Last night began to answer the question of if it's the coaching (defensive) or players....

On Offense, Burrow, Chase, Brown and company did what they were supposed to do in dominating the Eagles second string. First team oline did well as well. I think Fairchild shows a lot of promise and I think Patrick looked okay, the penalty was dumb but otherwise even okay is better than what we’ve had in that spot. TE is definitely a strength of this team. Hudson dominated much of the night and should likely be TE 4. Browning was the glaring bad performance on Offense to me. He looked terrible and while Ridder was wildly inconsistent, he at least was trying. Browning needs to get it together. I’m also concerned about the O line depth. I don’t think Rivers is anywhere near ready to be a first off the bench swing tackle.

Defense left a lot to be desired. It looked like last years defense just without Trey. Shemar has to start over Murphy and Ossai, as neither one brings anything to the table.And even though Dax and CTB were out, I still have major concerns about the secondary. None of them are proven reliable starters and there is no depth. I do think the linebacking core will be a strength once the rookies settle in though.

Basically I didn’t see anything last night that dissuaded me from the thought that this team is very similar to last year. Al Goldens going to have to work some magic and the defense will have to make some huge strides in a short amount of time for things to look any different.

Any word on Geno Stone?

Cam Grandy played well too (with the 1s) even if he doesn't show up on the stat sheet like Hudson.

(Yesterday, 01:15 PM)jj22 Wrote: Last night began to answer the question of if it's the coaching (defensive) or players....

Was there ever any doubt, where the problem lies. The defensive talent on this team is nonexistent. I wasn’t crazy about Lou’s D schemes last year, playing bend don’t break, but now it makes sense.  They had to rely on a TO to stop anyone. And I don’t see that changing this year.

(Yesterday, 10:45 AM)SunsetBengal Wrote: I though that Burton showed some good courage and nifty moves on that 3rd Qtr punt return.

On another note, is it too soon to sound the alarm on Lucas Patrick? 

Definitely not.

He had 1 bad snap, one poor that didn't affect the play and the penalty was not only a joke but he kinda stumbled/fell.

He and Fairchild looked good.

(Yesterday, 01:51 PM)Timanky12 Wrote: Was there ever any doubt, where the problem lies. The defensive talent on this team is nonexistent. I wasn’t crazy about Lou’s D schemes last year, playing bend don’t break, but now it makes sense.  They had to rely on a TO to stop anyone. And I don’t see that changing this year.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but we didn't see any stunts and shit from the DL last year; it was all straight, downhill rushing the passer. From what I've heard, there has been a significant uptick in stunts from the DL during training camp. Whether it works or not, we'll have to wait and see, but it's just one thing that Golden is doing different that could yield better results. 

(Yesterday, 10:45 AM)SunsetBengal Wrote: I though that Burton showed some good courage and nifty moves on that 3rd Qtr punt return.

On another note, is it too soon to sound the alarm on Lucas Patrick? 

I think so. HIs first game as a Bengal, I'll give him a little more time. It's not like he's a rookie

I said in another thread that if they signed another FA OG that I would shut up about the secondary. Well.. they haven't signed an OG. Finally saw lowlights late last night and it looked like a cookie cutter of last season, although I did have to have a tab of the Bengals roster open to figure out who many of the players were.
The Eagles have one of the deepest rosters and the Bengals have one of the shallowest.. we knew that going in. I feel vindicated by the bad LG play, but then I realized that we had a scrub playing center. After the 1st team offense sat down, I can't even begin to find a pony in all the manure that was on the field.
Happy with 1st team offense, would like to continue to see them in preseason because 1) Need to be ready for week 1. and 2) Need to evaluate some of the 2nd string offense players when they're surrounded by 1st teamers.

Was expecting a bit more from Murphy and Stewart. Two of our last three 1st round picks were edge rushers, it’s just unacceptable if both turn out to be busts. Let’s hope at least Stewart turns out decent.

