(12-27-2023, 02:14 AM)casear2727 Wrote: Mahomes is great vs the blitz. His tackles have been awful, not sure we need to blitz too much. Remember it was the drop 8 that give KC problems, even when they had Tyreek.

Also this:

Next Gen Stats show that Kansas City Chiefs quarterback has posted a higher career passer rating (116.5) when facing 5+ pass rushers than he has against 4 or fewer pass rushers (109.0).

(12-27-2023, 02:14 AM)casear2727 Wrote: Mahomes is great vs the blitz.  His tackles have been awful, not sure we need to blitz too much.  Remember it was the drop 8 that give KC problems, even when they had Tyreek.

Also this:

Next Gen Stats show that Kansas City Chiefs quarterback has posted a higher career passer rating (116.5) when facing 5+ pass rushers than he has against 4 or fewer pass rushers (109.0).

(12-26-2023, 07:12 PM)Joelist Wrote: Thanks!

Of all these I think the biggest issue may be the constant dumb errors in the secondary. Because of them the D can't even handle third and long reliably. If these young speedsters can't figure out how to play zone with some smarts then either they have to be replaced with smarter players or we have to simplify the system into something they CAN execute.

(12-24-2023, 03:31 PM)J24 Wrote: So how do hypothesis Duke, Lou, and Zac will fix this defense? Or perhaps you think we should fire Lou?

Starting 3T , starting NT , and Nickle LB have to be addressed in free agency or via trade.  Additionally I think we should look to add a true FS and move Dax to Nickleback/Joker. At least  on 3rd downs!

(12-27-2023, 07:15 PM)TSwigZ Wrote: Biggest surprise to me this year has been the subpar performance from our LBs

(12-27-2023, 07:20 PM)ochocincos Wrote: I think you're out of your mind that they're going to make that many changes in one offseason.
We need to think realistic.

We'll see probably 1 veteran brought in and any others will be addressed in the draft.

Why does Nickel LB need to be addressed? They only run two and Pratt and Wilson are fine.

I think with all they've invested in DB the past couple offseasons, we're not going to see much new there.
CTB, Turner, Hilton, Hill, and Battle are the guys going into training camp.
DE I think is also pretty set with Hendrickson, Hubbard, and Murphy.
DT is where I would look to invest in a couple draft picks and maybe 1 veteran to go along with BJ Hill.

Offense is honestly what I'm more worried about with 4 starting spots potentially vacating in RT, WR2, slot WR, and TE.
Have we seen enough Charlie Jones to pencil him in as the Boyd replacement?

(12-27-2023, 07:44 PM)M.W. Wrote: The maturing of our young DBs will help.  I would replace Reader with another (hopefully younger) DT that can disrupt and stop the run.  Draft best DE available in the draft unless some great candidate slips to our pick.

If we had another DE 70% as good as Trey it would make our entire defense so much better.  It starts at the foundation. If we could create constant pressure in the backfield like teams do against us, it would be great Mkay?

(12-27-2023, 07:20 PM)ochocincos Wrote: I think you're out of your mind that they're going to make that many changes in one offseason.
We need to think realistic.

We'll see probably 1 veteran brought in and any others will be addressed in the draft.

Why does Nickel LB need to be addressed? They only run two and Pratt and Wilson are fine.

I think with all they've invested in DB the past couple offseasons, we're not going to see much new there.
CTB, Turner, Hilton, Hill, and Battle are the guys going into training camp.
DE I think is also pretty set with Hendrickson, Hubbard, and Murphy.
DT is where I would look to invest in a couple draft picks and maybe 1 veteran to go along with BJ Hill.

Offense is honestly what I'm more worried about with 4 starting spots potentially vacating in RT, WR2, slot WR, and TE.
Have we seen enough Charlie Jones to pencil him in as the Boyd replacement?

(12-27-2023, 07:20 PM)ochocincos Wrote: I think you're out of your mind that they're going to make that many changes in one offseason.
We need to think realistic.

We'll see probably 1 veteran brought in and any others will be addressed in the draft.

Why does Nickel LB need to be addressed? They only run two and Pratt and Wilson are fine.

I think with all they've invested in DB the past couple offseasons, we're not going to see much new there.
CTB, Turner, Hilton, Hill, and Battle are the guys going into training camp.
DE I think is also pretty set with Hendrickson, Hubbard, and Murphy.
DT is where I would look to invest in a couple draft picks and maybe 1 veteran to go along with BJ Hill.

Offense is honestly what I'm more worried about with 4 starting spots potentially vacating in RT, WR2, slot WR, and TE.
Have we seen enough Charlie Jones to pencil him in as the Boyd replacement?

(12-27-2023, 11:33 PM)J24 Wrote: Dead last in Yards per play, Yards per passing play, 2nd to dead last in Yard per rush, and 2nd to dead last in total Yards on defense. A lot has to change for this defense.


For LBers.
According to PFF both LBers pass coverage has fallen off a cliff. 

