Wait. You mean to tell me that the Cincinnati Bengals have a need to rebuild their offensive guard position? Seriously. Who would have thought that such monstrosities of awesome like Nate Livings and Mike McGlynn, spewing fire like demon spawn from the seventh circle in hell, wouldn't be enough to satisify Bengals fans and ensure that Cedric Benson doesn't fumble during critical fourth quarter possessions. Those same plays that Benson complains are the result of a dislike of Jay Gruden's offensive philosophy. Fumbled the football? Blame Jay. Punched a man on a Texas street during the dog days of Summer? Blame Jay. Only averaging 3.9 yards/rush? Blame the offensive line. Alright so there might be a certain truth to that.
According to the NFL Game Statistics and Information System, whenever the Cincinnati Bengals ran between the guards, running backs only averaged 3.3 yards/rush. Though one could argue that a number so low is pretty standard in the NFL, due to the overall difficulty running into the gut of an opposing defense, the Bengals rank as one of the worst teams doing it. Yet with 169 carries between the guards, the Bengals were one of the most frequented teams to pound the football into the gut. It's a point that we would have supported if Benson took a moment to worry less about the number of his (ineffectual) carries and worry more about the actual designs of those runs.
That being said, it's always simpler than how it looks. If a defense stops a running back from gaining positive yards, it's a combination of great defensive work and a poor offensive line. For the Bengals in 2011 it was a hybrid of both. But teams can only control what they can control and in Cincinnati's case, it's about rebuilding the interior of the offensive line.
Pro Football Focus ranks the league's top offensive guards heading into free agency, which includes Bengals offensive guard Bobbie Williams ranked ninth.
We round out our Top 10 list at guard with a couple of guys who simply have to answer the question, how much have you got left in the tank? We start with Bobbie Williams who, after a late season ankle injury, only going on injured reserve in mid-December, is unlikely to sign early in the offseason. Undoubtedly entering the twilight of his career, Williams may still have a year or two left in the tank and even in limited game time this season, showed that quality. He graded out as our 10th-best run blocker in a season where most guards struggled in this regard. The Bengals proved unable to adequately replace him this season with both Mike McGlynn and Clint Boling struggling, Williams still has value to them and would be a decent stop gap for a number of teams.
You really don't have to guess whom the top three are, do you? In case you're reading these pages for the first time in your life (welcome), New Orleans' Carl Nicks, Philadelphia's Evan Mathis and Baltimore's Ben Grubbs are the top three.
0 recs | 11 comments
first of all
if we want to be effective with our O-Line we need to replace Alexander, he’s still thinking it’s 1990 in the way he utilizes our O-Line, while it was effective back in the day, adequate D Coordinators have figured it out and we need to counter, yet, he never has? Need someone with the ability to out think the D Coordinator on blocking schemes. Perfect examples of why he needs to go, Mathis and Collins, why our best lineman aren’t on the field is beyond belief, his time is up!
joeb69 - February 22, 2012
Paul Alexanders blocking technique
Give me the 5 biggest guys you can find….
Done.
Bengalsfan024 - February 22, 2012
agreed
football today requires athletic, strong guys, not just 400 lb slugs
joeb69 - February 22, 2012
Mathis
Whoever made the decision to let this guy walk,and continue to stick with Living’s should be fired
keithp - February 22, 2012
Piano man, Paul Alexander.
Mathis in an immature child anyways, I’m not so sure I’d want him here if I had the choice.
johnson_cody_18 - February 22, 2012
^ +1
palewook - February 22, 2012
2) Evan Mathis, Philadelphia Eagles
fire alexander.
palewook - February 22, 2012
Yes bring back mathis pay him starting money
when he and Collins played on the line in 09 and 10 we did really well when nasty nate was out there the only one excited as Paul Alexander.
Mathis probly wont wanna come back But for PA to error so badly while so bodly backing his choice means hes probly lost his ability to evaulate talent
Bengalsfan024 - February 22, 2012
think of this line for next year and could have been lasts too
Lt, Whit, Lg, Mathis, C, Cook, Rg, Smith, Rt, Collins, much better than we had, and line wouldn’t be a need right now!
joeb69 - February 22, 2012
God is answering our prayers
We just hired Jim McNally as a consultant. He coached our o line before Alexander.
pray4gm11 - February 22, 2012 via mobile
mathis
will every one stop saying they are pissed he left or lets get him back. He is trash. McCoy is the one making him look good. can we all agree on that? What defense while playing the eagles even have run stuffers? They are speed rushing all game with vick, maclin, djax and mccoy running around. Think Mathis was going up against players who are there to stop the run or to run as fast as they can at vick?
cincybengals - February 22, 2012
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