Ox Posted September 4, 2006 Report Share Posted September 4, 2006 Linemen keep QB uprightBengals determined to toe the line for Palmer more than ever this yearBY MARK CURNUTTE | ENQUIRER STAFF WRITERFor all of the vicarious living Bengals offensive linemen do through the team's skilled players, there's one statistic that is all theirs.In 2005, the line, with the assistance of tight ends and running backs, set a franchise record by allowing only 21 sacks.This year, the cargo will be even more precious. With Carson Palmer ready to start Sunday at Kansas City, the linemen are as determined as ever to protect their quarterback.Palmer is coming off reconstructive left knee surgery Jan. 10, and the opener will come eight months after he had his anterior cruciate and medial collateral ligaments replaced."It's just human nature that it's in the back of our minds he's coming off an injury, but we're going to go out there and do the things we've always done," left guard Eric Steinbach said."Before he was hurt we didn't want anybody to touch him. But, yeah, we're going to protect our biggest asset," Steinbach added.Former Steelers defensive end Kimo von Oelhoffen came through the left side of the line to put the devastating low hit on Palmer's left knee."You can't block a guy diving on the ground, you can't," Steinbach said. "If I did, it's a hold or an illegal block. It's not football. Diving on the ground is not football. It was an unorthodox way for him to attack and try to penetrate."Keeping quarterbacks clean always has been a big part of playing offensive line."That motivation (for an offensive lineman) is kind of a Mamma Bear feeling," said Ken Moyer, who played offensive line for the Bengals from 1989-94 and is now the team's chaplain. "My line coach in college (Toledo) told me that he'd get mad at any penalty we had unless it was done to protect the quarterback."But protecting the quarterback is even more important now because of the increased emphasis on the passing game.The added importance on the pass offense is more anecdotal than statistical. There was a slight increase in the number of passes attempted in the NFL in 2005 (16,464) than in 2000 (16,342)."As time has gone on, protecting the quarterback has become more important - and it's kind of sacrilegious to say - than run blocking," said right tackle Willie Anderson, drafted 10th overall by the Bengals in 1996. "When I first came into the league, run blocking was the key. And I'm sure back in the '80s, they had some big-time rushers back then, but now the league has gone to such a quarterback league."Helping your quarterback have a career year is more important than getting your back 1,800 yards."The league's premier pass rushers line up at right end, where the Bengals' Levi Jones faces the challenge of protecting Palmers' backside.In 2005, Jones shut out Baltimore's Terrell Suggs, Green Bay's Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila and Indianapolis' Dwight Freeney."A lot more of the responsibility falls on the left tackle because the quarterback can't see who the left tackle's blocking," Jones said. "(If) the right tackle messes up, the quarterback can see it and possibly get out of the way."The left tackle, that's pretty much why you're there. People like to talk about the run game and all that, and it's good, and I consider myself a good run blocker and I focus on both equally, but let's get real here: if I was a run-blocking left tackle, I probably wouldn't be here right now."The league's best quarterbacks value the relationship with their offensive linemen. Elaborate gifts are not uncommon.In 2004, his first season as a starter, Palmer bought and had delivered a hot tub to each of his offensive linemen."I think there's usually a pretty good bond between the quarterback and the linemen, just because of the dynamics of the thing," said Dave Lapham, Bengals radio analyst and former Bengals offensive lineman from 1974-83. "Boomer (Esiason) was great to his offensive linemen. Kenny (Anderson) was great to his linemen. Every quarterback I've heard of who had success had a great relationship with his linemen."Guys who didn't, I don't know how great (former Bengals quarterback) Akili (Smith) was to his linemen, not that it would have changed anything, but the guys who are successful get that dynamic."No moves SundayThe Bengals did not release any information Sunday on the players who are being signed to their practice squad.Up to eight players can be signed to the squad, which is not part of the active 53-man roster.The Bengals are expected to sign several players they waived Saturday, such as wide receiver Reggie McNeal, safety John Busing and defensive end Eric Henderson.Suspended linebacker Odell Thurman, who began his four-game suspension after playing in the preseason finale Friday night at Indianapolis, does not count against the 53-man roster. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stripes Posted September 4, 2006 Report Share Posted September 4, 2006 I'm suprised to see Steinbach so honest about Kimo.The whole line, minus Steiny and Bluto, just got paid big time. They have all the motivation in the world to play out of their minds this year. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tibor75 Posted September 4, 2006 Report Share Posted September 4, 2006 Steinbach's a moron. It was his fault plain and simple. He tried to take a play off and Palmer paid the price. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stripes Posted September 4, 2006 Report Share Posted September 4, 2006 Steinbach's a moron. It was his fault plain and simple. He tried to take a play off and Palmer paid the price.You're entitled to your opinion, but I highly doubt Steinbach would have blown off his second play. It was the very beginning of the first quarter of a playoff game. He certainly wasn't tired. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tibor75 Posted September 4, 2006 Report Share Posted September 4, 2006 Steinbach's a moron. It was his fault plain and simple. He tried to take a play off and Palmer paid the price.You're entitled to your opinion, but I highly doubt Steinbach would have blown off his second play. It was the very beginning of the first quarter of a playoff game. He certainly wasn't tired.I don't think he was tired either. I think he didn't realize that teams dial up the intensity in the playoffs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ox Posted September 4, 2006 Author Report Share Posted September 4, 2006 Either that or Kimo took a dive at Palmer's knee regardless. Guess we'll never know. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ArmyBengal Posted September 4, 2006 Report Share Posted September 4, 2006 Steinbach's a moron. It was his fault plain and simple. He tried to take a play off and Palmer paid the price. Don't think there is any way in hell I could agree with that statement, but yes, you are entitled to your opinion... WHODEY !!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HoosierCat Posted September 5, 2006 Report Share Posted September 5, 2006 Speaking of Palmer, anyone post this yet?http://www.bangcartoon.com/cartoons/index....|speedracer.swfSick...but funny! The T.O. bit is a hoot, too. "Look out, it's a drunk Koren Robinson trying to escape from the cops!" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ArmyBengal Posted September 5, 2006 Report Share Posted September 5, 2006 I love those cartoons !!! NFL Cadaver Club... Sick, but funny !!!WHODEY !!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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