I think a bigger problem is that we always seem to be in shotgun, even in short yardage and around the goal line, which makes it very difficult to run any type of power play at the defense.

I noticed that during the games and thought "how can we ever get short yardage if we're always in the gun?"

Our interior offensive line obviously needs to be upgraded as well, but I think the bigger problem is that we're always in the gun in short yardage.

(01-01-2025, 12:48 PM)TecmoBengals Wrote: If we enter next season with Brown and Herbert then perhaps the draft in rounds 3 to 5 could provide the physical back some seek?

The problem in bringing in a big back to specialize in short yardage, is that is really shrinks the playbook and tips the defense as to what is about to happen. As so many have already said, we have a pair of decent backs, it's the interior OL that needs improvement. If the Bengals do want a bigger back to come in for short yardage plays, I'm sure that Zeke Elliott could be had at a low cost, since they totally ignored that Derrick Henry was out there last year.

I think most fans just enjoy pass catchers and RB's lol

get a guard. Brown and Herbert can potentially provide an efficiency in this backfield we havent seen since 2014. Which would be amazing if Tee doesnt come back

(01-01-2025, 05:01 PM)Frank Booth Wrote: I think most fans just enjoy pass catchers and RB's lol

get a guard. Brown and Herbert can potentially provide an efficiency in this backfield we havent seen since 2014. Which would be amazing if Tee doesnt come back

Even if he does re-sign, the IOL and running game needs to be fixed in order to be a serious contender.

(01-01-2025, 05:07 PM)SunsetBengal Wrote: Even if he does re-sign, the IOL and running game needs to be fixed in order to be a serious contender.

of course

(01-01-2025, 04:59 PM)SunsetBengal Wrote: The problem in bringing in a big back to specialize in short yardage, is that is really shrinks the playbook and tips the defense as to what is about to happen. As so many have already said, we have a pair of decent backs, it's the interior OL that needs improvement. If the Bengals do want a bigger back to come in for short yardage plays, I'm sure that Zeke Elliott could be had at a low cost, since they totally ignored that Derrick Henry was out there last year.

I'm all for prioritizing IOL and DL in FA and the draft. I'm not opposed to a power back being RB3 on the depth chart and don't believe a RB needs to become the focus of the Burrow-passing offense.

Big back is an attitude; watch Pacheco on KC. No back is so big that they want to see a DT in the hole. Best 3rd down back I ever saw was Marcus Allen. He just found the crease and drove through it.

(01-01-2025, 05:12 PM)TecmoBengals Wrote: I'm all for prioritizing IOL and DL in FA and the draft. I'm not opposed to a power back being RB3 on the depth chart and don't believe a RB needs to become the focus of the Burrow-passing offense.

Agreed, the team needs to have a balanced offensive attack. When you look at the defenses on the schedule next season, they are all mostly able to shut down one dimensional offenses. When I look back at the few weeks that Eric All was starting and the Bengals were running a lot of 2TE sets, it was refreshing to watch. The passing and running games became more efficient due to probability of pass or run play not being as predictable to opposing defenses (crushing blocks from Eric All improved both).

I say if they can get the best run blocking Guard who is also competent in pass pro to put next to Mims, the short yardage efficiency will improve, no matter if it's Burrow on the sneak or one of the backs going to that side. LG needs upgraded as well, we can only hope that the team sees that as a need as well.

(01-01-2025, 05:17 PM)puddycat Wrote: Big back is an attitude; watch Pacheco on KC.  No back is so big that they want to see a DT in the hole. Best 3rd down back I ever saw was Marcus Allen.  He just found the crease and drove through it.

Chase Brown hits the crease with authority, he just needs for a crease to be there more often.

