The 10 least talked about stories of the first quarter of 2010

1&2 – One of the ends needs to step up. Someone, please. I can’t wait for Fanene to get back because I think he is the best DE right now. I was so excited to see MJ at OLB, I wanted to see him putting up Clay Matthews numbers. Now I think he needs to be in there at DE. Without effective ends, there is no pass rush.

3 – It’s Benson, make no mistake. But the question is, why aren’t we seeing all three used? I do think they need to maintain a commitment to the run, but they need to add new looks. Leonard was meant to be a catching threat, use him on more than third down. Why doesn’t Scott line up in the slot? You could even make an argument for some Wildcat/Option formations with the three backs the Bengals have. But no, Benson runs into the offensive line and then they try it with Scott on third down.

4 – Oh most definitely. Leon Hall is an animal and isn’t getting nearly enough credit for what he’s doing. I think he’s making a statement to the FO, and the NFL. If the Bengals only choose to keep one superstar QB, who would you want right now?

5 – I believe he is playing on special teams, correct me if I’m wrong. I think they are working on getting him aggressive and teaching him how to tackle in the NFL. If you watch the videos of him embarrassing himself, it’s always because he plays like it’s still college ball. He is in the right place a the right time, he makes the contact, he just doesn’t have the technique. I think they’ll let him off the leash when they feel he is ready.

6 – I think the jury is still out on Cook. The argument can be made that he is making mistakes because he is having to compensate for sloppy guard play on both sides. He is an adequate center in the AFC North and that’s an excellent center in moth other divisions. I think they need to try to get Reggie some snaps at guard. If he shines maybe he can elevate Cook’s play. Make him earn his paycheck. Cycle him in and out at right and left guard. Even if it’s just to give the obviously struggling starters a rest from time to time.

7/8 – Simpson should be gone. You see the Colts pull a guy off the practice squad (Blair White, if you are in a deep league he’s a good fantasy pickup) and he produces, Simpson can’t even touch the ball after 2 years on the 53. Caldwell filled in nicely for Shipley when he left Sunday. But I don’t think Carson trusts him nearly as much, and rightfully so. I’d call him a pretty damn good #4, not really a bust out of the third round. But it does make you appreciate how lucky we are that 31 other teams passed on Shipley for at least 2 rounds.

9 – I think future #2 is the most LeFevour will ever be, but I think he has the potential to be a great one. And what is with the Bengals picking up Martz QBs (even if it was just one preseason in LeFevour’s case)? I think his fate rests in whether or not the Bengals draft a QB in 2011.

10 – I got in an argument with someone in the post game thread about how good Crocker is. I think he is a big part of Zimmer’s defense and I think he plays his role well. No, he’s not the most gifted athletically but I think he’s committed to the scheme. I think Crocker/Ndukwe is a pretty damn good combo, but I still want to see the Bengals take a safety off the board early in this upcoming draft. Preferably of the coverage variety.

Great post. There’s so many things I mean to talk about but never get the chance. These are all things that deserve week to week observation.

Special teams doesn’t get a lot of talk usualy (unless Brad St. Louis is the long snapper) and this time around I’ve got two possitive to talk about and two negatives.
Positives-field goal kicking is consistent and punting is above avg. to very good
Negative-Kick off and punt return coverage not terrible but not as good as last year (missing Hebert?)
                 Kick off and punt returns much worse than last year although not terrible.

1. I think we have to realize that Geathers and Odom are playing more as containment DEs than rushing DEs – which doesn’t necessarily mean they are failing, but aren’t getting the sack numbers we love to see. We could put in MJ, but then I think he’d struggle against the run. I’m wondering if we could possibly utilize Atkins as a strong side DE when MJ is in on the weak side. It would be sort of a make-shift 3-4. But as they say, if it aint broke, don’t fix it…

5. I think after the bye week, we’ll see more of Reggie Nelson. Remember, he’s still new to Zimmer’s defense, which focuses heavily on being in the right place and in position.

6. I haven’t given up on Cook. Remember, he has gone up against some tough NT’s this year in Wilfork, Ngata, and Rogers. And I agree he is possibly overcompensating for a superannuated Williams and inexperienced Livings.

7. Please get rid of Simpson. He has been wasting a roster spot for 3 years now. I’m hoping we can hold onto TO for one more year so we can draft maybe one more tall/lengthy reciever to come in and replace him in 2012.

10. Crocker to me seems more like a strong safety and has been a bit of a liability on coverage. I’m hoping Nelson will be able to replace him soon.

I’m still in pain from punching myself in the nuts.

Bratkowski HAS GOT TO GO!!!!! Seriously, dude must have naked pix of Katie and a donkey or something! In any other team in ANY league, the douchebag would’a been shown the door YEARS ago! Words cannot accurately describe how bad I hate Bratkowski!

1) who? oh yeah. time to get some fresh blood in there. odom hasn’t earned the starts this year.

2) see 1.

3) o-line issues. off cord issues. not all benson’s fault.

4) hall or jo-jo. hall or jo-jo. :sniff: bye jo-jo.

5) nelson is a project. he’ll get in there as he earns his way into the lineup. if it don’t happen, it don’t.

6) jury is still out on cook. he appears to be trying to do too much and its making his play suffer.

7) flush simpson. time to move on. hey sign briscoe and flip the bucks off and pick his brain. wait we should have done that this week already.

8) caldwell has ability. he’ll never be a number 1. will work out fine in cincy as our 3rd-4th wr.

9) he’s not the answer. just a temporary name in town.

10) he’s physical but not a cover guy. sounds like most of our safeties.

;)

Where the hell has that guy been? During the pre-season he was talking about getting two sacks a game. Maybe he should have started with one!