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Chick Ludwig covers the Cincinnati Bengals. He also writes about his other passions: college football, basketball and golf.Home > Blogs > Chick Ludwig At Large > Archives > 2009 > May > 20 > Entry
Talking Bengals fans off the ledge
WHITWORTH DESERVES SHOT
AS BENGALS’ LEFT TACKLE
===LUDWIG AT LARGE alert: There are three ways to protect LT Andrew Whitworth. Quick throws; rollouts to the right side; and, most of all, a power running game.===
I am here today as a mediator. My purpose is twofold.
Talk Cincinnati Bengals fans down off the ledge and offer soothing words of comfort and encouragement about their favorite team.
First things first. Please relax. It’s early. Kickoff is four months away.
I know what head coach Marvin Lewis said: That placing Andrew Whitworth at left tackle and rookie Andre Smith at right tackle “locks us down for a lot of years for two very key spots as long as I’m here.”
With Levi Jones finally out of the picture, Whitworth will be the beneficiary of hundreds, even thousands, of repetitions at left tackle, the position he played for four years at LSU.
I’m willing to give it a chance. Whitworth is big enough (6-7, 330) and strong enough to play LT at a high level. But I’m still concerned about his foot speed. After all, he’s on an island out there as he protects QB Carson Palmer’s blind side.
The good news: Whit won’t have to face Dwight Freeney in the regular season.
I’m happy for Nate Livings, who is getting a shot to start at left guard. He’s worked his tail off. So has center Kyle Cook, who likely would’ve earned the starting job in 2008 had he not suffered a broken toe.
As for the right side of the line — RG Bobbie Williams and RT Andre Smith — that’s 677 pounds of Ground Brat waiting to blow open holes for tailback Cedric Benson.
I’ve been asked three questions: “Will the O-line be an asset or liability? Is the defense poised for a jump into the Top 10? Is Chris Henry motivated enough to make a serious run at Chad’s starting spot?”
My answers:
• The offensive line is the most important unit on this squad. It had better develop into an asset. If it doesn’t you’re staring at a 7-9 or 8-8 season.
• Yes, the defense is poised for a top-10 run. But that hinges on the offense’s ability to grind out first downs, win the time of possession battle and score points. Remember: The league’s best defenses are the ones on the sideline sippin’ Gatorade.
• Chris Henry is in his contract year. He needs a good season to get a new deal — either here or someplace else.
JEREMI JOHNSON
I ripped Jeremi Johnson last summer for being overweight and out of shape. He, in turn, refused to speak to me after the final 2008 preseason game at Indianapolis.
It’s no surprise that he’s working with a personal trainer and not participating in OTAs. Will he work himself back into shape and back onto the roster or will he eat himself out of the league? Stay tuned.
ANTHONY COLLINS
I’ve been told by numerous scouts and NFL insiders that he’s the kind of guy who needs to be put in a competitive situation.
ANDRE SMITH
As things stand right now, he’s the only first-round draft pick on the starting O-line.
Whitworth and Williams were second-round picks.
Livings and Cook were non-drafted college free agents.
How many times do I have to say it?
It’s now HOW you get here.
It’s WHAT you do once you get here.
Permalink | Comments (11) | Post your comment | Categories: Bengals
Comments
By TechGuy
May 20, 2009 10:19 AM | Link to this
Whit gets the benefit of the doubt from me. He had 10 starts there in 2006 and did alright. I’m not saying he’ll be an elite LT, but I think he will keep Carson upright. Andre Smith might have a higher ceiling, but for this year I lean toward 3 years experience and 10 starts over 0 experience and 0 starts.By TouchdownTroy
May 20, 2009 10:57 AM | Link to this
Im happy Wit will play LT he will do fine untill Andre is ready. Im also happy Kye Cook will be center. They have enough Vets around him so he’ll be ok.By The other Paul Brown son
May 20, 2009 12:08 PM | Link to this
Lots of ‘ifs’ on the O-line. But they are big boys, that’s for sure. Looks like the Bengals are going for a power run game, with Carson then able to pick when and where he wants to throw the ball.By Antwan Odom in your face
May 20, 2009 4:36 PM | Link to this
this could go 2 ways, either they’re prepping for a power ground attack, or Whit standing at LT is preparation for an Andre the Giant Holdout. I like the Line they’ve put together in OTA’s, that’s 1660 some odd pounds of frustrated OLineman that are sick of carrying the blame of last year. Whit and Livings are familiar with each other, and Big Bobbie and Andre the Giant are a helluva right side tandem.By Andy
May 20, 2009 5:09 PM | Link to this
If right tackle is the best position for Andre Smith, then I have no problem with it. I’d rather see him excel on right side, than struggle on the left side. Whit has shown he can handle playing left tackle. If he can’t, then they still have Collins that played pretty well there last year.By Brian
May 20, 2009 6:18 PM | Link to this
“Swinging Gate” Ghiaciuc is no longer on the line. That’s addition by subtraction in and of itself.By photoman
May 20, 2009 8:40 PM | Link to this
Well Chickster! I’m not coming down off the ledge yet, (and I’m soothed and encouraged by your words), but I’ll sit down and have a cup of coffee with you as we see how all this off-season preparation “stuff” unfolds closer to the opener.By psychostats
May 21, 2009 11:20 PM | Link to this
Anthony Collins must be bursting with enthusiasm about now, thanks to the two tackle spots being locked up for as long as Mr. Untouchable wants to coach. I’m of course referring to that ridiculous “for as long as I’m here” declaration. We’ll all have some fun with this after the Bengals shuffle the O-Line, probably by mid season. That quote ranks right up there with another Marvin Lewis gem: “We’ll never have another year like (2008) again.” Uh huh.By TouchDown Troy
May 21, 2009 11:33 PM | Link to this
This will be the year of the Bengals, i agree wih Carson the lockerroom has changed.By Derrick
May 24, 2009 6:59 PM | Link to this
I agree with Psych. Marvin seems to be the Joe Biden of the NFL when it comes to opening his mouth and inserting his foot. Someone on the Bengals said that “some coaches have their favorites and they are the ones who play.” Could he have meant Marvy?By ironmyke
May 25, 2009 12:26 PM | Link to this
I read about the Bengals because I enjoy your writing. I jumped off this boat several years ago. Almost two decades of consistently poor performance on the field while raking in big profits from the league that prints money and a sweetheart stadium deal have made me a complete skeptic. The Bengals are snake oil peddlers.