At some point Eli Apple will have to guard OBJ or Van Jefferson 1 v 1 and he will have to make a play. Its scary to think about but I have faith that this is the game Eli DOESNT drop the INT and CATCHES it.


Eli Apple has gotten shit his whole career and I think hes ready to change the narrative. This isnt a hope thread or a hypothetical thread. I KNOW for a FACT that Eli is going to make a play in man coverage in the superbowl.

It’s not easy for any corner to guard Kupp or OBJ

I’m not gonna dump on him when he gets burned by either of those 2. The best corners in the league have a hard time guarding them

49ers DBs are far worse than ours and held the Rams to only 7 points mid way through the 4th qtr.

Eli at his best can play with anyone. Eli at his worst? Ehh..not so much..   He's been playing very well in my opinion. I'm sure someone will come here and try to crap all over Eli, but screw em.. Eli's been a great Bengal.. 

(02-05-2022, 03:58 PM)grampahol Wrote: Eli at his best can play with anyone. Eli at his worst? Ehh..not so much..   He's been playing very well in my opinion. I'm sure someone will come here and try to crap all over Eli, but screw em.. Eli's been a great Bengal.. 

Good post, he has done well for the Bengals.  Every time he misses an INT he still makes a play on the ball that normally results in an incomplete pass.  He has played well enough for sure.

(02-05-2022, 03:53 PM)Frank Booth Wrote: It’s not easy for any corner to guard Kupp or OBJ

I’m not gonna dump on him when he gets burned by either of those 2. The best corners in the league have a hard time guarding them

So what you’re saying is, you’re ok if he’s the reason they lose the game?

“Awe shucks guys! They’re great WRs!”

The fact that you’re fine with him getting burned by a WR1 and WR2 should be proof to yourself he shouldn’t be a CB1 or CB2

I hope Eli plays great, I really do. But I am not putting any faith in him being a reason we win. I just hope he isn’t the reason we lose.

I think Apple will be on Van Jefferson more than OBJ or Kupp.

Awuzie - OBJ
Apple - Jefferson
Hilton - Kupp

Obviously things will move around here and there.

Coming into the playoffs pass defense was my biggest concern.

Then we won in the playoffs with great pass defense while our offense struggled to finish drives with TDs (only 5 in 32 possessions).

But that is how the NFL works.  Winning championships is as much about getting hot at the right time as it is overall talent level.  And since the bye (game #11) Apple has been one of the top rated CBs in the league according to PFF.  And just to be clear, I am not talking about PFF's individual player rating.  I am talking about the objective stats they keep like "yards-per-target" and "completion percentage allowed".

(02-05-2022, 03:50 PM)Housh Wrote: At some point Eli Apple will have to guard OBJ or Van Jefferson 1 v 1 and he will have to make a play. Its scary to think about but I have faith that this is the game Eli DOESNT drop the INT and CATCHES it.


Eli Apple has gotten shit his whole career and I think hes ready to change the narrative. This isnt a hope thread or a hypothetical thread. I KNOW for a FACT that Eli is going to make a play in man coverage in the superbowl.

I want to go on record as saying fans on here have been way too negative on Apple.   I've seen Apple make a lot of big plays in Bengals Super Bowl Season.  If he was as bad as some of you say, the Bengals Defensive Coordinator would not still be playing him, and I have a lot of respect for the Bengals Defensive Coordinator who is now one of the best coaches in the game. I trust in him more than I do some of the fans on here. 

(02-05-2022, 04:44 PM)basballguy Wrote: The fact that you’re fine with him getting burned by a WR1 and WR2 should be proof to yourself he shouldn’t be a CB1 or CB2

Your strawman argument is terribly flawed.

Here is what he actually said.

(02-05-2022, 03:53 PM)Frank Booth Wrote: The best corners in the league have a hard time guarding them

According to your logic Booth is saying that the best corners in the league should not be CB1 or CB2.

