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(08-12-2017, 11:44 PM)bengalfan74 Wrote: Yes he did and if he keeps it up it's going to be hard to cut him. Michael Johnson on the other hand is looking very expendable.
It's great to have such depth on the roster! Chris Smith reminds me of a defensive lineman version of Vontaze Burfict.
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I actually think we end up cutting MJ this year, I think we look at production vs. salary and we could use his $$$ into resigning Eifert and Burfict before the season starts. I'm cool with our D-line as
LDE-Dunlop
DT-Atkins, Billings, Williams, Sims
RDE-Willis, Gilberry, Smith
--with Lawson as the LB/DE rusher on passing downs.
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(08-13-2017, 09:32 AM)schroomytunes Wrote: I actually think we end up cutting MJ this year, I think we look at production vs. salary and we could use his $$$ into resigning Eifert and Burfict before the season starts. I'm cool with our D-line as
LDE-Dunlop
DT-Atkins, Billings, Williams, Sims
RDE-Willis, Gilberry, Smith
--with Lawson as the LB/DE rusher on passing downs.
You would also be cutting Clarke. I do agree, MJ needs to show more in the preseason games or he could be cut.
I am so ready for 2024 season. I love pro football and hoping for a great Bengals year. Regardless, always remember it is a game and entertainment.
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(08-13-2017, 09:02 AM)bengalfan74 Wrote: You beat me to it. I think MJ's job is in major jeopardy, Clarke as well. You now Dunlap and Willis are locks but after that I'd say it's very much up in the air !
It's going to be really hard to cut Smith IMHO.
Agreed. I don't think Clarke did squat and I'm not even sure MJ got a tackle. Nonetheless, these young guys are playing with a high motor, and I'd like to see them get some first team snaps. (Smith)
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Oddly enough, they have Clarke listed as Dunlap's backup, on the Left side. Seems like last year, he was always on the Right side. Anyone notice which side he was lined up on, in Friday's game?
Volson is meh, but I like him, and he has far exceeded my expectations
-Frank Booth 1/9/23
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(08-13-2017, 11:34 AM)SunsetBengal Wrote: Oddly enough, they have Clarke listed as Dunlap's backup, on the Left side. Seems like last year, he was always on the Right side. Anyone notice which side he was lined up on, in Friday's game?
Yea he took over Margus Hunts snaps from last year. He played on the Left and took alot of snaps inside too. On Smith after I rewatched the game I noticed he started getting snaps at the beginning of the second half but he didnt start showing up until the 4th quarter.
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I think it's time for a youth movement. There's plenty of veteran leadership with Dunlap and Atkins. I think Clarke still has value as a run stopping DE, a younger version of MJ.
DE's: Dunlap, Clarke, Willis, Smith
DT's: Atkins, Billings, Glasgow, Topou
Swing: Hardison
PS: Dean, Williams, Brown
Buh-bye: MJ, Gillberry, Sims, Thompson
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Please get rid of M Johnson , he is the last holdover from the most disappointing defensive players from last season. The other two finally were let go in Peko and always chasing from behind instead of meeting the ball carrier Malaluga.? hopefully we can see Dunlap, Billings, Atkins, Willis, backed up by Smith, Sims, Hardison, Lawson imo
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(08-13-2017, 11:44 AM)Synric Wrote: Yea he took over Margus Hunts snaps from last year. He played on the Left and took alot of snaps inside too. On Smith after I rewatched the game I noticed he started getting snaps at the beginning of the second half but he didnt start showing up until the 4th quarter.
So, all this glowing about how well Smith played, is just fools gold, at this point?
Volson is meh, but I like him, and he has far exceeded my expectations
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(08-13-2017, 12:33 PM)SunsetBengal Wrote: So, all this glowing about how well Smith played, is just fools gold, at this point?
Its just one of those things we see every preseason a guy who finished a preseason game strong and then we get threads were everyone wants to cut half the players ahead of him. I'm on the side of tempered expectations especially when the team is holding the lead allowing the Dline to pin their ears back and go after the 3rd string line.
Deshawn Williams took the 3tech snaps next to Clarke as the 1tech at the end of the first half in the 2 minute drill and looked good. Was weird seeing Williams get the one on one and Clarke taking the double team. (Wasnt a game planned thing was play design).
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(08-13-2017, 12:50 PM)Synric Wrote: Its just one of those things we see every preseason a guy who finished a preseason game strong and then we get threads were everyone wants to cut half the players ahead of him. I'm on the side of tempered expectations especially when the team is holding the lead allowing the Dline to pin their ears back and go after the 3rd string line.
