Recently, a Cincinnati Bengals offensive lineman had big praise for returning line coach Frank Pollack.
And for good reason — players say the attitude and teaching has received an overhaul with Pollack’s return. Players on both sides of the ball, too, say things are so much more physical in the running game.
Take star running back Joe Mixon’s comments on the new-feeling mindset, for example, per Geoff Hobson of Bengals.com:
“The line was getting push, the tight ends were blocking, getting physical. Just finishing the play. A thousand percent. With Frank, the mindset is you basically have to bully whoever is on the defense. I love everything about that. That mentality, our approach has changed and we as backs do whatever we can to match that intensity.”
How does the defense feel about the change? Comments from veteran defensive tackle Mike Daniels say it all.
“Coach Pollack has definitely instituted a more physical minded run game. Absolutely,” Daniels said.
The Bengals have already made it clear Mixon will have a bigger role than ever if he’s healthy thanks to his newfound prowess as a pass-blocker. But it’s easy to think he’ll at least match his stellar recent season under Pollack, too.
