Bengals Defense Has Some Work To Do
by Ryan Harper on Feb 14, 2012 12:00 PM EST
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Now that the 2011 season is over it's time to look over every last detail from the Bengals performance. At times they looked like an unstoppable force while there were other days that they looked like headless chickens running around the field. The offense did a respectable job considering it was led by two rookies. However, the defense was suppose to be the glue that held this unit together.
And for the most part it did.
During the 2011 season and playoffs the Bengals defense allowed a total of 38 touchdowns. Of these 38 touchdowns 22 of them were of the passing variety for a total of 59 percent. The remaining 16 touchdowns were of the rushing variety for a total of 41 percent. It's not that big of a difference if you think about it.
During the regular season the Bengals allowed 21 passing touchdowns which was tied for 9th in the league. Overall that's pretty impressive considering some of the quarterbacks they faced this season. On the other hand, the Bengals allowed 14 regular season rushing touchdowns which was tied for 20th in the league. Even though that might sound some alarms, it shouldn't. The New York Giants were tied for 23rd in the league for rushing touchdowns allowed and they went on to win the Super Bowl.
But what does this all mean? Well it's simple, the Bengals defense needs some improvement. And this offseason the Bengals will have an opportunity to improve the depth at cornerback, the defensive line, and safety through the draft and free agency. However, a healthy defense should also help improve those numbers.
One of the biggest difference makers for the Bengals was Leon Hall. His absence was felt on defense after his season ended prematurely during Week 10 against the Pittsburgh Steelers. In the eight games that Hall missed the Bengals defense allowed 13 passing touchdowns. In the nine games Hall appeared in the Bengals were able to limit opposing offenses to only nine passing touchdowns. That's a big difference and who knows what would've happened had Hall not been injured.
Two other forces that were expected to be around all season, but Carlos Dunlap missed four games this season and Pat Sims missed five games. Without Dunlap on the defensive line the Bengals lost one of their top threats on defense. And without Sims the Bengals defensive line became even thinner. Sims had a solid 2010 season and he had higher expectations coming into the season, but unfortunately he was unable to stay on the field for the entire season.
Adding some depth to the secondary and front line will be important as the Bengals move forward this offseason. They will have an opportunity to address these positions through free agency and the draft. But the biggest thing for the Bengals next year is staying healthy. If they can manage to stay healthy then this defensive squad could be one of the best Cincinnati fans have seen in a long time.
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First glance at the picture
I thought Collins was Ray Lewis in stripes…
by Oregonbengalsfan on Feb 14, 2012 12:06 PM EST reply actions
Injuries will always happen, depth is what saves you
Losing JJoe and Hall all in one season is devastating. Hall might recover to his old self, he might not, tough luck for him. The drop off from these guys to our current guys is like the Grand Canyon.
The Dline is a rotation system so losing one guy shouldn’t cause a steep drop off. Losing Sims resulted in a a sharp drop off in the run defense. Lack of depth was obvious.
I hope the Bengals are active getting good FA’s to man the secondary and dline. There are some quality people in the draft perfect for Dalton, only problem is they will likely be gone by the 53rd pick of the draft.
+1
Texans and Giants are a perfect example. I wouldn’t mind if they filled the offensive needs via FA and used the whole draft on defense.
by Bigcatdaddy on Feb 14, 2012 12:22 PM EST via Android app up reply actions
Sims
As much as I’d like to resign Sims, I’m afraid he’ll be too expensive. Instead of spending that much on a recovering-from-injury backup (elite backup, but backup nonetheless), we could spend that money to resign two different players, such as Lawson and Frostee.
by Big Sky Bengal on Feb 14, 2012 12:55 PM EST up reply actions
I don't see why he'd be too expensive.
Re-signing quality players the Bengals developed who are young enough to be signing their second contract is exactly how the elite teams are built.
+1
And he may be considered a backup but the multi player rotation is why our line was so good. If we can upgrade then I’m all for it, if not then bring him back. We should look to upgrade every position if possible but never go backward by just letting guys walk.
by Bigcatdaddy on Feb 14, 2012 1:53 PM EST via Android app up reply actions
Fully agree....
Letting guys walk would be a mistake. Just look at MLB ever since Takeo Spikes left….
The front office
has a history of NOT paying the going rate for quality backup players (along with not paying players coming out of their rookie contracts who have excelled, witness J. Joseph). There is a very good chance most of the unrestricted FA’s go elsewhere, and the ownership will again scramble to fill the roster spots with players who are over the hill or underperforming. Mike Brown wants that salary cap space as his endowment to his heirs.
During the regular season the Bengals allowed 21 passing touchdowns which was tied for 9th in the league. Overall that’s pretty impressive considering some of the quarterbacks they faced this season.
Considering the QB’s the Bengals did face in 2011 (which is actually quite unimpressive), I would argue our pass defense is the area most in need of a serious upgrade, regardless of “only” allowing 21 passing TDs this season.
