{"id":114613,"date":"2021-05-31T08:26:35","date_gmt":"2021-05-31T12:26:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/?p=114613"},"modified":"2021-05-31T08:26:35","modified_gmt":"2021-05-31T12:26:35","slug":"bengals-hope-revamped-offensive-line-pays-dividends","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/2021\/05\/31\/bengals-hope-revamped-offensive-line-pays-dividends\/","title":{"rendered":"Cincinnati Bengals Offensive Line’s New Look for 2021"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Cincinnati Bengals offensive line struggled in the run game and, more importantly, to protect Joe Burrow<\/a> in 2020. Jim Turner was a disaster in regards to coaching style and in teaching technique<\/a>. The multitude of factors led to the Burrow suffering a devastating knee injury mid-way through the year. The team brought back a familiar face in Frank Pollack<\/a> to run the offensive line for 2021. The Bengals hope this and a revamped offensive line will pay dividends.<\/p>\n

The 2021 off-season saw the Bengals add Riley Reiff<\/a> to play right tackle and three more offensive linemen in Jackson Carman<\/a>, D’ante Smith, and Trey Hill in the 2021 NFL Draft. Burrow’s injury and Mixon’s inability to run effectively between the tackles necessitated an offensive line overhaul as the new season comes into focus.<\/p>\n

Cincinnati Bengals Hope Revamped Offensive Line Pays Dividends<\/h2>\n

Two intriguing Bengals offensive line prospects are Smith and Hill. Smith is a massive individual and measures at an impressive 6’5″ with nearly 36-inch arms. Smith has continually added weight<\/a> since joining the team and is up to 311 pounds. Center Trey Hill is also no slouch at 6’3″ and 320 pounds. The Georgia team site noted<\/a>, \u201c(Hill was) named to the watch list of the 2020 Rimington Award, given annually to the nation\u2019s top center…named to the pre-season watch list for the Outland Trophy (nation\u2019s outstanding interior lineman)…second-team pre-season All-SEC, as picked by the media covering the league.\u201d Both of these prospects may be called into action early in their rookie seasons or in the near future.<\/p>\n

Currently, Reiff and Carmen are the significant offensive line upgrades. PFF stated<\/a> Burrow, “took 32 sacks (t-2nd most) and 42 quarterback hits (t-5th most) over the first 11 weeks of the season. That falls back largely on the play of the offensive line.\u00a0Jonah Williams<\/a> was the only member of Cincinnati\u2019s offensive line to record a pass-blocking grade of 70.0 or higher (75.8) in a group that was hampered not only by a lack of talent but also by injuries. Ten different players played at least 200 snaps along the offensive line for the Bengals this season.”<\/p>\n

Frank Pollack is Biggest Addition for Bengals<\/h3>\n

Frank Pollack spent the 2018 season with the Bengals and had some solid results. Mixon had his career-best<\/a> year and led the AFC in rushing with 1,168 yards and added 296 receiving yards. Pollack is bringing back his wide zone-blocking scheme that will benefit not only Mixon but also Burrow.<\/p>\n

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In the clip below Matt Minich<\/a> shows a great example of the importance of the tutelage of Pollack on the passing game from 2018. “At right tackle, Hart engages with the defensive end who is stunting inside, then comes off to pick up the looping defensive tackle. At center, Price picks up the other defensive end as he loops inside to the A-gap. This was excellent recognition and execution by both players, which demonstrates not only their own intelligence but that they are being coached to adapt to the defense.”<\/p>\n

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Price & Hart pic.twitter.com\/odV12XdCEa<\/a><\/p>\n

— Matt (@CoachMinich) January 10, 2021<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n