Punching Bags and their Replacements

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Last year, there were several "punching bags" on the team that either had injuries, poor play, bad attitudes, etc. They rightfully became our "punching bags".

Here are some highlights followed by their heir apparent:

AJ Green: Rated with one of the worst separation scores, according to PFF, and had 104 targets with 43 receptions. Replaced by #5 overall pick, Ja'Marr Chase.


Bobby Hart: Actually wasn't the biggest issue on the offensive line, but had his share of highlight whiffs or missed assignments. Replaced by Riley Reiff.


Revolving door at RG after XSF went down injured (Johnson, Redmond). They looked awful early, and then Redmond had a few solid outings but there always seemed to be the stupid penalty. They tried to get by with UDFA and it simply didn't work. Replaced by Jackson Carman.


Fat Randy. That time of the month caused cramps in both (!) calves at the same time (!) and cost the Bengals a week 1 win. Replaced by 5th round pick, Evan McPherson


Mike Jordan. Not entirely his fault, but was pressed in to duty as a rookie and developed some bad habits. Struggled mightily under the coaching (or lack therof) of Turner. Replaced by XSF/Spain competition winner.


Geno Atkins. I would say most were more respectful than using Geno as a "punching bag", but his injury clearly affected him and although he was trying to gut it out, he was a major non-factor for being one of the highest payroll players. Replaced by Larry Ogenjobi


[b]Carlos Dunlap. A lot of folks here still defended him as he had a lot more skins on the wall than Anarumo, but he became a malcontent that was horribly ineffective. Replaced by Trey Hendrickson


LeShawn Sims[/b] Admittedly not expected to start, but a symptom of a drastic drop off in talent in the CB room when Phillips or WJIII were injured. Replaced by a lot of better options.


Factor in healthy versions of Reader, Hubbard, and Waynes and this roster has been massively upgraded from punching bags to real talent. I honestly believe that had Burrow not gone down, the Bengals would have won at least 6 games. Factor in the above (massive) upgrades at key positions and I think it is not out of the realm of possibilities to think playoffs.