Cincinnati Bengals: 3 things to watch in Week 2 of preseason
Cincinnati Bengals Preseason – 3 things to watch
2. How will offensive line fair against talented pass rush?
Zac Taylor is tweaking the offensive line heading into Friday night, moving rookie D’Ante Smith into a starting guard position after his impressive performance in Week 1 and training camp. Although, due to dehydration issues, there is a likely chance Smith does not play Friday night, which could pave the way for Quinton Spain or Xavier Su’a-Filo to draw the start. Besides that, the line will be the same with Michael Jordan getting another shot as the other starting guard.
Zac Taylor says rookie D’Ante Smith is still in the mix for a starting guard spot, and he’s continuing to give “all the guys” a chance.
— Charlie Goldsmith (@CharlieG__) August 18, 2021
Smith will likely be back early next week.
What will be most intriguing, though, is how this line will stack up and compete with a Football Team pass rush that is very strong led by Chase Young. It makes a lot of sense why Taylor is moving guys around and seeing how players perform against first units.
This would be a tremendous opportunity for D’Ante Smith if, in fact, he plays; the fourth-rounder from East Carolina has been one of the bright spots so far in camp; his instant production for where he was selected is very uncommon. But the same goes for a player like Su’a-Filo. Being injured most of last season, he is getting a real opportunity to prove his worth and why he should be a starting guard.
Joe Burrow has been ruled out for the second straight week and has yet to take a snap behind the line in a game. But with Brandon Allen once again getting the start, the line will have to stay consistent based on only letting up one sack in last week’s win over the Bucs.