The Pontiff
- Chicago, IL
Overall, I think this post is fair, but just nitpicking on a couple of items...
I do think the OL will be better, and the younger guys do seem more talented than last year's upperclassmen. But I think Spencer was better than average and will have a chance to prove that in Bengals' camp this summer. Still, the other senior, Austin Schmidt, while a long-time starter, didn't hook on with any NFL teams as a free agent, so that may be telling, unless he's hurt. Still losing Darta Lee and possible Watkins hurts and I'm guessing may end up with the staff reaching on some projects.The offensive line was half very young, and half not very good (the experienced players)...Joe Spencer was an average player and an exceptional man, but this year's offensive line should be much better.
I thought Chunky Clements and Rob Bain, both seniors, were the primary guys at DT, along with Milan (5 starts) and Kenyon Jackson (5 starts). Then not anything proven beyond them. Also losing Smoot, Clements, and President off the edges will be problematic, and without hardly any proven guys behind them, plenty of playing time for incoming guys like Carney to get some tick. But again, unproven. So if balance, you mean both position areas will probably be equally weaker than last year, then sure.The defensive tackles were very young, and the ends were very good. This year, the defensive line should have better balance, albeit without the upside of Smoot and Phillips.