Andrews

[Italian fan]

How did Andrews play Sunday? I'm from Italy so I can't watch Bengals on tv. Imo the OL is playing better actually and we can see that with the production of the offense in the last two games. We have to finish strong because I think 10-6 is good for a wild card but 9-7 is not.

[rishipatel]

Andrews actually held up pretty well. He opened up lanes with Big Willie for the run game, and I never saw him get beat by the Saints pass rush. It was a good first outing, and will hopefully give him confidence for some of the better D lines he may face.

[bengalboomer7]

The entire patched up O line played well. You've got a rookie in Whitworth, Andrews making his first start, and Bluto at Center. Not one penalty on the O line and only one sack given up, plus Rudi goes over 100. O line gets a gold star!!

[Tasher]

Okay, not that I am in favor of this, but I'll ask anyway, just because I am wondering...

How long before an athlete of Andrews' caliber simply beats out one of the guys on the O-Line for a starting job?

Next camp in 2007? 2008?

[bengalskyspy]

Okay, not that I am in favor of this, but I'll ask anyway, just because I am wondering...

How long before an athlete of Andrews' caliber simply beats out one of the guys on the O-Line for a starting job?

Next camp in 2007? 2008?

I think that B Williams will be given "time" to heal-up before they put him back in, which, if Andrews plays well, may be never.

[bengalboomer7]

Let's give Andrews a couple more games, but with the emergence of the dancing bear and Whitworth, Steinbach may have become less of a priority, unless he's our future center

[HoosierCat]

Andrews won't be replacing Williams anytime soon, if only because they just gave Bobbie a new deal during the offseason.

Andrews is depth at RG and RT, tho I think Koo is still the No. 1 option behind Willie. When (and I no longer think its a case of if, but when) Steiny walks, Whitworth will slide in at LG, with Ben Wilkerson slotted in as the backup C and LG. (Or possibly the starting center if he beats out Bluto but that's an issue for next year's camp.)

Braham will likely be back next year, unless this injury of his ends up having longer-term effects. Obviously Levi and Willie will be back. So look for them to look to get some competition going next April on day 2 with a G/LT type-project.

[Kazkal]

Inless they still have faith in adam kieft sense they've still kept him around.

[bengal4life]

I think Steiny will be gone. We've already dumped a huge load of money into our O-line. I'm not sure how this works but hopefully we get an extra draft pick for the caliber of player Steiny is and for J. Smith if we don't resign him. Which is doubtful IMO too.

[Sportsdoc]

The narrowed the gaps between Bluto and him and Willie to give him a little more chance on pass blocking...... although his holding did not get called, it was worse than Bobby "What is Technique and Leverage?" Williams.... he did road grade some guys though.... he can maul people better than Bobby as he is taller... .technique is still awful.....

[agreen_112]

I'm starting to think that Whitworth can replace Levi, as much as I love him, and Andrews would be a great backup. I'm sure some team would be willing to trade a player or a top pick for Levi. We have to work on the defensive side of the ball and at this point Levi would be the only player that I can think of that I'd be willing to trade to get someone on defense.

[PhunkE1]

I'm starting to think that Whitworth can replace Levi, as much as I love him, and Andrews would be a great backup. I'm sure some team would be willing to trade a player or a top pick for Levi. We have to work on the defensive side of the ball and at this point Levi would be the only player that I can think of that I'd be willing to trade to get someone on defense.

Not going to happen. Levi just signed a deal. We would take a huge cap hit by trading him. Stieny's gone and Whitworth will be our new LG.

[agreen_112]

I'm starting to think that Whitworth can replace Levi, as much as I love him, and Andrews would be a great backup. I'm sure some team would be willing to trade a player or a top pick for Levi. We have to work on the defensive side of the ball and at this point Levi would be the only player that I can think of that I'd be willing to trade to get someone on defense.

Not going to happen. Levi just signed a deal. We would take a huge cap hit by trading him. Stieny's gone and Whitworth will be our new LG.

Thanks for clearing that up for me. I guess that makes more sense. Whitworth is a freaking beast!

[Italian fan]

I don't think there is a chance to trade Levi: he signed a new contract and he is still young and at his best. Whitworth could switch at LG because they can't afford another huge contract for an OL (Steinbach). They have to evaluate if Andrews or Kooistra are good enough to replace Big Willie in the future or they have to draft another RT in 2nd or 3rd round.

[JoePong]

You just don't trade away proven, quality, relatively young O-Linemen, especially left tackles. Unless you just care nothing about winning. That's just a stupid idea.

I don't get the mentality of some bengal fans always suggesting that we dump our best players.

I say stockpile as many good linemen as possible. I still remember how many fans complained when we drafted Whitworth this year because they thought we didn't need another lineman.

[Stripes]

I've always liked Andy Reid's first day drafts... He just builds great depth on both lines every year.