what about the D tho

[Millhouse]

The d-line? Overrated unless they are up against crap to maybe average o-lines. Geno and Dunlap are past their prime it seems, but at least they got paid last year. They couldn't do anything last night against that Pitt line, they being the entire d-line.

The linebackers stink. No one can argue this

The Dbs are serviceable, not good nor terrible.

Last night, they weren't that good overall, and it started at the top down with Anamoranda or whatever his name his. They played on their heels most of the night against a backup QB starting his second game. Coming out at halftime giving up an easy TD drive summed it up, then once the offense went 3 & out followed up by a rare bad Huber punt, gave up another TD. Game over.

The offensive line is the weakest link, like a 50 year old rubber band kinda link. Everyone knows that. And the offense being as dreadful as they were doesn't help the defense at all either, very true. But that doesn't absolve the defensive performance either.

The defense was bad last night, but not as bad as the offense is how I sum up last night.

*on a side note, now we know why Pitt moved up to get Bush. He actually made plays last night, and looks to be the real deal for the future. Bengals dont operate like that tho. Just get ready for Kyle Murray to have a break out game of checking our defense down to death next week.

[J24]

When you have the 32 LB unit it's going to bring everything else down on defense. Lou also had a terrible plan last night dropping 9 into coverage is just dumb.
The Dline is fine though there missing two key parts in Lawson & Glasgow though and that should lessened the load a bit on Geno & Dunlap when they get back.

[GreenCornBengal]

Overall the D has improved when compared to a year ago.

They aren't good, not one bit. However, if the O could capitalize when they DO make stops and create turnovers... they may look a bit better (to us).

They have set the O up many times this year, only to see no points come from it. Demoralizing.

[TheUberHuber]

Your right they are not good at all. They are down right terrible.

[WhodeyRay]

Running a 5-2 defense on run downs is just bush league. Our local high school doesn't even have a base 5-2. What next break out the old 4-4 with 3 db's playing a zone? We did that in junior high.

[J24]

(10-01-2019, 06:14 PM)WhodeyRay Wrote: Running a 5-2 defense on run downs is just bush league. Our local high school doesn't even have a base 5-2. What next break out the old 4-4 with 3 db's playing a zone? We did that in junior high.

You do a 5-2 is a 3-4 right?

[Millhouse]

Prior to this season, #Bengals DT Andrew Billings played over 950 NFL snaps without dropping into coverage (@PFF).

In just 150 snaps this season, he has already dropped into coverage 4 times. https://t.co/rTSN0NAOdG

— Evan McPhillips (@emcphil) October 1, 2019

[THE PISTONS]

Problem: The Steelers were beating us outside with misdirection.

Bengals Solution: Put 5 defensive lineman in so the Steelers can't run up the middle.

The Result: The Steelers kept getting the ball outside with misdirection.

Note: The stats say they were passes, but they were runs.

Giving up 27 points to that offense that barely threw past the line of scrimmage was pathetic.

[WhodeyRay]

(10-01-2019, 06:20 PM)Jakeypoo Wrote: You do a 5-2 is a 3-4 right?

With the proper players set up to run a 3-4. With what they put on the field it is a straight 5-2. A 280lb Dunlap on the outside does not make it a 3-4. In a 3-4 the outside backers have to be able to drop or blitz and not just rush the passer. This tips the hand of what is going on.

[Atomic Orange]

It could also just be PT again. Even when they were good they never really showed it in PT. Cincy is cursed by PT it seems regardless of coach.

[lone bengal]

(10-01-2019, 06:14 PM)WhodeyRay Wrote: Running a 5-2 defense on run downs is just bush league. Our local high school doesn't even have a base 5-2. What next break out the old 4-4 with 3 db's playing a zone? We did that in junior high.

Yeah the 5 man d-front is simplistic and can be easily game planned for. Plus we were down 3 D- lineman due to injury last night so running a 5 man front wasn't  the best idea considering we didn't have bodies to keep guys fresh. Teams are running on the edges and once they get past the D-line were in trouble because our linebackers can't cover that much ground and our corners are forced to  makes tackles one on one. The front office should be charged with neglect for not addressing the linebacker position. Its sad we can't even play 3 linebackers lol. Can things get worse with Pratt or Evans as the 3 lb ? 

[Murdock2420]

In every game except the San Francisco game, the defense started out playing good, then as the T.O.P. continued to be more and more lopsided, they just got gassed and then started getting gashed.

The 85 Bears defense would suck if it was paired with an offense that went 3 and out over and over and over and over..... Guys just flat out get tired and then start to look even worse by the end of the game.

