The Defense should be the favored son this offseason
by Jaydolla on Jan 10, 2010 11:49 PM EST
Email
PrintWhy the defense is not in as good a shape as we think....
I love what our Bengals did overall this year... Great Draft... Actually trying to trade for a pos. of need during the season.. It sucked at the end but was great overall. Now its time to take the next step to Conference Championship contender. If we were more healthy I know we would've won at the most two games but getting past a team like the Colts to get to the Super bowl will take more than what we have now. We have a great "Defensive Ranking" but those overall rankings prove very little. The offense is far from perfect but Defense wins championships.
I see alot of people screaming for another high O-line pick and leaving the D-line at the back of the line. That is a big mistake. The D-line is a major problem. Our accolades in the run game have hidden our problems at rushing the passer.
In our last 4 games our D-line had 1 sack and 5 in our last 8. This includes the Oakland Raiders, who was 3rd in the league in sacks allowed and QB hits, in which we were totally shut down.
There is no way we can count on Odom. He has had major injuries in both his seasons with the Bengals and even more troubling is they happen early in the season.
Sacks aren't everything but they are a product of pressure, just like turnovers. We don't have one D-Lineman with multiple double-digit sack seasons and between all of them only 1 double-digit sack season in their career. Hell not counting Odom we don't have a single D-Lineman that has multiple 5+ sack seasons, ouch. Peko is our best D-Lineman and wouldn't think about replacing him but he only averages a sack per season. For these reasons I would give the D-line our utmost attention.
Now we have the safety position that has been just as much a roller coaster ride. They were a big part in our run stopping success but watching them work in the open field is just painful. Chris Crocker getting his ankles broke by an average at best move is burnt in my mind. I also love Duke because he plays his ass off but constant mental lapses have really just brought me to the conclusion that his worth is special-teamer. Usually losing your job wakes you up but after Roy went out Duke showed the same problems he had as a rookie. The Denver game was a glimpse at our season, the big play was a problem. I remember saying about a lot of games "if it wasn't for that one play it would've been even better". Not all big plays were the safeties fault but there is a reason they are called SAFTIES.
The linebacker spot is a potential big problem, 3 of our 7 current linebackers are free agents. One of those being Brandon Johnson. He's young and showed his worth but will never be a starter unless Rivers gets hurt or just totally falls off. This reason makes me think he will be gone. If someone offers him a major shot at starting it will be too tempting. Dhani Jones is going on 32 and we have no true starting SLB. Jeanty is just an accident waiting to happen when he's asked to step up. Its like bad luck knows he is being majorly counted on and goes into action. The Draft is for the future and the only guaranteed future at LB IMHO is Rivers and Rey.
Oh yeah I didn't mention Zim's contract because I don't want to even think about him not being here. He's staying!
This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of Cincy Jungle's writers or editors. It does reflect the views of this particular fan though, which is as important as the views of Cincy Jungle's writers or editors.
24 comments
|
0 recs |
Do you like this story?
Comments
The best defense is a good offense. Fix the offense. The fans will stop booing, the players will have more fun, and we’ll probably win just as many games. Give Odom one last chance to stay healthy. If he can’t, then we draft his replacement in 2011.
Actually, I should clarify that. We’d probably win about the same, but with the same schedule we’d almost certainly win several more. Unfortunately, the schedule will (very likely, at least) be much harder next year.
If we can fix the offense and avoid going backwards on defense, we’ll be making progress. And let’s be honest, ten years ago we’d be quoting Mora six weeks into the season. Every single season. “Playoffs? Don’t talk about playoffs! Playoffs???” Now we at least have a theoretical chance of getting there occasionally.
Is that “good enough”? Hell no! And if Brown treats it like it is, you’ll find me joining the line to tar and feather him and eviscerate him on the forums without mercy. But unless a LOT of pieces were already in place, you just can’t completely build an elite team in one year without one of two things: A) 15/18-odd draft picks and about a 70% hit rate with 4+ picks at 100% in the first two rounds, B) complete housecleaning on coaching staff that replaces idiots with geniuses and less than 10% miss rate. Or preferably both. And even then it’s not likely. To say nothing of how likely either of those are to occur in the first place anyway.
We had nothing in place as recently as, what, 6 years ago? And just when we thought we had some in place four years ago massive injuries crippled some key components, so that we still haven’t had much in place until this year. And even now we don’t know how much of what we have will be durable enough to last another 6 or 10 years.
Build the offense. Don’t break the bank on it, but build it. Realize you need both, but that you HAVE to keep the fans happy so they keep coming to the games and cheer for the team. And recognize that right now even though our defense isn’t perfect, it IS the better part of the team right now. By far. And so the critical priority is getting an offense back. A decent offense and a decent defense at the same time for a whole season can accomplish great things. And if one of them is elite, so much the better. But an elite D with no offense, or vice versa, is going nowhere.