When you consider the QBs this team faced in 2011, this is anything but impressive:
Colt McCoy (2x) = will likely not even be Cleveland’s starting QB this year
Flacco (2x) = He is a better than OK QB, but by no means elite. Consider, too, that Flacco (who just completed his 4th year) had almost the EXACT same stat line as rookie Andy Dalton. Flacco = 20 TD passes, 12 INTs, 3,610 passing yards, and 80.9 Passer rating. Dalton = 20 TD passes, 13 INTS, 3,398 passing yards, and 80.4 passer rating. That stat line is so close, it’s strange. So for those who argue that Flacco is elite, based on his numbers then Dalton has already reached elite status, too. I would argue that comparing Flacco to Dalton shows that A.D. may already be better than Flacco. Flacco had more offensive weapons, and a better defense, and yet, in his 4th full season, put up identical numbers as a rookie QB.
The Rapist (2x) = by far best QB Bengals faced all season, and even Ben did tear us apart like he is accustomed to doing to unwilling college coeds.
T.J. Yates (2x) = rookie 5th rounder. Lucked out in not facing Schaub
Matt Hasselbeck = very dependable QB. A wily veteran, but a player past his prime, and who is in no way an elite QB
Blaine Gabbert = really struggled in his rookie season
Curtis Painter = Curtis freakin’ Painter!
Kellen Clemons = see above comment for Curtis Painter.
Charlie Whitehurst / Tavaris Jackson = Hahahaha / less Hahahaha
Jon Skelton = enough said
Alex Smith = ultimate game manager. Threw for 200 LESS passing yards and 3 LESS TD passes than Andy Dalton
Kyle Orton = known for his scraggly beard more so than great QB play
Ryan Fitzpatrick = serviceable and effective QB, put not in the league’s top third of QBs.
All in all, the opposing QB’s the Bengals faced in 2011 can collectively be described as borderline inept. Quite a few may very well not even be in the NFL in a couple of years.
With this in mind, those 21 TD passes allowed look even more suspect, and a a major cause of concern. This team teams massive help in the defensive secondary if they want to return to the playoffs in 2012. In the upcoming 2012 season, in place of the likes of Skelton and Whitehurst/Kackson, etc, the Bengals will face Eli Manning, Michael Vick, Tony Romo, Phillip Rivers, RGIII (if the Redskins trade up and draft him). The need to improve the defensive secondary is obvious.
by The_Black_Stripes on Feb 14, 2012 12:57 PM EST reply actions
its kind of funny how you look it.
Even tho those other QBs you have mentioned in 2012 have better stats than the QBs we faced this past year, they are more likely to throw more INTs as well. So we may even have a better year next season once we upgrade our SS on defense and get a game breaker on offense out of the back field.
AMAS
After retaining our own...
I would draft Kirkpatrick/ Jenkins. Get Carlos Rogers in free agency. slide Clements back to safety with Nelson. With a healthy Hall… OH BOY
lol wow!!!
Out of 16 games name me 3qb, 4rb, 5wr, 2te we faced this year that’s top 10 in league at there position. We played horrible teams this year and had to fight to win them all. Offense with rookies all around the feild and coaching showed way more promise and potential than our defense that was LOADED with a veteran coaches and 1/2rd draft picks. To me it has more to do with coaching than players. Come on now Crocker and Atkins only really low draft picks on defense and we still can’t stop TE or rb out of backfeild. Only improvement I seen on defense all year being honest was the d line, I could make case for Jennings but he still was horrible…
by pray4gm11 on Feb 14, 2012 2:29 PM EST via mobile reply actions
What If The Bengals Sign Mario Williams?!
Can the Bengals become a 3-4 Defence?
LBs could be
Williams
Maualuga
Lawson
Moch maybe. if can return from injury
Rivers maybe. if can return from injury
Even Michael Johnson. maybe a reach
Even Taylor Mays. perfect size and skills to play linebacker in a 3-4
Line would be,
Dunlap
Peko
Fanene
Rucker
Sims
Geathers
Atkins
Williams and Mays can be theTwo who can COVER and BRING IT HOME TO THE QB.
Just bored. Just wanted to throw something out there.
M. Johnson and Geathers would probably be considered OLB in a 3-4 scheme.
by Bigcatdaddy on Feb 14, 2012 3:32 PM EST via Android app up reply actions
Geathers shold be considered a free agent in any scheme…
by Antoniomagon on Feb 15, 2012 3:54 AM EST up reply actions
I'd still run the 4-3 even with Williams
Paul Brown Stadium, where everyone's hopes go to die.
The team really does not have three good linebackers
let alone four (I say that because of Maualuga’s overall poor showing last season, and the likelihood he’ll be suspended for some games this season). But it has a great mix of defensive lineman.4-3 works. A 3-4 would be a disaster.
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