Question about Left Tackle

[TrojanPride]

I know a majority of the talk has been about drafting a Left Tackle with our first pick but here is my question which I have not really seen addressed or answered on here.

Anthony Collins played LT his last season in college. When we drafted him the coaches immediately put him at LT in practice during the summer and preseason - this is before we knew that Levi would become injured. Then when Levi did get injured the coaches put Collins at his spot - probably out of necessity but he was put there rather than Whitworth who had prior experience playing LT for us.

I mean I just find it interesting that they would have Collins practice at LT before Levi got hurt. If they were grooming Collins for the future, they had to know that there was a low probability of resigning Andrews so why didn't they start grooming him at RT from the start unless they saw him as the future LT all along?

So my question is do you think Collins is our future LT? The coaches seem to be indicating that he is. If so do we still draft an OT at 6 to play RT? This seems to be the key to our 1st round pick.

[Cotrwi]

I know a majority of the talk has been about drafting a Left Tackle with our first pick but here is my question which I have not really seen addressed or answered on here.

Anthony Collins played LT his last season in college. When we drafted him the coaches immediately put him at LT in practice during the summer and preseason - this is before we knew that Levi would become injured. Then when Levi did get injured the coaches put Collins at his spot - probably out of necessity but he was put there rather than Whitworth who had prior experience playing LT for us.

I mean I just find it interesting that they would have Collins practice at LT before Levi got hurt. If they were grooming Collins for the future, they had to know that there was a low probability of resigning Andrews so why didn't they start grooming him at RT from the start unless they saw him as the future LT all along?

So my question is do you think Collins is our future LT? The coaches seem to be indicating that he is. If so do we still draft an OT at 6 to play RT? This seems to be the key to our 1st round pick.

I think Collins is starting at a tackle position next year. I just don't know which one. Depends on who we draft or (gulp..) pick up in FA. If we can get Oher, Collins plays RT. If we can get Andre Smith, Collins plays LT. Good news is Collins played both LT and RT in college. I like Collins' play and attitude and can't wait to see him develop and get better!

[goalpost]

I know a majority of the talk has been about drafting a Left Tackle with our first pick but here is my question which I have not really seen addressed or answered on here.

Anthony Collins played LT his last season in college. When we drafted him the coaches immediately put him at LT in practice during the summer and preseason - this is before we knew that Levi would become injured. Then when Levi did get injured the coaches put Collins at his spot - probably out of necessity but he was put there rather than Whitworth who had prior experience playing LT for us.

I mean I just find it interesting that they would have Collins practice at LT before Levi got hurt. If they were grooming Collins for the future, they had to know that there was a low probability of resigning Andrews so why didn't they start grooming him at RT from the start unless they saw him as the future LT all along?

So my question is do you think Collins is our future LT? The coaches seem to be indicating that he is. If so do we still draft an OT at 6 to play RT? This seems to be the key to our 1st round pick.

Can't give you an answer. I think Collins is part of the equation, but he could be
at 'many' areas. He seems more athletic to move around than Whit. That's my
answer, if we draft an o-lineman, that Collins still starts for me somewhere.

[DCBengalFreak]

That's kind of the million dollar question, where does Collins go? He clearly earned a shot at starting next year, and let's face it - with our O-line anybody earned a shot to start next year.

My guess is since he has played both Tackle spots, the judgement of where he plays will be made based on who else we pick up. If it is an Oher or Monroe, he probably moves to RT. Andre Smith and he moves to LT.

We still need to solve the Center postion first.

[dust]

That's kind of the million dollar question, where does Collins go? He clearly earned a shot at starting next year, and let's face it - with our O-line anybody earned a shot to start next year.

My guess is since he has played both Tackle spots, the judgement of where he plays will be made based on who else we pick up. If it is an Oher or Monroe, he probably moves to RT. Andre Smith and he moves to LT.

We still need to solve the Center postion first.
i think the center position needs to be addressed in both FA and the draft. i would like to see us make a run at one of the younger free agent centers (jason brown would be great) and draft a center (who can also play guard) in the later rounds.

as for tackle, take the best one available at #6. the way it looks now, there will almost certainly be one worth taking at that slot. wherever the rookie is best fit to come in and start is where he will play, i think collins flexibility will allow for that.

the bigger question i think is what to do with levi?

