Can We Make A Run With This O-Line

[Forever Spinning Vinyl]

(11-19-2021, 09:29 AM)SHRacerX Wrote: I was a bit behind on responses to new threads, and I have not read all the other responses yet, but here goes:

They absolutely can.  This offense was trending to put up close to 30 a game before the Cleveland debacle, and while Ward made a great play, most of the wounds were self-inflicted.

I am very curious about sitting Carman for Adeniji.  Maybe his back is acting up again and he was trying to just fight through it, but for a rookie offensive linemen going against some real talent early on, I saw flashes of real power and think (not surprisingly) is his biggest issue was pass blocking but when the Bengals were more run-heavy, he didn't stand out in a negative way.  In fact, at least one game, he was the highest rated linemen.

I remember hearing that Adeniji was being looked at as Center.  We haven't really seem much of Hill, and maybe Adeniji could be an answer there long-term.  The coaches seem to love the guy.  I think Center is kind of a waste of his talents, and would rather see him get a look at RT.  But then I think of the big wildcard in all of this:  D'Ante Smith.  That guy is built as a tackle.  You simply can't teach his length and agility.  If he can get a shot this year at RT, maybe you groom him to replace Reiff there next year.  Although I would love to see Reiff return one more year. 

Spain has been a steal.  He's tough as nails and is our best option at LG.  

Jonas has stayed healthy and is a solid LT.  

There is not a Pro Bowler on the line as it sits, but as long as there isn't a "turd in the punch bowl", then they should be able to operate at al high level.  Right now, Hopkins is a big weakness and Carman started to have issues at RG, in pass protection.  Maybe with the bye week and extra rest, both Hopkins and Adeniji step up and the line has a solid effort against the Raiders.  

Hopkins is this era's Vinnie Rey. A guy that, on almost every other team, would have been cut in their first camp, BUT, since they went to Cincinnati in a neglected position group, they stick around. They improve JUST enough to fend off new competition mainly due to knowing the play book and almost all of the incoming competition are 5th round picks or later. They actually have an NFL career that will get them a pension and NFL retiree benefits. Only in Cincinnati.

Hopkins signed in 2014, played his first game in 2016, which was his only appearance of the year. He was poor to bad as a RG and benefited from 1st round pick Billy Price being almost completely useless as an NFL Center. If Price doesn't suck . . . I highly doubt that Hopkins is still a Bengal. He would have been passed by Christian Westermann or Rod Taylor if he stayed at RG.

(11-19-2021, 10:29 AM)TJ528 Wrote: I'll agree that Pac and Burfect were a large part of why we were in the playoffs in the first place.  However, so was Jeremy Hill.  That fumble basically killed his career because I don't remember him doing shit after Cincinnati. If i remember though, Hill never had an issue with fumbling.  So I have no issue with the play calling.  

As f'ar as the flip of emotions, I'll give that game killed me in 2015 and probably cause me to have a more realistic attitude towards this organization.  However, I also watched the 1989 Super Bowl, where Louis Billups dropped a sure fire INT that would've ended the game.  The ball was in his chest. You couldn't have the ball thrown to you any better and put on a platter.  Next play, John Taylor for the TD.  That was truly heart breaking. 

The Hill fumble was pure stupidity and selfishness. I put that play up there with that moron Brandon Bostick, who was supposed to block for Jordy Nelson on that NFC Championship game onside kick in Seattle, but decided before the kick that he was going to be the one to catch the ball. He said some bullshit after the game like "I saw the ball and tried to make a play" but watch the replay and ask yourself "Is this person focused on trying to block and the ball got in his way? Or is this person looking for the ball so his teammates can all pat him on the back because he made the play that finished off the game?" That's how legendary the Hill fumble is but he is shielded by the fact that Burfict and Pacman lost their minds at the worst time.

Watch Hill's fumble again. There was too much time left to just kneel. If the Bengals get one first down, THEN the game is over. Hill went into multiple defenders WITH ONE SHOULDER LOWERED TO DELIVER A BLOW . . . this left him with only one hand on the ball when holding onto the ball should have been his most important priority.

In my opinion, because I've had team mates that were very very similar to this, but it looked to me that he wanted to plow guys over, have his Marshawn "Beast Mode" moment, and have all of his team mates pat him on the back because HE killed off the game. He wanted the feeling of "I . . . won this playoff game" or the simple joy of telling his friends back home "Did you see me blast those fools to finish off that game?".

Be careful what you wish for.

Billups however, is probably the biggest individual choke moment that I can recall. He didn't have to move. The ball was thrown right to him. But that is typical Bengal fashion. Hold the mighty 49ers to two FGs through three quarters after losing your best defender early on and right after Stanford Jennings gives them the lead late in the 3rd after the game tying FG, the Bengals dropped into their old stand by . . . the infamous prevent defense.

John Taylor 13 yard return to the SF 15 - I was so pumped at this moment. They just took a 7 point lead and had a great ST tackle and then . . .
Pass to Jerry Rice for 31 yards - end of 3rd quarter
Pass to Roger Craig for 40 yards
Billups drops easy interception
Tie game on 14 yard pass to Rice

85 yards on 4 plays in 1:25 of game clock after holding them all game, and Billups could have stopped it.

That's Cincinnati Bengals football right there, sampled by the quick drive TD yesterday by the Raiders. One word synopsis . . . "Frustration".