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NFL: Breaking down the 2015 Cincinnati Bengals

By Andrew Garda

Oct 20, 2013; Detroit, MI, USA; A detailed view of Cincinnati Bengals helmet before the game against the Detroit Lions at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 20, 2013; Detroit, MI, USA; A detailed view of Cincinnati Bengals helmet before the game against the Detroit Lions at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports /
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May 26, 2015; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Cincinnati Bengals tackle Andrew Whitworth (77) during OTAs at Paul Brown Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports
May 26, 2015; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Cincinnati Bengals tackle Andrew Whitworth (77) during OTAs at Paul Brown Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports /

Offensive line

Starters: Andrew Whitworth, Clint Boling, Russell Bodine, Kevin Zeitler, Andre Smith

Backups: Cedric Ogbuehi [R], Jake Fisher [R], Tanner Hawkinson, Trey Hopkins, T.J. Johnson, Jake Smith [R], Eric Winston, Chris Jasperse [R], Tanner Hawkinson, Dan France

Andre Smith going down with a season ending injury was one of several things that tripped up the Bengals as they finished off the 2014 NFL season. Both he and Andrew Whitworth are entering the final years of their contracts, which might be why the team drafted Cedric Ogbuehi and Jake Fisher in this past draft.

More than likely, neither player will challenge the veterans—especially not at the all-important bookend tackle positions—but it does mean both veterans know their time is short and if they want to maximize their earnings, they have to play well.

Kevin Zeitler is coming off a great season at right guard (and was dutifully rewarded with the team picking up his fifth year option) and should pick up right where he left off. Ditto Clint Boling, who they had to fight for a little in free agency.

The guard spots are vital for a team which likes to run the way Cincinnati does. If the tackles get back to form, four out of the five spots are in great shape.

That fifth spot though—center Russell Bodine—wasn’t horrible by any stretch, but was only really a good player. You want a great center if you can get one, but Bodine should serve this year.

All five positions have the same starters they had last season—a great bonus for any team.

Ogbuehi is coming off a torn ACL, and since the starting lineup is set, the Bengals can be cautious with him. He might end up on the PUP list to start the season. Fisher is a guy the team feels, per Geoff Hobson at Bengals.com, has a long learning curve ahead of him, coming from Oregon’s not-remotely-pro-style offense. Much is made of how that impacts quarterbacks in their transition to the pro level, but it can hinder linemen as well. Fisher should be fine, it just might take time.

Eric Winston is the only really intriguing guy who isn’t a rookie here. A former starting tackle in Houston, then Kansas City and Arizona, he’s no more than a swing tackle these days, but he gives some veteran depth to the group.

Overall, the starters are strong, and there is some young talent—this is a unit which should look even better than it did last season assuming all the players stay healthy.

Next: Defensive line

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