Offensive Line Worries

Posted by Darren Hollywood on 20. May 2009 10:25

Right now there is one thing that has me worried about this season for the Bengals.  The Defense looks to treat other teams to hard times.  Palmer is healthy and throwing hard.  Talented recievers are over flowing the Jungle.  Yet the offensive line is surrounded by question marks.  It's just the beginning of the OTA sessions, but I'm already shaking my head at what I hear coming from the field.

According to a short article on Bengals.com the line is shaping up like this.  Andrew Whitworth lined up at left tackle, first-round draft pick Andre Smith at right tackle, Nate Livings left guard, Bobbie Williams right guard, and  Kyle Cook was the center.  This looks good so far.  I like Whitworth at left tackle and think that he will do more than a good job.  Getting Andre Smith on the field is good for the team and I hope he makes a difference immediatly.  Nate Livings really stepped up last year and I'm anxious to see what he can bring to the table and Bobbie Williams is always a joy to watch.  Then Kyle Cook, who I think has alot to prove this year before I see him as a shoe in for Center.

So what's is there to worry about, it's OTA?  Well there is this paragraph from that Bengals article...

Offensive coordinator Bob Bratkowksi said center is Cook's job to lose, but the club plans to give other players looks. Yet as offensive line coach Paul Alexander said, they don't have much time for open tryouts and that the way the line looked Tuesday is pretty much how they think it's going to look: "It's not going to be American Idol."

I'm very worried that Ol' Bratkowksi is handing the job off before looking at all the resumes.  Let's slow down there Bob.  The kid has done nothing for this job to be given to him, he's not the Carson Palmer of Centers, he is an unproven 2nd year player who spent his season on the IR list.  Just like everyone else, it should be his job to win. 

Let's not forget that there are still plenty of options...