Ryan Hewitt

[CrashDavisSports]

Lewis had high praise for Ryan Hewitt, the undrafted rookie from Stanford that has been playing a lot with the first team as the hybrid fullback-tight end-H-back. He offered that incumbent Orson Charles is in a fight for a spot and said he anticipates the 6-4, 246-pound Hewitt to grow:

“Being an effective blocker, but also adding pressure in matchups vs. the defense and I think Ryan can provide a little bit of that. He’s an excellent receiver of the ball and it’s not been too big for him. I think as he grows and he’s fortunate enough to stay round here, I think by next year we’ll have a real, big , physical man.” …

Almost sounds like this guy has already won the 4th TE slot who will also cover as the H-Back.

Another undrafted rookie. Plus, I like the size, strength and agility of LaKendrick Ross. Interesting environment around here. We have lots of talent on this team, and good depth, so when an undrafted rookie can make our squad now, he was pretty impressive. A lot different environment than it used to be, where anything from 4th on was just worthless picks, and undrafted rookies were not even considered more than fodder for the players to practice against for a few weeks. I mean hell, back in the day, it was almost from our 1st round pick on was worthless.

We haven't got over that playoff hump, but I love the amount of talent and depth this team has now a days.

 

[DanBengalfan]

one of our skill players has to leave the field just so that the hybrid player can take the field, so maybe they need to place a little more importance on it.

nice that they found someone who can do it, but generally a higher paid player has to come off the field so that the hybrid player can line up.

 

[Cincyfan78]

Wasn't he just a FB in college? Could be a bit of a return to a power running scheme, but adding in the "H-Back" just so defenses have to stay honest when he's on the field.

 

[CrashDavisSports]

one of our skill players has to leave the field just so that the hybrid player can take the field, so maybe they need to place a little more importance on it.

nice that they found someone who can do it, but generally a higher paid player has to come off the field so that the hybrid player can line up.

I guess I just don't understand how hard the transition it is for a TE to lineup in the backfield and go block someone. I mean, in general, these guys spend their game blocking big players from DE to LB'ers, and they are used to running routes, so I don't see lead blocking being much different than a route. Just that you hit someone at the end of that route versus catching a ball.

Isn't a TE really just a glorified FB who gets more catching opportunities?

 

[Cincyfan78]

I guess I just don't understand how hard the transition it is for a TE to lineup in the backfield and go block someone. I mean, in general, these guys spend their game blocking big players from DE to LB'ers, and they are used to running routes, so I don't see lead blocking being much different than a route. Just that you hit someone at the end of that route versus catching a ball.

Isn't a TE really just a glorified FB who gets more catching opportunities?

Not anymore. These guys are freaks of nature...to big for secondaries, too fast for LB's. Old school TE's were blockers first. New school guys are pass-catchers, and sometimes ONLY pass-catchers.

 

[CrashDavisSports]

Not anymore. These guys are freaks of nature...to big for secondaries, too fast for LB's. Old school TE's were blockers first. New school guys are pass-catchers, and sometimes ONLY pass-catchers.

So TE's are glorified FB's. And TE's are poor man WR's.

A few TE's are freaks of nature in general I think. Gronk and Graham, and even Gresham to a degree because of their size and speed. However, Gronk and Graham have outstanding hands. Gresham is great 10% of the time, okay 40% of the time, and horrible 50% of the time.

I think a TE who can block is very under valued.

I prefer a TE who is excellent blocking, and is "good" at catching and running routes.

 

[DanBengalfan]

I don't mind us having a hybrid TE/FB if we don't just comb the scrap heap for them every year. you are only as good as your weakest player.

it seems the Bengals are in denial about the design of their own offense and player needs to implement it.
why not have Gresham play fullback? he's a tight end...
because either he can't or won't do it?

 

[cincygrad]

Wow! I for one am shocked that moving to Orson Charles to fullback didn't work. I was such a huge supporter of the move -- I feel foolish.

I said it once, I'll say it again, when the Bengals have gone without a fullback on the active roster, they've suffered in the run game. Anyone remember how terrific we were with Daniel Coats playing fullback?

The reason why it hasn't worked is that it doesn't work in general. Hard to think of a situation where a college tight end (or pro tight end) has turned into an excellent fullback. It's a much different position and the blocking is much more violent and down-hill than that of a tight end.

It's true that most teams have moved away from traditional fullbacks..... But the ones that have been most successful are those that spread the field well and have quarterbacks that challenge the entire field. That leaves plenty of running lanes. If you really want a run-first offense (that which is advocated by Hobs and a handful of our fans), I think you need a power running game that includes a fullback.