Logan went from a 73.6 in pass coverage in 22 to a 56.6 in pass coverage this season.

Germaine went from a 90 in pass coverage in 22 to a 62.3 this season. 

Last season Pratt played in 722 snaps while this season he has played in 895. Remember how he complained about not being a 3 down player? Well he has been a 3 down player this year and his play has dropped because of it.

All I'm asking for is to re-sign ADG and to give him back his 3rd down role from last season. Is that really that big of an ask?

As for the secondary 

Again were dead last in Yards Per pass attempt this season and went from 1st in pass Completion last year to 22nd this year. Both Hilton and Auwzie have struggled in man, Dax has regressed in pass coverage since the start of the season, and Turner has looked terrible the last two weeks. 

Hilton will need to be replaced because A.) He is about to be 30 and B.) 2024 is his last year on his deal. So why Not move Hill there(which is his natural spot anyways) and draft a natural safety in his place? Why is that an irrational ask?

 We agree we need to add a 3T to the roster; It's a deep year for DTs in this draft and Free agency. We should be able to fill that whole quite easily. 

The Front office needs to be aggressive this year and should look to improve the roster anyways it can. Via draft, Free agency, or Trade.

(12-27-2023, 08:15 PM)sandwedge Wrote: I've seen enough of Boyd though this year.

Quote:The 2023 Cincinnati Bengals have struggled mightily on the defensive side of the ball. This is especially evident in the AFC North where they’ve been manhandled in every facet on their way to an 0-5 record in the division. The stellar play of Joe Burrow has covered a ton of warts, and they now seem to be rising to the surface after his wrist injury suffered against the Baltimore Ravens. It’s no secret the Bengals play in the toughest division in the NFL and the team that makes it out in good health often takes the crown. This Bengals defense is young in the backend and very thin up front which has only made matters worse when playing better teams. Cincinnati will look to rebuild this offseason in hopes of getting back to the style of play shown in the last two years.

Physical Specimens
The most glaring weakness of this Bengals defense has been the lack of physicality across the board. When you play in the AFC North this just can’t happen, and even though the Bengals are built the least like their defensive divisional counterparts, it eventually catches up to you. The Bengals have been a fantastic December team in 2021 and 2022 under Zac Taylor but the Pittsburgh Steelers game brought them back to earth. Taylor lamented several issues by stating, “In all three phases and that was turnovers on offense and missed opportunities there. This is a humbling league. This is a humbling day. And we’re going to have to quickly be able to make corrections and put them behind us. And we have plenty to play for next week in Kansas City.”

Living on the EDGE
Trey Hendrickson is having the best season of his career and makes Sam Hubbard on the other side more effective on true pass rush sets. They make a solid duo together and have collectively made some of the best plays in the history of the franchise. The real issue arises when either of the Bengals bash brothers is off the field due to rest or injury. They simply don’t have the speed off the edge that the best teams in the NFL employ. Even though rookie Myles Murphy has flashed at times, they seem to need more in consistently getting to the quarterback.

Reading the Room
The Bengals have a history of successful defensive tackles including 2X All-Pro Geno Atkins and DJ Reader. The styles of the two players are quite different with Atkins being more of a pass rusher while Reader is a true run-stuffer. Cincinnati has a difficult decision on Reader who will be a free agent coming off another significant injury as he turns 30 years old. The Bengals desperately need quality snaps from the defensive tackle position moving forward. It would be no surprise if they target this spot aggressively in the draft and via free agency in 2024 with hopes of getting back to the top of the division.

(12-28-2023, 10:08 AM)SunsetBengal Wrote: Saw this article and it pretty much parallels my thoughts on the matter.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/nfl/the-cincinnati-bengals-have-defensive-deficiencies-that-must-be-addressed/ar-AA1m6Zfr?ocid=msedgntp&cvid=19ce5a2f6c274788b2207901ccd40b05&ei=54

(12-24-2023, 04:04 PM)impactplaya Wrote: I think the scheme has to change
Drop the 4 2 5 . Go back to the 4 3
And find a LB that can completely wreck
Havoc at the 1st and 2nd levels
Get a LB you can line up all around be
A Micah Parsons type. Need a DT that can
Disrupt the pocket create double teams

(12-29-2023, 05:03 PM)Hammerstripes Wrote: There isn't a linebacker in the league that can play against WRs and TEs.

You have to run a nickel against 3 WR sets. 

(12-29-2023, 05:03 PM)Hammerstripes Wrote: There isn't a linebacker in the league that can play against WRs and TEs.

You have to run a nickel against 3 WR sets. 

(12-27-2023, 05:37 AM)BoomerFan Wrote: A person claiming to be a time traveler from the future could tell me Jake Browning led us to a 27 - 3 victory or the Chiefs ran all over us en route to a 35 -10 beat down and I would have no idea if they were lying either way.

Though...the latter is more likely. If you can't stop the run then you will lose. Unless maybe both teams can't stop the run.