How the free agency signings of Alex Cappa and Ted Karras reveal Bengals' strategy in fixing the offensive line
The Cincinnati Bengals had a very calculated plan heading into free agency and their first two signings of Alex Cappa and Ted Karras show exactly what it was.
It’s important to note while the Bengals had virtually four open spots along the starting offensive line following the season, they weren’t going to be able to address every position. The Bengals chose to upgrade the interior of their offensive line rather than the outside.
And it’s very clear why that was their strategy once you dig into the numbers.
Yes, Joe Burrow was sacked 70 times in 20 games but it’s more than that. The Bengals inability to keep Burrow’s pocket from collapsing as quickly as it did was the offensive line’s biggest issue.
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It was magnified against the Rams in Super Bowl 56 when Burrow was sacked seven times. Six of the seven sacks came from the interior. Yes, the Bengals’ offensive line was facing the best defensive player in the NFL in Aaron Donald who wins more 1-on-1 matchups than he loses against guards.
But this number also points out that Cincinnati’s tackles were able to hold up against the Rams’ edge rushers. Isaiah Prince gave up the lone sack for the Bengals’ two starting tackles.
The upgrades needed to come at guard and center before addressing the tackle position. Burrow is at his best when he can drop back and climb up in the pocket. Guards are expected to create depth in the pocket, tackles create the width.
Far too often, the pocket collapsed on Burrow before he could step into his throws because of the pressure coming from the interior of the offensive line. To show just how much better Burrow was when his pocket was kept clean, look at these numbers provided by Pro Football Focus:
- Completion percentage with a clean pocket – 73.7 %
- Completion percentage under pressure – 59.4 %
When the Bengals drafted Burrow, their offensive philosophy was going to be centered around Burrow being able to drop back in the pocket and get in the empty formation. Simply put, empty means no one is in the backfield and Burrow is either going to throw it or run it himself.
His experience and success doing this in LSU’s pro-style offensive system made it clear to head coach Zac Taylor and offensive coordinator Brian Callahan how they could best utilize their franchise quarterback.
Burrow dropped back 520 times in the 2021 season. The number would be even higher if the Bengals had been less successful in creating explosive plays. Cincinnati’s ability to create 40-plus yard plays decreased the number of times Burrow had to drop back.
Burrow ranked No. 2 in the NFL in 40-plus yard completions with 15. This is one of the main reasons why the acquisition of Ja’Marr Chase is so important for the Bengals’ offense in totality.
Now, the focus turns to Cappa and Karras and how they can make an impact in their first seasons in Cincinnati.
It was clear Cappa was one the Bengals’ highest graded players and a top priority as they signed him within minutes of the legal tampering period beginning.
Cappa, a former third-round pick in the 2018 NFL Draft out of Division II Humboldt State, started all 19 games at right guard for Tampa Bay in the 2021 season. He played an integral role on one of the league’s best offensive lines last season that allowed a league-low 23 sacks and led the NFL with a 3.15 percent sacks per pass play rate.
In 2020, Cappa didn’t allow a sack. According to Pro Football Focus, Cappa allowed only five sacks in the 2021 season and committed just one penalty.
Karras will likely take over as the Bengals’ starting center although he could also start at left guard if the Bengals decide to draft a center. His position flexibility is something the Bengals’ coaching staff likes and he fits the profile offensive line coach Frank Pollack is looking for – a glass eater.
He spent five years with the New England Patriots and one with the Miami Dolphins. Pro Football Focus ranked Karras as the No. 12 ranked player in their pass-blocking metric by giving him a 76.5 grade. Karras was credited with giving up three sacks, two hits and eight quarterback hurries.
The Bengals also gave both Cappa and Karras multi-year deals signaling they plan to have them around for the next few seasons that are going to be critically important. Burrow will be entering the third year of his rookie deal and the Bengals showed by their performance last season they are ready to ring chase for years to come.