(08-03-2021, 08:28 PM)SunsetBengal Wrote: Why shouldn't the defense be really good?  They endured a ton of injuries last season, yet played their tails off in most games.  They haven't lost any critical pieces yet, so why can't they actually be good?

(08-03-2021, 08:28 PM)SunsetBengal Wrote: Why shouldn't the defense be really good?  They endured a ton of injuries last season, yet played their tails off in most games.  They haven't lost any critical pieces yet, so why can't they actually be good?

(08-03-2021, 09:07 PM)TheLeonardLeap Wrote: Because they were the 26th overall defense and 32nd in sacks? After being 29th and 26th in 2019.

Other than getting Reader back (they were a bad defense even with Reader) most of their additions were basically swaps with roughly equivalent talent players. (Lawson/Hendrickson, Jackson/Waynes, Alexander/Aquzie). Lou is certainly not a defensive mastermind at DC.

That's not a defense/DC that should be able to shut down Burrow/Chase/Higgins/Boyd/Mixon unless something is wrong with the offense.

(08-03-2021, 08:54 PM)bengalfan74 Wrote: I'm sure hoping they are really good and the O is just going thru some growing pains.

(08-03-2021, 06:58 PM)pally Wrote: except right now they are installing the offense so they run the play they are learning regardless of what play the defense may be working on.  What they would do in a game situation is not what they are doing right now.  

(08-03-2021, 07:03 PM)bengaloo Wrote:

(08-03-2021, 08:10 PM)SunsetBengal Wrote: Are you sure that it's Burrow?  Couldn't be the shitty OL, now could it?

(08-03-2021, 09:43 PM)Nate (formerly eliminate08) Wrote: Thanks for the vid Bengaloo. Very honest. We need depth on the OL and Burrow needs to have confidence in that knee.

We signed Hubbard right before he blows up the league IMO. Really think he just worked his ass off all Offseason to become 
that great pass rusher we needed and with Hendrickson across from him, Ossai, Kareem, Cam Sample we could have a good 
pass rush his year if both the starting DT's and the Ends can stay healthy.

Not worried. I would be more worried if our depth OL guys were handling players like Sam and Trey.

Think our starting OL will be much better than last season, much better but after that it just falls off a cliff. Add depth here.

Very telling about our WR's still not getting separation even with Chase. Shows how weak we were after Boyd and Tee and 
shows how good our Secondary can be.

(08-03-2021, 11:10 PM)jj22 Wrote: Burrow starting slow should be expected. Palmer didn't fully trust the knee either (he had the arm to make up for it so the stats looked good) in 2006. Burrow has to step into his throws, and when he is able to confidently, the offense will improve.

Until then they need to run the ball. "Establish the run", something I haven't heard since the Marvin years. I'll be looking to ZT to better protect Burrow to start the season with a real run game (if he's got any sense). No more play action getting Burrow killed because no one feared the run. That's got to change.

No pass heavy game plan. No empty sets. Play ball control and rely (if you can) on the "emerging" D.

(08-03-2021, 03:18 PM)jj22 Wrote: Mike Petraglia
@Trags
Vonn Bell on D attitude change “Guys (have) bought in. … they don’t take it personal. … that’s the thing from last year, everything was personal, guys were pointing fingers.” #Bengals

Dunlap maybe? Or who knows, but the finger pointing is never good when righting a ship. Hopefully the page has turned (even if coaches remain).

(08-03-2021, 11:05 PM)bengaloo Wrote: I'm not worried either at this point. We were playing our 3rd string OT Smith and Hubbard owned him which is expected. You're right, the key is depth. I think we have some guys who can make up a solid starting lineup but we should be looking to bring in another FA or 2 for better depth. Overall I'm happy the defense is off to a good start. I would love to see Hubbard have a career year in sacks this year. I'm liking the reports of the secondary and how they are coming together as a close nit unit. If they are getting good coverage good for them. Our WR's and Burrow will find their stride as things come together. First day in pads and Rieff and Johnson were both out is not a good look though lol. 

(08-04-2021, 10:42 AM)Luvnit2 Wrote: The offense struggling may be due to an improved defense. But, if our DL (hopefully better) is manhandling our OL then finding out the weaknesses now in camp is the the time to do it. If so, hopefully we trade or upgrade the OL thru FA prior to week #1.

(08-03-2021, 09:07 PM)TheLeonardLeap Wrote: Because they were the 26th overall defense and 32nd in sacks? After being 29th and 26th in 2019.

Other than getting Reader back (they were a bad defense even with Reader) most of their additions were basically swaps with roughly equivalent talent players. (Lawson/Hendrickson, Jackson/Waynes, Alexander/Aquzie). Lou is certainly not a defensive mastermind at DC.

That's not a defense/DC that should be able to shut down Burrow/Chase/Higgins/Boyd/Mixon unless something is wrong with the offense.

(08-04-2021, 03:56 PM)ochocincos Wrote: If the Bengals aren't careful, they could be approaching another lost decade.
They've had a losing record every year for the past 5 seasons.
If the team only gains a couple wins every season, it could be a few more until they have a winning season again.

(08-04-2021, 03:54 PM)jj22 Wrote: Pike said a day off may be needed to right Burrow. Hopefully he returns rejuvenated. I was interested to see how Allen faired against the Defense, and it sounds like the D was equally dominant today. If he would have lit them up then it would have been telling. They dominated him too which doesn't look good for the offense and receivers, but at least it may not all be on Burrow.