01-27-2020, 04:02 PM
(01-26-2020, 04:44 PM)SunsetBengal Wrote: I don't find that to be an unfair expectation, at all. Unlike many, who are quick to point to the OL being in an absolute free fall for over half of last season, and the lack of a top shelf receiving weapon, I actually think that the team could be ready to get back on the upswing of things.
If things go as they are *supposed* to, the OL could actually be average or better with the emergence of Jonah Williams, and the addition of one single veteran free agent, and adding a quality prospect or two from the draft. Fred Johnson could turn out to be a very smart late season pickup by the Bengals, freeing up the need to draft a Tackle for other areas of concern. Of course, the receiver situation hinges on how they handle the AJ Green contract offer, but Tyler Boyd is going to continue to be his productive self, and Auden Tate got a good year of development under his belt. Either way with AJ Green, I'm not as worried about WR, as they are fairly easy to come by in this day and age.
In my opinion, the team needs to refocus the offense on establishing a strong rushing attack, and utilizing the TEs and RBs more in the passing attack, than simply trying to push the ball downfield to the WRs.
Defensively, the team needs leadership at LB. Someone to step up and be the face and voice of the front seven, likely the addition of a proven veteran will provide this much more than even drafting the best rookie or anyone on the existing roster. The secondary also needs a strong voice to step up, one like we had in Reggie Nelson, and Terrance Newman before him, and Chris Crocker before him. Someone on the field to call the shots, set the tone, and be that physical example for the others to play by. Right now our secondary is simply a "collection of talented players", that appears to have no cohesiveness when it comes to performing as an orchestrated unit.
Nice post Sunset. Bring in Thuney, Jamie Collins and Karl Joseph.
Draft Burrow in the 1st, the best RT at the top of the 2nd and weapons for Burrow and I think we would be in a great place.
Great draft for WR's BTW.
