03-19-2018, 03:21 PM
(03-17-2018, 12:20 PM)Fullrock Wrote: We talk a lot on here about fixing the run offense, but very little talk about improving the 31st ranked run defense. You have to be able to stop the run, especially in AFC North football. I would have felt pretty good about it with the signing of Preston Brown, but now Burfict is looking at missing a quarter of the season (assuming he does nothing else to miss more time). Does it create more urgency to draft the best available LB or D-Lineman at No. 21? I've said I would love Vita Vea to fall to the 21 spot and the Bengals to grab him. Instant upgrade in the run defense with he and Geno anchoring the D-line.
The Bengals were trying to trade Burfict to the Raiders on Friday Match 16th. Then came him caught using performance enhancing drugs and 4 game suspension. The Bengals were prepared for more Burfict suspensions in his contract. Ian Rapoport : " If Bengals LB Vontaze Burfict loses his appeal of a 4 game suspension, the guarantees in his 3 year, $33M contract will void. That's nearly 11.3 M. Which means Cincy can move on if they want to ". So when you combine the Bengals trying to trade Burfict and now this, plus Bengals needing to dump some payroll, Burfict may not even be on this team this season. News is Bengals have had about enough of Burfict and his suspensions every year and just want to go in another direction. Had the Raiders trade went through, he would already be gone.
I don't think it changes the draft, since Bengals tried to trade him to Raiders Friday. Bengals seem to have a plan. The news is with Bengals needing to dump some payroll, they will be letting Bodine and Pacman go to other teams in free agency. Bengals are looking at center with pick 21 in round 1 to replace Bodine. I do think LB in the draft will not be far behind.
New D Coordinator Austin has a track record of being part of Super Bowl defenses in Seattle, Arizona and Baltimore. He has coached under Joe Paterno, Urban Meyer, John Harbaugh and other winning coaches. In 3 other cities he was part of Super Bowl Defenses, and hopefully Cincinnati will be his 4th Super Bowl Defense city. Much like LeBeau, his specialty is DB's and we have all the #1 picks that need some top coaching. He is just the guy to get the most out of Kirkpatrick, Dennard, Jackson and our safeties. I think he will be adding a safety in F/A or Draft. Of course better blocking would help our D. Having the worst O Line in NFL caused many 3 and outs and kept our D on the field way too much. The best athlete ever suffers from fatigue said HOF RB Jimmy Brown. If you want to help the D, we need to improve the blocking so we can eat more clock on offense. It looks like the Bengals plan is Center In One, but you may get that LB in Two. Probably a safety not far behind. Baltimore had Reed back there. This Austin will want top CB and DB play and like Lebeau, he will get it because everywhere Austin goes he improves secondaries and defenses.
1968 Bengal Fan
