CINCINNATI -- With organized team activities in full swing for the Cincinnati Bengals, we'll be spending the next couple of weeks taking a position-by-position look at where their offseason roster currently stands.
We started at quarterback, wondering if Andy Dalton really could be pushed by his three backups. Then we looked at running back, where we explored the feasibility of using a true fullback this year. We also questioned whether or not Marvin Jones and Mario Alford could be difference-makers at receiver. We then asked if the Bengals had enough time to build depth under Tyler Eifert, followed by an inquiry about the help Russell Bodine needs on the offensive line's interior.
Let's continue on the offensive line's exterior, where we ask: Can consistency at offensive tackle with veterans Andrew Whitworth and Andre Smith make the Bengals even more successful offensively?
OFFENSIVE LINE
OTs on the roster: 8. Whitworth, Smith, Eric Winston, Jake Fisher, Tanner Hawkinson, Dan France, Cedric Ogbuehi, Matthew O'Donnell
Expected OT rotation: The Bengals would be more than happy if their offensive tackle rotation only included four players this season. It would mean they had a healthy year at the position. Considering how much time Smith missed last year with hamstring, ankle, triceps and concussion issues, they certainly would take an injury-free season at the position. Of course, it's not likely that will be the case. But assuming it is, the Bengals' rotation begins with Whitworth and Smith as the left and right bookends, with the veteran Winston operating as the swing tackle. The NFL Players Association president played well in relief of Smith when he was a late-season free-agent pickup last fall, and optimism is high he will be an asset again this year.
Behind those three, the Bengals will hope to mix in their 2015 second-round pick, Fisher, at times. A versatile lineman, he has spent snaps during these OTAs at both tackle spots, one guard position, and as an extra in-line blocker in unbalanced formations. He had experience in college fulfilling each of those roles, and could do the same on occasion his first year in stripes. Below him, the Bengals will use the remainder of the offseason to work in Hawkinson, France and O'Donnell, although it's hard seeing spots on the 53-man roster for those three. Ogbuehi will mix in like Fisher -- possibly sometime in the middle of the year -- once he's recovered from the ACL injury he suffered in Texas A&M's bowl game in December.
Offseason goals: Perhaps the big question for now is can the Bengals' consistency at the position with Whitworth and Smith lead to greater success in 2015? Cincinnati, after all, had the No. 6 rushing offense in the NFL last year, and was lauded with having one of the better pass-blocking units in the league. Whitworth allowed just nine pressures and no sacks in what should have been a Pro Bowl campaign.
His objectives this summer ought to be simple: get to the season healthy and build on what he did last year to earn the new contract he wants. Whitworth has said he wants to be re-signed before the season begins, but with 25 other players up for free agency in March, the Bengals may wait until after the season to bring him back. Smith's priorities should be similar, considering he's another of those pending free agents. If Smith is healthy all this year, the Bengals' line should be even better than it was a year ago.
For the rookies Fisher and Ogbuehi, the focus must be to remain patient and learn. They probably won't become bigger factors until next offseason.
