Pass Rush

[McC]

(08-14-2017, 09:29 PM)THE PISTONS Wrote: Our pass rush will largely determine our season. We know that Dunlap and Atkins can get pressure. Will guys like Lawson,  Billings, and Willis be given a chance? Or will the Bengals keep playing aging veterans like MJ, Gilberry, Sims, and Thompson.

Our secondary has an aging Jones. Guys like Kirkpatrick are above average but not great. Iloka and Williams are good against the run, but not as good as Reggie Nelson against the pass. Then Dennard looks like a bust. William Jackson's play could be pretty critical to stabilize the secondary. If he struggles, our CB's may be in trouble as you need atleast 3 quality CB's in todays NFL.

At LB, Burfict is great. Minter is an upgrade to Maualuga...but kind of slow. I like Vigil's quickness. I'd say overall this group should be better than last year, but still deficient in pass coverage.

It's going to take a good pass rush to force turnovers and take QB's time away or they will find open receivers in the secondary and over the middle. On paper, our pass rush should be improved...but that's contingent on the coaches playing the good, young pass rushers...and not sticking with aging veterans who aren't carrying their weight.

The S tandem got better as the year went on last year.  Don't know if Iloka being out will disrupt that.

We have Josh Shaw to play that third corner if necessary.  I think we'll be alright in the secondary.

If Minter struggles with speed or tackling issues, maybe we see Evan sooner than later.  He was all over the place the other night.  Might or might not have been in the right place but he got there quickly.

As to LB's, yeah, sweet Jesus give me a LB who can cover before I die.

As to the young pass rushers, they will play.  And the more they show, the more they play.  And having them might very well add to Geno and Dunlap's games. 

Just like Ross and Mixon of the O, these guys were drafted to play. 

The three guys who played showed signs of maybe there's no keeping them off the field.