Brandon Thompson

[cincygrad]

Last night I re-watched the series where our D held them out of the endzone after they had it first and goal at the 1. If you have the game on tape, check out Brandon Thompson on that first down run play. He blew Mankins out of the fucking water. Just destroyed him. On second down he caved in the line as well - It was a pass so it didn't matter as much. This kid needs to play more.

 

[vancelot23]

Nah. We got Peko!!

 

[The Duke]

Peko is the starter, but BT is getting his snaps. The more consistent he gets, the more it will be a 50/50 split, with them occasionally playing side by side on goal line or shirt yardage situations.

 

[Cincyfan78]

Everybody rotates. That is the beauty of the D-line. In the 3rd and 4th quarters, they are fresh and the OL can be sucking wind at times, as OL's don't rotate.

 

[CrashDavisSports]

I like Brandon Thompson, he is our solution to losing Pat Sims.

I am very unimpressed and disappointed with Devon Still though. I would not be upset if they choose another DT this next year in the early rounds to replace both Still and Peko eventually.

I could see Thompson sliding into a starters role where Peko used to be with his size and ability to stuff the run, and then a rookie come in and be on the rotation with Peko moving to a backup role. Eventually that rookie could be the main backup to Atkins and Thompson.

I really do like Thompson though. He is starting to set himself apart from Still by far. Still is easily the 4th DT on this team to me now.

 

[The Duke]

I think it's still to early to give up on Still. He just needs a good kick in the ass, something to get him fired up and keep him that way.

 

[bengaldoug]

Peko, though, is the weak link in that line, and PFF stats back that up......

 

[cincygrad]

Peko, though, is the weak link in that line, and PFF stats back that up......

Peko is our starting fullback. He's not going anywhere.

 

[CrashDavisSports]

I think it's still to early to give up on Still. He just needs a good kick in the ass, something to get him fired up and keep him that way.

I thought that is what Zimmer did in training camp. Obviously, the fire has not improved. He just looks like a technique guy out there, who is going through the motions and not playing with any passion. You need passion, a fire to drive you if you are goign to be a good defensive player.

The only player on our defense who is good, who doesn't play with his emotions on his sleeves, who is actually good, is Leon Hall. Hall is a tactician though. He is fundamentally sounds in every part of his game, and he goes out and produces. He is a great competitor though.

Jonson, Dunlap, Atkins, Burfict, Harrison, Nelson, Jones...they all play with a fire. Our best players are the ones that have that maddening desire to destroy the offense. Passion really is a great substitute for average skills, because passion can elevate a players game to the next level if he is at least decent skill wise.