Let's discuss the defense...

[DanBengalfan]

I'm not even sure the Miami QB Quinn Ewers will be asked to throw the ball, they might just run the wildcat. lol.

or maybe he'll do fine, he tossed 68 TDs in 3 years for Texas, and only 24 ints, throwing for a total of 9000+ yards.

he also was a backup for Ohio State as a Freshman.

 

[BKBroiler9000]

Watching the Miami/A&M game, and can’t help but be reminded of Geno Atkins while watching Reuben Bain wreak havoc. Small, but a game wrecker all over the front. Put him on the interior of this defense and let him wreck the pocket.

 

[Cincyfan78]

While facing the 5th, 7th, and 2nd rush offenses by EPA...the Bengals defense has picked up the run defense...they are 11th in the last 4 weeks against those offenses in rush defense EPA


.

 

[Cincyfan78]

Also, McDaniels after the game:

"For the first time really that I can remember this season, it felt like we had the opportunities to run and we were getting out-techniqued. They had a good plan. They wanted to be on the finer details a little bit more than we did."

 

[cincygrad]

While facing the 5th, 7th, and 2nd rush offenses by EPA...the Bengals defense has picked up the run defense...they are 11th in the last 4 weeks against those offenses in rush defense EPA


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View attachment 416098

This continues to point back toward whatever it is the Bengals do all offseason. I know the fans like to think its all about guys playing in preseason, but honestly, those are just a handful of reps and I'm not sure it is as meaningful as some might thing. But, we've seen this with the offense and specifically the blocking for years. It takes until weeks 4 or 5 to have any concept of a run game and any chance at building a pass game off the run game. Now, with a bunch of young guys on D, it took 3 months before they knew assignments and were able to play with any sort of competence. Don't get me wrong - This team still has issues with talent..... But, the preparation each year is awful. This is what I would ask of Zac and the coaches - What changes need to be made to the offseason approach to speed up the timeline?

 

[Cincyfan78]

Worth noting that when the starters were in the game, the defense held the NFL's leading TE to just 4 catches and 31 yards through 3 quarters.

Wasn't until the backups came in that he got his record on 6 catches, 45 yards, and the TD.

 

[Cincyfan78]

Goodberry:

Over the last 6 games, the Bengals have a top 6 Run Defense in EPA per play and Success Rate.
Last 6 EPA per: -0.137 (6th)
Last 6 Success Rate: 35.9% (4th)
First 10 EPA per: +0.032 (29th)
First 10 Success Rate: 43.9% (26th)

.....

Since the NE game, defense has given up more than 26 points just once @Buff. Now, Ravens haven't been great, Dolphins and Cardinals are bad...but, you have to beat the bad teams like they have been, because it's always an average. Even some of the best defenses give up points against really good offenses...(we see that when Burrow cooks). If the defense as it stands now goes back and plays Chicago and NYJ you likely get 2 more wins there...Burrow accounts for 2 more...long way of saying...the defense could get into that 20ish range where it can allow Burrow, and this offense, to cook and carry them.

 

[Cincyfan78]

Goodberry: Over the last 6 games, the Bengals have the number 1 defense in the league on 3rd Downs. It's the best Pass Defense in terms of EPA per play BY FAR.

 

[CrashDavisSports]

Goodberry: Over the last 6 games, the Bengals have the number 1 defense in the league on 3rd Downs. It's the best Pass Defense in terms of EPA per play BY FAR.




View attachment 416529

Yep. That typical late season surge to save everyone's job, give the front office an excuse to not spend money, and then rinse and repeat next year. Ho hum. So typical.

 

[Cincyfan78]

Yep. That typical late season surge to save everyone's job, give the front office an excuse to not spend money, and then rinse and repeat next year. Ho hum. So typical.

I don't agree with this. I think there is still a real knowledge change is needed...but not the wholesale change that we all probably thought after weeks 5-6.

Still need another DE, 3T, S and LB...but PFF is showing improvement in some areas. Again, I don't think anyone really thinks this is all just going to come together without additions. DE is a need. 3T is a need. Safety is a need. The good part is...the CB room looks really solid (and metrics bear this out as well). Add in Murphy and you have 4-5 positions that are locks for next year. You figure one of Carter/McKnight will still start, and likely Battle...that's 7 positions...if you can upgrade at DE opposite of Murphy, upgrade at 3T, and upgrade at S next to Battle (I'm high on Cook from K.C.)...I think you raise the floor of this defense to be in that top 20ish.

 

[Cincyfan78]

Also, I'll point out...Bengals finished on a 5 game win streak in 2024, and the defense only returned 4 starters from that defense: Battle, Stone, Trey, and Hill.

