08-16-2017, 02:18 AM
According to this article from the USAToday, Dalton struggled in practice today, throwing two pick sixes and being sacked five times in two plays. The pick sixes were by Dre and Burfict.
It notes that all three of the quarterbacks were under pressure all day and that the defense was working on blitz packages, which the line might just need to become more of a unit with new pieces. In that respect, the article does mention that the line should improve as August goes on, but also notes that our (my) fears of the line causing our season to fail could be even worse than anticipated.
It also notes that defensive backs were the ones applying pressure on blitzes, Geno was being his normal self and collapsing the pocket, and Willis got two because he's freakishly fast, so it could be just that our defense is really good and that our line is bound to improve with more work together, but it still scares the shit out of me.
Here's the full article so you don't have to go another page:
I pray to God that the line can improve, or we need to make some trades and/or FA signings fast (which isn't likely).
It notes that all three of the quarterbacks were under pressure all day and that the defense was working on blitz packages, which the line might just need to become more of a unit with new pieces. In that respect, the article does mention that the line should improve as August goes on, but also notes that our (my) fears of the line causing our season to fail could be even worse than anticipated.
It also notes that defensive backs were the ones applying pressure on blitzes, Geno was being his normal self and collapsing the pocket, and Willis got two because he's freakishly fast, so it could be just that our defense is really good and that our line is bound to improve with more work together, but it still scares the shit out of me.
Here's the full article so you don't have to go another page:
Quote:Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton didn’t have a good time at Monday’s practice.
Dalton, standing behind an offensive line trying to become a cohesive unit after offseason losses, saw a pair of his passes get intercepted and go back for touchdowns the other way.
In fact, according to ESPN.com’s Katherine Terrell, Dalton got sacked nearly five times over the span of 10 plays while his defense worked on blitz packages.
The kicker, per Terrell: “The torture continued for much of practice. All of the quarterbacks were forced to get the ball out quickly or have a defender in their faces. At one point, Dalton threw his hand up to protect his face, with defenders all over.”
This isn’t all on Dalton and the quarterbacks, of course. The offensive line lost Andrew Whitworth and Kevin Zeitler during an offseason in which Cincinnati changed its approach to edge defenders and brought on freakishly fast rookies like Carl Lawson and Jordan Willis.
Willis tallied two sacks at one point on Monday. Vontaze Burfict and Dre Kirkpatrick were the guys taking picks back for scores. Various defensive backs applied pressure on blitzes and Geno Atkins looked like his usual self, shutting down runs and collapsing the pocket.
At face value, these are expected practice struggles given the circumstances, though it would be hard to tell fans not to think about Dalton’s ugly interception in the preseason against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
These growing pains, though, should ease as August continues. At best, the struggles for the offense signify a return to the defensive-minded ways of the franchise after slightly adjusting personnel decisions. At worst, the expected slight regression of the offensive line could be worse than anticipated.
Either way, mark a tally in the win column for the defense after Monday.
I pray to God that the line can improve, or we need to make some trades and/or FA signings fast (which isn't likely).
![[Image: 7LNf.gif]](https://i.gifer.com/7LNf.gif)
