(10-06-2016, 05:43 PM)JumboTron Wrote: I really hope you're right.  Was a huge fan of his when he was a Spartan.  Most frustrating thing for me was that he was an ironman of sorts with MSU.  Didn't miss a game (as far as I can remember) and was never injured, at least nothing that kept him from missing any time or hindered his play.  I agree though, patience is what's needed with the guy.

(10-06-2016, 03:25 PM)lostpoet2 Wrote: What are your expectations for Darqueze Dennard's play this year?  So far I've been very disappointed in his performance, but I realize he is coming off of a season ending injury and then an ankle issue that caused him to miss the preseason.

I think the coaches need to formally move Josh Shaw above him in the depth chart, but it looks like that isn't going to happen any time soon.  I also recall Leon Hall starting off slowly in the preseason in the past, but I can't help but worry that Dennard will never end up playing up to the level of play that we experienced with Hall.  Is anyone else concerned?

(10-07-2016, 09:55 AM)oncemoreuntothejimbreech Wrote: He had the same shoulder injury in college which contributed to him injuring the same shoulder with the Bengals. 

(10-07-2016, 09:12 AM)BigPapaKain Wrote: If I recall correctly, didn't Kirkpatrick not know how to back pedal all that well? Who uses a first round draft pick on a corner who can't back pedal?

But I have to admit, dude doesn't quit.

Holding, that is.

(10-07-2016, 09:29 AM)WeezyBengal Wrote: I gave Kirkpatrick a lot of crap over the past couple of years, but he is playing really well this year. 

Sure he has a mistake every once in awhile, but he has been solid for the most part. 

(10-07-2016, 09:37 AM)SHRacerX Wrote: I don't want to move Shaw out of the nickel CB position.  No way, no how.  I think that is such a critical position against today's dink and dunk offenses.  And he's soaring.

Dennard just needs to keep playing.  He needs to get his confidence back.  The Miami game was a step in the right direction.   He just needs to get more and more NFL game experience.  His accumulated snaps still puts him at close to rookie status.  I remember seeing Hall stink up the joint his rookie season and thinking he will never contribute, yet at one point years later, I saw him as one of the best in the league.

I would get Dennard in there over Adam Jones any time the Bengals have a significant lead.  Keep Jones fresh and get Dennard snaps against a team that will have to be airing it out.  Dennard is probably more a part of the future plans than Kirkpatrick. I doubt the Bengals will sign him long term.  Dennard, WJIII, and next year's first round pick will be the future with Shaw as the nickel and Jones as the stop-gap.

(10-06-2016, 04:16 PM)Bilbo Saggins Wrote: Dennard actually looked good on the outside vs. Miami.  When he has been beaten this season, it has been on plays where he has had close coverage but just didn't make a play on the ball.  Those sorts of plays happen to even the best of corners, and Dennard was coming in with very little practice.  I'd bet by around mid-season we'll start to see the "real" Dennard.