrow should be easier than that of Dalton, who seemingly always rolled out to his right side.