[fortyyearfan]

(10-01-2019, 07:21 PM)lone bengal Wrote: Yeah the 5 man d-front is simplistic and can be easily game planned for. Plus we were down 3 D- lineman due to injury last night so running a 5 man front wasn't  the best idea considering we didn't have bodies to keep guys fresh. Teams are running on the edges and once they get past the D-line were in trouble because our linebackers can't cover that much ground and our corners are forced to  makes tackles one on one. The front office should be charged with neglect for not addressing the linebacker position. Its sad we can't even play 3 linebackers lol. Can things get worse with Pratt or Evans as the 3 lb ? 

Everytime we look there is a stinkin player that is hurt,IT NEVER STOPS,THIS TEAM HAS MORE INJURIES THAN ANYBODY,PERIOD.So insane. :paul: :paul: :paul: :paul: :paul: :paul:

[Millhouse]

(10-01-2019, 07:29 PM)Murdock2420 Wrote: In every game except the San Francisco game, the defense started out playing good, then as the T.O.P. continued to be more and more lopsided, they just got gassed and then started getting gashed.

The 85 Bears defense would suck if it was paired with an offense that went 3 and out over and over and over and over..... Guys just flat out get tired and then start to look even worse by the end of the game.

Were they gassed coming out of halftime? Because they got gashed on two drives soon after. Maybe Taylor had them doing bear crawls or sprints in the lockerroom, I dunno. Besides, the ToP was about even, with Bengals barely having more of it for what it's worth, though some of that was garbage time.

The woes on offense do effect the defense to some extent. But it doesn't absolve them from criticism either, especially last night.

[THE PISTONS]

(10-01-2019, 07:03 PM)WhodeyRay Wrote: With the proper players set up to run a 3-4. With what they put on the field it is a straight 5-2. A 280lb Dunlap on the outside does not make it a 3-4. In a 3-4 the outside backers have to be able to drop or blitz and not just rush the passer. This tips the hand of what is going on.

With our staff...we'd run a 3-4 and only have 3 LB's on the roster. 

[Murdock2420]

(10-01-2019, 07:42 PM)Millhouse Wrote: Were they gassed coming out of halftime? Because they got gashed on two drives soon after. Maybe Taylor had them doing bear crawls or sprints in the lockerroom, I dunno. Besides, the ToP was about even, with Bengals barely having more of it for what it's worth, though some of that was garbage time.

The woes on offense do effect the defense to some extent. But it doesn't absolve them from criticism either, especially last night.

Absolve them, not at all but I'd be curious to see how they would respond if the offense could turn a fumble recovery in the redzone into a TD and a 4th down stop into points....

Momentum plays a part as much as fatigue does, and while I see holes on defense, especially at LB, when critical stops were needed, they did just that till halftime. Then it was like the offense, sucks and they were gassed and just gave up. Kinda like the fanbase, can't say I blame them, why kill yourself when you know that Andy is going out there and going to go 3 and out or drive and turn it over and no points will be gained?

[jj22]

With Marvin gone there is no system to fall back on (Zimmer's). It's going to take years to build a system. Captain Lou wasn't the 6th choice, but changing coordinators each isn't the answer. I think all the coaches are safe. Players are the next to go.

He doesn't have the experience to turn a 32nd rank D to a top 10. It'll take awhile before we see defenses like that around here anymore.

[THE PISTONS]

(10-01-2019, 08:40 PM)jj22 Wrote: With Marvin gone there is no system to fall back on (Zimmer's). It's going to take years to build a system. Captain Lou wasn't the 6th choice, but changing coordinators each isn't the answer. I think all the coaches are safe. Players are the next to go.

He doesn't have the experience to turn a 32nd rank D to a top 10. It'll take awhile before we see defenses like that around here anymore.

Are you saying that Lou's experience as the D Coordinator of the Merchant Marines isn't paying dividends now!?!?

[THE PISTONS]

(10-01-2019, 07:42 PM)Millhouse Wrote: Were they gassed coming out of halftime? Because they got gashed on two drives soon after. Maybe Taylor had them doing bear crawls or sprints in the lockerroom, I dunno. Besides, the ToP was about even, with Bengals barely having more of it for what it's worth, though some of that was garbage time.

The woes on offense do effect the defense to some extent. But it doesn't absolve them from criticism either, especially last night.

Hmmm...it's as if we get outcoached and the other team makes adjustments...and we don't...

[J24]

(10-01-2019, 07:03 PM)WhodeyRay Wrote: With the proper players set up to run a 3-4. With what they put on the field it is a straight 5-2. A 280lb Dunlap on the outside does not make it a 3-4. In a 3-4 the outside backers have to be able to drop or blitz and not just rush the passer. This tips the hand of what is going on.

They've been dropping both Dunlap and Hubbard this season. IDK maybe that's part of the problem but it is a major trend in the NFL right now.