(01-01-2025, 01:15 PM)ERIC1 Wrote: please stop with this "physical back" nonsense  ..I doubt many linebackers look forward to tackling Brown when he's up to speed

How is it nonsense?? Starting to see this more in nfl, spliting reps with more phyical larger backs and speed backs. And this still continues to be weaknesses of bengals on short yardage,  

(01-01-2025, 05:18 PM)SunsetBengal Wrote: Agreed, the team needs to have a balanced offensive attack. When you look at the defenses on the schedule next season, they are all mostly able to shut down one dimensional offenses. When I look back at the few weeks that Eric All was starting and the Bengals were running a lot of 2TE sets, it was refreshing to watch. The passing and running games became more efficient due to probability of pass or run play not being as predictable to opposing defenses (crushing blocks from Eric All improved both).

I say if they can get the best run blocking Guard who is also competent in pass pro to put next to Mims, the short yardage efficiency will improve, no matter if it's Burrow on the sneak or one of the backs going to that side. LG needs upgraded as well, we can only hope that the team sees that as a need as well.

I too enjoyed watching what Taylor and Pitcher could come up with when using All in the offense. I hope he can remain healthy next year so it continues. I'd imagine they'll have a decent shot at drafting an IOL if they want to invest an 1st rounder. I don't think they will.

(01-01-2025, 05:44 PM)TecmoBengals Wrote: I too enjoyed watching what Taylor and Pitcher could come up with when using All in the offense. I hope he can remain healthy next year so it continues. I'd imagine they'll have a decent shot at drafting an IOL if they want to invest an 1st rounder. I don't think they will.

I think that the Bengals best shot of continuing the style of offense that we saw with Eric All in the lineup will be drafting Tyler Warren in the 1st. Their best bet on instantly improving at Guard will be in free agency, Trey Smith will be the big fish on the market (age and production), but there are also other options. But yes, they also need to continue to invest draft picks on IOL, they could potentially find an upgrade from Volson in the 2nd-5th rounds (if they scout properly).

(01-01-2025, 05:01 PM)Frank Booth Wrote: I think most fans just enjoy pass catchers and RB's lol

get a guard. Brown and Herbert can potentially provide an efficiency in this backfield we havent seen since 2014. Which would be amazing if Tee doesnt come back

100%

(01-01-2025, 05:38 PM)Essex Johnson Wrote: How is it nonsense?? Starting to see this more in nfl, spliting reps with more phyical larger backs and speed backs. And this still continues to be weaknesses of bengals on short yardage,  

Not with better interior linemen

(01-01-2025, 05:38 PM)Essex Johnson Wrote: How is it nonsense?? Starting to see this more in nfl, spliting reps with more phyical larger backs and speed backs. And this still continues to be weaknesses of bengals on short yardage,  

How many times have we witnessed the Bengals having to shrink the playbook or tip the defense because of situational personnel changes over the past few years? If you have a strong IOL, short yardage isn't an issue, no matter who is carrying the ball.

I vote to bring back Samaje Perine, AND we should've never let him go!

Skatteboo!

You can want a larger back that can play through a LB when running Duo and the Guard that moves the DT on the same play. Doesn't have to be one or the other especially since a team needs 3 running backs...AT LEAST.

(01-01-2025, 06:26 PM)J24 Wrote: Skatteboo!

If he is thete Day 3, I am in. Kaleb Johnson from Iowa is also great, but that is gonna be Rd2, too rich for a RB. 

But Day 3 guys like Devin Neal, Skattebo, or Allen from Penn State are guys I like. But I REALLY like what I've from Skattebo, despite puking profusely. 

Running tough with excellent vision, balance, leg drive, and lateral movement for a bigger back. Good receiving skills & caught a long one today. THREW one. Some good blocks in pass pro. 

Apparently he played some QB last year, and punter. 

I agree, I think we can get that guy in rd 5 in this year's draft. Guys that I think could be on our radar are:

1)Kalel Mullings- (Michigan) 6'2 230

2) RJ Harvey- (UCF) 5'9 210

3) Jonah Coleman- (Washington) 5'10 230

4) Montrell Johnson- (Florida) 5'11 215

5) Woody Marks- (USC) 5'10 210

- All of these guys are probably 5th rd grades, and would be a nice #3 RB, behind Brown and Herbert if he's retained.