01-16-2024, 12:18 PM
(01-16-2024, 11:53 AM)KillerGoose Wrote: I've been watching a bunch of All-22 recently and so far my answer is "not really". Cincinnati still primarily plays single high coverages, cover three specifically. Maybe if you had a spreadsheet breakdown of all the coverages you would find a small adjustment but nothing notable. Statistically, his 2023 season isn't really that much different than his 2022 season. He was targeted 78 times in 2022 and only gave up two TDs and about 120 more yards. I would just chalk it up to the volatility of football.
Fair enough!
- I just wasn't sure if they had adjusted zone spacing, assignments, or placement to help him out. There were times last year where Hilton, who has been an INCREDIBLE Bengal - love the guy being on the team, seemed to be trailing/struggling on some really big plays.
- It's tough for me to understand target counts on CBs that are in a zone scheme since their job is to pick up whatever is happening in their area. Is Hilton being targeted, or is the scheme's weak spot being targeted based on the game plan unfolding in real time?
This is where my fan knowledge on the intricacies of the Bengals defense kind of stops. Not being in the meetings or seeing their defensive playbook, I have ZERO ideas on what player is responsible for what & how that could hurt or help Hilton's job in coverage.
- 100% convinced, however, that the Bengals zone was shredded on big plays due to the lack of consistent pressure on QBs. Time & the QB's "spot" is a zone's biggest enemy & the Bengals failed to flush the QB from many angles across the line beyond Hendrickson's efforts.
- Lastly, the Blitz seemed lacking or ineffective this season, or is it just me?