[fredtoast]

the bigger question i think is what to do with levi?


Levi is crippled. He is finished and has zero trade value.

[dust]

what is it going to cost to cut him? thats the bigger concern...

i agree that he is done, but if he looks at all like he could play..at any position, i would hope that mike wouldnt put his foot down and keep the guy.

[fredtoast]

what is it going to cost to cut him? thats the bigger concern...

i agree that he is done, but if he looks at all like he could play..at any position, i would hope that mike wouldnt put his foot down and keep the guy.

I think it is close to a wash.

We would remove his base salary (about $5 million) which is about the same as the cap hit we would take on the rest of his amortized signing bonus.

[crazyjdawg]

Levi is crippled. He is finished and has zero trade value.

That's what we said about Willie Anderson. It kills me that we let him go. I don't want to make the same mistake with Jones. I say we keep him and start him this year. the very minute he starts struggling, play the rookie. But give Jones the chance to redeem himself, which I think he can if he tries.

[fredtoast]

That's what we said about Willie Anderson.

Willie wasn't recovered when we cut him. He didn't start in Baltimore until week six. He then missed a game in week 11 with injury, and was injured again in the Titans game Sunday.

The bengals would have loved to keep Willie, but not at his guaranteed contract. The Ravens signed him to an incentive-laden contract for about a million less than the Bengals would have had to pay him.

[DCBengalFreak]

I think Levi is done as a Bengal. He hasn't held up the last few years, and has requested out. I think this year they grant his request.

Unless of course, he can play center.

[BritishBengal]

I know a majority of the talk has been about drafting a Left Tackle with our first pick but here is my question which I have not really seen addressed or answered on here.

Anthony Collins played LT his last season in college. When we drafted him the coaches immediately put him at LT in practice during the summer and preseason - this is before we knew that Levi would become injured. Then when Levi did get injured the coaches put Collins at his spot - probably out of necessity but he was put there rather than Whitworth who had prior experience playing LT for us.

I mean I just find it interesting that they would have Collins practice at LT before Levi got hurt. If they were grooming Collins for the future, they had to know that there was a low probability of resigning Andrews so why didn't they start grooming him at RT from the start unless they saw him as the future LT all along?

So my question is do you think Collins is our future LT? The coaches seem to be indicating that he is. If so do we still draft an OT at 6 to play RT? This seems to be the key to our 1st round pick.

I feel Collins could start at LT but only just. He did, lets not forget, have a lot of help during his first few games. He is too good a back up at left tackle so i hope Marvin has some sense to move him to right and keep one of our only bright spots in Whitworth rooted solidly at guard. I think the line really did start to gell towards the end of the season, and messing up the order too much would only disrupt and halt the momentum that was developed

[ralex]

That's really it when it comes to the draft, do the Bengals feel he's the LT of the future? or the RT of the future? Are they going to cut Levi or keep him around? If they cut him/keep him and sign a 1st round LT, how much money is that invested in the LT position? Well worth it... but do the Bengals brass think so?

That's why I don't think there's a sure pick at all. The only sure thing is that it's probably OT or LB.

Best case scenario, trade (either picks, Chad, TJ) and get an extra 2nd rounder and a lower 1st.. an extra pick to address:

1. MLB Brandon Spikes
2. C Max Unger
2. LT Eben Britton or LT William Beatty
3. RB Rashad Jennings or RB Shonn Greene

something like that would be nice!

[fatphil101]

I think they expected to need him at LT... just not this early. Grooming a fourth round prospect with one year experience at LT takes more than six months. It takes a good two years to make sure he's pretty ready and he's not, which was exposed this year. Yes, he played fine, but he had a lot of TE and RB help. Also, I think they truly thought Stacey Andrews would be back. They sort of had that attitude about him last offseason that they were confident about him coming back.


If we do feel he's our LT of the future, then I can see a RB or LB being the first round pick. Possibly even a DE who can raise his stock high enough. If not, then there's not question you don't take a RT unless his name is Andre Smith. I was thinking about Anderson and pick #10 we used on him and I do think Smith can be a Willie type of RT, but even better... With no proven RT coming back next year and IF we feel Collins is our LT, Smith could be an option...

