Who Starts At Defensive End: A Story About (Lack Of) Pressure
by Josh Kirkendall on Oct 19, 2010 10:52 AM EDT
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Even though Antwan Odom was likely going to be out with an injury, we'd have this discussion anyway. With Odom's injury/suspension lasting at least four weeks, the question becomes who starts in his place.
Michael Johnson, who started last week with Odom and Jonathan Fanene shelved, finished with goose eggs across the board in his previous start against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. In fact, based on NFL.com's Game Book, Johnson has only recorded one quarterback hit all season, a half-sack (totally a Sons of Anarchy reference) against the Baltimore Ravens. Johnson has six tackles all season.
Another choice is Jonathan Fanene, who is returning from an injury that forced him to miss four games. During his first 37 career games in the NFL, dating back to 2005, Fanene only recorded one quarterback sack. Then in 2009, after Odom suffered a season-ending injury, Fanene stepped up and recorded six quarterback sacks, finishing the season ranked second on the team behind Odom's eight. While Fanene is one of the team's best pass rushers, one has to wonder just how healthy he is, recovering from a hamstring injury that could limit his explosiveness off the line of scrimmage.
What about Frostee Rucker? He's the only defensive lineman with more than .5 sacks, also leading the team with six quarterback hits. Amongst the defensive ends, Rucker recorded the least amount of snaps (28) compared to Geathers (43), Johnson (33) and Odom (32). Yet, last week against Tampa Bay, Rucker hit the quarterback four times. Geathers, Johnson and Odom combined for one quarterback hit. And Odom actually doesn't have a single hit all season.
So who should the Bengals start in place of the injured/suspended Odom?
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Resign Shayne Graham and stick his ass out there
pay that b*tch back for some lost games.
I could sleep when I lived alone.
Is there a ghost in my house?
yes
and lets not make clearly silly jokes.
I could sleep when I lived alone.
Is there a ghost in my house?
by supergrover on Oct 19, 2010 11:51 AM EDT up reply actions
This is a great question!
Clearly. Clearly Geathers/Odom have not done their jobs in getting to the QB. So why not give both Rucker and Fanene a try at either end? Gotta do something.
"Gotta do something"
My thoughts exactly.
Blogger at CincyJungle.com -- SB Nation Cincinnati Bengals blog.
by Josh Kirkendall on Oct 19, 2010 11:38 AM EDT up reply actions
fanene and Frostee
Mix in geathers, Los and MJ
by quickslant on Oct 19, 2010 11:41 AM EDT via mobile reply actions
Fanene and Rucker
I agree quickslant. I think Atkins needs to see the field a little more if he is capable. Drafting a pass rusher has to become a priority. Leaving the CBs on an island obviously isn’t working anymore.
Rucker
I would love to see this guy get a start. Stick him in for the first Q then evaluate. He has skill and has shown it when hes got snaps. He just gets hurt to much. Plus best name in football.
MJ outside, Fanene inside
and mix in some Dunlap/Atkins
by TruWhoDey on Oct 19, 2010 12:58 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs
Agreed on Dunlap
I don’t think I can take another 3 years+ of waiting to see if a guy is ready and him taking up a roster spot (looking at you Jerome). Get him out there, see if he can do anything. If he can’t, get rid of him sooner rather than later. I doubt he would dominate, but maybe he would show a flash of something to justify ongoing development.
I still love MJ as an outside linebacker
The problem is we have a lot of guys who could play that outside linebacker position and a lot of guys who can play the middle linebacker position. What we need are some DEs who like the taste of QB blood. If it’s Fanene, fine. If it’s Sims, fine. If it’s Dunlap, fine. But Odom and Geathers just don’t have it.
This is our year!
+1 on the Odom and Geathers don't have it.
But MJ is a freak at DE. He needs to stay there. He reminds me of Jason Taylor.
What I can’t figure out is why in the world does Marvin like to take a player out of his natural position, all the time, when they are supposedly a stud at that position. It never ever works out for Marvin or the player.
MJ=Jevon Kearse and Lawrence Taylor
Peko and Atkins on the inside. Fanene on the outside, with rotation of MJ, Rucker, and Dunlap at other End. Have MJ roving between OLB and DE. See what we do if Rey plays in the middle more often. That’s where MJ comes in: he is Jevon Kearse at End and Lawrence Taylor at OLB. MJ can play all over the place. Design Defense so that opposing Offenses don’t know where he is going to be at any given time
Try Adkins at the end position.
I have been saying this for a few months. The guy has got the speed to play end. Give him some snaps and see what happens; what can it hurt? He is an undersized tackle anyways.
Fanene is coming off of a partial tear to his hamstring and it is easy to re-aggravate that injury. Hamstring injuries tend to linger and we don’t want to end up losing him for the season. Rotate him in to get some snaps, but don’t throw him to the fire just yet. See how he is going to hold up.
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