O-Line woes

[Sox]

After all of the Palmer-Kitna debates I've seen,I'm going to point the finger for our offensive troubles in a different direction-the o-line.

It has been beaten up all three games,including the upcoming Steeler game.Braham out most of all three,Moore the last two,and now Levi Jones is dinged up.Steinbach is still recovering from elbow surgery,and is just now getting healthy.We were forced to sign a 37 year old center,who had to play with only one real practice(although his effort was admirable),and we may have to slide Steinbach to left tackle next Sunday.

Because of this,the line has not jelled.There has been no cohesiveness,leading to missed assignments(Carson getting hit often),and leading to Rudi being less effective than he should be from fewer holes and sometimes getting hit behind the line of scrimmage.

To sum it up,what was supposed to be our strength has so far,because of injuries, actually become a liability.Get healthy soon guys.

Thoughts?

[skyline]

Yeah, it's obviously been a problem. What irks me is people saying that our offensive line sucks. Calling Jones a nobody, etc.

These guys are good. Still, any o-line needs some sort of consistency, and that's something we haven't had. If we can get them all healthy, it'll be a major boost for the team.

[bengals4ever]

After all of the Palmer-Kitna debates I've seen,I'm going to point the finger for our offensive troubles in a different direction-the o-line.

It has been beaten up all three games,including the upcoming Steeler game.Braham out most of all three,Moore the last two,and now Levi Jones is dinged up.Steinbach is still recovering from elbow surgery,and is just now getting healthy.We were forced to sign a 37 year old center,who had to play with only one real practice(although his effort was admirable),and we may have to slide Steinbach to left tackle next Sunday.

Because of this,the line has not jelled.There has been no cohesiveness,leading to missed assignments(Carson getting hit often),and leading to Rudi being less effective than he should be from fewer holes and sometimes getting hit behind the line of scrimmage.

To sum it up,what was supposed to be our strength has so far,because of injuries, actually become a liability.Get healthy soon guys.

Thoughts?

I'm with ya 100%. Our o-line has been the downfall. Look how often Palmer had defenders on his back Sunday.

[FonzieDog]

Good point. Offensive line was supposed to be a major strength of this team but it's more of a liability due to injuries. I think Bobbie Williams and Alex Sulfsted are the only two linemen that I have not heard having to deal with some sort of injury.

[Bobcat Bengal]

After all of the Palmer-Kitna debates I've seen,I'm going to point the finger for our offensive troubles in a different direction-the o-line.

It has been beaten up all three games,including the upcoming Steeler game.Braham out most of all three,Moore the last two,and now Levi Jones is dinged up.Steinbach is still recovering from elbow surgery,and is just now getting healthy.We were forced to sign a 37 year old center,who had to play with only one real practice(although his effort was admirable),and we may have to slide Steinbach to left tackle next Sunday.

Because of this,the line has not jelled.There has been no cohesiveness,leading to missed assignments(Carson getting hit often),and leading to Rudi being less effective than he should be from fewer holes and sometimes getting hit behind the line of scrimmage.

To sum it up,what was supposed to be our strength has so far,because of injuries, actually become a liability.Get healthy soon guys.

Thoughts?

I just hope they:

have no further injuries or re-aggravations this Sunday

and

can come out of the bye week healthy and ready to go for the remainder of the season.

[Scottishbengal]

Offensive line was supposed to be a major strength of this team but it's more of a liability due to injuries.

But acknowledging those injuries and the disruption they've caused, the personnel adjustments, and the defences they've played against, don't you think the offence has performed well - all things considered?

Terry - excellent avatar! smart work!

[redsfan2]

Offensive line was supposed to be a major strength of this team but it's more of a liability due to injuries.

But acknowledging those injuries and the disruption they've caused, the personnel adjustments, and the defences they've played against, don't you think the offence has performed well - all things considered?

Terry - excellent avatar! smart work!

Two sides to this ...... On the one hand they've been putting up some pretty impressive numbers, but on the other ... they haven't scored an offensive touchdown in 2 out of 3 games.

I have to agree that most of the problem is on the line, but the skill position players have to make plays. Jones ... Steinbach et al are all good players but there's a huge drop off in performance when the starters go down. When they go down en masse like now it's just that much worse.

Dolphins and Ravens D's are both top notch. Jets ???????? who knows ????? Throw in the injuries to our team and it's really hard to get a real handle on how they're doing.

All I know for sure is that we're 1 game ahead of where we were at this time last year which means I'm still on target with my 9 and 7 projection.

As for the people screaming for Kitna, they're the same people that were screaming for Palmer last year. Dismiss them.

[FonzieDog]

Offensive line was supposed to be a major strength of this team but it's more of a liability due to injuries.

But acknowledging those injuries and the disruption they've caused, the personnel adjustments, and the defences they've played against, don't you think the offence has performed well - all things considered?

Sure, I'd say they've done some positive things on offense despite injuries, but they need to put the ball in the endzone! No offensive touchdowns in their last two games.

I think the rushing game has taken a major hit due to offensive line injuries. Rudi has been kept in check. He's had a few good runs this year but he gets hit at or behind the line way too often. If the line and Rudi can get it together the offense should be able to really take off.

[FonzieDog]

Jones ... Steinbach et al are all good players but there's a huge drop off in performance when the starters go down. When they go down en masse like now it's just that much worse.

