(04-07-2018, 07:43 PM)PDub80 Wrote: Stud: RG Christian Westerman - I think Westerman steps into the role and the Bengals do NOT spend a high draft pick on a G.

Dud: Andy Dalton - The offensive line and running game are better this season, but I predict Dalton does NOT improve and continues his erratic play - to the team's detriment. In typical fashion after having nowhere to turn, this will lead the Dalton gang to then blame the kicker, Randy Bullock, for Andy's poor performances. 2015 gets further and further away in the rear view mirror.

(04-08-2018, 09:19 AM)SHRacerX Wrote: You are on a roll, my friend.  

Wilson got a shot late last year and was an impact guy on special teams.  I loved to watch that Houston team when he was there.  That defense had speed to burn and made plays all over the field.  My guy Fej proved to be a capable fill-in as a seventh rounder with minimal experience at coverage safety.  I think Brandon Wilson deserves a shot as the deep safety.  If nothing else, I hope he gets the shot in the preseason and shows that he should at least warrant consideration.  Our safeties never seem to stay healthy. 

And you are dead on with respect to Mixon.  I didn't want to draft him (more for PR than anything) but the kid kept his nose clean and showed flashes of being the guy we saw at Oklahoma.  I think, as you stated, that once he has the new offense installed and better offensive line play, the guy will soar.  I am not a fantasy guy, but I would want Mixon on my fantasy team this year.

(04-07-2018, 08:09 PM)bambino5130 Wrote: Dark Horse: Jordan Evans: Really like his size, & jump off the ball. I thought MJ took way too many snaps away from Evans last year. Hopefully MJ gets cut, freeing up cap space to resign Geno & Los, & Evans gets his opportunity.

Dud: Dre Kirkpatrick: It seems everytime I almost quit on him, he seems to make a play like a pass deflection ..... only to follow it with a PI. Is he worth $10 million a year? Hell no. Could Denard prove he is the better CB, most likely.

(04-07-2018, 10:12 PM)snowy Wrote: Dark hourse: Malone
Dud: Hewitt

(04-08-2018, 09:35 AM)SHRacerX Wrote: Ouch on Dalton.

I think Westerman is a great selection, and I think he and Redmond allow the Bengals to focus on other spots (center, RT possibly, but they did sign Hart to compete with Fisher).  It also provides the Bengals a back up plan to Glenn if he is injured (and it doesn't have to be Ced O, thank God):  You can slide Boling to LT, Westerman to LG and have Redmond at RG.  We had no real back up plan last year to Ced and finally made a switch once the season was over.  Lazor won't wait this year if it isn't working.  

The drafting of the right center is very crucial to this team's success in 2018 (no shit, right?)  I am hoping for Price or Ragnow.  

(04-08-2018, 09:36 AM)PDub80 Wrote: I don't know if you caught the thread or not back right after the season, but in an interview/podcast Dave Lapham said that Bill Lazor took the run blocking scheme duties away from Alexander starting in week 11. Lazor totally changed the scheme and run fits from a Mid-Zone to an Inside-Zone, which was a major change in philosophy and blocking scheme. Lapham explained it as a really needed change and in great detail.

Mixon's avg per carry....

WEEK
11: 4.96
12: 4.86
13: DnP Concussion
14: DnP Concussion
15: 4.00
16: 5.33

Mixon should benefit wildly from this O-Line overhaul. Perhaps more than anyone.

(04-08-2018, 09:41 AM)PDub80 Wrote: My only (real) criticism and concern regarding Andy isn't how good he can be. He can be top shelf and elite at his peak. It'show bad he can be on an off week. He can be horrific. If he can just raise his level of bad game (all QBs have them) up to not THAT bad - 5 turnovers open day to the Ravens at home, anyone? - then the Bengals have a shot at winning any game.

But, until he does that and becomes more consistent, he's the player who scares me the most every week.

(04-08-2018, 09:43 AM)Daddy-O Wrote: Dark Horse:  Ryan Glasgow.  Like what he did as a rookie and expect bigger and better things as a second year player

Dud:  Have to say Dre K

(04-07-2018, 04:46 PM)Luvnit2 Wrote: Neither was good a year ago so how can 2 players who did nothing be a dud. It is expected they will stink by most. A Dud to me should be either brand new with high expectations or someone who has played well the year prior.

(04-08-2018, 09:39 AM)SHRacerX Wrote: Poor Hewitt.  Plays his ass off and is rewarded with less and less playing time.  I wonder if Lazor will do much with the FB (or HB) on the field?  I personally think the guy is a vastly underrated receiver out of the backfield.  

(04-07-2018, 11:14 AM)samhain Wrote: I can see the Burfict selection due to spotty availability.  

Disagree on WJIII due to the fact that most probably already expect him to be one of the 5 best players on the team.

(04-08-2018, 07:13 PM)bengalfan74 Wrote: Stud: Joe Mixon

Dud: Michael Johnson

(04-08-2018, 09:28 AM)SHRacerX Wrote: Very interesting dark horse.  I love it!  That would be the darkest of dark horses.  

I think you might have missed, however, how many really good NFL players ended up with one-year deals this year.  It seems to be the new trend.  Brown will love playing on this defense.