(07-12-2016, 12:02 PM)3wt Wrote: I like the idea of him playing inside, and if he can put together a pass rush having opposite Dunlap could be very exciting.   Spelling Peko really improved his game last year.  Doing the same for MJ could also bear some pretty good fruit.  If he's healthy and producing Guenther is likely to use him in a variety of ways.

So in this the driest part of the off season I'm willing to put some positive energy behind a reasonable pipe dream.

(07-11-2016, 11:52 PM)BengalChris Wrote: Well, all I have to say is that he's a bust until he proves otherwise. Three years to contribute essentially nothing. A bad back for one year just doesn't explain the complete disappearance he's was able to do the other two years. It's time to put up or make room for someone who will.

(07-12-2016, 02:33 AM)Thundercloud Wrote: My observation of Hunt, and we have limited snaps to talk about, show a guy with tremendous power, who doesn't finish, who doesn't take his play all the way to achieve a football objective, like making a tackle for instance.

He gets into a pushing contest and forgets that job one is to GET YOUR HANDS ON THE GUY WITH THE BALL! Now I'm sure that he has been coached on finishing over and over.  But he doesn't seem to have the football instinct to make that one great, last move to get a sack, or at least a tackle.

Let's hope that exposure to Kevin Greene, will bring him up a couple of notches, and he'll understand that there's a time to get off the damn block and make a play.  It seems like he has the talent in there somewhere, to be awesome. But the clock is ticking loudly.

(07-12-2016, 09:02 AM)SHRacerX Wrote: People will say you are pulling for him out of pure fandom and that he is a bust...blah, blah, blah.

I don't always like to hear the terms "raw", or "project" when it comes to a second round selection, but the Bengals had talent that were already entrenched as starters so I was ok with the decision.  His health has been the #1 issue with Hunt.  I watched him a lot in college.  You can go back and watch his Youtube highlights.  The guy was unblockable.  He had tremendous balance for a big man, and great speed and athleticism.  

I was hoping to see him more at DT next to Geno with MJ and Dunlap outside.  I also thought he was more suited at LDE, but either way, the guy made some amazing plays and he wasn't always facing duds.  I remember when he went against a tackle that was drafted pretty high (second rounder, I think) and he definitely got the best of him the entire game.  Plus, blocking something ridiculous like 17 kicks?  Why was he not next to Dunlap on these units?

I still have hope for the guy, but he is a longshot at this point.  If he has a huge season, this team is going to be lethal on defense. 

(07-12-2016, 02:37 PM)Sled21 Wrote: People can say what they want, everyone has an opinion. I'm rooting for the guy. If they lined him up next to Geno or Peko, and put Dunlap and Johnson on the ends, what QB could see to throw over that line. The only line of sight would be over top of Geno's helmet, which is going to be bearing down on you. And maybe it's the back issue, but I do not understand why Simmons is not lining up Hunt on the inside to block kicks. Seems like he had a knack for it, and is seldom used in that role. If he makes the step he makes it, if not he's gone. I'm rooting for him....

(07-11-2016, 05:47 PM)3wt Wrote: That's how Margus Hunt describes how his back is feeling in Dan Hoard's recent article on Hunt and Clarke stepping up (http://www.bengals.com/news/article-1/Opportunity-Beckons-for-Clarke-and-Hunt/df3b1689-76ad-41b5-a4a3-bf5ef518604d).  

He went on to describe how bad his back was last year and the process it took to start getting his strength and flexibility back.  Ultimately he was only able to contribute 5% of the defensive snaps.

I have this crazy good (emphasis on crazy) feeling about Hunt this year.   If he stays healthy that is.  I remember how long it took Geno to get back to speed after his knee surgery.  Backs are every bit as serious as knees and he barely was able to get back on the field.

Couple that with what sounds like a really good meeting with Kevin Green and I actually have a touch of optimism going into training camp.  The visit involved physically showing Hunt how he trained and film work of both Green and Hunt.

If Hunt were to develop to the point where he could put significant pressure on the quarterback it would put our defense into a different category.  It would strengthen the rotation (spelling MJ) and add the pressure on the quarterback that has been missing at the end of big games.

(07-12-2016, 03:32 PM)Nate (formerly eliminate08) Wrote: The one problem i had with the Draft was no DE, hopefully this
is the reason we did not draft one, the coaches have high hopes for Hunt and Clarke.