The Offensive Line - What is the Plan?

So apparently, the Bengals might be trying to trade Levi Jones and if they can't trade him, they might release him (h/t Stripe Hype who gave a h/t to Go-Bengals...blogging at its finest).  WDR has no problem with this.  Levi Jones is not a good football player.  At some point in time, he was a good football player.  But then he signed a big fat contract and then started playing like a big fat guy who signed a big fat contract.  He's also expressed multiple times that he doesn't want to be on this football team even though the Bengals have given him a big fat contract and he may not be able to get a big fat contract from anyone else.  As we've seen the last two years, you don't want a guy with a big fat contract who doesn't want to be on the football team protecting your Quarterback's blind side. 

But what WDR has a problem with is where that puts the Offensive Line.  As of now, the Offensive Line is the same minus two starters (Eric Ghiaciuc, Stacy Andrews) and if Levi Jones is traded or released, that's three.  Currently, the following Offensive Tackles, other than Jones, are on the roster: Anthony Collins and Dennis Roland (I don't know who he is either).  Currently, the following Centers are on the roster: Kyle Cook, Andrew Crummey and Dan Santucci (combined starts: 0, combined offensive series: close to 0).  Just exactly what is the plan at Offensive Line?  If Jones is taken out of the equation, the starting O-Line looks like this:

Left Tackle: ???

Left Guard: Andrew Whitworth

Center: ???

Right Guard: Bobbie Williams

Right Tackle: Anthony Collins

Maybe the Bengals are thinking of moving Andrew Whitworth to Left Tackle and starting Nate Livings at Left Guard.  I fail to see how that would be any sort of improvement to last year's O-line that led to Carson Palmer missing 12 games. 

Perhaps the Bengals are relying on the draft and hoping to get a startable Offensive Tackle.  The problem with that is (1) the two top Offensive Tackles in the draft, Jason Smith and Eugene Monroe, have separated themselves and could very well go before the Bengals pick, (2) Andre Smith is either pulling a Britney-esque collapse or doing his best Jeremi Johnson impersonation, and (3) Michael Oher is apparently inconsistent and has fallen down the draft board (plus do we really want the epilogue of Blind Side to be that he ended up on the Bengals?  I mean that's a feel-good book ruined).  If the Bengals draft another position, they risk not getting an effective, startable Offensive Tackle in the second round or later.  By the way, this doesn't even address Center.  The plan there is anyone's guess and WDR has certainly expressed our view most recently here, but also here, here and here.

WDR continues to watch in confusion as, barring a trade, as of now it looks like the Bengals will be starting middle of the road or below average free agents, rookies or last year's backups to what was a pitiful O-Line.  If this Offensive Line is not fixed, this team will continue to be terrible.

Comments

[Leo deTrotskyo]

Dennis Roland started one game last year at RT (vs KC, after Andrews' knee injury). He reminded me of Jonathan Ogden, but don't get excited. It was his height (6'9"), not his play. He looked liked he should be a power forward.

Still waiting for the Hobspin on the lack of interest in Matt Birk or Jason Brown...

[Chris]

I know the fullback isn't part of the o-line but is nearly as important in the running and passing game. Just one more question mark in a long line of concerns on that side of the ball.

[Flash]

Levi Jones' career started nose-diving after he tried to play ten days after knee surgery during the alleged play-off push in 2003. And he was far better than just a "good football player."

the Bengals medical staff ruined one of the better left tackles in the game. Levi was typcially rated just below Pace and Ogden during that stretch from 02 thru 05.

Not really his fault he broke down.

[Robinsgr]

Jones was good at one time, but now his injuries have taken their toll and he wants out. If he stays, how good will he be and how long will his body hold up? It is time to make a change, but we all know there are not enough players on the roster to fill all the holes, and MB did not spend the money in free agency to improve - again.

[T]

I completely agree with Chris. For a while there, Levi was as good as they come. He was completely mismanaged and broke down as a result of it. Can't blame him for wanting out all these years.

[Matt]

At the end of the season the WDR was complaining because the Bengals were going to win too many games and not be able to get Michael Oher. It now appears Michael Oher is no longer popular with Todd McDouche and Big Hair Mel. Oh well his popularity has dropped after he stopped playing football. He is being over analyzed and is a hell of a football player. On NFLN they said the only thing Andre Smith can do well is run block and pass protection. That sounds ok to me. I don't think it would be the worse thing if the Bengals drafted a big fat guy who only gave up one sack in college (A. Smith). He may be an idiot, but is still a hell of a football player.

[BengalAnthony13]

The point is that this team doesn't need any more "idiots". Plenty of those are on the roster currently (#15) or have already come and gone. Andre Smith should not be an option unless they make a trade and get into the twenties in the first round. What will EVERYONE say if we draft him-- "Oh, of course the Bengals would draft a kid with questionsable character." Don't need any more of that garbage. They need guys who can play but are also solid character guys. I think Collins (last year's 4th rounder that was viewed by many as a steal) at RT is a good idea--kid can play. Livings isn't a bad player but should probably still be a backup. They need to get one of the top three Centers in the second round (Unger, Mack, Wood). I'm pushing for Unger or Wood, personally. I'd really like to see them get the Fullback from LSU in the 5th round--he looked solid in the Senior Bowl. Guards aren't that difficult to come by either. Draft one and pick up Mike Goff-type if you are thinking of moving Whitworth to tackle. Still wouldn't mind picking up an extra pick from the Jaguars (who pick #9), while swapping spots and taking Maualuga at #9.

[me]

Yeah, draft another linebacker #1, that will help shore up the offensive line.

The Bengals have the dumbest front office but it works out because they also have the dumbest fans.

[ItmightbeJB]

I think it would be a huge mistake to move Whitworth to tackle. He's a talented player but he's a GUARD. Anthony Collins did a good job last year vs. Pissburgh and virtually shut down James Harrison. But Dwight Freeney handed Whitworth his lunch AND his jock vs. Indianapolis. Look, Tackles need to be quick footed with long arms and strong hands & technique like Collins. Whitworth is a bruiser. Leave him where he is next to the new rookie center or a FA if MB didn't let all the good one go yet. Draft a RT in the 1st and a Center (preferrable Mack) in the 2nd if Pittsburgh doesn't take him at #32. This OL is pathetic. With Ghiaciuc getting manhandled and pushed backwards into Carson's knees every play it won't take long to end Carson's career. This draft MUST be about fixing this group of misfits and placing them in their natural positions.

[Flash]

I see the Bengals repeating what they did a few years ago when the "reached" and chose Levi Jones tenth overall.

Kiper killed them for that pick, but it worked out pretty good.

They'll pick Oher at six, and get ripped for reaching...but he'll likely be the best tackle left on the board.

Unless someone wants to take a flyer on Andre Smith?