Star of the 2022 season.....

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(08-28-2022, 03:06 PM)Sled21 Wrote: As powerful and explosive as our offense should be this year with JoeyB, the big 3 WR's, a new TE and a new line, the star of this season may very well turn out to be Sweet Lou's defensive unit. Outside of maybe Shelvin, who they say has shed weight (though I can't see it) I do not see a single player on defense who is not out there hungry and getting after it on every play, and we have been watching 2nd and 3rd stringers making these plays. Final cut day is going to be some tough decisions. Some of these new defensive linemen and DB's are ballers.

It is amazing to me that we haven't seen a single defensive starter (though you could argue Hill) in the preseason and the defense still looked pretty solid.  

They have better depth than they have in ages, with guys like Ossai, Carter, ADG, Bailey, Flowers, and Hill as rotational guys not considered starters.  

The actual starting lineup has zero holes, IMHO.  Some will try to argue Apple, but if he picks up this season where he ended last season, I think he is a VERY solid CB2.  

The only reason I don't think the Bengals defense gets enough credit nationally is that they don't have that one ridiculous standout talent, like a Myles Garrett.  Hendrickson is a top talent, but still somewhat new to the scene.  Reader is a beast, but DTs rarely get a ton of love unless they are built like Thanos and rush the passer (Donald, if you didn't get the reference).  Wilson is an ascending talent.  Chido is vastly underrated.  All really good A-/B+ type players but no "stars".  I think this is a part of what makes them work.  I wouldn't call them a no-name defense, but they sure have talent spread across all three levels of the defense.