07-08-2016, 09:18 PM
Could that mean an eventual transition back to that style of offense? (Perhaps why there was a waiver claim for Mettenberger)
Hm. First blush is no – because they stretched the field a bit last year. If Dalton was able to connect more with Marvin Jones in the final few games before he got hurt it might have been more on display. Ken basically said it’s the exact same offense. As for Mettenberger, that claim was for one reason: improving the No. 3 QB spot for basically free.
Do you think the Pro Bowl changes will have any impact on weather players will play in the Pro Bowl?
Nope. Guys who don't want to go won't go. The NFL should make it at the Super Bowl stadium every year, and play it in that bye week every year. Not that would make more guys go or play, but it adds to the spectacle of the SB and makes it a two-week "event."
Do you think the Raiders will move to Vegas? Do you no what Mike Browns position on a team in Vegas is?
I would have said yes when you first asked this, but now I have to wait to see if Vegas approves the hockey team. I mean, there is a lot of cash out there but the NHL is asking for $500 million and the Raiders would need $500-750 million. That’s a ton of cash for a city. If the NHL thing comes through (and they already have the arena, mind you), I say no. At least no for awhile. And I don’t think Mike really cares. I could be wrong, but if an owner moves it usually means more money for everyone.
Also if not Vegas, Oakland, or La. Where is the next logical place for the Raiders to land?
Wow, those are the top three options. I don’t think they go anywhere other than those three. And feel free to send any non-Bengals related questions my way!
Hue Jackson was incredibly inventive with pre-snap shifts in order to get the defense to reveal their hand and give cues as to what type of D they were running. He would also shift to get great matchups when the personnel was right. Do you see Zampese doing this as well or will he play it more traditional? Just your gut.
I do see him doing that, to be honest. Zampese’s personality might come out in down and distance calls, as opposed to “looking” different.
Who are the top KR/PR candidates besides Tate? Is Boyd expected to get any looks back there or is it likely going to come down to Tate and Alford?
This has already been a great debate among the media during the May/June mini-camps. Alford needs to have a really, really good camp both in route running, catching and returning punts and kicks. Others will get a look but special teams will break ties here, I think. So that’s where Core and Wright have advantages because they know what they’re doing on coverage. Kumerow is more polished than Core and Alford, but obviously the other guys have more speed and “upside.” I can’t speak on Wright at all. I’ve never seen him play. But honestly, no one but Alford can return. At least theoretically, because we haven’t seen Alford return anything.
How long do you think that Boyd will take to be an active member on the offense?
Depends on how you define that. I think he “starts” week 1 (meaning if they open with three or four wide). Unlike most rookies, he’ll play right away. Now, does that mean he gets the ball? Dalton won’t throw it to him unless he’s open and where he’s supposed to be. That may take some time, even if Eifert misses time. He could be the fourth option if Hewitt or Kroft are in patterns, or maybe even the fifth option if Bernard is out there. It’s hard to say what we’ve seen because it’s all tshirts. I can tell you the speed looks real, and I don’t recall him dropping easy ones (like some of the undrafted guys). But in the slot, it’s about getting off the line, getting in little spaces, and knowing where your QB wants you to be. That takes game reps, game speed.
Hm. First blush is no – because they stretched the field a bit last year. If Dalton was able to connect more with Marvin Jones in the final few games before he got hurt it might have been more on display. Ken basically said it’s the exact same offense. As for Mettenberger, that claim was for one reason: improving the No. 3 QB spot for basically free.
Do you think the Pro Bowl changes will have any impact on weather players will play in the Pro Bowl?
Nope. Guys who don't want to go won't go. The NFL should make it at the Super Bowl stadium every year, and play it in that bye week every year. Not that would make more guys go or play, but it adds to the spectacle of the SB and makes it a two-week "event."
Do you think the Raiders will move to Vegas? Do you no what Mike Browns position on a team in Vegas is?
I would have said yes when you first asked this, but now I have to wait to see if Vegas approves the hockey team. I mean, there is a lot of cash out there but the NHL is asking for $500 million and the Raiders would need $500-750 million. That’s a ton of cash for a city. If the NHL thing comes through (and they already have the arena, mind you), I say no. At least no for awhile. And I don’t think Mike really cares. I could be wrong, but if an owner moves it usually means more money for everyone.
Also if not Vegas, Oakland, or La. Where is the next logical place for the Raiders to land?
Wow, those are the top three options. I don’t think they go anywhere other than those three. And feel free to send any non-Bengals related questions my way!
Hue Jackson was incredibly inventive with pre-snap shifts in order to get the defense to reveal their hand and give cues as to what type of D they were running. He would also shift to get great matchups when the personnel was right. Do you see Zampese doing this as well or will he play it more traditional? Just your gut.
I do see him doing that, to be honest. Zampese’s personality might come out in down and distance calls, as opposed to “looking” different.
Who are the top KR/PR candidates besides Tate? Is Boyd expected to get any looks back there or is it likely going to come down to Tate and Alford?
This has already been a great debate among the media during the May/June mini-camps. Alford needs to have a really, really good camp both in route running, catching and returning punts and kicks. Others will get a look but special teams will break ties here, I think. So that’s where Core and Wright have advantages because they know what they’re doing on coverage. Kumerow is more polished than Core and Alford, but obviously the other guys have more speed and “upside.” I can’t speak on Wright at all. I’ve never seen him play. But honestly, no one but Alford can return. At least theoretically, because we haven’t seen Alford return anything.
How long do you think that Boyd will take to be an active member on the offense?
Depends on how you define that. I think he “starts” week 1 (meaning if they open with three or four wide). Unlike most rookies, he’ll play right away. Now, does that mean he gets the ball? Dalton won’t throw it to him unless he’s open and where he’s supposed to be. That may take some time, even if Eifert misses time. He could be the fourth option if Hewitt or Kroft are in patterns, or maybe even the fifth option if Bernard is out there. It’s hard to say what we’ve seen because it’s all tshirts. I can tell you the speed looks real, and I don’t recall him dropping easy ones (like some of the undrafted guys). But in the slot, it’s about getting off the line, getting in little spaces, and knowing where your QB wants you to be. That takes game reps, game speed.
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