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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 > 2008 > July > 01 > Entry
O-line has ‘the look’ of success
A MIGHTY FORTRESS
IF IT STAYS HEALTHY
I’m giving the Cincinnati Bengals’ offensive line an offseason grade of B+ because I like what I’ve seen so far from the unit.
It’s big, powerful and experienced with the ability to blow defenders off the ball when everything is clicking.
But I look for plenty of zone blocking because pulling and trapping is not the O-line’s forte.
After all, it’s tough for mountains to move.
Unlike a year ago when neither left tackle Levi Jones nor right tackle Willie Anderson participated in training camp because of injuries, the bookend tackles are healthy and raring to go.
It’s a positive sign that quarterback Carson Palmer will be well-protected and running lanes will open for the club’s tailback by committee.
The massive duo of left guard Andrew Whitworth and right guard Bobbie Williams provides strength and power. The biggest question mark is center Eric Ghiaciuc.
If he struggles, Williams could move to the middle, making room for franchise-tagged Stacy Andrews to settle in at right guard.
The Bengals want to find a starting spot for Andrews because he carries a $7.455 million price tag.
But it’s tough to keep a four-time Pro Bowler in Anderson down when he’s healthy.
The Andrews-Anderson duel at RT will be one of the most intriguing battles of training camp.
Pro Bowl-caliber players are littered across the line.
However, as we’ve seen in the past, individual accolades for the men in the trenches don’t usually translate into a trip to Hawaii unless the team enjoys some success, like reaching the playoffs.
THE CHICKSTER’S O-LINE DEPTH CHART
LT — Levi Jones, Anthony Collins, Andrew Whitworth.
LG — Andrew Whitworth, Stacy Andrews, Nate Livings.
C — Eric Ghiaciuc, Bobbie Williams, Dan Santucci.
RG — Bobbie Williams, Scott Kooistra, Nate Livings.
RT — Willie Anderson, Stacy Andrews, Scott Kooistra.
POLL
Permalink | Comments (14) | Post your comment | Categories: Bengals
Comments
By Troy
July 1, 2008 1:42 PM | Link to this
If the OLINE can stay healthy lookout AFC North! I like the idea of Bobbie Williams playing center. I have a name for the oline roadpavers.By Mike
July 1, 2008 2:14 PM | Link to this
Chickster, I notice you only list Stacy as a backup at Right Tackle and Left Guard. Would it be extremely difficult for him to backup all positions for when someone inevitably goes down? It seems that if he can play left guard, he should be able to play right guard. Perhaps, left tackle is different but not left guard. Your thoughts?By Randy
July 1, 2008 2:32 PM | Link to this
you have to start Stacy Andrews, no questions asked. you can’t pay a guy almost 7.5 million to be an insurance policy. why wait for the inevitable and move Williams to C and Andrews to RG. Willie only has 1-2 solid years left. when he retires move stacy back out to RT and slide Ghiacuic back to C.By William
July 1, 2008 3:21 PM | Link to this
What the O-line does is irrelevant if the D line falls apart.By BnOPanther
July 1, 2008 3:41 PM | Link to this
The o-line will propel the Bengals to an 11 win season. I’ve said this since the entire o-line got healthy.By DALE 78
July 1, 2008 4:28 PM | Link to this
I agree with William .This team will go as far as the defense lets it . If the offense has to get into a shooting war every week it will be tough for this team to finish at 500.By matt
July 1, 2008 4:38 PM | Link to this
it would be retarded for stacy andrews not to start on the offensive line.By matt
July 1, 2008 4:38 PM | Link to this
it would be retarded for stacy andrews not to start on the offensive line.By matt
July 1, 2008 4:40 PM | Link to this
it would be retarded for stacy andrews not to start on the offensive line.By tony
July 1, 2008 6:34 PM | Link to this
easy matt…i think we get the point! LOL. the defense needs to “DO THIER JOB”.the bengals only go as far as the defense takes them. warren sapp used to ask for 17 points and he would win you the game. well, this offense could easily avge. 24 points per game in their sleep. Defense where are you?By thepummeler
July 2, 2008 12:59 AM | Link to this
to matt, i think its retarded to hit the post comment button more than once, no matter how much you want to get your point made. this goes for other hasty posters as wellBy thepummeler
July 2, 2008 1:06 AM | Link to this
i mean we’re talking the ddn news site, not the new york daily. expect it to be slow. they have a monkey screening these posts. and his name’s not… chick ludwigBy kirby
July 2, 2008 7:57 AM | Link to this
They’ll only keep 9… so it will look like this. LT — Levi Jones, Andrew Whitworth, Anthony Collins. LG — Andrew Whitworth, Stacy Andrews, Scott Kooistra. C — Eric Ghiaciuc, Bobbie Williams, Dan Santucci. RG — Bobbie Williams, Stacy Andrews, Scott Kooistra. RT — Willie Anderson, Stacy Andrews, Scott Kooistra.By FANSFAN
July 2, 2008 12:13 PM | Link to this
To Pummel: Give it a rest it isnt the New York Times