11-07-2017, 02:34 PM
(11-07-2017, 02:13 PM)Wyche Wrote: This terrible line has many far reaching effects that a lot of people don't fully grasp.
Not only do WRs not have time to get open, when they do have time to let a play develop, there are so many in coverage, there is no open receiver to throw the ball to. DCs have figured out that you can essentially pressure this team with 4 guys, and even then, the Bengals are often forced to use a back or TE to block, effectively removing a target from the play. Also, there is NO run game whatsoever because of these guys.
Now, for Dalton's end. He has missed seeing open guys quite a bit this season as well. Sometimes it's because he's under extreme duress, but others he is feeling pressure that just isn't there. This all also results in hurried throws that are off the mark. After the last two seasons, it's kinda hard for me to blame him 100% for that.
Agree with all of this. The line was awful last year. The Ogbuehi/Bodine duo was the biggest reason for our 6-9-1 record.
Somehow, the line is substantially worse this year. To the point where the offense just can't function at all. It's like playing Madden on the "all-madden" difficulty.
The training, nutrition, medicine, fitness, playbooks and rules evolve. The athlete does not.