 

[DanBengalfan]

Wow! I for one am shocked that moving to Orson Charles to fullback didn't work. I was such a huge supporter of the move -- I feel foolish.

I said it once, I'll say it again, when the Bengals have gone without a fullback on the active roster, they've suffered in the run game. Anyone remember how terrific we were with Daniel Coats playing fullback?

The reason why it hasn't worked is that it doesn't work in general. Hard to think of a situation where a college tight end (or pro tight end) has turned into an excellent fullback. It's a much different position and the blocking is much more violent and down-hill than that of a tight end.

It's true that most teams have moved away from traditional fullbacks..... But the ones that have been most successful are those that spread the field well and have quarterbacks that challenge the entire field. That leaves plenty of running lanes. If you really want a run-first offense (that which is advocated by Hobs and a handful of our fans), I think you need a power running game that includes a fullback.

exactly, the Bengals, under Marvin Lewis, will continuously gravitate towards a certain offensive identity which is often counter to their off-season strategy.

 

[flamingrey]

Wow! I for one am shocked that moving to Orson Charles to fullback didn't work. I was such a huge supporter of the move -- I feel foolish.

I said it once, I'll say it again, when the Bengals have gone without a fullback on the active roster, they've suffered in the run game. Anyone remember how terrific we were with Daniel Coats playing fullback?

The reason why it hasn't worked is that it doesn't work in general. Hard to think of a situation where a college tight end (or pro tight end) has turned into an excellent fullback. It's a much different position and the blocking is much more violent and down-hill than that of a tight end.

It's true that most teams have moved away from traditional fullbacks..... But the ones that have been most successful are those that spread the field well and have quarterbacks that challenge the entire field. That leaves plenty of running lanes. If you really want a run-first offense (that which is advocated by Hobs and a handful of our fans), I think you need a power running game that includes a fullback.

In Oakland as well, a fullback, Marcel Reece, was a big part of Hue's offense. It's not surprising though that Hue is looking for an all around player that can pitch in as fullback as Reece would play all over the field for them as a fullback, halfback, in the slot, and out wide.

 

[Cincyfan78]

Wow! I for one am shocked that moving to Orson Charles to fullback didn't work. I was such a huge supporter of the move -- I feel foolish.

I said it once, I'll say it again, when the Bengals have gone without a fullback on the active roster, they've suffered in the run game. Anyone remember how terrific we were with Daniel Coats playing fullback?

The reason why it hasn't worked is that it doesn't work in general. Hard to think of a situation where a college tight end (or pro tight end) has turned into an excellent fullback. It's a much different position and the blocking is much more violent and down-hill than that of a tight end.

It's true that most teams have moved away from traditional fullbacks..... But the ones that have been most successful are those that spread the field well and have quarterbacks that challenge the entire field. That leaves plenty of running lanes. If you really want a run-first offense (that which is advocated by Hobs and a handful of our fans), I think you need a power running game that includes a fullback.

Totally agree. Ryan Hewitt was a FB in college, so it's not a surprise that he's doing well when blocking out of the backfield, or lined up at TE in the run game. What's surprising is how well he catches the ball. I think he said he played TE in H.S, but was moved to FB full-time at Standford. His best receiving season was 2011 where he caught 34 passes for 282 yards. So, I guess the talent is there to add to that part of his game. Yet, being more of a traditional fullback that happens to catch well bodes better for the run game than transitioning a guy who catches the ball and happens to block (sometimes). Considering the position, I would think that blocking would be the priority, then again...it's the Bengals.

 

[BKBroiler9000]

What's going unsaid here is that the only reason they attempted the Charles experiment was to squeeze him onto the 53. When it became apparent that they wasted a 4th rounder on a bust TE, they had to fit him in somewhere because 3rd and 4th rounders (compensatory picks usually) are like Jew gold to MB. It was obvious it wouldn't work from the start. Part of the reason Charles fell in the draft, at least I thought, was he was to narrow and couldn't block very well. So yeah, let's make him the FB! I'm glad they found Ryan Hewitt, he looks like a nice player. Maybe the run game will be a plus for once this season.

 

[flamingrey]

Quotes by Marvin. I assume the article was written by Hobs.

We'll see if he actually gets any playing time.

 

[kramer1]

Lol at "Jew gold." That's priceless.

 

[jwil007]

I like Hewitt Kid...Stanford smart, learns a playbook in a day, plays hard, can catch.... Start him! He is young let him learn now and be a pro in 2 years....