08-23-2023, 02:17 PM
(08-23-2023, 01:12 PM)ochocincos Wrote: 10 DL feels overly excessive when most of the time only 4 are out there, doesn't it?
Why can't the Bengals go with just 9 DL?
I feel like with the lengthy DB injuries that have happened over recent years and often playing 5 DBs, I'd rather keep an extra DB over a 10th DL.
Nope. We haven't kept fewer than 10 anytime recently that I can recall. I can recall 11.
1) We often play with 5, not 4. 3 DT/NT types and two ends. Especially against running teams (Balt, Cle, Pitt). This is why 4 NT/DT is not an option. If Tupou gets hurt, then Reader has to play the whole game? Or vice versa. You can kick a strong end (Hubbard, Sample, Murphy) inside to cover if one of the DTs goes down, but it won't hold up at NT.
2) Short yardage & goal line require more beef, and more DL.
3) DL is not OL. These guys get rotated in game. Usually they are all active, or at least 9. The top 8 play every game & 9 has to be ready to come in.
Snaps D/ST, & games:
Hill: 816/69, 16
Hubbard: 801/37, 15
Hendrickson: 629/1, 15
Reader: 397/37, 10
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C Sample: 412/75, 16
Carter: 396/71, 16
Ossai: 334/31, 16
Tupou: 272/44, 11
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Tufele: 138/16, 7
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Davis: 38/3, 2
Gunter: 37/79, 10
Shelvin: 24/0, 2
At min, 4 DEs and 4 NT/DTs play every game, and you need 1 backup at each spot. So 10.
