08-20-2018, 07:06 AM
First of all, regarding George Iloka: Classy guy. Solid player. Does tend to draw flags as his tall frame (very tall for a safety) makes him susceptible to body shots if he doesn't lower his head. Understands the defense that we used to run. They actually called him "the general" at one point, usually making the calls when Rey M didn't know what to do. I enjoyed him as a player and person and will miss him. I wish him well where ever he ends up.
Second, releasing George has nothing to do with an imaginary overall depth chart. You can't say "well, Ogbuehi and MJ suck...why are they still here?". Every position group and player has a different situation from a financial and depth of talent at the position group. George being released actually addresses one of my most common complaints: never playing the younger guy over the old player. They always went with solid over upside and potential. It was an understandable, but conservative view. That has CLEARLY changed. They are going to be starting Bates at FS. That is awesome as the kid is a ball hawk on the back end. With a better pass rush from the likes of Lawson, Willis, and Hubbard, the secondary has to make plays on the ball and not just tackles after easy, uncontested receptions.
Lastly, if we are honest with ourselves, how much "playmaking" have we seen from our safeties? Reggie Nelson was a great player on the back end of our secondary. When Chris Crocker first came to the Bengals, he stood out (in a good way) because we weren't getting that much production from our safeties. I think with our CB talent (Dennard is the most underrated player on our team and is looking outstanding out there...need to sign that dude) that we will usually have three CBs and two safeties out there in nickel packages. They want speed at the position, and that will be Wilson. They want tackling and toughness at the position (like to be in the box) they have Williams and Fej.
That leaves no room for Iloka. It is tough to cut a guy that has been a good dude, and a solid player, but it will be the right move in the long run.
FWIW, I still see MJ being released...and maybe Ogbuehi. Ced will be a huge admission of suction in the draft process as a first rounder that contributed nothing, but he simply doesn't have it.
I am encouraged by Evans at LB and am happy to hear he will likely be starting at WILL and in nickel packages with Vigil, who has looked good thus far. Speed is needed, and they have that. Brown will be a solid run-stuffing LB in the middle on early downs and short yardage, but he simply is too slow in space to cover effectively.
Evans, Bates, Willis, Lawson, Wilson/Fej, and Hubbard are faster, better play makers than people we had in the starting lineup a year ago and the defense wasn't awful last year...it just looked that way because the offense was so inept. All those guys are going to make a positive impact. George was money that could be used on extensions for Atkins and Dunlap. So is MJ, and so is Ced.
I am sure this isn't the last "surprise cut" on this team. I wonder if anyone has thought about trying to trade Kirkpatrick and sign Dennard to a long-term deal, but that would leave them paper-thin at depth.
Second, releasing George has nothing to do with an imaginary overall depth chart. You can't say "well, Ogbuehi and MJ suck...why are they still here?". Every position group and player has a different situation from a financial and depth of talent at the position group. George being released actually addresses one of my most common complaints: never playing the younger guy over the old player. They always went with solid over upside and potential. It was an understandable, but conservative view. That has CLEARLY changed. They are going to be starting Bates at FS. That is awesome as the kid is a ball hawk on the back end. With a better pass rush from the likes of Lawson, Willis, and Hubbard, the secondary has to make plays on the ball and not just tackles after easy, uncontested receptions.
Lastly, if we are honest with ourselves, how much "playmaking" have we seen from our safeties? Reggie Nelson was a great player on the back end of our secondary. When Chris Crocker first came to the Bengals, he stood out (in a good way) because we weren't getting that much production from our safeties. I think with our CB talent (Dennard is the most underrated player on our team and is looking outstanding out there...need to sign that dude) that we will usually have three CBs and two safeties out there in nickel packages. They want speed at the position, and that will be Wilson. They want tackling and toughness at the position (like to be in the box) they have Williams and Fej.
That leaves no room for Iloka. It is tough to cut a guy that has been a good dude, and a solid player, but it will be the right move in the long run.
FWIW, I still see MJ being released...and maybe Ogbuehi. Ced will be a huge admission of suction in the draft process as a first rounder that contributed nothing, but he simply doesn't have it.
I am encouraged by Evans at LB and am happy to hear he will likely be starting at WILL and in nickel packages with Vigil, who has looked good thus far. Speed is needed, and they have that. Brown will be a solid run-stuffing LB in the middle on early downs and short yardage, but he simply is too slow in space to cover effectively.
Evans, Bates, Willis, Lawson, Wilson/Fej, and Hubbard are faster, better play makers than people we had in the starting lineup a year ago and the defense wasn't awful last year...it just looked that way because the offense was so inept. All those guys are going to make a positive impact. George was money that could be used on extensions for Atkins and Dunlap. So is MJ, and so is Ced.
I am sure this isn't the last "surprise cut" on this team. I wonder if anyone has thought about trying to trade Kirkpatrick and sign Dennard to a long-term deal, but that would leave them paper-thin at depth.
![[Image: 4CV0TeR.png]](https://i.imgur.com/4CV0TeR.png)
