I think we need a linebacker

[*TheLeonardLeap*]

(03-21-2018, 06:20 PM)Shake n Blake Wrote: There's more to stopping the run than just having awesome LB's though. We had some really good years stopping the run before Burfict even showed up. 

2011: 10th in yards, 8th in YPC
2009: 7th in yards, 7th in YPC

IMO, we didn't have any big time LB's in these years. It was scheme and good DL play. DE's setting the edge. 

Besides, we already have Preston, and Burfict isn't going anywhere. I'm not sure how much things will change under Austin, but we run way too much nickel to be spending a top pick on a SLB that we rarely use. Despite the suspension, I doubt we're drafting Burfict's replacement this year. Marvin has been around for 15 years and the only LB that made an obvious impact was Burfict. I just don't see the value in round 1.

Even with the Eagles, was it amazing LB play that was most responsible for their stout run defense? Pro Football Reference lists them as having 4 different guys who started at least 2 games at MLB. It was a revolving door of Nigel Bradham, Jordan Hicks, Dannell Ellerbe and Joe Walker. Their top LB had 88 tackles. #2 had 73. No other LB had more than 28 tackles.

Check out this article for more insight into why the Eagles were so great against the run: https://theramswire.usatoday.com/2017/12/08/nfl-los-angeles-rams-philadelphia-eagles-week-14-run-defense-sean-mcvay/



To me it seems the Eagles' run success had more to do with an excellent line and scheme, including stacking that box a lot. Which may help explain why their pass D was less than stellar.

I think those two years deserve a big 'ol Zimmer asterisk. I mean, Zimmer can take a defense, throw in 39-year-old Terence Newman and come out with the 2nd ranked pass defense in the NFL, like he did with the Vikings in '17.

Zimmer could make a good defense with Tank Johnson, Roy Williams, Rey Maualuga, Robert Geathers, and Chris Crocker. That doesn't mean anyone else can, though. Lol

Outside of getting Zimmer back as HC/DC, the Bengals need better linebackers.

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Back to the Eagles, while they had a rotating MLB, their other two linebackers on PFF (yes, I know not perfect) were Kendricks (86.0) and Bradham (80.6).  They made up for the lack of MLB by playing a lot of 3 safeties with Jenkins (84.2), McLeod (79.3), and Graham (77.3).

The Bengals' version of that would be 3 LBs and 2 S.... Burfict (84.7), V Rey (45.7), Vigil (35.1), Iloka (77.7), and Williams (79.1)...... with Evans (35.0) coming in while Burfict is hurt/suspended 8 games a year.

Now at least Preston Brown (71.6) will replace one of those three awful players, but it still will be terribly ugly while Burfict is gone. While I will agree with anyone who says the Bengals need a safety who can make plays on the ball, I still think by far the biggest weakness of the defense is the LBs.

That's not even counting their total inability to stop a TE, or pass catching RB, or running QB, which even the addition of Preston Brown doesn't solve. Dude has a career high of 4 PDef, 3 years ago. He seems like a good tackler/run stopper, who won't get you many big plays.

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Interesting article, and I am not arguing the Bengals don't need a DT to go next to Atkins, but I was just saying they can't afford to ignore another LB improvement. Also maybe if Marvin perhaps actually coaches the guys to tackle this year rather than to look to limit practice contact as much as possible, and have all the guys run on their own gas.

Helps the Eagles when they can say...
"We need a better LB": Nigel Bradham is signed.
"We need a better DE": Chris Long is signed.
"We need a better WR": Alshon Jeffery is signed.
"We need better RBs": Blount is signed, Ajayi is traded for.
"We need a better OG": Brandon Brooks is signed.

The Bengals version of that is Brandon LaFell, Kevin Minter, Andre Smith, Michael Johnson, and Cedric Peerman.