(04-18-2017, 11:51 AM)SunsetBengal Wrote: I see many people suggesting that the Bengals are going to load up on offensive weapons in the upcoming draft.  My question is, just how many new "parts" can the offensive machine put it, and run well?  As we noticed last year with the WR position, you can't always just put new bodies out there, and expect no drop-offs in production.  It takes time for people working together to understand each other's tendencies and abilities.

This year, we are not only looking to replace two spots on the OL, but now likely a starting TE, and possibly RB.  Honestly, under typical circumstances, incorporating a new RB should be relatively routine stuff, so long as he understands the offense and can pass pro.  However, this year, with new players at LT and RG, it will take extra time for things to settle into a rhythm.  At TE, you almost have to think that with the news that Eiftert isn't going to be ready, that in an effort to keep as much continuity on the field as possible, that Uzomah will start and Kroft will be 1st backup, no matter WHO they take in the draft.  Same goes with WR, they resigned Lafell for a reason, he developed continuity and consistency with Andy, and the season wore on.  Boyd and Core looked better and better the second half of the season.  I see any WR drafted having to bide his time for reps.

What are your thoughts?

(04-18-2017, 11:53 AM)Au165 Wrote: We kind of did it Andy's rookie year. To be fair, the TE or HB probably would start the year as a back up, so they'd work their way in.

(04-18-2017, 12:12 PM)SunsetBengal Wrote: Sure, Andy and AJ were the new parts, as well as Jay Gruden as OC.  All of the other parts remained the same, particularly the OL, backfield, and TEs.  Meaning that all parts involved in blocking and running game were unchanged.

This year, we are looking at a 40% turnover in OL, a medium possibility of a new primary ball carrier, as well as a new TE.  Not to mention an OC in his second year at the position.  An OC that many on here weren't completely thrilled with, last season.

Sure, it can work, they can all build together.  I'm just saying don't expect no offensive juggernaut on opening day.

(04-18-2017, 11:51 AM)SunsetBengal Wrote: I see many people suggesting that the Bengals are going to load up on offensive weapons in the upcoming draft.  My question is, just how many new "parts" can the offensive machine put it, and run well?  As we noticed last year with the WR position, you can't always just put new bodies out there, and expect no drop-offs in production.  It takes time for people working together to understand each other's tendencies and abilities.

This year, we are not only looking to replace two spots on the OL, but now likely a starting TE, and possibly RB.  Honestly, under typical circumstances, incorporating a new RB should be relatively routine stuff, so long as he understands the offense and can pass pro.  However, this year, with new players at LT and RG, it will take extra time for things to settle into a rhythm.  At TE, you almost have to think that with the news that Eiftert isn't going to be ready, that in an effort to keep as much continuity on the field as possible, that Uzomah will start and Kroft will be 1st backup, no matter WHO they take in the draft.  Same goes with WR, they resigned Lafell for a reason, he developed continuity and consistency with Andy, and the season wore on.  Boyd and Core looked better and better the second half of the season.  I see any WR drafted having to bide his time for reps.

What are your thoughts?

(04-18-2017, 02:39 PM)Nate (formerly eliminate08) Wrote: You think Uzomah would start over OJ Howard Sunset?

I really like Core and Boyd and i think the WR corps should be fine if we don't draft a WR early with bringing back Lafell.

I think Core could be special and he brings that deep threat we need to open up the passing game.

Drafting a RB somewhat high should be a priority to me more than WR and if we do draft Howard he is another WR anyways.

(04-18-2017, 04:29 PM)fredtoast Wrote: The '81 Forty-Niners started three rookies in their defensive backfield and had the #2 defense in the league.

(04-18-2017, 11:51 AM)SunsetBengal Wrote: I see many people suggesting that the Bengals are going to load up on offensive weapons in the upcoming draft.  My question is, just how many new "parts" can the offensive machine put it, and run well?  As we noticed last year with the WR position, you can't always just put new bodies out there, and expect no drop-offs in production.  It takes time for people working together to understand each other's tendencies and abilities.

This year, we are not only looking to replace two spots on the OL, but now likely a starting TE, and possibly RB.  Honestly, under typical circumstances, incorporating a new RB should be relatively routine stuff, so long as he understands the offense and can pass pro.  However, this year, with new players at LT and RG, it will take extra time for things to settle into a rhythm.  At TE, you almost have to think that with the news that Eiftert isn't going to be ready, that in an effort to keep as much continuity on the field as possible, that Uzomah will start and Kroft will be 1st backup, no matter WHO they take in the draft.  Same goes with WR, they resigned Lafell for a reason, he developed continuity and consistency with Andy, and the season wore on.  Boyd and Core looked better and better the second half of the season.  I see any WR drafted having to bide his time for reps.

What are your thoughts?

(04-18-2017, 05:10 PM)XenoMorph Wrote: Hewitt is still here right?

(04-18-2017, 04:40 PM)SunsetBengal Wrote: Absolutely, at least to begin the season.  I'm not saying that he wouldn't get reps somewhere in every game, from day one.  Just saying that the Bengals like to work rookies in gradually.

