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2010 Offensive Line Analysis - Cincinnati Bengals

2010 Projected Starters:
Left Tackle: Andrew Whitworth
Left Guard: Nate Livings
Center: Kyle Cook
Right Guard: Bobby Williams
Right Tackle: Andre Smith

2009 Injuries:
T Andre Smith: Weeks 1-11
G Nate Livings: Weeks 2-3
G Evan Mathis: Weeks 10-12

2009 Statistics:

Overview:
The Cincinnati Bengals were one of the most improved teams in the NFL last season, mainly because of their defense, but this offensive line was also much better than it had been in previous years. This was surprising given that last year’s first round pick Andre Smith barely played and that there was no consistency at the LG and RT positions.

Starting at left tackle for the Bengals will be Andrew Whitworth who played his first full season at left tackle in 2009. Whitworth had been playing mainly at left guard since being drafted in the second round by the Bengals in 2006 but he still started 13 games at left tackle in his first three seasons and had done an okay job. Last season however, he really stepped up his play and arguably became one of the ten best left tackles in the NFL. It took him a little time to adjust to his new position as he took eight penalties and allowed three sacks in his first six games but was only responsible for a total of five sacks throughout the year. His 6’7” and 340 lbs frame is perfect for the left tackle position, although he is not particularly strong for his size. He is a very smart player who is better in pass protection than run blocking but is still above average in both and should continue to improve. Opposite of him should be 2009 first round pick Andre Smith. He has great size at 6’4” and 330 lbs and has surprisingly quick feet for his size. He has good awareness for a 23-year old lineman but, like most young linemen, he has a lot of work to do to improve his technique. Despite his success in college as a pass protector, he could struggle early against quicker linemen in the NFL and the right tackle position should be much more forgiving for him. In the long run, he will however be a much better fit on the left side of the line. Adding depth at tackle are Dennis Roland and Anthony Collins. Both of them gained a lot of experience last year and will be good backups for the Bengals.

Nate Livings and Evan Mathis split the snaps at left guard pretty evenly last season but there was a lot of back and forth because of injuries to both players. Evan Mathis is probably a slightly better run blocker but Livings is the better overall lineman and should win the job in training camp. He played well in the final eight games of the regular season and in the playoffs and should be even better this year now that he’s fully recovered from his knee injury. Opposite of him will be the veteran Bobbie Williams who will enter his seventh straight season as a starter on this line. He is a 6’4” and 345 lbs guard who is a force as a run blocker. Even at 33, Williams was amongst the best in both pass protection and run blocking but his eight penalties could be a sign that he’s starting to lose a step. Nonetheless, he played so well last year that it’s hard to believe he doesn’t have a couple more years left in him.

The center position was wide open last season after the departure of Eric Ghiaciuc but Kyle Cook stepped right in and was a big reason why this line was much better in 2009. The former undrafted free-agent was very impressive in his third season as a pro and should continue to improve over the next few years. We’ll have to wait one more year to know if he’s the long term solution at center for the Bengals because he is still an average center at best, but he was a big upgrade over Ghiaciuc. Jonathan Luigs, a fourth round selection in 2009 is the backup center and could compete for the starting job within a year or two.

2010 Outlook:
The Bengals were one of the most improved offensive lines in 2009 and we are glad to say that we predicted it last year. All nine players that played on this line last year will be back but Andre Smith should be an upgrade at right tackle and there should be more consistency at the left guard position. Depth will not be a problem at all since Evan Mathis, Dennis Roland and Anthony Collins can all step into a starting spot if they need to. The Bengals are likely to establish their power running offense once again in 2010 and there’s no reason why they can’t be as effective doing so as they were last season. Pass protection should be slightly better with Andre Smith as the starter but overall this line should be very similar to last year.

See all of our 2010 Offensive Line Analysis Articles