(05-08-2019, 11:25 PM)Fan_in_Kettering Wrote: Forcing a fumble is a deliberate action — and the Cincinnati Bengals haven’t done this effectively since Mike Zimmer was the defensive coordinator.  I hate the Steelers’ guts but look at their defensive players always trying to punch the ball loose. I hope Lou Anarumo teaches this!

(05-08-2019, 10:18 PM)NKURyan Wrote: I think it's mostly just a really weird unlucky streak as much as anything. I remember reading something awhile back about how statistically improbable it was too have such a bad run of fumble recoveries, but no idea where.

Seems like even when the ball gets put on the ground it always bounces back to the offense, too. Bad luck.

(05-08-2019, 11:31 PM)impactplaya Wrote: I think a defense at certain times has more a probable chance of forcing fumbles when they have a lead. 
if the Bengals are playing from behind and their defense trying to get the ball back.....you can bet that offense
is securing the ball with runs off tackle.
QB isnt takng that 7 step.drop...hes rolling out....out of pocket on a high % throw to.a TE in the flat.
How many times have we seen in the past when the Bengals are driving to tie a game or take a lead  under 4 minutes in a game and Dalton is facing some heavy pressure.....he climbs pocket....ball is tomahawked out by a Terrell Suggs or whoever.
I noticed our DBs and LBers have issues stripping WRs of the ball in open field.

(05-09-2019, 12:06 AM)bengalfan74 Wrote: I think bad luck is a part of it but only a small part.


I can see that, you just play a little loser with the lead and take some chances.

(05-09-2019, 12:06 AM)bengalfan74 Wrote: I think bad luck is a part of it but only a small part.


I can see that, you just play a little loser with the lead and take some chances.

(05-09-2019, 12:35 AM)XsandOs Wrote: Vast majority of fumbles come from rush, sacks and catch plays - in that order.

We lack pure speed rushers who can strip sack a QB bending around the edge. Our most consistent sack producer comes up the middle, so the blind side sacks are not as common.

On catch plays, zone schemes produce more fumbles, because you stay above the action and keep the play in front of you and react. That works best when you are working with a lead - as a poster has stated here already. Unfortunately, that has not been the case for us the last three years.

On run, you need LBs who thump. Enough said there.

(05-09-2019, 09:29 AM)THE PISTONS Wrote: You have to actually tackle a guy to force a fumble. We didn't do much of that last year!

I don't know if there is a statistic to bear this out, but I watch A LOT of football and our defenses seem below average in actually finishing tackles to me.

(05-09-2019, 09:35 AM)Truck_1_0_1_ Wrote: Not true; our most consistent sack producer comes off the left side and, unsurprisingly, has led the team in forced fumbles every year since 2012 (save for 2015, when MJ beat Dunlap 3:2).

I do agree about the blindside comment and that's hopefully what Lawson will add this year and going forward.

(05-09-2019, 10:46 AM)bengalfan74 Wrote: Lets hope Lawson or somebody can get some turnovers. I haven't done the math but we're probably around -2 in the turnover ratio these past few seasons. We need the D to step it up and turnovers are huge ! As is getting stops on 3rd down but that's another thread.

(05-08-2019, 10:11 PM)bengalfan74 Wrote: It's no big secret our D has been average at best to poor the past few seasons coming in dead last this past season, 15th in 2017, and 16th in 2016 but that as with all stats is only part of the story.

(05-09-2019, 10:57 AM)THE PISTONS Wrote: I do think that investing in offense is more important now though too because of these...as you're not going to stop high powered offenses. You need to outscore them.

(05-09-2019, 12:06 AM)bengalfan74 Wrote: I think bad luck is a part of it but only a small part.

(05-09-2019, 11:07 AM)fredtoast Wrote: You mean like how we were 8th in scoring defense in 2016?  But based on your history I am not surprised you consider that "average at best".

I agree the Bengals have been ranked very low in forced fumbles the last few years, but when a team goes for the strip every time the end up allowing more broken tackles.

However last year we could not force fumbles OR TACKLE.  That is a big problem.

(05-09-2019, 11:22 AM)bengalfan74 Wrote: Using proper form tackling would help both problems I'd bet. Keep your head up and put your helmet on the ball.