07-05-2015, 03:27 PM
This team has more issues than just the qb. I'd like him to play better consistently, but blame can be passed around on the offense.
For one, I think that this team has lacked a competent possession wr since TJ left. He never had another year like he did here when he left, so perhaps not paying him was the right thing to do, but there's been a hole at that spot ever since he left. Andy had never had a tough, dependable guy to go to in the short/intermediate game or over the middle that can get them critical first downs.
It's not for lack of trying, either. Perhaps guys like that just aren't easy to develop or come by. I had hoped Sanu would be that guy, but I believed he showed us last season that he probably isn't. He's strong and athletic, but just doesn't have the hands or crispness in his routes. I'm not sure what happened to him hands-wise. He seemed dependable in his first year, but his drops last season were a regression. I don't think it's too late for him just yet, as even TJ took time to become what he was, but as of now he's a marginal wr and I could care less if he's re-signed after 2015.
Secondly, they lack an effective edge rusher for 3rd downs. I'm not even sure that they want one after the way they drafted this year. There's a definite trend in the league toward utilizing tweener types, once relegated to 3-4 sets, as 3rd down specialists and OLBs. Miller, Barr, and Mack are all examples. The Bengals clearly have a DE prototype that they like, and it's not anyone like this. Perhaps years of getting burned by guys like Lawson, Pollack, and Moch have them hesitant to jump on this bandwagon. They've shown that they can effectively use a DL rotation, so I'sd think a specialist like this would fit in well on the team. Just a matter of finding/wanting to find that player.
Third is the on-field leadership. It seems lacking. Who is the player on this team with the attitude, paycheck, and high level play to hold other player accountable on either side of the ball? Perhaps Whitworth? Certainly not AJ, as he rarely shows his emotions. Dalton?
On defense they had Vontaze, and when he left it seemed like the life went out of the whole unit. Maualuga and Peko are marginal starters with the experience, but hardly seem like guys to be feared in the locker room.
Successful teams always seem to have these kinds of players. Pittsburgh was teeming with them. They were beside themselves late in Bettis' career when they'd lose playoff games, knowing he didn't have a lot of time left. Guys like Ward and Harrsion in their primes were stars with insane work-ethics that could demand everything from younger guys. There's no need to even go into the Ravens and their history with guys like that. The Pats have an unquestioned tyrant in Belichick, but Brady is always ripping someone on the sideline. He has all a man could want and still just burns to win more than anything. The Seahawks have Sherman to provide fire to balance out Wilson's calm on the other side of the ball.
I rarely see this edge on this team. Adam Jones shows it at times. That's about it. I think they need more of it.
For one, I think that this team has lacked a competent possession wr since TJ left. He never had another year like he did here when he left, so perhaps not paying him was the right thing to do, but there's been a hole at that spot ever since he left. Andy had never had a tough, dependable guy to go to in the short/intermediate game or over the middle that can get them critical first downs.
It's not for lack of trying, either. Perhaps guys like that just aren't easy to develop or come by. I had hoped Sanu would be that guy, but I believed he showed us last season that he probably isn't. He's strong and athletic, but just doesn't have the hands or crispness in his routes. I'm not sure what happened to him hands-wise. He seemed dependable in his first year, but his drops last season were a regression. I don't think it's too late for him just yet, as even TJ took time to become what he was, but as of now he's a marginal wr and I could care less if he's re-signed after 2015.
Secondly, they lack an effective edge rusher for 3rd downs. I'm not even sure that they want one after the way they drafted this year. There's a definite trend in the league toward utilizing tweener types, once relegated to 3-4 sets, as 3rd down specialists and OLBs. Miller, Barr, and Mack are all examples. The Bengals clearly have a DE prototype that they like, and it's not anyone like this. Perhaps years of getting burned by guys like Lawson, Pollack, and Moch have them hesitant to jump on this bandwagon. They've shown that they can effectively use a DL rotation, so I'sd think a specialist like this would fit in well on the team. Just a matter of finding/wanting to find that player.
Third is the on-field leadership. It seems lacking. Who is the player on this team with the attitude, paycheck, and high level play to hold other player accountable on either side of the ball? Perhaps Whitworth? Certainly not AJ, as he rarely shows his emotions. Dalton?
On defense they had Vontaze, and when he left it seemed like the life went out of the whole unit. Maualuga and Peko are marginal starters with the experience, but hardly seem like guys to be feared in the locker room.
Successful teams always seem to have these kinds of players. Pittsburgh was teeming with them. They were beside themselves late in Bettis' career when they'd lose playoff games, knowing he didn't have a lot of time left. Guys like Ward and Harrsion in their primes were stars with insane work-ethics that could demand everything from younger guys. There's no need to even go into the Ravens and their history with guys like that. The Pats have an unquestioned tyrant in Belichick, but Brady is always ripping someone on the sideline. He has all a man could want and still just burns to win more than anything. The Seahawks have Sherman to provide fire to balance out Wilson's calm on the other side of the ball.
I rarely see this edge on this team. Adam Jones shows it at times. That's about it. I think they need more of it.
