BENGALS NOTES
Bengals' huge offensive line features bulk, experience
Friday, August 15, 2008
GEORGETOWN, Ky. — Bengals fans were treated to another look at the "Jurassic Line" in the final practice of training camp at Georgetown College on Thursday, Aug. 14.
With center Bobbie Williams flanked by guards Andrew Whitworth and Stacy Andrews, and tackles Levi Jones and Willie Anderson, the offensive line averages 6 feet, 6 inches and 333 pounds.
"I like what I see when I look to my left and when I look to my right," Williams said.
What's that?
"Massive Grande," Williams said. "The more reps I take at (center), the more comfortable I become. That's good. I want (quarterback) Carson (Palmer) to feel comfortable, too."
Plenty of infatuation
Offensive line coach Paul Alexander said the severe right ankle injury suffered by backup center Dan Santucci "makes it critical now" to groom a new backup.
Alexander can't help but be infatuated with the "Jurassic Line," but, "You've got to temper the testosterone a little bit on that one," he said.
"You look at it and it's huge and all that, but playing center is not something you all of a sudden just do. To me, today was just another day in training camp working on options."
'A lot of meat'
Rookie defensive tackle Jason Shirley felt the thrust of the "Jurassic Line" at the point of attack.
"I think that's unstoppable, personally, with regard to the run and having Rudi (Johnson) and Chris Perry back there," Shirley said. "I feel they can go for 150 yards every game with that line. That's a lot of meat in there."
Bold prediction
The battle at right offensive tackle is heating up between Andrews and Anderson.
"I'm going to be playing when the season starts," Anderson said. "I'm not a backup player."
Practical joker
Wide receiver Chad Johnson said he could take on Olympic gold-medal machine Michael Phelps in the pool and come out victorious.
"If I'm going to Vegas, I'm not betting on that," Rudi Johnson said.
Missing out
Backup right defensive end Eric Henderson was suited up at Green Bay, but didn't get in. He hopes to see action Sunday against Detroit.
Injury settlement
Rookie guard Justin Britt, a college free agent from Alabama, was waived with an injury settlement after suffering a shoulder injury.
Next game
Who: Detroit Lions (1-0) at Cincinnati Bengals (1-0)
When: 7:35 p.m. Sunday
TV: WKEF-TV (ABC, Channel 22)
Radio: WLW-AM (700), WTUE-FM (104.7)


