Jeb

Notes: Lining up the accolades
By GEOFF HOBSON
June 26, 2006

Posted: 8:20 p.m.

The Bengals offensive line continues to move from obscurity to celebrity with Willie Anderson and Levi Jones named the NFL’s top tackles tandem by virtue of the only “A” from The Sporting News, and Jones tabbed by USA Today as one of the NFL’s up-and-coming linemen.

Only Green Bay, St. Louis and Seattle came close with an A-minus. The Colts were Cincinnati's closest pursuers in the AFC with a B-plus after a season the Bengals set a dizzying array of team single-season offensive records that ranged from allowing the fewest sacks, to Carson Palmer throwing the most touchdown passes, to Rudi Johnson rushing for the most yards, to Chad Johnson catching the most yards.

TSN said Anderson-Jones “are skilled as run blockers and pass protectors.” In rating Jones with Patriots guard Logan Mankins, Titans tackle Michael Roos, and Jets rookie tackle D’Brickshaw Ferguson, USA Today quotes former Bengals quarterback Boomer Esiason saying Jones is on the verge of the Pro Bowl.

Anderson, who has made it the past three seasons, is bidding this season to become the seventh Bengal to go to four Pro Bowls. In his fifth season, Jones is trying to become the third Bengals tackle to make it and join Anderson and Hall of Famer Anthony Munoz.

The nation’s newspaper earmarked another Jones, Seattle left tackle Walter, and Steelers guard Alan Faneca as the NFL’s elite linemen. After nine seasons, Walter Jones’s ability and contract ($16 million bonus) are the current yardsticks for left tackle.

Levi Jones and his agent are still discussing a contract extension beyond 2006 with the Bengals and no doubt the major topic is where he rates on the list of NFL tackles. The club would like to get a long-term deal with Jones before being faced with designating him the franchise free agent, a number that could be as much as $9 million.

The talks appear to be more alive than those with Anderson and left guard Eric Steinbach, also in the last year of their deals.

...

http://www.bengals.com/news/news.asp?story_id=5313

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chris_36824

I could agree with that... They are both pretty good and not much other teams have 2 tackles ont the same line that are good...

Jeb

That's true. We have all three of the big 3 O-line players contracts coming due the same year. Levi Jones and Eric Steinbach are the younger of the 3. As I see it, I think we would be better off signing Levi Jones (LT) and the probowler Willie Anderson (RT) and take our chances on losing Steinbach (LG, etc.). I think it is more important to have two capable tackles on either end of the line over a strong left side and a question mark on the right.

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MickeyG

yeah i agree with Sporting News. The Bengals do have a very good Line.

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Professor

I think that I would love to see stienbach on the market as the eagles could sure up their line with jean gilles, andrews, justice, and then grabbing stienbach, that would be sweet, yeah let him go, please. LOL

Jeb

Would your team be willing to fork out the Hutchinson money? ...because that is what he wants (structured a little more favorable to him).

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