Posted: 11:50 p.m.
A look at the Bengals offensive line in the wake of left tackle Levi Jones' departure.
They have 14 and usually keep eight or nine on the final 53. The makeup usually has four who can play tackle and the rest centers and guards. That's why it's so important a backup can play two spots. Last season the Bengals usually had seven linemen active for games, meaning there are just two reserves. Another reason the versatility helps.
Also, figure they have to dress 2.5 centers for a game with the half being the emergency.
No. 50, Jonathan Luigs, C, 6-4, 301, rookie: Fourth-rounder who played some guard in Senior Bowl. Close to roster lock because of draft status. That means he'll get snaps at guard, where he has little experience.
60, Andrew Crummey, C-G, 6-5, 301, second year:Free agent out of Maryland. Bengals picked him off the Redskins practice squad last year and he played in his first NFL six games. Snapped the last series of the Colts game. Played guard in college and with the Redskins.
61, Digger Bujnoch, C-G, 6-5, 285, first year: University of Cincinnati product and the son of the former Bengal, made a run at the Giants roster last year as a free agent guard before suffering a knee injury. Picked up with five games left on the placed on the Bengals practice squad. Played tackle in college. No NFL games.
62, Nate Livings, G, 6-5, 335, second year: Started the last six games at LG in his NFL debut last season and the Bengals averaged 167 yards per game rushing in the last three games. Can play both sides. If Andrew Whitworth is LT, he's probably LG,
63, Bobbie Williams, G, 6-4, 345, 10th year: Rock at RG. The only three starts he's missed in 81 games as a Bengal were due to an appendectomy. Emergency center. 110 NFL games.
64, Kyle Cook, C-G, 6-3, 306, second year: The starting center when the Bengals take the field May 19 for voluntary camp. Free agent out of Michigan State. Strong guy repped 225 pounds 40 times coming out in '07. Season-ending dislocated toe cost him a possible job last year. Played in his first five NFL games last year, but he hasn't taken a snap.
65, Dan Santucci, C-G, 6-4, 304, third year: Played two games as rookie, but didn't play again last year after suffering an ankle injury in the preseason opener. Played mainly guard at Notre Dame and some guard with the Bengals. Looking for his first NFL snap as a center.
*66, Evan Mathis, G, 6-5, 310, fifth year: *All 15 of his NFL starts came at RG for Carolina in 2006, but he didn't play again until a special-teams stint in the '07 finale. Played seven games for the Dolphins and one for the Bengals in '08. May get a shot at center. Can play all spots but LT. 33 NFL games.
67, Colin Dow, G-C, 6-5, 310, rookie: Free agent out of Montana. Strong guy. All Big Sky at center as a junior and at guard as a senior. Snapped some at rookie camp and figures to get work at both.
71, Andre Smith, T, 6-4, 332, rookie: Athletically the best tackle on the draft board and that carried the day over focus and weight issues. Looks like can play either side. The Bengals could lean to the right to ease the transition and because of Whitworth's experience at LT or Anthony Collins' athleticism at LT.
73, Anthony Collins, T, 6-5, 317, second year: Could be the answer at RT, but the Bengals could also decide he'd be a good swing backup for both, or they could decide his athleticism is better suited on the left side. That's where he made his NFL debut last year in the final six games and held up decently against big-time pass rushers James Harrison and Dwight Freeney.
74, Dennis Roland, T, 6-9, 325, second year: Came into the league as a college free agent in 2006, but he didn't get his first action until the last two games of last year. Made his first start in the season finale in which the Bengals rushed for 204 yards. Big, smart, but has to prove he can play more than RT.
75, Scott Kooistra, G-T, 6-6, 335, seventh year: Has played every position here but center. Versatility a big plus and the knee injury that put him on IR for last the six games appears healed. Came off the bench to finish games at LG twice last season in a win and a tie. Played 80 NFL games. One start came at LG, but played virtually all of the '07 opener at RT.
77, Andrew Whitworth, G-T, 6-7, 330, fourth year: Started 25 games at LG, 13 at LT. Drew raves for his play at LG in '08 against Albert Haynesworth and Justin Tuck. But if Smith holds out or the Bengals want to ease his move, look for that 14th start for Whitworth at LT against Denver Sept. 13 in the opener. Possible emergency center.
