We have 16 dlineman. We will be cutting 6.

(08-13-2017, 09:42 PM)Sled21 Wrote: Pass rush is the sexy Ferrari, but it's not going to get the family where it needs to go. Someone has to stop the run, and drive the bus. Johnson is good against the run. They can't all be pass rush specialists.....

MJ stinks as pass rusher n run stopper.  

It is one game so far, I liked what I saw from Smith but again it was against second and third teamers could he be the real deal or could he be the next Chris Carter that's the problem we dont know yet

(08-13-2017, 01:22 AM)MaineBengal Wrote: I'm thinking there will be a lot of turnover on the Bengals D-line this year. MJ, Pat Sims, Gilberry, and Will Clarke should be nervous, imho.

I think Will Clarke is the odd man out at this point, but if they are honest with themselves, MJ is probably worth even less because of his salary and we already know what he is...

It is unlikely that we don't also already know what Clarke is, but he is younger.  

Should give this guy and Willis snaps with the 1's.

Played his ass off and consistently beat his man all game.

BTW, wonder why Sims was the DT getting snaps with Geno instead of Billings.

Sims was terrible as was MJ and Gilberry against Tampa.

Billings next to Geno will be unstoppable man i am telling you.

(08-14-2017, 06:10 AM)Essex Johnson Wrote: It is one game so far, I liked what I saw from Smith but again it was against second and third teamers could he be the real deal or could he be the next Chris Carter that's the problem we dont know yet

Chris Carter! That's the dude I've been trying to think of while everybody wetting their pants over Smith.  Hopefully the Bengals found something here with Smith, but I also remember everybody getting amped up over Carter in preseason and then dude didn't do anything once regular season started (think he got cut after a few games if I remember right).  But Johnson and Clarke definitely better show something next few games or they might be in trouble.  

(08-14-2017, 05:40 AM)Socal Bengals fan Wrote: MJ stinks as pass rusher n run stopper.  

No, he simply doesn't. He might stink as a pass rusher, but he is decent at stopping the run..

https://www.profootballfocus.com/news/pro-refocused-cincinnati-bengals-23-tampa-bay-buccaneers-12

So something to think about, PFF gave Smith the highest grade of anyone in the game. Obviously he came in against 2nd and 3rd team guys, but still something interesting. Maybe he will be similar to Reggie Nelson, a guy the Jags traded to us that they were going to cut for nothing.

(08-13-2017, 01:32 AM)SunsetBengal Wrote: Are you sure about MJ?  He's been less than stellar, ever since coming back from the Bucs.  Unless he really steps up his game, I could see the team going with the youth movement on the DL.

The article on another thread has already started the "SAVE MJ" campaign, describing a great practice he had monday after a poor outing against his old team, Tampa Bay.  Puke. 

(08-13-2017, 01:35 AM)StLucieBengal Wrote: They love him and they love vets who show young players the way.   He will see his contract out just like Robert Geathers.

He will...Maualuga is the first I can remember in a long line of guys that was released while under contract, but he basically gave them no choice.  MJ will be on the team, but if he starts over Willis, they are complete morons.  

(08-13-2017, 09:02 AM)bengalfan74 Wrote: You beat me to it. I think MJ's job is in major jeopardy, Clarke as well. You now Dunlap and Willis are locks but after that I'd say it's very much up in the air ! 

It's going to be really hard to cut Smith IMHO.

They liked Smith enough to trade a draft pick for him...

Also, I think a Gilberry is better at rotating inside than MJ.  It isn't anything personal, but the guy is just not the player he was five years ago.  

(08-13-2017, 12:33 PM)SunsetBengal Wrote: So, all this glowing about how well Smith played, is just fools gold, at this point?

It isn't a Margus Hunt situation, where he made one move three times and beat an Indianapolis Colt tackle that was not on an NFL roster the following week.  This guy was terrorizing from all angles, and on almost every play.  

He was the most dominant player on the field the entire game.  You couldn't take your eyes off of him.  If he continues this pace, there is no way they can keep MJ over Smith and Willis.