Who to draft?
Good point about the defensive line. Odom cannot be counted upon no matter how much I like him. Peko does his job of clogging the middle, but can only be counted on to get a coverage sack once a year. Sims continues to develop and I think will be similar to Peko. Gathers I’ve given up on. Every year I wait for him to get back the ability to generate pressure on an opposing QB, but it just is not going to happen. I don’t know what changed, but we cannot expect him to improve next year. Michael Johnson is intriguing, and could be a great pass rusher, but there are no guarantees.
So you make a compelling argument for the D-Line. My question is, who should we go after in the draft? Does anyone have some players we should start to look at in the Senior Bowl or at the combines?
I might still go after a Safety first, but if the right Defensive End falls to them, I could be convinced.
What are the Bungles?
As a lifelong Steelers fan, I was trying to explain to my eight year old son how lucky he is.
He is already a bigger Steeler fan than myself, and routinely gets up at 6 am to get internet updates on STATS, transactions, etc. He is lucky because in eight years, he has already witnessed two Super Bowl Championship runs and now expects it every year.
Every Monday morning I wake up to, "Dad, Big Ben is fourth in the league in passing, and sixth in Passer Rating" or whatever the situation is for that week.
When James Harrison ran the interception back against the Cardinals, he was going so crazy several things were broken in the living room, but we didn’t care. It was well worth it.
On Saturday afternoon, we were looking forward to another game. Although we were just getting over the disappointment of the Steelers not making the playoffs, we went out to dinner at the local sportsbar to watch the NFL playoffs on dozens of huge screens.
He didn’t understand at first when I tried to explain to him that these are "The Bungles." It didn’t matter that they were 6-0 in the AFC North or the favorite in this game. It didn’t matter that they had a highly rated defense, and a good ground game.
"They are the Bungles," I said. "They will figure out a way to lose." I told him.
My rack of ribs never tasted so good as the NY Jets ran the ball down the Bengals throats the entire game and Carson Palmer choked as he always does in big games. Ocho Cinco disappeared on Revis Island and looked like he was about to cry the whole game.
What a great way to spend my Saturday with my family watching the pitiful Bungles lose again in their first playoff game. I was a little embarassed because this was the team that represented the AFC North, a division known for toughness and grit.
My six year old daughter, who would rather be watching Nickelodeon looked up from her coloring page at the restaurant, and said "What are the Bungles?"
Nevermind, I said. I love the "Oh Shit" look on Marvin Lewis’ face as his team is pounded into oblivion by a couple of rookies.
As I predicted and tried to explain to my son, "These are The Bungles. That’s what they do. From Jeff Blake to David Klingler to Akili Smith to Carson Palmer." It never changes. Every once in a while they accidentally beat the Steelers, and maybe get into the playoffs…………..but when the game counts, they find a way to lose.
Now he understands. The Bungles are a great opponent to have in the AFC North. I look forward to righting the ship and having the Steelers take their AFC North crown back next year.
The Bungles don’t deserve it.
by Steel City Beat Down on Jan 11, 2010 1:11 PM EST reply actions
The Ravens
will win it next year. That’s the up and coming team.
But a more important question is what are the Steelers trolls… and the answer is you. Maybe your son can get a start on that. Why don’t you have him post this:
CARSON PALMER SUCKS AND OSTINKO STINKS WHAT CAN I SAY. I HAD A ORGANISM WHEN YOU GUYS BLEW THE GAME. MY PRAYS ARE ANSWERED NO SUPER BOWLS FOR OHIO EVER IN MY LIFE TIME. PRAISE THE LORD.
That’s the canonical post, right there.
by occams_tiger_teeth on Jan 11, 2010 4:10 PM EST up reply actions
4th quarter leads?
It must have been hard for you and your son to watch game, after game, after game, after game, after game, after game, after game of losing leads in the 4th quarter this year (wait… was that two games against the Bengals?). How was it to watch your once proud defense crumble under pressure so consistently?
Why are people screaming WR??
It’ll take about 3 years to see the impact of that draft. We need more players who can step up NOW.. address WR in FA or through trade.
by 80%OFTHETIMEIMRIGHTEVERYTIME on Jan 11, 2010 1:21 PM EST reply actions
FA WR's are very expensive and busts 80% of the time. pun sorta intended ;-)
Look at how much we spent on Coles. Look at how much Seattle spent on Housh. 2 words…Javon Walker.