(Yesterday, 01:13 PM)Ell Prez Wrote: They showed nothing last year. Or the year before. Golden is gonna fix it! I have a feeling it’s going to be a loooooong season, and another year wasted.

Well gee whiz. What are we, two weeks into training camp and that was the 1st pre-season game??? Maybe give him a full training camp before putting him on blast. Yeah, the DB's were bad, but our starters were not out there. 

(Yesterday, 02:04 PM)Sled21 Wrote: Well gee whiz. What are we, two weeks into training camp and that was the 1st pre-season game??? Maybe give him a full training camp before putting him on blast. Yeah, the DB's were bad, but our starters were not out there. 

Im reserving my opinions on D until game 3 of preseason. Hoping Al  "Meidas Touch" Golden can work magic with whatever talent we have on the D. 
My overall thoughts are;
Mckinnley may surprise us this yr
Jenkins may also suprise us with some more pass rush
Knight will struggle early on and get going in later part of season
DBs will continue to be a liability compared to other SB caliber teams
Stewart takes over from Ossai by game 6
Murphy will likely fade into the abysss again
on the O: Fairchild is a surprise hit at G.  
  

(Yesterday, 09:27 AM)Sled21 Wrote: Well, I, for one, am glad the defense got torched. Sometimes I think these guys get to reading too much of their press and believe the hype. Last year, it was the offense that came out of camp thinking they were one of the best, only to be unable to score against NE. So far this year, all the news articles are about how the DBs are shutting down Chase, Higgins, etc., and they won't face anyone better in the regular season. This game was a reality check for them, and I think they needed it. We'll see if they're better against the Redskins.
I fell asleep right after the LB intercepted the ball and ran it back for the touchdown, and didn't see the results of the review. Was he touched down, or was it a pick 6?

Believe the HYPE? What hype? They were one of the worst defenses in the NFL last year and all it took for them to get an inflated ego was a camp report about how good the DBs looked...not in a game but in PRACTICE? Then they go out and let the Eagles backups run a train on them. Yeah I am sure they will focus more now though. 

(Yesterday, 09:28 AM)chopperbobby Wrote: Looked like last years team

Cause it is...

(Yesterday, 02:26 PM)kalibengal Wrote: Im reserving my opinions on D until game 3 of preseason. Hoping Al  "Meidas Touch" Golden can work magic with whatever talent we have on the D. 
My overall thoughts are;
Mckinnley may surprise us this yr
Jenkins may also suprise us with some more pass rush
Knight will struggle early on and get going in later part of season
DBs will continue to be a liability compared to other SB caliber teams
Stewart takes over from Ossai by game 6
Murphy will likely fade into the abysss again
on the O: Fairchild is a surprise hit at G.  
  

I thought he looked good last night - granted against third teamers, but I was encouraged.

(Yesterday, 02:04 PM)Sled21 Wrote: Well gee whiz. What are we, two weeks into training camp and that was the 1st pre-season game??? Maybe give him a full training camp before putting him on blast. Yeah, the DB's were bad, but our starters were not out there. 

But they didn’t play against eagles starters. It was some of our starters and some back ups vs backups Eagles!

The defense should have dominated against their backups.

CTB and Dax hill aren’t saving this defense lol. Changing coordinators won’t do anything. The players suck (defense).

(Yesterday, 10:22 AM)NotBigzo Wrote: Que the confetti. I can finally die in peace.

You got out in front of it, and called it... Straight bum.

All I've really watched were the highlights/lowlights. Yes, it's PS game #1, but that score looks like a carbon copy of last season's losing scores.

The secondary looked abysmal. With Hilton gone, I sure hope that a leader will emerge....smh

(Yesterday, 03:07 PM)jason Wrote: You got out in front of it, and called it... Straight bum.

I appreciate the props, Jason.

This board will learn to appreciate my talent evaluation. I know when a player is asstastic. I do scouting analytics on the side.

I herby declare
My new name, Asstradamus.