(05-02-2017, 01:34 PM)3wt Wrote: I was disappointed they tried going with a fullbck so seldom.  I think Mixon will allow that more as he is a full service back and the presence of Hewitt culd be as a TE or a fullback.  Zampeze has a lot to work with this year. If we still had Whit I'd be very optimistic.

(05-02-2017, 06:38 PM)J24 Wrote: The offensive line lost its two best players and we're counting on a bunch of 4th Rd picks to solve our pass rush problem. If this team maintained the O line I would be more optimistic but we didn't and it's going to cost us big time.

(05-02-2017, 06:38 PM)J24 Wrote: The offensive line lost its two best players and we're counting on a bunch of 4th Rd picks to solve our pass rush problem. If this team maintained the O line I would be more optimistic but we didn't and it's going to cost us big time.

(05-03-2017, 09:54 AM)WeezyBengal Wrote: Oh lord, this is the time of the year when people start drinking the kool aid again, right?

I think the Bengals will be better than last year, but I still don't think they are a playoff team. Im not sold on their secondary, linebackers, or offensive line.

You mention the pass rush as being upgraded...but based on what? Some rookies that we drafted this year and a guy coming off injury that has never played a snap in the NFL? I remember everyone thought the same thing when we drafted Devon Still in the second round and he turned out to suck. To assume these guys are going to be good is lazy.

Like I said, I think the Bengals will be better than last year but im not sure they will be "good". They still have a ton of holes that a rookie running back, a speedy rookie receiver, and a bunch of rookie pass rushers aren't going to necessarily fix.

There are too many unknowns on this team to sit here and say they are going to be leaps and bounds better than last year.

(05-03-2017, 10:22 AM)SHRacerX Wrote: Fair enough.  You have your opinion and I have mine....Call it Kool-aid if you will.

As far as rookies contributing as pass rushers, that is one of the great things about this draft and the team's situation.  They will be cutting their teeth as situational pass rushers.  They (Willis, Lawson) will provide some serious speed off the edge and allow for a true rotation of the lines.  Comparing them to Devon Still isn't an apples-to-apples comparison because it generally takes a DT much longer to acclimate to the NFL.  He also wasn't known for his pass-rushing ability as much as just being a solid defender.  The Bengals will also have last year's pick (still a rookie by experience), Andrew Billings to help occupy double-teams and free up his line mates.  Hardison hasn't played much in two years, but he is thought to be a situational pass rusher from inside in rotation for Billings or Geno.  

These are all additions.  They only lost Peko and Margus Hunt.  Dunlap, Geno, Dingleberry,, and MJ are all still here.  They will be better when used in a rotation as well.  

The other biggest reason they would be significantly better is having a healthy squad.  Sure, that is an unknown, but last year's M*A*S*H unit at TE, RB,  and WR was an anomaly.

(05-03-2017, 10:17 AM)Big Boss Wrote: Until I see drastic improvement from Ogbuehi and Fisher, I'm going to stick with 8-8.  Best case scenario 9-7.

(05-03-2017, 10:25 AM)WeezyBengal Wrote: I hope you're right and im wrong, but im a wait and see kind of guy. After years of being disappointed by this team surely you understand why that would be the case. 

(05-02-2017, 06:38 PM)J24 Wrote: The offensive line lost its two best players and we're counting on a bunch of 4th Rd picks to solve our pass rush problem. If this team maintained the O line I would be more optimistic but we didn't and it's going to cost us big time.

(05-03-2017, 09:41 AM)SHRacerX Wrote: As I understand it, Hewitt was playing with a significant injury last year so I would imagine that had something to do with the lack of snaps with a FB.  

(05-03-2017, 09:52 AM)SHRacerX Wrote: This is a common narrative from the media within the city and outside as well.  It is easy to believe that.  Whit was a legend, and his play had not substantially declined.  However, he turns 36 during the season this year and we know the decline is coming.  I am not going to try and pretend that I didn't want him back or the Bengals didn't want him, but when you invest a 1st round pick in the position, at some point you have to get him on the field.  He clearly wasn't a RT and he was injured during the season last year.  The Bengals said that if Ced was in this year's draft class, at his current health, he would have been the consensus first offensive lineman taken in the draft.  That sounds like they believe he can do the job.

As far as the other lineman being one of the two best player, Zeitler graded out just slightly higher than Boling, who played with a substantial injury all season.  Zeitler is an above-average pass blocker and average run blocker.  You simply can't pay a player like that $12 million a year.  The Bengals are VERY high on Alex Redmond out of UCLA.  They couldn't say enough positive things about him and how he has taken to their strength training program.  They also really like Westerman and feel that the competition between the two of them will yield a suitable replacement for Zeitler.  They may actually be better in the running game with one of those two in there.  

Fisher was solid when he finally got settled in on one position at RT.  Smith will provide quality depth at RT and could start there if an injury forced Fisher to the left side. 

Additionally, not always playing from behind, having more versatile weapons at RB, and a healthy TE corps can all contribute to more success from the offensive line.  The deck was largely stacked against them last year.  

(05-03-2017, 09:52 AM)SHRacerX Wrote: This is a common narrative from the media within the city and outside as well.  It is easy to believe that.  Whit was a legend, and his play had not substantially declined.  However, he turns 36 during the season this year and we know the decline is coming.  I am not going to try and pretend that I didn't want him back or the Bengals didn't want him, but when you invest a 1st round pick in the position, at some point you have to get him on the field.  He clearly wasn't a RT and he was injured during the season last year.  The Bengals said that if Ced was in this year's draft class, at his current health, he would have been the consensus first offensive lineman taken in the draft.  That sounds like they believe he can do the job.

As far as the other lineman being one of the two best player, Zeitler graded out just slightly higher than Boling, who played with a substantial injury all season.  Zeitler is an above-average pass blocker and average run blocker.  You simply can't pay a player like that $12 million a year.  The Bengals are VERY high on Alex Redmond out of UCLA.  They couldn't say enough positive things about him and how he has taken to their strength training program.  They also really like Westerman and feel that the competition between the two of them will yield a suitable replacement for Zeitler.  They may actually be better in the running game with one of those two in there.  

Fisher was solid when he finally got settled in on one position at RT.  Smith will provide quality depth at RT and could start there if an injury forced Fisher to the left side. 

Additionally, not always playing from behind, having more versatile weapons at RB, and a healthy TE corps can all contribute to more success from the offensive line.  The deck was largely stacked against them last year.  

Quote:To assume these guys are going to be good is lazy. 

Quote:The offensive line lost its two best players and we're counting on a bunch of 4th Rd picks to solve our pass rush problem. If this team maintained the O line I would be more optimistic but we didn't and it's going to cost us big time.