No Go Joe

[NUGDUKWE]

(08-17-2021, 11:43 PM)Murdock2420 Wrote: Here's the issue I have with him sitting out all preseason.

I have no clue how many people here have played competitive football at any level but once you play in college even at a division II or III school there is a huge difference between 11 on 11 practice against your teammates and going against another team. It's a totally different feel and a different speed. As a DB, I never went full throttle in practice against my own guys, didn't want to hurt a teammate in practice. Playing against another team, literally do whatever it takes to dislodge the ball.

Right now, there are multiple reports that Burrow is uncomfortable in pocket. He is uncomfortable in a pocket against his own team, when he, you, me and everyone on the planet knows he will not get touched. So, the time for him to try and get comfortable is now like against the Dolphins. They won't be going all out blitz trying to win a game, but he'll be touched and he'll realize he is okay. 

If the Bengals let him sit all preseason, they are painting a huge target on him for week 1. If I'm a coach or player for Minnesota and the kid doesn't play and you know they've seen the same reports about him being uncomfortable in the pocket, he'll end up getting a shot low, early. NFL teams aren't dumb, if they can rattle him, the offense is done. 

So, would you rather him get comfortable in a meaningless game, or watch him get his 1st live snaps week 1 with a defense playing for the win, and going for the kill.  

That does bring up a good point that I didn't think of with those reports out there he could be getting blitzed like crazy. But he probably will regardless if he plays now. It might be a rough 2-3 weeks offensively to start the season. The Oline and Burrow are gonna have to sink or swim real quick.