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Cincyfan78
Well-Known Member
1. This team could easily be 5-2, or 6-1 if the defense had a clue.
2. Teryl Austin is in WAY over his head. He is taking the strength of this defense (DL) and completely negating it with his "schemes". Next time the Bengals show blitz, look at how far the CB's are off the WR. The quick slant, out, screen, etc...is wide open to negate the blitz, and the DL. Zone does not work for this defense, but that is the majority, it seems, of what he calls. How many times did we see McRae matched up with Tyrek Hill instead of Jackson. Why in the world would Hill EVER line up outside of the slot when the Bengals will consistently use a 5-6th string CB to cover one of the fastest WR in the NFL, and KC's best? On his last TD, Shawn Williams was the only guy within 15 yards of him. I'd say it was a blown coverage, but there's very little doubt Austin expected a slower footed Safety to run with Hill in coverage.
3. It is time to move on from Burfict. The antics are old, but when you are a top 5 LB, you tend to put up with stuff. He's not top 5. He's not top 15. I'd argue he's been one of the worst LB's I've seen play this year, and I don't mean just NFL. I've watched H.S. kids wrap up and tackle better than him. This isn't limited to just him, but he's a guy that stands out for a lot of reasons (good and bad), but mostly this year has just been bad.
4. I don't know if I can't trust PFF anymore. They had a rating out that showed Dre Kirkpatrick was actually doing a really good job on defense. These guys have a great system, but sometimes all you need is the eyeball test. As Marvin loves to say, I see better than I hear...I've see Dre get beat like a drum. Often. Don't give me comp% stats or anything else...he's has been absolutely terrible.
5. Redmond is garbage. The fact that Westerman can't get a sniff reeks of more coaching arrogance. There aren't any fixes this year, but a F/A OL has to be in the works if this offense ever wants to take the next step. Dalton and Mixon have been pretty damned good this year behind one of the worst OL in the NFL. This is a theme that has carried over from year to year, coach to coach, coordinator to coordinator, which leads me to my final point...
6. The only constant in all of this is Marvin Lewis. I know this is preaching to the choir, but it is the ONLY theme that remains constant with this team consistently having the same issues over and over and over. Players change, coaches change, things remain the same because it all starts and end with Lewis. When the Bengals win, they win in spite of Lewis. Not because of him. They win because Good/Great Andy shows up and the defense (historically) carries the team. But in games where they need to take that next step, to be held accountable (Pitt every year, KC last night, playoff, etc)...A coach should be helping his players exploit their strengths, and minimize their weakness. Lewis can't even manage the game clock, much less any of that.
Thank God, it is college basketball season!
2. Teryl Austin is in WAY over his head. He is taking the strength of this defense (DL) and completely negating it with his "schemes". Next time the Bengals show blitz, look at how far the CB's are off the WR. The quick slant, out, screen, etc...is wide open to negate the blitz, and the DL. Zone does not work for this defense, but that is the majority, it seems, of what he calls. How many times did we see McRae matched up with Tyrek Hill instead of Jackson. Why in the world would Hill EVER line up outside of the slot when the Bengals will consistently use a 5-6th string CB to cover one of the fastest WR in the NFL, and KC's best? On his last TD, Shawn Williams was the only guy within 15 yards of him. I'd say it was a blown coverage, but there's very little doubt Austin expected a slower footed Safety to run with Hill in coverage.
3. It is time to move on from Burfict. The antics are old, but when you are a top 5 LB, you tend to put up with stuff. He's not top 5. He's not top 15. I'd argue he's been one of the worst LB's I've seen play this year, and I don't mean just NFL. I've watched H.S. kids wrap up and tackle better than him. This isn't limited to just him, but he's a guy that stands out for a lot of reasons (good and bad), but mostly this year has just been bad.
4. I don't know if I can't trust PFF anymore. They had a rating out that showed Dre Kirkpatrick was actually doing a really good job on defense. These guys have a great system, but sometimes all you need is the eyeball test. As Marvin loves to say, I see better than I hear...I've see Dre get beat like a drum. Often. Don't give me comp% stats or anything else...he's has been absolutely terrible.
5. Redmond is garbage. The fact that Westerman can't get a sniff reeks of more coaching arrogance. There aren't any fixes this year, but a F/A OL has to be in the works if this offense ever wants to take the next step. Dalton and Mixon have been pretty damned good this year behind one of the worst OL in the NFL. This is a theme that has carried over from year to year, coach to coach, coordinator to coordinator, which leads me to my final point...
6. The only constant in all of this is Marvin Lewis. I know this is preaching to the choir, but it is the ONLY theme that remains constant with this team consistently having the same issues over and over and over. Players change, coaches change, things remain the same because it all starts and end with Lewis. When the Bengals win, they win in spite of Lewis. Not because of him. They win because Good/Great Andy shows up and the defense (historically) carries the team. But in games where they need to take that next step, to be held accountable (Pitt every year, KC last night, playoff, etc)...A coach should be helping his players exploit their strengths, and minimize their weakness. Lewis can't even manage the game clock, much less any of that.
Thank God, it is college basketball season!
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