Joe Burrow’s bodyguards are getting bodied by new-look Bengals defense at camp

This offseason, the Cincinnati Bengals made a concerted effort to drastically improve the defense. 

This was especially true along the defensive line, where they completely overhauled the position to the point that they won't be able to run the defensive scheme they used anymore. Or at least not to the extent that they once did, opting more for a 3-4 look than a 4-3.

Now, the fruits of that labor appear to be playing out as the defensive line keeps flashing in training camp. On the other hand, that also brings into question how well, or not, the offensive line is playing.

Perhaps Burrow's pass protection isn't as strong as we thought

The overhauled defensive line has gotten the better of Cincinnati’s offensive line on several high-profile occasions thus far during training camp. 

It is wonderful to see that the Bengals finally have a defensive line showing some life in training camp, rather than waiting until the regular season to realize that, in the end, they are not very good.

Now, we must hope the reverse is not happening, as a longtime, yet recently forgotten worry is bubbling to the surface as we collectively praise the defense while selectively ignoring what could be described as warning signals from an offensive line that went untouched, as far as the starters are concerned.

And that is why we will be paying closer attention to the offensive line beginning now, not that some of us were not anyway. 

Dexter Lawrence and Cashius Howell are not being shown doing nasty work against rookie offensive linemen. They are getting their highlights against Cincinnati’s established offensive line starters.

Some of those highlights culminate in offensive linemen getting uncomfortably close to the franchise quarterback.

The latest example is of Dexter Lawrence getting QB pressure on Joe Burrow, ending with the usually untouchable orange jersey on the ground. 

In any other circumstance, that might have started a fight. However, OL coach Scott Peters’ group did not seem to have too much fight in it, at least on that occasion.

Also on that play was a failed chip block on the newly acquired defensive tackle, as Lawrence went through Dylan Fairchild more easily than cars over those recently installed speed bumps on Colerain Avenue.

It was a fantastic pass rush from Lawrence, but just the most recent example of why some could have concerns about the o-line’s performance in training camp.

How worried should we be?

All offseason, we have parroted the party line about cohesion and familiarity when discussing how this edition of the unit is the best Burrow will have had in his career. We anticipate that will ultimately prove to be the case. 

However, if the defensive line keeps getting the best of Joe Burrow’s bodyguards, what does that mean for the preseason?

Cincinnati's starting five is returning, and the team is counting on good vibes and the power of friendship to carry the day, camp, and season for that group.

The organization is also relying on the NFL's least expensive offensive line to help protect the QB, which may not instill confidence in an on-edge fan base fearful that Burrow will take too many hits. 

Run game looks promising

It is great that the rushing attack seems to be coming together nicely this offseason.

With everything that has been made of Burrow taking more snaps from under center and the struggles of the passing attack associated with it, the hope of a more imposing ground game justifies sticking with the plan.

And it is perfect timing for Chase Brown, who is heading into his contract year and aiming to make a claim to be one of the top-paid running backs in the league while being severely underpaid to this point.

A formidable run game, along with the leaky faucet that appears to be the Bengals' offensive line at times, could be the catalyst that convinces, finally, Zac Taylor to run the ball more, as his offense has been 29th, 30th, 30th, 29th in rushing attempts over the past four seasons.

Running the ball more would subject Burrow to fewer opportunities to get hit and miss time. Furthermore, increased rushing very well could be the secret to Cincinnati's success this season.

Nevertheless, asking Taylor to change his stripes at this point could belong in the 'asking for too much' file. 

Surely this is much ado about nothing, right? Right?

This is all just fear of nothing, surely. Or better yet, it is a sign that the defensive front, after being one of the worst units in the league for so long, will suddenly morph into one of the best thanks to their offseason additions. 

Then, one of the most exhausting cliché terms, "iron sharpens iron," can actually play out as the offensive line becomes hardened in the fires of the training camp onslaught from their defensive counterparts. 

Nevertheless, almost all the information from Paycor Stadium thus far has been praise for the new-look defense. And that is awesome for a defense that struggled mightily last season.

Still, hopefully some of that praise will shift to the offensive line expeditiously to assuage our concerns about pass protection and about keeping Burrow healthy for 17-plus games.

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