08-15-2017, 01:39 PM
(08-14-2017, 09:29 PM)THE PISTONS Wrote: Our pass rush will largely determine our season. We know that Dunlap and Atkins can get pressure. Will guys like Lawson, Billings, and Willis be given a chance? Or will the Bengals keep playing aging veterans like MJ, Gilberry, Sims, and Thompson.
Our secondary has an aging Jones. Guys like Kirkpatrick are above average but not great. Iloka and Williams are good against the run, but not as good as Reggie Nelson against the pass. Then Dennard looks like a bust. William Jackson's play could be pretty critical to stabilize the secondary. If he struggles, our CB's may be in trouble as you need atleast 3 quality CB's in todays NFL.
At LB, Burfict is great. Minter is an upgrade to Maualuga...but kind of slow. I like Vigil's quickness. I'd say overall this group should be better than last year, but still deficient in pass coverage.
It's going to take a good pass rush to force turnovers and take QB's time away or they will find open receivers in the secondary and over the middle. On paper, our pass rush should be improved...but that's contingent on the coaches playing the good, young pass rushers...and not sticking with aging veterans who aren't carrying their weight.
The coaches need to learn from that last game and start either Willis or Chris Smith ahead of MJ and Billings over Sims.
Pretty damn obvious who the better players are. Plus we should get Tapou some earlier snaps as he looked decent i hear.
I guess WJ3 is looking great in practice and Kirkpatrick played well last season. Shaw is a very good Slot CB and is extremely versatile.
Both George and Shawn looked much better last year as the season went on. I think this Secondary could be one of the best myself.