My main point of the post was to show that with a big turnover on the OL, they're likely going to want to keep as much of the offense as consistent as possible.  We're going to have two, really three new faces on the OL.  Sure, we're all familiar with Andre Smith, but we all used to carp and complain about him, as well.  He'll be in a position that he hasn't played since his Freshman year of HS.  Sure, I expect him to pick it up quick, but there will be some adjustment and transition.  As for the Tackles...  We've all been reading about how hard Cedric Ogbuehi has been working this offseason, complete with Hobson articles with comforting quotes to ease our troubled minds into forgetting what we all saw out of him on the field last season.  Same goes with Fisher, not completely sold on him yet, either.

Of all the skill positions, I'm worried about RB the most right now.  Sure, J Hill says that he's abandoning what he had been doing, because it wasn't working.  But c'mon, how in the heck does a guy that excels at being a straight ahead runner ever get away from what he's always been good at?  I'm confident that Gio Bernard will come back from his ACL as best he can, but there are no guarantees.  At least with Burkhead on the roster, we had a dynamic, all-purpose back that could run, block, and catch.  As time goes by, I'm seeing Cook or Fournette being less and less of a possibility to be available, let alone taken by the Bengals in the 1st round.  Hopefully they can land Kamara, or forgive me for saying this, Mixon in the 2nd.

So, yeah, I'm a bit concerned about the prospects for offensive production in at least the first part of the season.

(04-18-2017, 05:26 PM)SunsetBengal Wrote: Yes, but look how much they steered the offense away from using him.  I don't have any numbers in front of me, but it sure seemed like his utilization was dramatically decreased.

(04-18-2017, 12:12 PM)SunsetBengal Wrote: Sure, Andy and AJ were the new parts, as well as Jay Gruden as OC.  All of the other parts remained the same, particularly the OL, backfield, and TEs.  Meaning that all parts involved in blocking and running game were unchanged.

This year, we are looking at a 40% turnover in OL, a medium possibility of a new primary ball carrier, as well as a new TE.  Not to mention an OC in his second year at the position.  An OC that many on here weren't completely thrilled with, last season.

Sure, it can work, they can all build together.  I'm just saying don't expect no offensive juggernaut on opening day.

(04-18-2017, 05:58 PM)bengalfan74 Wrote: Agree Sunset,

I'd guess that with the way practice is so limited in the modern NFL we're going to have to start out very vanilla. And that with Zamp doesn't overwhelm me with confidence ! He already suffers from not really knowing what to do IMHO. And him knowing how to build what we have or probably more accurately don't have is scary.

I look for us to be pretty weak on O the first half of season. The defense is going to have to save the day I'd say.

(04-18-2017, 05:58 PM)bengalfan74 Wrote: Agree Sunset,

I'd guess that with the way practice is so limited in the modern NFL we're going to have to start out very vanilla. And that with Zamp doesn't overwhelm me with confidence ! He already suffers from not really knowing what to do IMHO. And him knowing how to build what we have or probably more accurately don't have is scary.

I look for us to be pretty weak on O the first half of season. The defense is going to have to save the day I'd say.

(04-18-2017, 06:16 PM)Nate (formerly eliminate08) Wrote: Yeah, it will take some time on O.

The thing is i have some confidence in the Defense doing just that. Letting Peko and Maualuga go while replacing
them with Billings and Minter was awesome in my eyes. I wouldn't of done it any different. Just what we needed.

A very young DT that is great at stopping the run and can actually rush the passer to go along with a LB that can
do both as well is what we needed. These two are not one trick ponys like Peko and Maualuga were.

(04-18-2017, 11:51 AM)SunsetBengal Wrote: I see many people suggesting that the Bengals are going to load up on offensive weapons in the upcoming draft. My question is, just how many new "parts" can the offensive machine put it, and run well? As we noticed last year with the WR position, you can't always just put new bodies out there, and expect no drop-offs in production. It takes time for people working together to understand each other's tendencies and abilities.

This year, we are not only looking to replace two spots on the OL, but now likely a starting TE, and possibly RB. Honestly, under typical circumstances, incorporating a new RB should be relatively routine stuff, so long as he understands the offense and can pass pro. However, this year, with new players at LT and RG, it will take extra time for things to settle into a rhythm. At TE, you almost have to think that with the news that Eiftert isn't going to be ready, that in an effort to keep as much continuity on the field as possible, that Uzomah will start and Kroft will be 1st backup, no matter WHO they take in the draft. Same goes with WR, they resigned Lafell for a reason, he developed continuity and consistency with Andy, and the season wore on. Boyd and Core looked better and better the second half of the season. I see any WR drafted having to bide his time for reps.

What are your thoughts?

(04-18-2017, 06:24 PM)SunsetBengal Wrote: Yeah, I'm not so concerned for the defense.  As you said, with Billings and Minter added, the continued development of Vigil, and the emergence of WJIII, the defense should be formidable.  If they get that edge rusher to compete for time on the Right side, that will be the gravy.