'I look forward to seeing how that plays out' — Bengals coach teases important position battle and one player may be left to watch
While off-field contract battles surrounds the Cincinnati Bengals' defensive line, the offensive line is strictly concerned with on-field battles, and there may only be one real battle to note. Left guard is currently occupied by rookie Dylan Fairchild, who appears to be the favorite to start in Week 1. Right guard on the other hand is […]
While off-field contract battles surrounds the Cincinnati Bengals' defensive line, the offensive line is strictly concerned with on-field battles, and there may only be one real battle to note.
Left guard is currently occupied by rookie Dylan Fairchild, who appears to be the favorite to start in Week 1. Right guard on the other hand is very much up for grabs, and two players in particular have a hand on the wheel.
Lucas Patrick and Cody Ford each took starting reps at RG during mandatory minicamp. Minicamp reps aren't the same as training camp reps, especially when the pads and shells come on, but deploying these two in particular wasn't an accident from Cincinnati's coaching staff.
When asked if the two are set to battle for the spot in camp, offensive coordinator Dan Pitcher kept it short, sweet, and to the point.
"I think it'll be a good battle," Pitcher said. "And those guys are two competitive guys that know what NFL football looks like and I look forward to seeing how that plays out."
This was expected to a certain degree. Neither Patrick nor Ford signed contracts this offseason indicative a guaranteed starter. Patrick's deal in particular reflects that of a backup in all honesty, but if he proves to be the better option over Ford, who's mainly played on the left side of the center during his time with the Bengals, Pitcher and Co. won't keep him on the bench.
Keeping this competition between just Patrick and Ford would likely result in a quicker decision, but they aren't the only two looking to emerge as starters by the end of August.
Where does Cordell Volson fall in Bengals' guard battle?
Behind both Patrick and Ford in the pecking clearly seems to be Volson, who was ousted from his starting LG gig late last year. Volson agreed to a pay cut this offseason to stick around and take to new o-line coach Scott Peters' coaching.
Will he have a real shot at beating out Ford, Patrick, or Fairchild for that matter? Pitcher not including his name in his answer keeps it open to interpretation.
Cincinnati's decision to offer Volson a reduced salary speaks to how the club views him as a player. He has much to prove coming off a season in which he was benched, and his contract expires next offseason. Nothing's going to be handed to him, certainly, but an opportunity to reclaim his starting status in a new position may not be so easily accessible either unless injuries pop up.
The next five weeks are for Pitcher and the staff to formulate how competitions such as this will be handled when camp begins. Patrick and Ford appear to be the frontrunners, and Volson may be on the outside looking in right now. To say these are early days is quite the understatement.
Bengals DC Al Golden highlights players who shined in practice without Trey Hendrickson, Shemar Stewart participating
Cincinnati’s defensive line has been the topic of conversation in recent weeks.
