Dec 13, 2012; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Cincinnati Bengals guard Kevin Zeitler (68) blocks Philadelphia Eagles defensive tackle Cedric Thornton (72) during the third quarter at Lincoln Financial Field. The Bengals defeated the Eagles 34-13. Mandatory Credit: Howard Smith-USA TODAY Sports

In the past the Bengals have gotten away with taking 9 offensive linemen onto the final roster, opting for a guard/center or tackle/guard hybrid in order to increase depth at other positions; however, this year it would not be surprising if Cincinnati decided to take a starter and a backup at each position in addition to an amalgamation in one of those reserve roles.  A couple reasons why this makes sense – first, both Wharton and veteran center Kyle Cook have been shown to be injury prone, and second, with the amount of experience that these veteran players have, increasing exposure to as much potential talent in your young ranks is the smart part of the investment and continuity.  Further, it shouldn’t be a shock if at least one of these guys ends up on the practice squad as a placeholder.

At this point some roster spots are all but spoken.  Andrew Whitworth (LT), Andre Smith (RT) and Kevin Zeitler (G) are as close to locks as one can get, and with Travelle Wharton (G) it can be assumed that by retaining his services to the tune of $3.375M a year that he is intended to be kept as well.  Same line of logic would retain Kyle Cook (C) despite his abysmal play during the past several years.  Strangely enough, these five have the initial markings of the starting lineup.

However, the up-and-comers may have a say in all this.  Clint Boling (G) may be forced into the back seat by Wharton, but his play as a starter all last season was nothing short of outstanding for a 23-year old sophomore project from Georgia.  He’ll easily earn a seat at the table.  Same for Trevor Robinson (G/C).  The undrafted rookie took over as the third string center last season and was the only productive starter at that position.  However, past that, it’s a crap shoot.

Nov 17, 2012; Eugene, OR, USA; Oregon Ducks offensive linesman Kyle Long (74) blocks as running back Kenjon Barner (24) runs the ball against the Stanford Cardinal at Autzen Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott Olmos-USA TODAY Sports

As the Cincinnati Bengals gear up for the 2013 NFL Draft and the upcoming Scouting Combine, many positions are hot on fans’ minds. Running back, defensive end, linebacker and safety are hot button topics, and for good reason. All need a healthy injection of youth and talent, preferably a large helping of both.

But nobody is discussing offensive linemen, and also rightfully so. The Bengals’ offensive line may have had its ups and downs, but was still undoubtedly the most consistently high-performing unit on the team. Still, three reasons beg the discussion of drafting a prospect on the second or third day, specifically Oregon’s Kyle Long, son of Howie and brother of Chris Long, defensive end for the St. Louis Rams.

First of all, the Bengals habitually draft linemen. I, for one, like the idea of taking a developmental lineman every year, like Ron Wolf annually drafting a quarterback. That is how Andrew Whitworth came to be the most underrated left tackle in the NFL. Like Ron Wolf annually drafting a quarterback, it is wise to try to develop franchise tackles because they rarely hit the market.

Secondly, offensive line coach Paul Alexander has a soft spot for linemen that can play multiple positions. Long played left guard and left tackle at Oregon in 2012.

Lastly, the Bengals have a soft spot for players with a pedigree at a good price. Look at the stockpiling of former first-rounders as reclamation projects. Long has a pedigree from a football family with a Hall-of-Fame father, who also happens to be one of the few tolerable talking heads on Fox’s pregame show, and his brother Chris has began to blossom into one of the better left defensive ends in the league under Jeff Fisher.

And the bargain? Long only played one year at Oregon after he left Florida State and then spent time in the JUCO circuit.

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.