Carlos back to whining

[*SHRacerX*]

(10-25-2020, 01:43 PM)TheLeonardLeap Wrote: You just listed 1 guy who's rated great (overall, but garbage against the run), 4 mediocre starters, and 2 guys struggling hard.... on a team of 53 people.

Wilson: 40.0
ADG: 45.6 (60th ranked LB)
Lawson: 68.5 (30th ranked ED)
Higgins: 70.2 (50th ranked WR)
Williams: 74.3 (27th ranked T)
Burrow: 74.9 (17th ranked QB)
Bates: 90.0 (1st ranked S, but 54.0 grade/61st ranked S against the run)

There's very few players that are doing particularly well on the Bengals this year. Just like last year. It's just that everyone else is so bad that the mediocre starters look comparatively great.

LB ratings on PFF are very difficult, as PFF doesn't take in to account (they don't know) the assignment of the player.  I think it was Van Noy from the Pats that would say they always scored him low because of that but they were a perennial #1 defense and he was a big part of it.  Our young LBs are learning on the job with no OTAs or preseason games.  But, they are learning.  We are seeing more and more out of Wilson and I really like what we are seeing.  

If you are interpreting the play of Higgins and Burrow as mediocre, there is not a lot I will be able to do to change your mind here.

As far as the rest of the team, don't forget that I was able to list 7 starters out of 22 because the likes of Waynes, WJIII, Reader, Mixon, Alexander, Atkins, XSF, Hubbard, and Tate have all dealt with injuries.  That is 9 more players.  

The likes of Bell, Phillips, and a few others have been inconsistent but have at least flashed some ability as they got used to the defense....Phillips having been moved around to different positions.  

I know this is all going to sound like a ton of excuses, but I see the likes of Atkins and Dunlap having next to no impact on the team and they were really counted on.  I won't go in to the antics, but those are two really important pieces coming in to the season that have had virtually no impact.  

What I do like is that the young players like Wilson, ADG, Kareem, and Pratt are playing a lot on defense and if they can ever generate some semblance of a pass rush, then the defense might play pretty well.  

Momentary sidebar:  we all see the "selective officiating", where most of the time now they are just "letting them play" and the holding that offensive lines are getting away with is ridiculous.  There is only one way to combat that and it has to deal with hand work.  I have always thought that our defensive linemen need to improve at chopping with their hands.

Bottom line:  are we seeing potential hope for the defense.  I am.  Actually, I am.  I see a huge need for pass rush since Dunlap and Atkins simply aren't contributing.  Lawson has been solid, but I don't know if I am prepared to pay him long term given his injury history.  We will see how he finishes the season, but it is clear that serious resources need to be utilized at DT and DE before next season.  I know many will say we don't have the cap space, but I am referring more to the draft than to the FA.  If they can't land a sure-fire OT like Sewell, I hope there is an axe-murderer of a DE available when they pick.