A Sleeping Giant

[*SHRacerX*]

(12-30-2019, 09:11 AM)Devils Advocate Wrote: Admittedly, I’m always overly optimistic about every season, but this feels different to me. The biggest question mark being the coaching, however I believe they will and should all return.

I’m curious to know how the defense ranked over the second half of the season or last 3rd of the season because they looked infinitely better than they did in the first half, but I don’t know the numbers.

I think we have real weapons at all the offensive skill positions with a very underrated CJ Uzomah and underused Eifert. I believe Auden Tate will have a breakout year, given the assumed new QB will trust him and not rely too heavily on other (established) receivers.

I think there’s question marks along the Oline, but they’re not as puzzling as the narrative indicates. I’d like to see an upgrade or two, but I think these cast-offs have enough potential to allow most plays to develop.

I’ve always been a fan of and defended Andy. But sometimes it is just the QB and as much as I like Andy, I’m hoping it was just him because that means all the other pieces are good enough for the next QB.

I believe we have an excellent front 7 on defense. I’m a 4-3 guy, mainly because I’m most familiar with it because of this team, however I think they have all the pieces to lean heavily on a 3-4 front as this gets all of their best players on the field at the same time. It would awesome to land a an established play maker at LBer because he’d make this group fierce but I don’t think it’s necessary. I like that kid from Cleveland that hasn’t been re signed yet. I think Evans, Lawson, Pratt and Vigil/Hubbard (I know I know) have the potential to be stout and could use some help but I think the team should focus on a ball hawking super stud Safety (if one’s available). I think this is the missing piece on defense a la Minka Fitzpatrick.

I think Darious Phillips showed enough (4 picks is the 3rd highest) that cutting Dre is worth the risk and savings.

I know people think this team is far-away, but I disagree. Hopefully Zac makes the leap in his second season.

While I completely agree about a Safety (God, how I wanted Derwin James....) and believe Phillips is starting material, no way is our front 7 "excellent".  They might pass as average.  Last night, watching the 49ers play.  That is an excellent front 7.  Watching it made me depressed...they are light years beyond Cincy, and they are going to win it all this year...just watch.  They have the coach and the talent.

They commented about how they built that team from the defensive line....I hope the Bengals draft a stud DE to replace/push Carlos and then you have a rotation of Hubbard, Lawson, Dunlap, and said draft pick.  They also need a Frostee Rucker swing-type guy that can rush from inside.  I thought Hubbard would do more of that this year, but I didn't see it as much. 

Unrelated, but am I the only guy that thought at the end of the year that Hubbard and Dunlap looked about 20 lbs thinner than at preseason?  They looked downright skinny, especially in their arms?  Better nutrition?