(05-07-2018, 09:29 PM)Neon Icon Wrote: It will be kinda cool if Austin stops playing that weak zone on defense.

If that stays...I think we can conclude it's Marvin and not all these different DC's.

(05-05-2018, 07:28 PM)BFritz21 Wrote: As a team, what weaknesses do you see on our team?

Obviously, the line is a huge question mark with Fisher struggling at right tackle, but let's hope he can finally put it together with being fully healthy and with Pollack's coaching, and Hart will hopefully push him.  Glenn appears to be an upgrade at left tackle and is even glorified by some experts as one of the top ten left tackles in the league.  Price can hopefully anchor the line and be the leader and strongpoint on the line that we've been missing since Braham.  Guard is still a question mark and should be a good competition with Redmond, Westerman, Boling, and Hopkins.

The line could be, and (at the moment) appears to be, a weaknesses, but Pollack could turn it into a strength or at least a serviceable squad.  

We obviously have AJ and Ross could be coming into his own, and LaFell is also average but, outside of those three, depth could be a concern at receiver.

Safety could be seen as a weakness, but I'm hoping that Bates brings some excitement into the secondary and is a force at one safety spot for us.

Is backer a weakness?  We have Burfict and Jefferson, but will our third backer be good enough?  Can Preston Brown get it done?  Is Vigil improving enough?  Rey?

I left off Marvin and I'm hoping that it finally clicks for him this year and that the assistant coaches help mask his weaknesses and that he listens to them.  He didn't have coaches good enough to be strong enough minds to have an influence on him, but I'm hoping that they play a part in game planning and clock management this year.

Do you agree with my weaknesses?  What weaknesses do you see?

(05-07-2018, 10:10 PM)Derrick Wrote: This is a true story. And I am not sold on Lazor as OC. A lot is riding on the "new and improved" coaching. I am hopeful, but 50 years as a Bengal fan has me doubting these guys will find the rosetta stone.

(05-07-2018, 10:10 PM)Derrick Wrote: This is a true story. And I am not sold on Lazor as OC. A lot is riding on the "new and improved" coaching. I am hopeful, but 50 years as a Bengal fan has me doubting these guys will find the rosetta stone.

(05-07-2018, 11:14 PM)Neon Icon Wrote: I'm not sold on Lazor either, but if this team can start running the ball for 4 yards per tote, it changes the entire offense.

(05-07-2018, 11:22 PM)SunsetBengal Wrote: 4 yards per carry isn't some "magic number".  If you look at stats, 4 ypc was just middle of the pack last season.  Going to take more than that to get to glory.

(05-08-2018, 06:07 AM)kevin Wrote:   Then in 1990's you took over and you just have never understood the need for Blocking as your Great Ohio Football Father did.

(05-05-2018, 08:10 PM)fredtoast Wrote: Jefferson is a huge question mark.

Preston Brown has proven he can lead the leagu in tackles.

(05-07-2018, 01:06 AM)Shady Wrote: I'd have preferred Griffin, too. Maybe they thought he was too undersized for the scheme they want to run. I don't know. Marvin is awful at drafting LBs. Maybe Austin sees something in Jefferson that we don't. I know it's his job to be upbeat in the media on draft day, but he seemed excited about him.

The other thing we have to hope for is that Mark Walton posts some good numbers as RB #3. We know that Mixon and Gio could both miss time again this year. Injuries happen. Walton could be very important insurance.

Still, I wish Griffin was in Stripes.

(05-07-2018, 11:13 PM)SunsetBengal Wrote: Actually, I'm quite optimistic about Lazor.  Here's why.  It's not like he's coming in cold, he's had two years to fully get to know the offensive personnel at his disposal, and waited his turn to get his say.  Last year, I really don't hold him much accountable for, except at the end where he essentially told PA to piss off.  Last year he had to operate on Jay Gruden's offensive plan, that was customized by Hue Jackson, then bastardized by Ken Zampese (let alone bogged down with a lot of unnecessary terminology).

Bill Lazor has had a fair amount of time to evaluate the situation, before installing his own offense, customized to the personnel that he knows what they are capable of.  The way I see it, as soon as the OL, with all of their new faces in new places, gels into a cohesive unit, this offense could score a ton of points.

Bottom Line?  I look for this team to be hit or miss early, then gain momentum and grow to juggernaut status similar to 2015. (prior to the Andy thumb breaking)