Bengals Could Finally Have Personnel Stability on Defense

by Kirkendall on Jun 6, 2008 7:15 PM EDT in Analysis Comment 3 comments

While Bengals offensive coordinator plans to use a running back by committee approach this season (yet, "chaired by Rudi Johnson"), the Bengals are seeing even more changes on the other side of the football. Change is a history we've become accustomed to.

Mike Myers, a veteran of the Mike Zimmer defense, is throwing out serious buzzwords. Such as "better", "no nonsense", no thinking, better talent, etc.. Ironically, we're not so convinced that Myers will be on the team this year. We projected John Thornton, Domata Peko and the two rookies, Pat Sims and Jason Shirley (though he could miss some time pending legal dispute) as the team's back ups.

Even Marvin White (five massive pounds heavier), has been impressed with the defensive coordinator giving a buzz-sentence: "We’ll put a lot more pressure on the quarterback." Stop, Marvin. Stop. I have to promote how we're supposed to show disdain with Chad Johnson, shake our heads at Odell Thurman (though we have no investment anymore) and be generally bored in May. We're not supposed to giddy, are we? We're Bengals fans that think they can predict a team's failure, only to severely underestimate it. It's irony, of sorts.

But yea, I'm giddy. Truthishly (five points if you can tell me the name of the Drew Barrymore character that says that word), this defense has improved, ranging from the rave reviews of young and veteran defensive players for the defensive coordinator, to the overall acquisition of defensive talent (draft, free agency... aka, Antwan Odom).

The Problem On Defensive Structure
No, I don't mean the type of structure where inmates run the asylum (though some will argue that point). Leslie Frazier, Chuck Bresnahan and Mike Zimmer round up the team's defensive coordinators since 2003 (three in six seasons). Each installing their own system. Each promoting their own philosophy (when and whom to blitz, speed over brawn, etc). That's no different than your manager being replaced every two years after sub-par results. It gets frustrating to reboot every time.

There's another element. Between 2003-2005, the Bengals drafted 14 defensive players. Only Jonathan Fanene and Robert Geathers remain (that's 14% of your draft). That means you have to replace those guys with veterans lacking tread on their tire, overpaid in some instances, but absolutely no substance beyond the year they're signed. Between 2004-2005, they drafted 10 defensive players -- guys like Thurman, Pollack, Ratliff, Madieu Williams, Landon Johnson -- that were destined to be the team's long-term foundation. Of the nine defensive players (including Ethan Kilmer who was drafted as a receiver) drafted between 2006-2007, nearly half figure to be starters and only two are gone (A.J. Nicholson, Matt Toeaina).

Add this last element. In the past few seasons, the Bengals have lost Justin Smith, Landon Johnson, Madieu Williams, Brian Simmons, Odell Thurman and David Pollack.

What You Have...is no consistency. No foundation. Too many new managers. This season will be no different, but so different it's not funny. The Bengals revamped their backup defensive tackles. Added a new WILL linebacker through the draft. The entire secondary will have another year under their young belts. The two biggest bookends (Geathers, Odom) are coming into the season expecting big sack totals.

So yea, this year there will be change again on defense. This time, the change actually appears to be good.

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Obviously, it remains to be seen what the Zimmer Era will hold but a few things stick out. While we did add a potential Pro Bowler in Keith Rivers at WILL, we offloaded a potential Defensive MVP in Thurman and moved our second most talented backer out of the middle, the only place Brooks has ever played. This may be counteracted somewhat by a full year of the heady, solid- if not spectacular, Dhani Jones calling the shots at MIKE and the potential of two scary LB/rush ends in Brooks and Eric Henderson situationally. That’s all without even mentioning the underrated Rashard Jeanty and the Blackstock kid from Arizona that has the ability to make an impact.

I do like the fact that we’ve got two- three if you count Billy Graham’s granddaughter’s beau, Corey Lynch- safeties that can lay the wood and help shore up the outside run defense as well as back up our solid corners. In Delpha and Dexter, we’ve got good experience in nickel packages and in the locker room.

The real key will be the middle of the D-Line- I take it as a given that Odom is a huge upgrade to the ends. If we can get a solid contribution from Pat Sims at the point of attack, if he can just hold his own in there where the ferocious Peko is just too small, we should be able, with a rotation of Fanene, Thornton, and Rucker(I’ve decided he’s going to be good this year.) to keep the running to a minimum and actually get off the field on a regular basis. I agree that Myers is probably gone and I don’t count the behemoth Shirley in this equation because any contribution from him will be so much gravy.

This trends well, provided everyone knows what they’re doing out there- and that Zimmer knows what he’s doing at all, because, of the starters, only Jones is actually anywhere near retirement.

by IgnatiusJReilly on Jun 8, 2008 7:28 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Defense

Defense! Let’s face it, team management took a hike on this one. Obviously management had a job to do during the draft and they failed to do it. The team needed to go after a real game changer at DT but instead went the cheap route. How many fans can feel thatt the team is a contender when they lose players thru free agency and then draft like they have adequate talent at defensive positions.

According to the Sporting News which has given rankings to the various defensive postions the Bengals rank 10th in the AFC at Defensive End, 16th in the AFC at Defensive Tackle, 15th in the AFC at Linebacker, 7th in the AFC at Cornerback and 15th in the AFC at Safety.

I expect Cincy to struggle again this year and it looks like they may be counting on the offense to carry the defense.

One thing for certain is that Mike Brown and Marvin Lewis have done less than a spectacular job when it comes to getting the best talent on the field.

by davidincincinnati on Jun 8, 2008 9:36 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs