03-14-2024, 01:49 PM
(03-14-2024, 01:26 PM)Joelist Wrote: Rankins is not a swap for Reader - a 3T is a different position than a NT. Rankins is to give us back the inside pass rush / penetration we have desperately lacked since losing Larry Ogunjobi. They will add at least one NT before they are done. Also our run defense issues were not about getting blown off the line they were about mental errors and alignment problems - both Stone and Bell speak directly to fixing the communication issues. Our defense last year got killed by explosive plays all stemming from mental mistakes. That is being addressed.
I know Rankins doesnt play Readers position. I have said this a couple of times myself. However, if the season started today, Reader is not on the team so Hill and Rankins would be your starting DT's regardless if Rankins is a NT or not. The Bengals still need to add some quality talent on the defensive line because right now it is worse than last year.
