Bengals trends and The Beast

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(04-12-2025, 02:35 PM)bfine32 Wrote: My man Tate Ratledge has a 9.98 RAS. There have been about 1600 interior linemen scored since 1987 and he ranks #4.

Dehner Traits that Ratledge meets:

Team Captian
Loyal Teammate
Big Program
Elite Athlete
Met with
Powerful

Yea, Tate Ratledge fits alot of things the Bengals like and need.

Here is what Dane had to say about Tate Ratledge in the Beast.

Quote:STRENGTHS: 
● Tall with thick, stout frame and massive hands
 ● Latches on in run game and flashes strength in legs and hands to create lanes 
● Has body quickness and control to stretch front-side and execute short pulls 
● Plays with flat back and impressive leverage for his size, helping him reset pass-pro anchor and halt power
● Keeps hands tight in punch to batter and bruise
 ● Rarely fooled by stunts and plays with vision to identify games and blitzes from depth 
● Mean dude — takes it incredibly personally when quarterback gets hit 
● Penalized just three times over past two seasons (two holding flags, one false start) 
● His coaches rave about his practice habits and love for football 
● Very personable; connects well in locker room (NFL scout: "He's a goofball, but the guys over there love him.") 
● Kirby Smart said he's as "special as they come," because of his leadership (95 percent of Georgia's 130 players voted him a 2024 team captain) 

 WEAKNESSES:
 ● Shorter arms stand out when punch timing isn't on point 
● Leaves edges vulnerable when set points are inconsistent 
● Has overzealous moments in run game and finds himself overextended 
● Occasionally drops his eyes into contact 
● Feels most comfortable on right side and doesn't have proven experience across the line (aside from four snaps at left guard, 100 percent of his 2,081 career of f ensive snaps came at right guard) 
● Missed at least one game each of past four seasons: Lisfranc injury to right foot four plays into first career start, which required season-ending surgery; missed one game as sophomore because of shoulder subluxation (Nov. 2022); missed one game as junior because of bone bruise to left knee (Nov. 2023); left ankle injury (Sept. 2024) as senior and required tightrope surgery, which sidelined him four games.

SUMMARY: A four-year starter at Georgia, Ratledge established himself at right guard in of f ensive coordinator Mike Bobo's multiple-run scheme (zone and gap). Despite missing 20 games with injuries over the past four years, he became an All-American and All-SEC first-teamer the past two seasons and an unquestioned leader in the program. 

 NFL teams are searching for guards who can move defenders with their lower bodies and control them with their upper halves, and Ratledge did both consistently on his college tape, bullying defenders out of gaps to create running lanes. In pass protection, he has the smarts and anchor to maintain the integrity of the pocket, although he needs to improve his punch timing to stay centered versus pass-rush quickness. Overall, Ratledge is a self-described "dirtbag" with the contact power, competitive edge and functional movement skills to match up against NFL defensive linemen. He should compete for a starting role as a rookie and has the necessary tools for a decade-long pro career, if he stays healthy. 

 GRADE: 2nd round (No. 53 overall)