(06-26-2020, 05:15 PM)Mike M (the other one) Wrote: Cult???

No its people proving you wrong about him with all your lame attempts to discredit him.

(06-25-2020, 12:21 PM)SHRacerX Wrote: If you read anything about the offseason on 2020 (outside the Rona), you will likely see a lot of love for the Baltimore Ravens.  With good reason.  They added Derek Wolfe and Calais Campbell to their already solid defense.  They had a solid draft, adding JK Dobbins and some young talent at WR.  

That all being said, I can't help but think a great deal of their defenses success were attributed to their amazing offense.  Team would fall behind and become one-dimensional.  When they got to the playoffs, Tennessee had a design to greatly reduce their offensive output, largely by keeping them off the field.  I can't help but think the league will have a few more answers on how to limit them offensively in year two and the back end of their defense is still suspect, especially at LB position.  

They signed DJ Fluker for a one-year deal, but did so because of the retirement of one of the best Guards in the league for the past decade, Marshall Yanda.  Not much is being said of the Fluker for Yanda swap.  It could be a huge difference for their offense.  

I like how the Ravens are built and Calais Campbell is a beast, but I can't help but think the steelers (puke) have a better defense heading in to the 2020 season.  They were really good last year, despite having one of the worst offenses in the league.  They paid a high price for Mincah Fitzpatrick, but he is clearly worth it.  Devin Bush is a playmaker, and they have a strong defensive line.  If the steelers offense is even just solid in 2020, their defense could be the best in the division.

The Browns are a huge wildcard.  It reminds me a lot of the Colts under Manning where they had tons of weapons but only a few top tier players on defense.  I honestly have no idea what to expect other than their coaching staff looks to be a massive upgrade over the useless Freddy Kitchen.  I would place their defense as tied for third with the Bengals.  

If the Bengals offense can be what we all hope with Burrow and a stable of weapons, the Bengals defense could improve dramatically simply by not always being put in bad situations and not being on the field so long.  The addition of Reader in the middle, with Von Bell, and Josh Bynes offers THREE significant upgrades right off the bat.  The young speedsters at LB should also help and that could pay dividends in terms of allowing the pass rush to get home.  If Lawson can stay healthy and Hubbard continues to develop, the pass rush could be improved as well.  The back end is a bit of a wild card as I don't know which WJIII we will get and if Waynes and Alexander fit the scheme and produce as well.  I will say this:  If Reader, Bell, Bynes and the young LBs stay healthy, the back end will be in a MUCH better position to produce.  

Thoughts?

(06-26-2020, 05:15 PM)Mike M (the other one) Wrote: Cult???

No its people proving you wrong about him with all your lame attempts to discredit him.

(06-26-2020, 06:31 PM)J24 Wrote: Our defense is going to shock the NFL world this season.
We improved our biggest weaknesses from last season with replacing Brown with Pratt. We continued to get better at the position with Wilson and ADG at LB. The D-Line is A+ and the secondary is a B+ which could turn into an A- .

(06-28-2020, 06:18 PM)jason Wrote: We're still rolling with Mr 5th Choice at DC though. There seems to be a big assumption that just having a year under his belt is gonna lead to big improvement. I figured a head or 2 would roll following a 2 win season. I think Lou could've been one of them.

(06-28-2020, 06:18 PM)jason Wrote: We're still rolling with Mr 5th Choice at DC though. There seems to be a big assumption that just having a year under his belt is gonna lead to big improvement. I figured a head or 2 would roll following a 2 win season. I think Lou could've been one of them.

(06-29-2020, 09:03 AM)SHRacerX Wrote: In all fairness, despite losing some key players, at least Lou's defense improved down the stretch last year.  In 2018, it just circled the drain. There was a lot of missing pieces last year and they found some potential starters off the bench in Phillips and Tupou.  Pratt showed he belonged, but this will undoubtedly be the year where Lou either proves his worth or is shown the door.  

I like Taylor a lot and think the offense will really take a huge leap.  It is fair to expect a similar improvement with all the FAs and draft picks that were added in the offseason.

(06-28-2020, 02:13 PM)Nate (formerly eliminate08) Wrote: Yeah the cult following of Josh Bynes GTFO Fred.

(06-29-2020, 10:52 AM)fredtoast Wrote: Fred mentions "cult following".

Several members of the cult rush to admonish Fred.

Not one member agrees that Bynes is a 31 year old career back up signed for league minimum.

POINT PROVEN.

(06-29-2020, 10:02 AM)SunsetBengal Wrote: Having players with the skill sets that fit what you are trying to accomplish, that you had a hand in the selection process in bringing them to the team, makes a big difference.  

I fully realize that I should know better by now, but I'm curiously optimistic for the defense this season.

(06-29-2020, 10:52 AM)fredtoast Wrote: Fred mentions "cult following".

Several members of the cult rush to admonish Fred.

Not one member agrees that Bynes is a 31 year old career back up signed for league minimum.

POINT PROVEN.

(06-29-2020, 10:02 AM)SunsetBengal Wrote: Having players with the skill sets that fit what you are trying to accomplish, that you had a hand in the selection process in bringing them to the team, makes a big difference.  

I fully realize that I should know better by now, but I'm curiously optimistic for the defense this season.

(06-29-2020, 02:42 PM)Nate (formerly eliminate08) Wrote: Nope, there is no cult following of Josh Bynes. He was a decent pick up with veteran experience, this is all.

You have hated Bynes from the get go and yeah, we don't.

(06-29-2020, 03:23 PM)SHRacerX Wrote: Fred goes third person, X does as well.  

X points out that Fred forgot "veteran" league minimum...which is 1.6 million.  X further elaborates that if he was a backup, why did he start for a defense ranked in the top 10 last year and was possibly their best LB?  

Point, counterpoint.  

(06-29-2020, 03:26 PM)SHRacerX Wrote: Yeah, a one year contract for a proven veteran that improved the Ravens defense when he returned isn't a bad thing when you consider Jordan Evans has more snaps than every other LB on our roster.  But hey, if that is the stuff cults are made of, hand me some kool aid and sign me up.  

Oh year, and he came from a division opponent.  I loved that. 

(06-29-2020, 03:20 PM)SHRacerX Wrote: I know why we should all feel that way, but I feel like there is legitimate reasons to believe this team will be competitive and might even be a contender by year's end.   

(06-29-2020, 03:25 PM)Nate (formerly eliminate08) Wrote: This is the first time I can remember us going all out in Free Agency for one side of the ball.

Proven Free Agents like Reader, Bell, Waynes, Alexander, Bynes all in one FA period? Never seen this.

Expecting a monster jump from the D this year.

(06-29-2020, 05:34 PM)SunsetBengal Wrote: That is the curious part, the front office going out of character like that.  Makes me think that they actually believe in Coach Lou, his plans on improvement, and his change in philosophy requiring the players with specific skill sets to get the job done.  Moreover, I think that they are all in on Coach Taylor, and want to give him and now Joe Burrow every opportunity to build a winner from this year going forward.

(06-29-2020, 05:34 PM)SunsetBengal Wrote: Yep, like many other fans, I went all in in 2015.  I just knew that team was special, yet the Bengals still found a way to break my heart.