Before the 2012 season began, Whitworth discussed using yoga as a way to help rehabilitate his bothersome knee. He claimed it had helped, but it appeared that he was physically limited compared to before his knee issues.

While chronic knee problems are never a good sign for a football player on the wrong side of thirty, but electing to have the surgery is at least a good sign towards recovery. As they say, admitting the problem is the first step.

But since Big Whit has long been a personal favorite of mine, I decided to compare performances from 2012 to those in 2009, before the injury issues arose and Whitworth was arguably playing at the highest level in the league. Just to make sure that fond memories of the lovable big man on Hard Knocks whose wife packed his gigantic, foul-smelling cleats and who was ejected from a game for going after John Henderson when he tried to use Whit’s eyes like bowling ball holes were not building a legend in my mind.

And, as they say, the tape does not lie. While it may be time to begin to think about grooming a replacement for Whitworth, much like Whitworth was groomed to replace Levi Jones, the knee procedure will hopefully have him playing more at the 2009 level than the 2012, in which he used his exemplary technique and veteran guise to win more than he did physical ability. Here are a few side-by-side comparisons of the two years.

Andrew Whitworth blocks Connor Barwin in the Cincinnati Bengals’ Wild Card loss to the Houston Texans at Reliant Stadium

In this season’s Wild Card playoff loss to the Houston Texans, Whit is shown here pass blocking against Cincinnati product Connor Barwin. Due to Whitworth’s limited mobility, Barwin has used his speed to begin to turn the corner on Whitworth. Whitworth has bent at the waist in order to lunge at Barwin, which takes away any leverage that he has when using his powerful hands to control Barwin.

Luckily it was a three-step drop on a quick slant, so Whitworth was smart in that he did enough to keep Andy Dalton clean, but this is an illustration of how his bum right knee affected him against speed rushers.

Houston Texans’ Wade Phillips calls a stunt against Andrew Whitworth of the Cincinnati Bengals in the NFL Playoffs

On the next play, a third and ten, the Texans’ Wade Phillips calls a stunt with Barwin and defensive end Antonio Smith. This was a smart call to exploit Whitworth, knowing that he would be looking to protect himself against Barwin’s speed. What Phillips did not count on is Whitworth’s football IQ.

Barwin takes a jab step like he is rushing outside, but then tries to dart behind Smith to take advantage of the blocking scheme that has guard Clint Boling locked onto Smith and protection slid to the right to account for J.J. Watt. But as soon as Whitworth sees that Barwin is cutting inside, he immediately moves to pick up Smith so Boling can block Barwin.

Plays like this are why the Bengals were able to overcome left guard Travelle Wharton’s season-ending injury and why Whitworth was able to make the Pro Bowl despite his physical limitations.

Apr 27, 2012; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Cincinnati Bengals offensive coordinator Jay Gruden speaks during the press conference at Paul Brown Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Frank Victores-USA TODAY Sports

When BenJarvus Green-Ellis was held out of Sunday’s contest with a hamstring issue, many assumed it was simply the coaches’ decision to rest Ellis in preparation for this weekend’s Wild Card matchup against the Houston Texans. offensive Coordiantor Jay Gruden said today that he is optimistic Ellis will be available on Saturday:

We’re going to prepare to run the ball like we do every week and hopefully BenJarvus is healthy. He’s got a little twinge right now, but it looks like he’s going to be fine. It will be important to us. We have other backs also that can run the ball. We’re not going to change our plan at all. It never varies. We have a good run plan going in, but Houston’s a good run defense as we all know. It’s going to be important to try to force the issue.

He also said he’s not worried about his name popping up in head-coaching searches:

We haven’t played the best football offensively the last couple weeks. I’m just trying to keep my job here.

He also added that becoming a head coach is the “furthest thing from my mid right now”. It’s looking more and more likely Jay will remain in Cincinnati for at least one more season.

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In the meantime, with the definitive nature of the playoffs comes the definitive nature of the NFL Draft.  The Bengals will pick no sooner than 21^st at this point, which starts to bracket the players that will be available.  The current consensus among the draftniks is that the Bengals will select a defensive end with their first pick.  The fact that the Bengals are second in the NFL in sacks (47.0) not currently withstanding, the rationale behind this line of thought is that both Michael Johnson and Robert Geathers will be free agents at the end of this season.  While all efforts will be made to resign Johnson, Geathers will likely be let go to the open market.  Further, Wallace Gilberry was only ever supposed to be summer help, and though he has played admirably in the rotations where Jamaal Anderson was supposed to be on the field.  Acquiescing to the concept that adding a pass rusher for depth and to compliment the immerging Force of Nature, Geno Atkins, conducting an examination into the defensive ends that would likely be available to Bengals at the 21^st pick in the 2013 NFL Draft may offer greater validity to this prediction.

Oct 13, 2012; Tallahassee, Florida, USA; Florida State Seminoles defensive end Bjoern Werner (95) during the second half of the game against the Boston College Eagles at Doak Campbell Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Melina Vastola-USA TODAY Sports

The Sliders – Damontre Moore & Bjoern Werner.  The chances are slim for either of these two falling out of the top ten, let alone the top twenty, though its worth mentioning that either one would be a no-brainer pick for the Bengals should the unthinkable occur.  Werner, a German-born beastling, has only been playing the game of football for five seasons, but his instincts and power game are highly effective against both the run and as a pass-rusher, making him a clear every-down lineman. Moore led Texas A&M this season with 80 tackles, with a fourth of those for a loss, and had a great outings verses LSU andAlabama, two of the SEC perennial powerhouses.  His only criticism is that he may need to add a little weight, because at only 240 lbs, Moore may find himself man-handled by some of the larger offensive tackles in the NFL.  Regardless, it’s highly unlikely that either of these two will be available when the Bengals are set to pick.