Stone will 100% be gone. Trey is also likely gone. Guys that replaced the players from 2024 have grown. More is still needed, but the defense was really bad in 2024...they made a bunch of changes. Now we can argue if going all in on a youth movement across the entire defense was the right move for an offense that is already built to win now...but, changes were made despite winning 5 in a row. Including firing the long-time DC that helped pave the way to the SB...

 

[cincygrad]

Also, I'll point out...Bengals finished on a 5 game win streak in 2024, and the defense only returned 4 starters from that defense: Battle, Stone, Trey, and Hill.

Stone will 100% be gone. Trey is also likely gone. Guys that replaced the players from 2024 have grown. More is still needed, but the defense was really bad in 2024...they made a bunch of changes. Now we can argue if going all in on a youth movement across the entire defense was the right move for an offense that is already built to win now...but, changes were made despite winning 5 in a row. Including firing the long-time DC that helped pave the way to the SB...

I think this is a cautionary tale for depending on the draft for linebackers. It was also completely unnecessary. You can draft the linebackers of the future, and pair them with one or two one-year free agents. They put all of their eggs in the Oren Burks basket, hoped that a declining Logan Wilson might have one last rodeo and that very mature rookie linebackers could play in the NFL. For a team up against the cap, or with many needs on offense, maybe you just have to do this. But the Bengals went into the season with over 30 million of cap space. They left bullets in the barrel and paid a price.

 

[Cincyfan78]

Goodberry has covered the recent run of better defense and links it in conjunction with better LB play. No, they still need more growth there. Yes, they should still sign a veteran FA there...but their path mirrors that of Pratt and Wilson in year 1. A lot of bumps and bruises early, but clear signs of growth by the end of the season. Their PFF grades, and overall defensive output, show that they are taking the right steps forward.

I think it's hard to transition from "We need a complete overhaul" to "Well, maybe we only need 3-4 spots" while also trying to balance the late season run that may look better than it is. They need a true 3T - See if you can get a veteran in, but also I would look to the draft here as well as doubling up on more DE's.

I think, if we step back we can say that: Murphy has grown, and is going to be a lock to start in 2026. I'm OK with this as long as either Trey returns, or they get a veteran DE that can rush (Ossai returning is fine...but Not breaking the Bank).

The DB's are the best part about this defense. Need a bit of depth, but they are rolling with Hill, Turner, Davis at the 3 spots. It's also worth a look to lock up both Hill and Turner sooner than later. Bengals have $80M in cap, and it would behoove them to lock these guys up.

Battle you can live with - with a veteran F/A (again, I will point to Cook). They should still draft a safety as well, but for as much love as the kid from OSU is getting (and he's very good) I'm not sure I want Battle next to a rookie...I think this is a spot where they need to find a true veteran S with actual substance to come in and start and draft a guy somewhere who can back-up.

 

[Cincyfan78]

I'm sure at some point we'll post our annual Mock Draft thread(s)...but for now...FWIW - that round 2 grade is a travesty. That's a solid B all day long.

Downs was gone (I know many want him) but I would prefer a solid veteran (not a back end veteran or career backup veteran) to pair next to Battle. I think Stone is so bad, it's really tanked the back end of that defense overall. I think Battle has been fine, and could still be better with a solid veteran to actually get him to pick up his play. A solid S draft pick not only adds depth, but also gets you more options in case Battle doesn't pick it up.

I'd re-sign JD for the slot, and he's done a great job when he's been on the TE...but he's also 30...hard to believe. Depth here is going to be key.

Edge in round 1, again, best player available AND you cannot have enough pass-rushers.

 

[Cincyfan78]

by my count, and I could be off, there were 5 games where the offense got the lead late, and the defense completely collapsed, even if they had been playing well all game.

Five. There have been strides among the defenders, but...holy hell, Al...that the actual F are you doing in late game situations?

 

[CrashDavisSports]

Goodberry has covered the recent run of better defense and links it in conjunction with better LB play. No, they still need more growth there. Yes, they should still sign a veteran FA there...but their path mirrors that of Pratt and Wilson in year 1. A lot of bumps and bruises early, but clear signs of growth by the end of the season. Their PFF grades, and overall defensive output, show that they are taking the right steps forward.

I think it's hard to transition from "We need a complete overhaul" to "Well, maybe we only need 3-4 spots" while also trying to balance the late season run that may look better than it is. They need a true 3T - See if you can get a veteran in, but also I would look to the draft here as well as doubling up on more DE's.

I think, if we step back we can say that: Murphy has grown, and is going to be a lock to start in 2026. I'm OK with this as long as either Trey returns, or they get a veteran DE that can rush (Ossai returning is fine...but Not breaking the Bank).