[madcowdisease]

The coaches seem to be indicating that he is. If so do we still draft an OT at 6 to play RT?

Ha. I would not be the least bit surprised with this inept Bungle front office. They would gladly make the decision to pay a #6 overall $25-30 million with $10 million guaranteed to go be a run blocker at RT.



Apropos of the title of this thread I would prefer Mississippi's Michael Oher to Alabama's Andre Smith. Smith played in a run oriented offense and seems more suited to run blocking than pass blocking when compared to Oher. I'm confident he's probably very good at both but Oher gets my nod for athleticism and arm extension.

[busamboy]

I know a majority of the talk has been about drafting a Left Tackle with our first pick but here is my question which I have not really seen addressed or answered on here.

Anthony Collins played LT his last season in college. When we drafted him the coaches immediately put him at LT in practice during the summer and preseason - this is before we knew that Levi would become injured. Then when Levi did get injured the coaches put Collins at his spot - probably out of necessity but he was put there rather than Whitworth who had prior experience playing LT for us.

I mean I just find it interesting that they would have Collins practice at LT before Levi got hurt. If they were grooming Collins for the future, they had to know that there was a low probability of resigning Andrews so why didn't they start grooming him at RT from the start unless they saw him as the future LT all along?

So my question is do you think Collins is our future LT? The coaches seem to be indicating that he is. If so do we still draft an OT at 6 to play RT? This seems to be the key to our 1st round pick.


This is a very important question, because it might be that the bengals want everyone to think OT and then pick another player. It gets teams to trade up and stuff like that. I honestly think we will take the best player available. If its an OT, then it is an OT

[Shut It Down]

Willie wasn't recovered when we cut him. He didn't start in Baltimore until week six. He then missed a game in week 11 with injury, and was injured again in the Titans game Sunday.

The bengals would have loved to keep Willie, but not at his guaranteed contract. The Ravens signed him to an incentive-laden contract for about a million less than the Bengals would have had to pay him.

But yet we payed Andrews to be our "franchise" player. Willie Anderson outplayed him easily. We also stabbed Willie in the back. A franchise does owe its player something sometimes. We keep taking back Chris Henry but we ditch Willie? Sigh, we are the biggest joke in all of sports.

[skycrane]

Willie wasn't recovered when we cut him. He didn't start in Baltimore until week six. He then missed a game in week 11 with injury, and was injured again in the Titans game Sunday.

The bengals would have loved to keep Willie, but not at his guaranteed contract. The Ravens signed him to an incentive-laden contract for about a million less than the Bengals would have had to pay him.

http://www.bengals.com/news/news.asp?story_id=7022

Anderson is to get a $1.67 million bonus with an $830,000 salary plus $1 million for 40 percent play time. That would give him $3.5 million for the year compared to the $3.1 million he was scheduled to get from the Bengals. Last week Anderson turned down a reduced deal from the Bengals that would have paid him the full $3.1 million if he hit certain play-time figures.

i still would have had wilie this year.

[fredtoast]

But yet we payed Andrews to be our "franchise" player. Willie Anderson outplayed him easily. We also stabbed Willie in the back. A franchise does owe its player something sometimes. We keep taking back Chris Henry but we ditch Willie? Sigh, we are the biggest joke in all of sports.

We stabbed Willie in the back? You've got to be kidding. In 2006 we gave Willie a giant bonus on a 5 year deal. He only played two years on that deal, but I don't see him offering to give any of that bonus money back. He got paid over $16 million dollars over the last two years by the Bengals even though he hardly played in '07. The Bengals even gave him a $1 million dollar bonus in '08 before we released him.

He wouldn't sign an incentive-laden contract for the Bengals who had paid him $16 million dollars for 21 starts over the last two seasons, but he would sign one with the Ravens.

We didn't owe him anything. We paid him a lot more than he was worth over the last two seasons. If anything he owed us.

As for Andrews he was younger and healthier than Willie, and he was the one starting most of the games last season when the Bengals set a record for fewest sacks. I don't know about using the franchise tag on him, but EVERY team in the league would have valued him more than Willie at the time we made the moves that we did.