Offensive Line Rookies

[bengalsin2005]

How come we don't hear that much on our new offensive line rookies?

Are they what was expected? Is their transition going well? Is Eric Ghiaciuc expected to be the eventual starting center or will Ben Wilkerson be our future center? Are Adam Kieft and Stacey Andrews our future tackles? Who is our primary backup guard: Scott Kooistra or Larry Moore?

Anybody hear anything or opinions?

[membengal]

How come we don't hear that much on our new offensive line rookies?

Are they what was expected? Is their transition going well? Is Eric Ghiaciuc expected to be the eventual starting center or will Ben Wilkerson be our future center? Are Adam Kieft and Stacey Andrews our future tackles? Who is our primary backup guard: Scott Kooistra or Larry Moore?

Anybody hear anything or opinions?

Because I think it is way too early to hear anything on guys playing the line. Shorts and patterns give you at least a teeny bit of insight into the guys who use speed (Henry, Pollack, Thurman), but even less than teeny for the grunts.

Until they get pads on and are hitting, hard to know what they have. We will know more in about a month.

[schweinhart]

I'd be surprised if Larry Moore isn't the backup center to start the year regardless of what Ghiaucic does. But if there's any doubt about Moore's recovery from his knee injuries, he might not even make the team.

Hard not to think Wilkerson goes PUP or IR given the severity of his knee injury.

The future tackle question to me seems largely dependent on whether or not Levi gets extended this year w/ 2 years left on his contract. Stacy the Giant has the footwork, size, and strength but does he have the will?

Kieft actually looked good playing LT the only time I saw him play. He seems like a good pick w/ the versatility to play either tackle and maybe move inside to guard. I'd have to think right now either Kieft goes to the practice squad and Kooistra sticks or Kieft makes the 53-man and Kooistra is gone.

Like the man says, though, we won't know til we see.

[AMC]

Hard not to think Wilkerson goes PUP or IR given the severity of his knee injury.

Wilkerson will go on IR. No practice squad for sure. He would get claimed.

As for Keift, Andrews, etc I would predict career backups. But if they progress rapidly it could make contract negotiations with Levi and Big Willie very interesting.

I think Bengals will try to sign Levi and Big Willie and draft tackle replacements high in the draft before the contracts expire.

:player: :player: :player: :player:

[Kirkendall]

How come we don't hear that much on our new offensive line rookies?

B/c o-line is the most undercovered position in all of football (ironic considering they are the most important position in all of football). But I think one of the reasons also is because our starters are set, and none of the rookies will get into the game unless injury takes the starters down.

[redsfan2]

B/c o-line is the most undercovered position in all of football (ironic considering they are the most important position in all of football).

Just a little biased maybe ???? Actually I agree with you.

I've heard numerous times that the Chargers and the Bengals are the only 2 teams fielding the same O line as last season.

Biggest difference I see is that ours is not only the same , but now they're healthy as well. I also think we're quietly developing quality depth along the line. That's a luxury we haven't had in a long time, and it should pay off.

[HairOnFire]

How come we don't hear that much on our new offensive line rookies?

B/c o-line is the most undercovered position in all of football (ironic considering they are the most important position in all of football). But I think one of the reasons also is because our starters are set, and none of the rookies will get into the game unless injury takes the starters down.

Stop it.

Everyone knows that offensive lineman are just punishment sponges who eventually have to be passed by on your way to the QB.

Now that I've given you guys a pretty solid clue...who wants to guess what my favorite position was back in the day?

[The_Next_Big_Thing]

The biggest reason you aren't hearing wows and such about the oline rooks? Because we haven't had any hitting yet which means we really can't tell how physical and effective they will be. Everything so far has been drills.