03-28-2017, 08:49 AM
The playoffs last year were littered with teams that were great at some aspect of the game:
The Cowboys were great at rushing the ball.
The Pats were great at execution on offense, making it hard to stop them.
The Falcons had a great offense, with a ton of weapons.
The Packers had a great QB.
Where can we say the Bengals are great? I'm not asking to be Negative Nancy, but I am asking honestly if they are perceived as great in any one area? Right now, I would have to say no. The defense was approaching greatness, but the loss of Reggie and Shawn's first year in the starters role, Adam Jones decline, aging slow LBs, injures, blah, blah, blah.
I think the defense could be great this year. I think WJIII is an amazing talent. Billings should eat a lot of double teams. The LBs are significantly upgraded. We aren't breaking in new talent, other than WJIII, where we could have a lot of rookie issues. A pass-rusher that could provide some heat from the QBs blind side could be a missing piece to the puzzle.
On offense, I see a lot of potential with weapons such as Uzomah, Eifert, Green, Core, Boyd, and Gio but I think a vertical threat or an all-around outstanding option like Davis as a WR opposite Green could really pay huge dividends for the offense. A bigger, stronger body at RG should help a major issue with short yardage from last year. They could also use another RB to supplant Hill that is capable of blitz pickup, receiving, and getting tough yards. I really like James Conner out of Pitt and I think he will be undervalued because he isn't blazing at any one thing, but he does everything well.
What else do you guys think is missing to take this team from good to great...and before I get 100 replies about the coaching staff, that goes without saying and we all know it isn't changing between now and next season.
The Cowboys were great at rushing the ball.
The Pats were great at execution on offense, making it hard to stop them.
The Falcons had a great offense, with a ton of weapons.
The Packers had a great QB.
Where can we say the Bengals are great? I'm not asking to be Negative Nancy, but I am asking honestly if they are perceived as great in any one area? Right now, I would have to say no. The defense was approaching greatness, but the loss of Reggie and Shawn's first year in the starters role, Adam Jones decline, aging slow LBs, injures, blah, blah, blah.
I think the defense could be great this year. I think WJIII is an amazing talent. Billings should eat a lot of double teams. The LBs are significantly upgraded. We aren't breaking in new talent, other than WJIII, where we could have a lot of rookie issues. A pass-rusher that could provide some heat from the QBs blind side could be a missing piece to the puzzle.
On offense, I see a lot of potential with weapons such as Uzomah, Eifert, Green, Core, Boyd, and Gio but I think a vertical threat or an all-around outstanding option like Davis as a WR opposite Green could really pay huge dividends for the offense. A bigger, stronger body at RG should help a major issue with short yardage from last year. They could also use another RB to supplant Hill that is capable of blitz pickup, receiving, and getting tough yards. I really like James Conner out of Pitt and I think he will be undervalued because he isn't blazing at any one thing, but he does everything well.
What else do you guys think is missing to take this team from good to great...and before I get 100 replies about the coaching staff, that goes without saying and we all know it isn't changing between now and next season.
![[Image: 4CV0TeR.png]](https://i.imgur.com/4CV0TeR.png)