The DB's are the best part about this defense. Need a bit of depth, but they are rolling with Hill, Turner, Davis at the 3 spots. It's also worth a look to lock up both Hill and Turner sooner than later. Bengals have $80M in cap, and it would behoove them to lock these guys up.

Battle you can live with - with a veteran F/A (again, I will point to Cook). They should still draft a safety as well, but for as much love as the kid from OSU is getting (and he's very good) I'm not sure I want Battle next to a rookie...I think this is a spot where they need to find a true veteran S with actual substance to come in and start and draft a guy somewhere who can back-up.

Can't believe the Raiders beat the Chiefs yesterday on purpose. Boosted the Chiefs ahead of us in the draft order and pushed us back to 10th. Chiefs still f'n us in our ass. Not sure Caleb Downs falls to 10, but that would be ideal.

 

[Cincyfan78]

Can't believe the Raiders beat the Chiefs yesterday on purpose. Boosted the Chiefs ahead of us in the draft order and pushed us back to 10th. Chiefs still f'n us in our ass. Not sure Caleb Downs falls to 10, but that would be ideal.

I like Downs, but I'm not on the Downs train. Not because I don't think he's good...but because I think that position requires an actual veteran...a good one.

Good 3T's are much harder to find in F/A ... my hope is Peter Woods falls to 10...but there are also 2 really good DE's that I would also take, and either would be guys that are NOT in the mold of Stewart/Murphy in so much that either should be able to help produce pass-rush from day 1.

If all 3 of them go and Downs is there...I'm good with the pick...but I think too many are trying to shoehorn (not saying you, just in the blogsphere) this pick.

 

[CrashDavisSports]

I like Downs, but I'm not on the Downs train. Not because I don't think he's good...but because I think that position requires an actual veteran...a good one.

Good 3T's are much harder to find in F/A ... my hope is Peter Woods falls to 10...but there are also 2 really good DE's that I would also take, and either would be guys that are NOT in the mold of Stewart/Murphy in so much that either should be able to help produce pass-rush from day 1.

If all 3 of them go and Downs is there...I'm good with the pick...but I think too many are trying to shoehorn (not saying you, just in the blogsphere) this pick.

I can live with any of the following picks:

DT Woods
S Downs
DE Bains Jr.
LB Sonny Styles

 

[Cincyfan78]

I can live with any of the following picks:

DT Woods
S Downs
DE Bains Jr.
LB Sonny Styles

Replace Styles with the DE from TTU...I don't see the Bengals moving on from McKnight or Carter...both of whom did improve fairly well as the season progressed. They will be the starters going into 2026. I think they'll look to sign a better backup veteran. When they signed Burks, they were hoping to get 1 more year out of Wilson...his degradation along with Burrow's injury - I think sped up the timeline of when they were actually planning on unleashing the rookie LB's...both were awful to start...both ended up playing fairly well over the past month, and really since the bye. Their grades are very similar to that of Pratt and Wilson as rookies.

Also, I'm a big believer in the lines make the unit. The OL finally looked good, Burrow got healthy, and for the most part - the offense clicked. Imagine if they could get a player at DE opposite Myles...or a DT in the mold of Adkins...pair that with their 2 CB's, 2 emerging LB's, and then a veteran S next to Battle. That doesn't suck.

 

[CrashDavisSports]

Replace Styles with the DE from TTU...I don't see the Bengals moving on from McKnight or Carter...both of whom did improve fairly well as the season progressed. They will be the starters going into 2026. I think they'll look to sign a better backup veteran. When they signed Burks, they were hoping to get 1 more year out of Wilson...his degradation along with Burrow's injury - I think sped up the timeline of when they were actually planning on unleashing the rookie LB's...both were awful to start...both ended up playing fairly well over the past month, and really since the bye. Their grades are very similar to that of Pratt and Wilson as rookies.

Also, I'm a big believer in the lines make the unit. The OL finally looked good, Burrow got healthy, and for the most part - the offense clicked. Imagine if they could get a player at DE opposite Myles...or a DT in the mold of Adkins...pair that with their 2 CB's, 2 emerging LB's, and then a veteran S next to Battle. That doesn't suck.

**** that dude. They need at least 1 all-pro LB to help infuse talent, knowledge and leadership into that defense. Styles is not who I am talking about, I am talking about Devin Lloyd. However, our biggest weakness on our defense this year, where we set an NFL record for worst defensive coverage to TE's in the history of the game. Styles is a tall, fast LB who played safety for years and can cover TE's. So while I think McKnight has promise, I am done with Barrett Carter, he was shit from the eye perspective. Him and Geno Stone were just trash.