SPORTS

Blackburn: Ohio teams send a message

Sam Blackburn
Reporter

The forward pass has not been banned in Ohio, even if it may seem that way.

We hear constantly how the NFL is a passing league and all about its big-time quarterbacks. Tom Brady, Peyton Manning and Aaron Rodgers have Super Bowl rings to prove it.

Perhaps it's the model for others to follow for some. For the rest of us, there's other alternatives.

The Bengals and Browns are exhibits A and B.

They sent resounding statements in their drafts, loading up on physicality. The message was clear: There will be no basketball on grass played in the AFC North.

The Bengals took two offensive tackles with their first two picks, then a tight end and linebacker. They added a defensive tackle, a physical corner and another tight end on Day 3.

This, from a team boasting two of the best tackles in the league in Andrew Whitworth and Andre Smith.

The Browns' issues at quarterback are nauseating for their fans, and they're going nowhere unless Johnny Manziel — or someone else — can pick up more than the occasional first down.

They could have taken a quarterback, perhaps moved up to get one, or drafted a top receiver to replace Josh Gordon. Both are need areas.

For once, they had a plan and stuck with it. They followed up burly defensive tackle Danny Shelton with a center, defensive end and defensive tackle — and still found a receiver late.

Like Olivia Newton-John said, it's time to get physical.

The points were taken. You can pass 40 times if you want; we in Ohio are going to smack heads and clear paths.

Their choices didn't sit well with some draft pundits. The Browns need playmakers; the Bengals need pass rushers and deep threats.

Many yearned for a top receiver, as we're reminded that Webster Slaughter, Reggie Langhorne and Michael Jackson aren't walking through the doors at Berea for anything other than handshakes.

But this team needed interior upgrades more than outside skill.

Center Alex Mack, an All-Pro, could opt out of his contract in 2016 and is coming off injury. First-rounder Cameron Erving is a center by trade but played left tackle when needed at Florida State. He's already being penciled in on the right side of the line, which has needed upgrades since the Voinovich Administration.

And the 340-pound Shelton, if productive, should push the pocket and free up tacklers. That can only help a run defense that ranked last in the league in 2014, but particularly struggled when Phil Taylor was injured.

Remind me again why this was a bad idea?

The Bengals' needs were far less glaring. Most would rather send quarterback Andy Dalton off to sea, rather than watch him throw passes. And another interior pass rusher would have been nice.

But Jeremy Hill, Gio Bernard and the line that clears the way fuel this team. Whitworth and Smith, unrestricted free agents after 2015, will demand top tackle money. Can you pay them both? Drafting their potential replacements was about insuring the future.

It also means running and protecting Dalton will remain a priority. The Bengals allowed the least amount of sacks in the league last year. It's a big reason why they've been a consistent winner.

From the looks of things, it won't be long before it's a statewide trend.

sblackburn@zanesvilletimesrecorder.com

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Twitter: @SamBlackburnTR