(09-27-2021, 10:07 AM)fredtoast Wrote: I have always said I really liked the potential of our young LBs.  

Last year I predicted that Pratt would have a breakout year because he looked so good the last 4 games of '19.  That didn't happen, but I still like his potential.

I did not make any hard predictions about ADG and Wilson, but I said many times that I really liked their potential.  In fact I still think Bailey could develop into a good NFL LB, but he is just buried on the depth charts right now.

And the big thing to remember is that our DTs last year were horrible.  Just as bad as our OGs.  This year we have one of the better DT duos in the league in Reader and Ogunjobi.  And that is not just subjective fanboy judgement.  The numbers show that in '18-'19 Ogunjobi and Reader were two of the most productive DTs in the league.  Those two, along with the rest of the D-line, are one of the main reasons the LBs are looking so good.

(09-27-2021, 10:14 AM)ochocincos Wrote: The growth of Pratt and especially Wilson have had a big impact.
The additions of Ogunjobi and Hill, along with the return of Tupou, have really boosted this DL.

With that said, the Bengals are spending the 3rd-most cap this year towards defense, so I don't know how long that will be sustainable.
They'll have 3 DL set to hit FA after this season though, so I'd imagine they'll only keep 1-2 of them and draft a guy to groom.
I'd also really like for them to keep Bates, but it might mean moving on from Waynes after this season.
Personally, I'd let go of Waynes and draft a CB early.
With the front 7 playing the way it has, this CB group can take the chance on a rookie starting opposite of Chido next year.

(09-27-2021, 10:52 AM)pally Wrote: don't forget Davis-Gaither...he actually had more snaps than Pratt yesterday.  His playing time has been steadily increasing each game.  He may be turning into the starter next to Wilson

(09-27-2021, 01:30 PM)pally Wrote: 2020   17 sacks  in 16 games
2021    13 sacks in 3 games

(09-27-2021, 10:11 AM)CarolinaBengalFanGuy Wrote: Defensive line improvement = money and a trade
Linebacker improvement = young players stepping up and improving.


As a casual lover of football could one of your couch professors tell me how Davis-Gaither has been doing. And what about that Purdue kid? Wilson’s been the splashiest of our linebackers so it’s been easier to notice his improvement.

(09-27-2021, 09:56 AM)Luvnit2 Wrote: I was in the camp of we need to add a Wright type player to the LB mix. But, I also thought the addition of Hendrickson plus Reader back would help our DL be much better.

Yes, only 3 games, but Wilson seems to be everywhere. Pratt has played well as have others at LB. The DL rotation has been stout. I loved the way the Bengals tackled yesterday, hard clean hitting with multiple guys swarming to the ball.

Who predicted our LB's would take this huge leap in 2021? I admit it, I did not.

(09-27-2021, 07:48 PM)psychdoctor Wrote: I love what Von Bell brings to D as a stout safety in the box, but I still think Bengals need an enforcer at the LB position maybe from next draft to take the Defense to next level. Not sold on Pratt just yet.

(09-27-2021, 07:48 PM)psychdoctor Wrote: I love what Von Bell brings to D as a stout safety in the box, but I still think Bengals need an enforcer at the LB position maybe from next draft to take the Defense to next level.  Not sold on Pratt just yet.