ABSOLUTELY!!!

[Tiger Stripes]

rudis performance can be blamed mostly on the line but i think he has also not been doing a very good job. he stutters in the backfield hes just really not hitting the hole as hard and as fast as i know he can. so far ive been dissapointed.

[schweinhart]

Levi is an All-Pro compared to Rod Jones. I hope he plays because if not Steinbach is the starting LT even though he's not played the spot and the back-up C, which means we're crutching on Fontenot big time again for this one.

Rudi's gonna get the ball and hit the hole. It would help him if he's not hit as soon as he gets the hand-off, though.

Besides, I don't see CP leading the NFL is pass attempts all year like he is now.

[Tampa Bengal]

he stutters in the backfield hes just really not hitting the hole as hard and as fast as i know he can. so far ive been dissapointed.

What holes? The line isn't opening anything up and when he does get to the line most of the Defense is then waiting on him. I think he is playing pretty well considering. He had 22-23 attempts from the last 3 games and managed to get 98 yards against a strong Ravens D, 67 yards against Miami and 67 yards and a TD against the Jets. If your wanting 200 yard games forget it. The teams the Bengals play this year are set at D and are keying up on Rudi. If he at least moves the sticks and keeps the D off of Palmer thats all I can ask.

[Sox]

I would have replied earlier,but the Roadrunner gods frowned upon me and my cable modem.

There have been few holes.If the O-line can protect Carson and give Rudi a few holes,we can win Sunday.Hopefully the same against the Browns.

We really need to win and limp into this bye-week and let our o-line heal.

[Barbarian]

he stutters in the backfield hes just really not hitting the hole as hard and as fast as i know he can. so far ive been dissapointed.

What holes? The line isn't opening anything up and when he does get to the line most of the Defense is then waiting on him. I think he is playing pretty well considering. He had 22-23 attempts from the last 3 games and managed to get 98 yards against a strong Ravens D, 67 yards against Miami and 67 yards and a TD against the Jets. If your wanting 200 yard games forget it. The teams the Bengals play this year are set at D and are keying up on Rudi. If he at least moves the sticks and keeps the D off of Palmer thats all I can ask.

Yeah, I'm also in agreement with Tampa here:

If you guys are looking forward to those 150+ yard games like last year, you guys can forget it!!! Every NFL Team knows that Rudi is capable of that now. It's not a secret any longer. Sort of like Chad Johnson--they know he's a primetime player!

So, if Rudi gets 98 yards on 23 carries, then be happy that he got that against the Ravens--it means Rudi & Co have potential--BIG TIME POTENTIAL!!!

But some of you guys are right--the Bungles' have went against good-great defenses in the 1st 3 weeks here. I think the offense is doing just fine.

Now, to do something about the f**king offensive play-calling!!!! UGGGHHHHH!!!!

Do something about those gashes in the Defensive Line too--DOUBLE UGGGGHHHHHHHH!!!!!

:player:

[Tampa Bengal]

Now, to do something about the f**king offensive play-calling!!!!  UGGGHHHHH!!!!

I think the play calling is being hampered by injuries and experience.

Things seemed to work out last year.

Hey be grateful at least the team can move the ball. Living here in Tampa I've seen the results of a bad offense and trust me the Bengals aren't anywhere near as bad as the Bucs. Now that is a bad offense which is being run by a so called offensive genius.

[Barbarian]

Now, to do something about the f**king offensive play-calling!!!!  UGGGHHHHH!!!!

I think the play calling is being hampered by injuries and experience.

Things seemed to work out last year.

Hey be grateful at least the team can move the ball. Living here in Tampa I've seen the results of a bad offense and trust me the Bengals aren't anywhere near as bad as the Bucs. Now that is a bad offense which is being run by a so called offensive genius.

Injuries and experience?????

Having your 1st year QB throw the ball 52 times in his 3rd regular season game is by far the most f**king idiotic thing I've seen this year in sports--and that includes the crybaby Milton Bradley thing the other night.

I'm jumping on the bandwagon of Brat needs to go.

[BengalBobNC]

Injuries and experience?????

Having your 1st year QB throw the ball 52 times in his 3rd regular season game is by far the most f**king idiotic thing I've seen this year in sports--and that includes the crybaby Milton Bradley thing the other night.

I'm jumping on the bandwagon of Brat needs to go.

Hmmm, our O-line is banged up, having trouble opening holes/blocking for Rudi, we are behind, and we shouldn't pass? Yeah, 52 pass attempts was a lot. However, spiking a plastic beer bottle in the stands was w-a-y more idiotic. Your team needs you down the stretch and you pull a stunt like that?!? What would this brainless wonder do if he had to play near the old "Dawg Pound" (a.k.a. Moron Pound) having dog biscuits and batteries thrown at him?

The fan who threw it should be arrested...no doubt. If that sort of stuff continues (Remember the Browns game when the fans pelted the Refs with bottles?) professional sports will adapt the college rules. No alcohol sales along with breathalizer tests to even get in the stadium. You're drunk, no admittance and no refund!

Stupid is as stupid does.

Having said all that I must admit, Brats play calling has puzzled me many times. Do we even throw screen passes any more to burn blitzes? How quickly do we abandon the run? With the obvious run blocking problem I can see that happening. But damn...give Palmer the quick out or a screen pass to make the opposing teams think twice about blitzing.