Would love to see more of the 2015 draft class

[Luvnit2]

(12-01-2015, 03:49 PM)BritishBengal Wrote: I get it. The Bengals are a very talented team and have been blessed so far with having little in the way of major injuries. I am by no means suggesting to change the successful formula. However as we approach week 13, I can't help but think it is time to see the likes of Dawson, Kroft, Hardison and particularly Alford a little. A few more plays here and there, especially, like Sunday when we had a comfortable lead. Some of the college rust should be dusted off and playbooks/system knowledge by now should not be an issue.

I single Alford out because I don't understand why we are keeping Tate active and leaving this talented and pacey returner inactive. We are barely using Tate on the field, and though I understand he has the ability to be clutch, we will never know what we have in Alford by letting him sit behind a player whose ceiling is evident.

Dawson showed a lot of promise in the pre-season and I can't see how 10-15 snaps taken off Hawk/Lamur/Rey would hurt the team majorly.

If this team is to be successful down the stretch I can't help but feel some of these rookies need to see more time. Even if only to keep some of the vets we have fresher.

Our coaching staff is 9-2 in 2015 and have taken us to the playoffs 4 straight years. I trust they watch practice intently and with an open mind. I trust they know if a player is giving 120% every snap in practice and deserves an opportunity.

As far as Tate, I don't get the Tate hate by many. I see punts dropped every week in the NFL, game changing fumbles committed by returners. All Tate does is secure the ball and get positive yards. He has had 2 great returns nullified by penalty in 2015 which not his fault. I get we want to see the young guys and some fans see a lot of Austin in Alford, but even Austin was not ready and is just now starting to makes plays.

I think Hardison has some upside, but Thompson, Sims, Peko and even Clarke are all better than him I suspect.

I love the fact we have rookies learning on the bench and I think it is one of the reasons why we have been solid the past few years on both sides of the ball.

As for Dawson, I have high hopes for him also, but it appears he is lazy at practice (Lapham mentioned it to a group of us at an event a month ago) and as he stated, ML will not give time to a player who does not practice hard.