Why the Bengals will win in 2017

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(05-03-2017, 09:54 AM)WeezyBengal Wrote: Oh lord, this is the time of the year when people start drinking the kool aid again, right?

I think the Bengals will be better than last year, but I still don't think they are a playoff team. Im not sold on their secondary, linebackers, or offensive line.

You mention the pass rush as being upgraded...but based on what? Some rookies that we drafted this year and a guy coming off injury that has never played a snap in the NFL? I remember everyone thought the same thing when we drafted Devon Still in the second round and he turned out to suck. To assume these guys are going to be good is lazy.

Like I said, I think the Bengals will be better than last year but im not sure they will be "good". They still have a ton of holes that a rookie running back, a speedy rookie receiver, and a bunch of rookie pass rushers aren't going to necessarily fix.

There are too many unknowns on this team to sit here and say they are going to be leaps and bounds better than last year.

Fair enough.  You have your opinion and I have mine....Call it Kool-aid if you will.

As far as rookies contributing as pass rushers, that is one of the great things about this draft and the team's situation.  They will be cutting their teeth as situational pass rushers.  They (Willis, Lawson) will provide some serious speed off the edge and allow for a true rotation of the lines.  Comparing them to Devon Still isn't an apples-to-apples comparison because it generally takes a DT much longer to acclimate to the NFL.  He also wasn't known for his pass-rushing ability as much as just being a solid defender.  The Bengals will also have last year's pick (still a rookie by experience), Andrew Billings to help occupy double-teams and free up his line mates.  Hardison hasn't played much in two years, but he is thought to be a situational pass rusher from inside in rotation for Billings or Geno.  

These are all additions.  They only lost Peko and Margus Hunt.  Dunlap, Geno, Dingleberry,, and MJ are all still here.  They will be better when used in a rotation as well.  

The other biggest reason they would be significantly better is having a healthy squad.  Sure, that is an unknown, but last year's M*A*S*H unit at TE, RB,  and WR was an anomaly.