There is something about receivers that make them better in the enviroment they were brought up in. They are a very delicate creatures. You throw them in a new system with new terminology and they are like lost puppies. As hard as it is to draft a good WR, it’s even harder to get a good one in FA.
by smoormandiddy on Jan 11, 2010 2:14 PM EST up reply actions
good point.
I just dont see us..
A) being able to draft a WR who is capable (see Simpson)
B) able to effectively fill WR holes through this year’s draft, they take awhile to develop
C) drafting a TE that can play immediately as well
we really need another great draft.. which is almost as scary as keeping Brat. again.
by 80%OFTHETIMEIMRIGHTEVERYTIME on Jan 11, 2010 11:33 PM EST up reply actions
true
I think that is why WR’s so cocky. I would bet that each team picks up 3-4 WR’s a year between the draft, FA’s, and college FA’s. Most don’t make the team, few go to the practice squad, or make the roster as a #5 or #6 receiver. Once you get a #1 or #2, you do what you can to keep them regardless of how much they pout. When you think about it, the good ones make some of the best money on a team when they only touch the ball about 7-8 times a game.
If Simpson couldn’t even see the field for the past two years when we were in obvious need of a WR, he must be a bust. But them again you never know. Look at Roddy White and Sidney Rice, those guys were crap until their 3rd or 4th year.
TE is definitely a veterans postition. This would be where I would want to look at availible FA’s.
by smoormandiddy on Jan 12, 2010 7:53 AM EST up reply actions
Not true
Rookie WR’s don’t always struggle. Jeremy Maclin, Hakeem Nix, & Desean Jackson all contributed their rookie years and they were all premier prospects. The thing is that they came into good teams with good coaches (like what we have). I really think a WR can contribute in a big way. Really all positions struggle with adjusting to the the NFL (with the greatest exception being RB).
there are always exceptions.
Joe Flacco, Matt Ryan.. but usually rookie QB’s do not contribute much. Same conversation. If you get a great player who has an easy transition than you hit big. However, a majority of WR’s do not have a big impact their first year in the NFL. Obviously I am all for getting a great player..
by 80%OFTHETIMEIMRIGHTEVERYTIME on Jan 13, 2010 3:23 PM EST up reply actions
Well thought out post
My only beef is that, given the performance of the offense down the stretch, you have to get some weapons on that side of the ball. Some form of WR needs to come in, no question – FA or draft, we need one. Don’t forget that the draft is also to get players to fill in depth and perhaps take starting roles 2 years down the line – meaning an O-line pick might not be out of the question, particularly at guard.
Now, having said that, the defense has the most depth holes. The glaring starting roles that jump out are the DT and DE positions. I like Peko/Sims/Tank, but Tank is no sure thing to return (though I think he will). Between Odom and Geathers they have tied up a lot of money with little long term production. I would guess Geathers gets unseated if they pick a DE, but can they get a good one around 20 in the draft? Kinda doubt it.
But every level on D needs a backup – DT, DE, LB, S, CB. Most of them don’t need to start right out of the gate next year, thankfully, but a gem or 2 would be fantastic in the draft for competition, injury replacement, and eventual starting.
The fact that we need to draft more back up than starters shows the improvement of this team.
I see Geathers getting the boot this year due to the money he is making. Fanene would take his spot on 1st and 2nd down with M. Johnson stepping in on 3rd.
by smoormandiddy on Jan 11, 2010 4:11 PM EST up reply actions
They could use a starter at DE
not just a backup.
Odom has the kind of injury you don’t always come back 100% from.
Geathers has 9.5 sacks in three years.
by occams_tiger_teeth on Jan 11, 2010 4:13 PM EST up reply actions
None of the starting safeties is good
Roy Williams is another injury prone guy you should not count on (although dumb-azz Mike Brown probably would like to)
They need to draft a stud safety. Of course with Mike Brown in charge of drafting… odds are not good.
by occams_tiger_teeth on Jan 11, 2010 4:12 PM EST reply actions
roy williams is legit
his forearm is questionable, but hes just as frail as Carson.. one wrong hit and hes done.
by 80%OFTHETIMEIMRIGHTEVERYTIME on Jan 11, 2010 11:35 PM EST up reply actions
Well Roy Williams
was legit, but since he’s not going to be reliably there, they really need to draft a great safety. But with Mike Brown calling the shots I’d not bet my last dollar on that happening. 19 years and counting…
by occams_tiger_teeth on Jan 12, 2010 1:20 PM EST up reply actions
Roy is great to have as a run stopper and as a mentor to our first round pick..
by 80%OFTHETIMEIMRIGHTEVERYTIME on Jan 12, 2010 2:32 PM EST up reply actions
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
User Tools
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
Certain photos copyright © 2012 by Associated Press or Getty Images. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of Associated Press and Getty Images is strictly prohibited.
