(12-28-2020, 09:49 PM)Nicomo Cosca Wrote: Mixon is a better blocker than he gets credit for. He’s not as good as Gio, but few are.

This one against the Steelers was particularly impressive.

https://youtu.be/NpI53fu_fxQ

(12-28-2020, 07:23 PM)CanadianBengal Wrote:  
Bernard ($4.1 mil) + CJ (5 mil) + Hart (5.9 mill)  = Scherff (15 mil) or Shaq Barrett ($15.8 mil) or Trent Williams (13.2 mil) or Joe Thuney (14.7 mil) 
                                                                    

(12-29-2020, 09:08 AM)SunsetBengal Wrote: It's easy to say "Let's get rid of 3 major role players on the team, and use the money to get one superstar.".  However, what you've effectively done is created two holes on the roster, while only improving one.

(12-30-2020, 10:17 AM)THE PISTONS Wrote: I feel like hopefully the biggest takeaway from the coaches is that a more balanced offense works better than throwing it 60+ times. In 3 of the games we won this year, we had an adequate to good running game.

(12-30-2020, 10:22 AM)SunsetBengal Wrote: I kind of feel like what led to throwing 50+ times/game was an inability to run the ball.  Due to lack of adequate interior OL, they literally got no push, and compounding the problem was defenses were also easily able to rush the passer straight up the gut, as well.

So, maybe the real take here is that Interior Offensive Line matters?

(12-30-2020, 10:34 AM)THE PISTONS Wrote: It's hard to say. XSF and Spain have graded out really poorly run blocking. I think we're just running more so you pop one here and there.

Aside from the Finley sneaks, we didn't run that well against the Steelers. I think you gotta just stick with running it.

Dropping back in a 5 wide set with no RB and chucking it 50-60 times just isn't going to produce a ton of wins.

(12-30-2020, 10:22 AM)SunsetBengal Wrote: I kind of feel like what led to throwing 50+ times/game was an inability to run the ball.  Due to lack of adequate interior OL, they literally got no push, and compounding the problem was defenses were also easily able to rush the passer straight up the gut, as well.

So, maybe the real take here is that Interior Offensive Line matters?

(12-30-2020, 10:46 AM)SunsetBengal Wrote: I'd really like to see what constitutes the run grading for PFF.  Seems like some really decent run blocking games were graded rather poorly.  I think they really overlook a lot of quality plays for one penalty or blown assignment.  For example, the game that Billy Price was at Center, and most of us viewed him as run blocking very well, but his grad was poor for that game.

(12-30-2020, 11:57 AM)Nicomo Cosca Wrote: Wasn’t it his pass blocking that knocked his grade down? Think it was an 18 iirc lol. That was the game with the play where he just stood there and made no effort to block anyone while Burrow was running around evading like 4-5 guys. Even our ex-QB J.T. O’Sullivan killed Price for that one.

(12-30-2020, 12:17 PM)SunsetBengal Wrote: I thought he also had a holding penalty on a big run play?

(12-30-2020, 12:27 PM)Nicomo Cosca Wrote: Not sure.

(12-30-2020, 12:34 PM)SunsetBengal Wrote: And, as I recall, many decided it was a rather tick-tack call, as it appeared to be not very flagrant and away from the play.

(12-27-2020, 11:30 PM)SunsetBengal Wrote: The biggest, most obvious thing to me is that in spite of some speculation, the team has not quit on the coaching staff.  Perhaps a little heat from media and personalities on social media may have inspired some rethinking on the part of the staff, or not.  Whatever the case, weather it be a collective gathering of professional pride on part of the players, or the coaching staff taking an introspective look and making some necessary changes, it seems to be working.

I'm sure that it must be reassuring to Joe Burrow to see the team double down and solidify their resolve while he is rehabbing.  Some may call these latest two wins "meaningless", but I guarantee that they mean a hell of a lot to every man who wears the striped helmet.  How nice will it be to get Joe back, and have a team that believes in itself for Joe to come back to?

What I think I know:

Brandon Allen deserves a secure deal to remain as Joe's backup going forward.

With XSF at LG and Spain at RG, the interior of the OL has seemed to stop the bleeding.  Teams can no longer pass rush up the gut at will, and we seem to be getting better push in the run game.  I hope that they sign Spain to a 3 year deal, and keep him around until the next permanent Guard of the future is drafted and properly developed.  I still think they need a bona fide stud at Tackle, either to pair with Williams, or assume his spot should he never achieve full greatness.  Missing 75% of his games due to injury in his first two years is a bit concerning to me.  That is partly why I have been such a die hard on the Penei Sewell bandwagon.

