(08-30-2015, 10:15 PM)Whatever Wrote: I think they will keep Thompson over Sims, honestly.  They have a 3rd round pick invested in him, and both have been dinged up in camp.  Sims is in a one year, veteran minimum deal after drawing no interest from other teams this offseason, and could easily be a street FA pickup during the season for us.

(08-30-2015, 03:30 PM)jfkbengals Wrote: Not sure I'd have any faith in either of them against a road grading RT on a running down.

(08-31-2015, 01:01 AM)TGISunday Wrote: If only we had a chance to improve NT with the draft this year in the 1st round...

(08-30-2015, 12:52 PM)ShowMeUrTDs Wrote: The sad thing is if they were legitimately trying to improve the team....Peko's spot would be up for grabs. The minute he is on the bench the pressure instantly improves.

That would free up another spot for a talented up and comer!!

(08-30-2015, 10:35 PM)Shake n Blake Wrote: 1. Pat Sims was signed on March 26th so it's not like he sat around long.

2. Pat expressed a clear interest in returning and it's quite possible that he didn't even WANT to talk with other teams.

http://www.cincinnati.com/story/sports/nfl/bengals/2015/03/26/bengals-bring-back-pat-sims/70496772/

3. Pat Sims (also a 3rd round pick) is a better player than Brandon Thompson. I really think you're underestimating Sims. He'd be on a roster if he weren't here. I have very little doubt about that. PFF graded him as the 2nd best defensive player on the Raiders when he was starting for them.

(08-30-2015, 03:30 PM)jfkbengals Wrote: Not sure I'd have any faith in either of them against a road grading RT on a running down.

(08-30-2015, 12:11 PM)bengal kitten uk Wrote: Everyone's talking about our Defensive Line, and how it is probably the most stacked position on the team.  This despite getting rid of a starter (Geathers) from last year.

Just looking at the numbers, there are 12 players with a legitimate claim for a spot:

DE: Dunlap, Johnson, Gilberry, Clarke, Hunt,
NT: Peko, Thompson, Sims
UT: Atkins, Hardison, Still, Williams

We usually keep 9, but even if they keep 10 there's going to be at least one big name player out on the street.

We can almost certainly assume that last year's starters, plus Johnson, are safe (Dunlap, Johnson, Gilberry, Peko, Atkins).  That leaves 4 or 5 spots for Thompson (3rd rounder), Still (2nd), Sims (3rd), Hardison (4th), Hunt (2nd), Clarke (3rd), Williams (UFA).  So this is the year we're giving up on at least one 2nd or 3rd rounder from recent times.

Here are your options:

Brandon Thompson - has played all three seasons but struggles to make his mark in games.  Has done nothing this pre-season due to injuries.
Devon Still - well known off the field, has yet to do much of anything on the field.  Was cut this time last season and ended up on the practice squad until injuries opened up a spot on the 53.  Has been anonymous during pre-season.
Pat Sims - he's big and can back up Peko at NT or work alongside him on rushing downs. We were better against the run when he last played for us.  Has done nothing this pre-season due to injuries.
Marcus Hardison - the rookie has shown promise during pre-season.  It's unlikely we cut a 4th rounder so early as he'll be picked up by somebody else.
Margus Hunt - flashed last pre-season but has yet to get it together during the regular season.  Has had lots of injuries.  A bit of an expert at looking like he might get to the QB, but being too late for the sack.
Will Clarke - last year's third rounder, he's looked decent.  Could back up MJ at RE.
DeShawn Williams - the wildcard UFA from Clemson.  He's built like Geno and has been getting a lot of praise for his pressure and work-rate both in practice and during pre-season games.  One of the few DTs we have that can rush the passer.

If it was my choice, I'd go for 9 (+ Chris Carter in the LBs):

Dunlap, Peko, Atkins, Johnson
Gilberry, Hardison, Sims, Clarke,
Thompson

Still and Hunt don't make it and Williams misses out in the hope we can squeeze him to the PS.

