Mike Greenberg on 1530 today.

[*SHRacerX*]

(04-21-2021, 07:57 PM)SunsetBengal Wrote: To all of those claiming that Ja'Marr Chase will somehow open up the offense.  How exactly does adding a WR open up an offense?  Wasn't that the same argument people made when the Bengals selected John Ross?  WTF, people..

The way to truly "open up" an offense is to protect the franchise QB, and develop a strong rushing attack.  Those are things that Penei Sewell can help with, Chase, not so much.  To not be constantly in a "must pass" situation, able to run the ball with authority, and protect the QB when you do elect to pass is the ultimate opening up of an offense.

I was one of those guys supporting Ross.  And while I didn't have his head examined (I hope the team did), I saw what Ross could do on film.  He scared the shit out of defenses.  One common characteristic of Ross that I viewed as a potential advantage, but ended up being a detriment, was how his horrible QB would always underthrow his deep passes.  

Ross would stop, come back to the ball, and then have to run by the defenders he already dusted once.  He did this time and time again, and he did it against some first round NFL corners.  I thought that with a better QB, he would catch those balls in stride and be gone. However, it appears that the QB was doing Ross a favor, as when he is running full speed, he loses the ball.  His eyes don't track the ball well AT ALL at speed.  I have heard it described as a bobble-head, where the head isn't as steady and the eyes lose some of their tracking ability.

How does this related to Chase?  I will tell you:  He is a polar opposite or Ross.  PFF had him rated a 99.0 on deep passes.  That is, passes that traveled over 20 yards in the air.  He was 19/20.  One drop.  Something like 7 TDs.  Chase tracks the ball SO WELL at speed.  It is uncanny.  Factor in his incredible short shuttle, which shows how he can change direction and snap off routes, and you have a guy that can not only get open quickly, but make plays down the field.  That will force safeties toward him and will help open up the underneath for guys like Boyd and Higgins, as well as the TEs and RBs. There is that expression again. 

Chase is also a fricking bully.  Watch what happens when guys try to press him:  He shoves them in to the ground.  22 reps on the bench of 225 lbs beats a lot of offensive linemen.  In college, guys were allowed to mug him all the way down the field.  Not the NFL.  5 yards.  

He wasn't just good in HS and LSU, but he set NATIONAL RECORDS in both.  He is an alpha.  I could care less if he played at LSU or not, as it relates to his relationship with Burrow.  I view that as icing on the cake, but LSU does have a pretty good track record of churning out top NFL talent.  

I said it on another post and I will say it again here:  If Chase, Boyd, and Higgins (and Burrow) are healthy all 16 games, they will all likely be 1000 yard receivers and the Bengals will be a playoff team.  Yep, I believe in the triple threat that much.  ZT is all about the 11 personnel.  Give him the top WR to add to an already solid group and see what he can do.  

Lastly, AJ Green was targeted 104 times last year.  He had 43 receptions.  Despite that low %, there will need to be someone to come in and take those 104 targets.  I am not trusting that to even a 2nd round talent.  We need an alpha there, and Chase is that guy.