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Will Bengals choose O-lineman?

During the last two months, when a top tackle or center prospect worked out, Bengals offensive line coach Paul Alexander was there. That’s nothing new, but this year Alexander’s campus appearances were especially noteworthy.

That’s because the Bengals, who pick sixth in this weekend’s NFL Draft, lost two starters on the offensive line in the offseason, making it very possible that the team will pick an offensive lineman in first round.

The last time the Bengals drafted a lineman in the top two rounds was 2006, when Andrew Whitworth went in the second round.

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The Bengals aren’t alone in their needs. Three offensive tackles could go with the first six picks Saturday.

“There’s probably eight offensive tackles that will go in the first two rounds,” NFL Network draft analyst Mike Mayock said. “The problem with this year is that after those eight, there’s a drop off. I think they’re going to go earlier than they should and then other guys will get artificially pushed up.”
TRAITS OF A LINEMAN

At the workouts, Alexander focused on players’ strength and toughness, and their ability block for the run and pass, get out of the stance quickly, and pick up blitzes.
He also tested players’ mental agility.

“Sometimes you’re better off taking a guy you can naturally communicate with,” Alexander said. “You like guys who can make an adjustment the first time you do it instead of the guy who you have to explain it to 10 different ways.”

Failure in any of these areas raises a red flag, Alexander said.

“It’s like a baseball player. If he can’t hit the curveball then he can’t play in the majors,” Alexander said.

Former Bengals lineman Dave Lapham, now the team’s radio analyst, said he focuses on pass blocking.

“I think overall the mentality of run blocking is easier to teach. Pass blocking goes against human nature because you’re taking the abuse instead of dishing it out,” Lapham said.

Lapham also looks for balance.

“The special players are the ones who stay on their feet,” Lapham said. “Anthony (Munoz) could speed up when he had to but he never was overextended and was never on his heels.”

And in today’s NFL versatility is crucial. Most gameday rosters include just eight linemen, so it’s important that a tackle can shift to guard or even center in a pinch.

Whitworth can play both tackle and guard, while centers Kyle Cook and Dan Santucci can also slide over to guard.
THE TOP THREE TACKLES

The top three tackles are Baylor’s Jason Smith, Virginia’s Eugene Monroe and Alabama’s Andre Smith.

Monroe gets the slight edge because of his pass-blocking ability.

“He has the best feet of any tackle in the draft. And in the NFL, the one thing I’ve learned is that the left tackle position, the run blocking is not as big a deal,” Mayock said. “You better protect your quarterback.”

Jason Smith could be the best run blocker of the three. Baylor gained more than 65 percent of its rushing yards when it ran left.

But most mock drafts have Jason Smith and Monroe getting picked quickly, leaving the Bengals projected to take Andre Smith.

Smith has struggled since declaring for the draft – he missed the combine and had a shaky workout – but he dominated opposing defenses during the season, allowed one sack last year.

“I watched a bunch of tape on him and never saw him on the ground,” Lapham said. “He has long arms, good lower body strength and leg drive.”

Smith visited the Bengals two weeks ago, and left coach Marvin Lewis with a good impression.

“I think he’s a really good prospect,” Lewis said. “You’ve got to look at his background, you’ve got to look at who he’s played for. He’s played for a couple of really good coaches. Secondly, he’s played for some guys who have been in the NFL for a long time. You’ve got respect the opinions they have of the player and so forth.”

If the Bengals pass on a tackle in the draft, they have some options among their current players.

Anthony Collins, who was drafted in the fourth round last year, could start at either right or left tackle, while Levi Jones, who was the team’s last first-round lineman pick (2002), would return.

Jones has missed 17 games over the past three seasons and there are rumblings that he will be traded or released before the season opens.

Whitworth could also slide over to left tackle.
FRONT AND CENTER

While the Bengals’ staff like what its seen from the team’s three centers – Andrew Crummey, Cook and Santucci – the fact remains that there is a combined one series of NFL experience among them.

This year’s center class of prospects is deep, and the Bengals could upgrade in the second or third round.

“You never hear of a draft that is three or four deep at center, and it’s the Bengals’ sweet spot in terms of need,” Lapham said.

The top three centers – Oregon’s Max Unger, Cal’s Alex Mack and Louisville’s Eric Wood – are evenly matched. Wood, an Elder grad, has attracted interest in the AFC North and visited the Bengals, Browns and Steelers.

“You’ve got a nice little divisional battle going on there where Cleveland or Cincinnati might have to trade up to get him and that’s unheard of – trading up to get a center,” said ESPN analyst Mel Kiper Jr. of Wood.

LINK >> Will Bengals choose O-lineman? | Cincinnati Enquirer | Cincinnati.Com

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