Observations thus far

[CrashDavisSports]

Andy has looked pretty steady and while his numbers are not the most accurate it doesn't seem like he is forcing too much stuff except deep where it is obvious he still has a touch of arm strength issues considering how damn fast Green is, but when given time he looks like he can really heave it down field. He will not be a big time deep thrower if he can't plant 100% and wing it though. Would be nice to have, but I would rather have a QB who is consistantly capable of moving the ball downfield without a lot of turnovers.

Green is a beast and the rest of the recieving core has looked much more solid than I ever expected at this point. They are still young and I am sure guys like Sanu and Jones would have a much more difficult time getting open if going against #1's, but so far, it does not look so bad.

Running game, it is simply a disaster. I could not have invisioned a worse running game. Either those backs need to start finding those holes quicker, or that oline needs to do a lot damn better job at opening a hole. It is a train wreck to say the least.

Offensive line, it is doing a decent job keep Dalton upright for the most part but the run blocking as mentioned above is a train wreck to say the least. They better fix this fast, or Baltimore's defense is going to eat us alive.

TE's....so far very impressed with all 4 TE's (Gresham, Lee, Charles and Cochart). I honestly do not want to lose any of them. They have all done a nice job so far whether it be blocking or receiving.

Defensive line is a beast, most definitely the strength of our defense. Let's hope they all stay healthy all year with that revolving line. Keep Dunlap back and healthy and that could be a major force in the league this year.

Linebackers on the outside are decent in Howard and Lawson, still not impressed with Rey Maualuga even though he was only in a short period. Muckelroy is okay, and while Burfict has been impressive so far, he is still over pursuing or late on his reads with passes over the middle in his lanes.

Secondary outside Leon Hall and Reggie Nelson is a complete train wreck with injuries. I don't even know how to evaluate these gusy because most have hardly touched the field, and the ones who have are just roster filler for training camp. Considering the sheer crap at second defensive back and SS, we have done a good job limiting Atlanta's high powered offense thanks to our pressure up front I think.

Nugent is golden. Huber will be Huber, a inside the 20 specialist on punts. Inconsistant on punt strength though.

We have not got a chance to really return a kickoff since the rule changes, but for God sake, get Hawkins out of the punt return role, he is complete CRAP! He is not making this team as a punt return specialist, I can tell you that shit right now. Need some serious help here.

Punt and kick coverage is still really good with Jerome Miles leading the way though.

 

[Skinnyfats]

Running backs need to find holes? What holes? There are no holes unless someone holds. The Offensive line is a joke. They can pass block but that is it. The LB's and defensive lines are in the backfield before the RB's can take a step.

Witworth was garbage last night. Can't remember how many times he was beat.

If they don't get the line problems worked out this season is done.

 

[CrashDavisSports]

Running backs need to find holes? What holes? There are no holes unless someone holds. The Offensive line is a joke. They can pass block but that is it. The LB's and defensive lines are in the backfield before the RB's can take a step.

Witworth was garbage last night. Can't remember how many times he was beat.

If they don't get the line problems worked out this season is done.

Agreeing with you. I didn't personally see any holes, but from teh angles we are watching it on tv, hard to tell if there are small holes for the backs before they close up.

The line and LB in the backfield so early is an alarming concern though as that has zero to do with the backs. Just doesn't look like the backs are running hard either though. Seems like a lack of effort from their part versus the other backs we have been goign up against. Not that our DL is allowing them much room to run either, but they just look like the effort is stronger on the opposing teams from the RB position.

 

[Servo]

Running backs need to find holes? What holes? There are no holes unless someone holds. The Offensive line is a joke. They can pass block but that is it. The LB's and defensive lines are in the backfield before the RB's can take a step.

Witworth was garbage last night. Can't remember how many times he was beat.

If they don't get the line problems worked out this season is done.

they'll get better. We all know Whitworth is better than he showed last night. Zeitler will get better each week. He's clearly still making the ajustment into the Bengals blocking scheme from UW. A Smith will be a beast this year. Cook is solid. Boling is a question mark at this point but he's got potential. Overall, definitely the best line in the AFCN

 

[Skinnyfats]

Hope so right now it is only pre-season but the run blocking has not looked good. We don't have a Ray Rice, AP, etc running for us. Barry Sanders did not need a line. The Bengals have average backs at best. Maybe next year they can get a beast of a RB.

 

[ckhokie]

I'll be the first to admit I think Jarome Simpson is a bum and I thought there was no way management would go without replacing him, but of course, we they haven't

and he may be improving?

 

[cincygrad]

I think there are a few major issues with this team. The pass defense is nothing but a prayer.... If we are going to be good, it would mean that Hall, Neuman or Clements would have to be rejuvenated (Hall from injury; Neuman and Clements from age), we would have to find a second safety (something we haven't done since Marvin has been here), and we'd have to get production out of one of our young guys (Kirkpatrick was a good candidate but he got hurt and now missed camp). Given that we don't have a lot of proven pass rushers, I think we'll get killed by good quarterbacks.

As mentioned before, the running game has not really been fixed. We replaced one average back with another average back and we are counting on two very young guards.

We still don't have a second receiver -- Marvin Jones has looked very good in preseason, but he's doing all his major work against guys that aren't NFL players. Marvin will probably bury him on the bench in favor of starting Brandon Tate.