The Bengals supposedly really liked him when he was coming out of college, and he maybe took for granted what he had at Jax, and that led to less playing time and his ultimate trade.  Whatever the reason, whatever the motivation, the guy has mad skills that he is unleashing and needs to be on the field.  This is EXACTLY the kind of rotational guy we need coming in fresh.  

Kudos to the Bengals for seizing an opportunity to steal him from Jax for a "conditional pick".

(08-15-2017, 09:36 AM)SHRacerX Wrote: It isn't a Margus Hunt situation, where he made one move three times and beat an Indianapolis Colt tackle that was not on an NFL roster the following week.  This guy was terrorizing from all angles, and on almost every play.  

He was the most dominant player on the field the entire game.  You couldn't take your eyes off of him.  If he continues this pace, there is no way they can keep MJ over Smith and Willis.

The Bengals supposedly really liked him when he was coming out of college, and he maybe took for granted what he had at Jax, and that led to less playing time and his ultimate trade.  Whatever the reason, whatever the motivation, the guy has mad skills that he is unleashing and needs to be on the field.  This is EXACTLY the kind of rotational guy we need coming in fresh.  

Kudos to the Bengals for seizing an opportunity to steal him from Jax for a "conditional pick".

I like Smith's pass rushing ability. I do worry if needed to be a 3 down guy if he could hold up against 300lb. + OL as I think he weighs around 267 which is small for 4-3 DE. But, I loved his motor. I hope they give him 1st team snaps this week to see him go against 1st team OL.

(08-13-2017, 01:44 AM)SunsetBengal Wrote: Perfect opportunity to unload Jeremy Hill.

Why would they want Hill? 

They have Alfred Morris and Darren McFadden.

Was it just me, or did Chris Smith look (a lot) bigger than 6'1", 266 lbs?

(08-15-2017, 10:10 AM)Luvnit2 Wrote: I like Smith's pass rushing ability. I do worry if needed to be a 3 down guy if he could hold up against 300lb. + OL as I think he weighs around 267 which is small for 4-3 DE. But, I loved his motor. I hope they give him 1st team snaps this week to see him go against 1st team OL.

Wallace Gilberry is 270 and he was ok when he started opposite Dunlap when MJ left. The weight is a bit different because of the height. MJ is 6'7" 272 lbs. Gilberry is 6'2", Smith is 6'1". They don't need to be 275+ to be effective 4-3 DEs.

(08-14-2017, 04:21 PM)Au165 Wrote: https://www.profootballfocus.com/news/pro-refocused-cincinnati-bengals-23-tampa-bay-buccaneers-12

So something to think about, PFF gave Smith the highest grade of anyone in the game. Obviously he came in against 2nd and 3rd team guys, but still something interesting. Maybe he will be similar to Reggie Nelson, a guy the Jags traded to us that they were going to cut for nothing.

If he turns out anything even close to a player of Reggie's status it would be frickin' awesome.

(08-14-2017, 04:21 PM)Au165 Wrote: https://www.profootballfocus.com/news/pro-refocused-cincinnati-bengals-23-tampa-bay-buccaneers-12

So something to think about, PFF gave Smith the highest grade of anyone in the game. Obviously he came in against 2nd and 3rd team guys, but still something interesting. Maybe he will be similar to Reggie Nelson, a guy the Jags traded to us that they were going to cut for nothing.

Well, if you're playing against backups, you'd better dominate them, like the stud at a small college.  And he dominated the backups.  Definitely want to see him against the 1's to see how real it was.

(08-15-2017, 11:56 AM)ochocincos Wrote: Was it just me, or did Chris Smith look (a lot) bigger than 6'1", 266 lbs?

I thought the same thing.  I also thought Willis looked like he was a 290 pounder.

(08-15-2017, 02:54 PM)3wt Wrote: I thought the same thing.  I also thought Willis looked like he was a 290 pounder.

Funny I thought the same thing. I was expecting someone alot smaller than the rest of the DL. He didn't look it tho!
Willis by far was the player I was most impressed with! I hadn't heard to much about him all TC, with Lawson getting all the hoopla. I don't watch any Big 12 football either, but that guy is relentless and has some jets coming off that corner!! BTW my youngest son will be getting a #99 jersey soon!! He plays DE and had #99 all thru middle school and jr football.