What say you?

(08-30-2015, 12:11 PM)bengal kitten uk Wrote: Everyone's talking about our Defensive Line, and how it is probably the most stacked position on the team. This despite getting rid of a starter (Geathers) from last year.

Just looking at the numbers, there are 12 players with a legitimate claim for a spot:

DE: Dunlap, Johnson, Gilberry, Clarke, Hunt,
NT: Peko, Thompson, Sims
UT: Atkins, Hardison, Still, Williams

We usually keep 9, but even if they keep 10 there's going to be at least one big name player out on the street.

We can almost certainly assume that last year's starters, plus Johnson, are safe (Dunlap, Johnson, Gilberry, Peko, Atkins). That leaves 4 or 5 spots for Thompson (3rd rounder), Still (2nd), Sims (3rd), Hardison (4th), Hunt (2nd), Clarke (3rd), Williams (UFA). So this is the year we're giving up on at least one 2nd or 3rd rounder from recent times.

Here are your options:

Brandon Thompson - has played all three seasons but struggles to make his mark in games. Has done nothing this pre-season due to injuries.
Devon Still - well known off the field, has yet to do much of anything on the field. Was cut this time last season and ended up on the practice squad until injuries opened up a spot on the 53. Has been anonymous during pre-season.
Pat Sims - he's big and can back up Peko at NT or work alongside him on rushing downs. We were better against the run when he last played for us. Has done nothing this pre-season due to injuries.
Marcus Hardison - the rookie has shown promise during pre-season. It's unlikely we cut a 4th rounder so early as he'll be picked up by somebody else.
Margus Hunt - flashed last pre-season but has yet to get it together during the regular season. Has had lots of injuries. A bit of an expert at looking like he might get to the QB, but being too late for the sack.
Will Clarke - last year's third rounder, he's looked decent. Could back up MJ at RE.
DeShawn Williams - the wildcard UFA from Clemson. He's built like Geno and has been getting a lot of praise for his pressure and work-rate both in practice and during pre-season games. One of the few DTs we have that can rush the passer.

If it was my choice, I'd go for 9 (+ Chris Carter in the LBs):

Dunlap, Peko, Atkins, Johnson
Gilberry, Hardison, Sims, Clarke,
Thompson

Still and Hunt don't make it and Williams misses out in the hope we can squeeze him to the PS.

What say you?

(08-30-2015, 06:26 PM)EatonFan Wrote: I think we'll go with 5 WRs with Kumerow on the PS to give an extra to the D-Line.

(08-30-2015, 11:12 PM)J24 Wrote: But you have faith in Hunt? Just curious what has he done to make you believe in him?

(08-31-2015, 12:12 PM)Wyche Wrote: Right.....not to mention the numbers don't lie.....we're flat better against the run when he's in there.  We discussed that at length on the mothership.....

(08-31-2015, 12:12 PM)Wyche Wrote: Right.....not to mention the numbers don't lie.....we're flat better against the run when he's in there.  We discussed that at length on the mothership.....

(08-31-2015, 10:53 PM)jfkbengals Wrote: Allow me to summarize it (never throw away your research):

Sims inactive 5-15 record (.250 W%), opponents YPG 135.9, opponents YPC 4.49

Sims active 32-27-1 record (.542 W%), opponents YPG 100.2, opponents YPC 3.87

(08-30-2015, 03:30 PM)jfkbengals Wrote: Not sure I'd have any faith in either of them against a road grading RT on a running down.

(09-02-2015, 08:24 AM)SHRacerX Wrote: Exactly.  People think DEs are interchangeable.  They're not.  Hunt is the best option behind Dunlap and that is why he makes the team. 

(09-02-2015, 11:12 AM)fredtoast Wrote: MJ can play both ends.

It is better to not have him flip flopping throughout the game, but if it comes down to keeping a better player at the bottom of the D-line roster he could do it.