USAT: Bengals Wire audio clip

USAT: Bengals Wire

Mar 28, 2022

- - - Before free agency really got underway, Cincinnati Bengals offensive line coach Frank Pollack said “glass eaters” are the type of guys he wants in front of Joe Burrow. - He helped the team go out and get three of those in free agency, the highlight being right tackle La’el Collins. - Despite an injury history and recent suspension that limited Collins’ time on the football field, Pollack’s experience with him was a key factor in the Bengals making the big splash, as illustrated by Paul Dehner Jr. of The Athletic: - “The Bengals had no such concerns. They had Pollack. His knowledge of Collins through three years together from 2015-17 was the key ingredient on both ends. The Bengals relied heavily on his endorsement. Collins viewed it as the perfect fit again playing for a coach he said was the best he’d been around. Pollack loved every bit of the 28-year-old’s personality and play style in his quest for glass-eaters.” - In his first encounters with media in Cincinnati, Collins himself confirmed linking back up with Pollack was a big part of the reason he wanted to join the Bengals (cupcakes with Joe Burrow helped, too). - Pollack had extensive experience with Collins during their time together in Dallas, so it was presumably a matter of him signing off on the idea that really got the front office on board. - Unlike their other big free-agent signings, the Bengals immediately got Collins in town for a visit so he could meet non-Pollack members of the organization and team. But that Pollack connection that we and others often brought up is ultimately what even opened the door for a visit, let alone a much-needed signing for both player and team. - - List - - Cincinnati Bengals updated free agency big board - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Email - - - - - Sign up - - - - - - - - Like this article? - Sign up for the Bengals Wire email newsletter to get our top stories in your inbox every morning - - - - An error has occured - - - Please re-enter your email address. - - - - - - Thanks for signing up! - - - You'll now receive the top Bengals Wire stories each day directly in your inbox.

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