(02-05-2022, 04:51 PM)kevin Wrote: I want to go on record as saying fans on here have been way too negative on Apple.   I've seen Apple make a lot of big plays in Bengals Super Bowl Season.  If he was as bad as some of you say, the Bengals Defensive Coordinator would not still be playing him, and I have a lot of respect for the Bengals Defensive Coordinator who is now one of the best coaches in the game. I trust in him more than I do some of the fans on here. 

well clearly....they're NFL coaches and we're just fans.  They definitely know more than we do...but you could say that about any fan's opinion on any player.  I'm not sure you're making a point here.  :)

(02-05-2022, 04:53 PM)fredtoast Wrote: Your strawman argument is terribly flawed.

Here is what he actually said.



According to your logic Booth is saying that the best corners in the league should not be CB1 or CB2.

I'm beginning to understand why so many around this board dislike you.  It's taken years but I think i finally get it.

The best CBs in the league can guard the best WRs...end of story.  You don't play a CB that can cover "some" WRs but not all.  Clearly the Bengals think Eli can play CB, they're coaches not me.  I, however, do not expect him to do a good job.  I HOPE he does, but that's it.  

I have no idea how well Apple is going to play in the Super Bowl, but during this playoff run he's probably been our second-best corner. Hilton has been absolutely incredible (which gives me hope in the slot against Kupp), Apple has been solid even with the dropped interception, and Awuzie has actually struggled a bit.

(02-05-2022, 03:50 PM)Housh Wrote: At some point Eli Apple will have to guard OBJ or Van Jefferson 1 v 1 and he will have to make a play. Its scary to think about but I have faith that this is the game Eli DOESNT drop the INT and CATCHES it.


Eli Apple has gotten shit his whole career and I think hes ready to change the narrative. This isnt a hope thread or a hypothetical thread. I KNOW for a FACT that Eli is going to make a play in man coverage in the superbowl.

Could definitely see this happening. He is due after that last drop.

This next game, Eli will be showcasing his skills for his next contract.  He's either going to be a candy apple or a horse apple.

I think he steps up this time and earns himself a nice payday.

Think Eli mouth on twitter is translating to gotta be good on Sundays or that next paycheck isn't coming. Lets hope he has 1 more in him.

(02-05-2022, 03:50 PM)Housh Wrote: At some point Eli Apple will have to guard OBJ or Van Jefferson 1 v 1 and he will have to make a play. Its scary to think about but I have faith that this is the game Eli DOESNT drop the INT and CATCHES it.


Eli Apple has gotten shit his whole career and I think hes ready to change the narrative. This isnt a hope thread or a hypothetical thread. I KNOW for a FACT that Eli is going to make a play in man coverage in the superbowl.

He tipped the ball for the game-saving interception against Tennessee - what are you going on about? 

Go with the mindset that they will score and score a lot... because the Rams are just as good at any other team in the league. After you let that thought sink in, change gears go with the mindset that we can beat anyone and will beat them because we are gonna play them tough as heck.

If Eli gets beat, then so be it, but if we lose the game because of a taunting penalty or some crap like that by him, I hope he gets benched & released ASAP.

(02-05-2022, 04:57 PM)basballguy Wrote: I'm beginning to understand why so many around this board dislike you.  It's taken years but I think i finally get it.

The best CBs in the league can guard the best WRs...end of story.  You don't play a CB that can cover "some" WRs but not all.  Clearly the Bengals think Eli can play CB, they're coaches not me.  I, however, do not expect him to do a good job.  I HOPE he does, but that's it.  

The best CBs in the league struggle with guarding the best WRs. The most likely way to take a top WR out of a game, this day and age, is scheme… coaching.

(02-05-2022, 04:57 PM)basballguy Wrote: I'm beginning to understand why so many around this board dislike you.  It's taken years but I think i finally get it.

yep.  A lot of people can't deal with being proven wrong.

(02-05-2022, 04:57 PM)basballguy Wrote: The best CBs in the league can guard the best WRs...end of story.  You don't play a CB that can cover "some" WRs but not all. 

First of all even the best CBs give up plays to top WRs.  Jalen Ramsey gave up over 600 receiving yards and 3 tds.  End of story.


Second of all Apple is our CB2.  So please list all of the CB2 that never gave up plays to guys like OBJ or Kupp.