Deshawn Williams took the 3tech snaps next to Clarke as the 1tech at the end of the first half in the 2 minute drill and looked good. Was weird seeing Williams get the one on one and Clarke taking the double team. (Wasnt a game planned thing was play design).
A lot of people get down on Clarke, I'm not one of them. Sure, he can be up and down, but when things click well for him, he can throw some bodies around.
Volson is meh, but I like him, and he has far exceeded my expectations
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I'll just echo what a few others have mentioned. Clarke still has value as one of our backup DE's. He's improved over his time here and I think he should be in for his best season yet (not saying much I know lol). And Smith is nowhere near the player MJ is. At this point there is no reason to cut MJ, we already have two rookie pass rushers who should see lots of pass rushing plays. You need run stoppers and solid vets like MJ who are known commodities and good leaders. If you cut MJ it'll be for cap space and the Bengals don't need it for this season, maybe after the year though
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(08-12-2017, 11:44 PM)lone bengal Wrote: Indeed he played well. It was refreshing to see the Bengals willing to acquire smaller speed rushers this offseason by bringing in guys like Lawson and Smith, breaking their trend of drafting 6’7 280 pound plus guys at DE. Speed kills in today’s NFL ad we lacked it last year in all phases of the game. If we carry Lawson as a linebacker Smith still has an uphill battle to make the roster with guys like Dunlap, Johnson, Willis and Clarke still at DE. I know he’s been in the league a few years with Jacksonville not sure if Smith is practice squad eligible ?
We only saw ONE Preseason game. HOWEVER....in a few WEEKS we MIGHT think we can swap a DE,RB or WR for a GOOD O-Line guy.
Whatever...there's TALENT here, but is it in BALANCE? I this Smith and Willis made an impression. I LIKE Johnson and Clark...but... we NEED things in perspective, efficient,intensive. DT is also interesting. Geno is a beast but....Billings MIGHT be,yet is a rookie. Walk-On Jumbo NT Tapua impressed me but we have several guys back who were part time.
I need to see REAL results from former rd 1 CB's Dennard and Jackson. This Pre-season can be SPECIAL. I want to get a feel for who's a keeper,where we're in need.
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Lot of new bodies on the the DL
Willis Glasgow Smith and Hardison and Deshawn are basically new. I am all for the youth movement.
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In no way would I dump MJ for Smith, but I'd take Smith over Clarke every day.
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(08-12-2017, 11:44 PM)bengalfan74 Wrote: Yes he did and if he keeps it up it's going to be hard to cut him. Michael Johnson on the other hand is looking very expendable.
on the basis of 1 preseason game, I think you gotta keep Smith over Johnson. Young and hungry beats old and declining every time.
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(08-13-2017, 01:34 AM)SunsetBengal Wrote: Keeping Dallas in mind, I read that La'el Collins still hasn't won a starting job. He would be a nice backup option with the Bengals.
Didnt the cowboys just extend him 2 years at starter money for like 8 mil a year? He aint going anywhere.
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(08-13-2017, 02:01 PM)leonardfan40 Wrote: I'll just echo what a few others have mentioned. Clarke still has value as one of our backup DE's. He's improved over his time here and I think he should be in for his best season yet (not saying much I know lol). And Smith is nowhere near the player MJ is. At this point there is no reason to cut MJ, we already have two rookie pass rushers who should see lots of pass rushing plays. You need run stoppers and solid vets like MJ who are known commodities and good leaders. If you cut MJ it'll be for cap space and the Bengals don't need it for this season, maybe after the year though
I gotta disagree. Clarke has done nothing. He cant get pressure and hes just not very good. We gotta get rid of Clarke and possibly MJ. I would keep MJ on for the year and cut him after the season. Willis should be put in a position to start this year and get a bunch of snaps, but we dont wanna put everything on the rookie.
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Pass rush is the sexy Ferrari, but it's not going to get the family where it needs to go. Someone has to stop the run, and drive the bus. Johnson is good against the run. They can't all be pass rush specialists.....
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(08-13-2017, 03:08 AM)Brimey Wrote: Yes, there is no way Johnson is on this team based on his play be the other DL I saw. Hardison looked pretty darn good from what I saw, Smith was beastly. Willis and Lawson are locks regardless. Clarke and Johnson are very meh at this point
One preseason game against the backups is not going to propel you over a starter against 1s team.. MJ strength is run stopping, I fully expect the Bengals to get back to a line rotation if they have the players to do so and I think this mix of youth and veterans will be able to do that.. Smith moved up the board.. lets see if he can maintain that against KC and eventually get some reps in last two preseason game against 1s teamers
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