Our backup RBs are pretty good.  We all knew what Gio Bernard was capable of, when used properly.  Samaje Perine has shown to be worth keeping around, as well.  Not the quickest out of the gate, but dude has a second gear when in open territory.  Given a crease, those massive thighs just keep churning, not bad hands either.

Tee Higgins is for real, he will be a modest to medium star in this league. Boyd is going to continue to be Boyd: steady, dependable, not one for the defense to sleep on.  AJ Green looked like absolute dog shit to start the year.  However, in the past month or so, he's gotten his rhythm back on, and is looking much like his old self.  Part of me would like to see him signed to a modest 3 year deal, and retire as a Bengal.  (He may be looking for one last huge payday)  After that, WR gets a bit murky.  Erickson looked clutch a few times today, but typically he's a non factor.  Would like to see an over the top, role player WR signed in free agency, while a mid round pick is drafted and developed to complete the game day 5.

Drew Sample is NOT a bum, and he indeed CAN find the end zone, as was proven today.     Yes, we need another TE, NO I don't feel like we need to take Kyle Pitts with our top pick.  This team doesn't utilize the TE position nearly enough to justify ignoring fundamental position group NEEDS in favor of a shiny, new weapon.

On defense:

Too much to cram into this post.  We can discuss that one in another thread.

(12-27-2020, 11:50 PM)Nicomo Cosca Wrote: This.

I also really wish people would stop with the “shiny new toy” stuff. It’s a very outdated way to look at the game. Yes the trenches will always be important, but so are good weapons. The league is completely geared towards offense now, and it’s best to have as many good ones as you can. Just look at KC. They had the best QB, the best TE, one of the best WR’s (certainly one of the fastest), but they still went out and got a Sammy Watkins, and just used a 1st round pick on a RB.

This team will go as far as Joe Burrow can take them. They should give him every possible advantage.

(12-30-2020, 12:59 PM)SHRacerX Wrote: If you want to use KC as the measuring stick, you need to ask yourself how successful Mahommes and Kelce would be without Hill and their other blazing outside WR (that plays over Watkins) aren't creating instant separation and taking the top off the defense so Kelce can work underneath.  Kelce is a heck of a receiver, but a below average blocker.  They have a really good offensive line, too.

If you look at them, what is the thing the Bengals miss the most in that offense?  I would say it is the vertical threat that can generate quick separation.  Hill gives Mahommes a deep threat, but also a screen receiver or dumpoff on a blitz that moves the sticks.  I would rather have a WR like Chase than a TE like Pitts.  We don't need another body that can get open and has good hands in the middle, we need the piece that opens up everything in the middle.  Chase does that more than Pitts.  

And while we are quick to hammer Sample for being taken middle second round, he is grading out around 60, which includes an above average blocking grade and he usually catches the ball and moves the chains just fine when he is targeted.  It isn't his fault that he is largely asked to stay in and block. 

(12-28-2020, 12:19 AM)Hoofhearted Wrote: Also, it’s amazing how much better the line has got without awful LG play. They’ve went from abysmal to serviceable. Will be interested to see how they fair next week vs Ratbirds. Texans d-line was plagued by injuries. Steelers we relied on defense playing insane and Ben looking like he’s 80 years old. Let’s see how they do next week

(12-28-2020, 01:59 AM)Murdock2420 Wrote: Yup, heard that same stat.

To me he isn't a guy you cut, he is a guy you find more ways to get involved in the game plan.

Plus, his blitz pick-up as a RB is best on this team by far.

(12-28-2020, 12:06 PM)Wyche Wrote: Not playing a washed up running QB helps too....

(12-30-2020, 12:59 PM)SHRacerX Wrote: If you want to use KC as the measuring stick, you need to ask yourself how successful Mahommes and Kelce would be without Hill and their other blazing outside WR (that plays over Watkins) aren't creating instant separation and taking the top off the defense so Kelce can work underneath.  Kelce is a heck of a receiver, but a below average blocker.  They have a really good offensive line, too.

If you look at them, what is the thing the Bengals miss the most in that offense?  I would say it is the vertical threat that can generate quick separation.  Hill gives Mahommes a deep threat, but also a screen receiver or dumpoff on a blitz that moves the sticks.  I would rather have a WR like Chase than a TE like Pitts.  We don't need another body that can get open and has good hands in the middle, we need the piece that opens up everything in the middle.  Chase does that more than Pitts.  

And while we are quick to hammer Sample for being taken middle second round, he is grading out around 60, which includes an above average blocking grade and he usually catches the ball and moves the chains just fine when he is targeted.  It isn't his fault that he is largely asked to stay in and block.