12-12-2017, 02:28 PM
(12-12-2017, 01:16 PM)ochocincos Wrote: There's been a lot of doom and gloom on these boards for at least the past month or so, and I wanted to change the focus to something that might be more hopeful.
The purpose of this thread is to see if perhaps trying to imitate the Patriots and Steelers isn't the best option and instead maybe the Bengals should look at a more similar team who has gone from zero to hero - the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Jacksonville, like Cincinnati, doesn't have an elite QB. Most would say Bortles is actually worse than Dalton.
Their LT, like Cincinnati, has been terrible. Actually, Cam Robinson has been worse than Ogbuehi according to PFF (39.3 vs 40.3 rating).
They even lost their prized WR Allen Robinson to injury in the first game of the year.
Yet the Jags sit at 9-4 with a nice win over the beloved Seahawks.
How did they do it? The rushing attack and an aggressive, smothering defense.
They drafted an elite RB talent in Leonard Fournette. They have a highly rated Center and RT.
They have solid to dominant defensive players at nearly every spot. Most were drafted by Jacksonville but they brought in a few key FAs that really elevated them.
Calais Campbell, AJ Bouye, Barry Church all this year. Malik Jackson in 2016. And they traded for Marcell Dareus this year in the middle of the season.
This is the type of team the Bengals should look to mimic if they can't get an elite QB.
The Bengals have the running backs already in Mixon and Gio.
They have a dominant 3T with Atkins, and two good edge rushers in Dunlap and Lawson.
They look to have a budding star in William Jackson III. The light might finally be coming on for Darqueze Dennard too. Iloka and Williams are both solid, but both IMO are SS.
Burfict is a monster at LB when he's able to play.
So what do the Bengals need?
1) A head coach that emphasizes aggressiveness and attacking the LOS.
2) An offensive coordinator that makes this offense prioritize the rushing attack.
3) At least two dominant OL. Guards and Centers look to be strong in this upcoming draft. There are also a handful of OTs that could be good LTs but potentially elite RTs.
4) A 3-down LB. I believe this can come from FA in the form of Zach Brown or Preston Brown. There are also some quality players in the draft like Josey Jewell.
5) A true FS that is instinctual and can cause turnovers. The Bengals DBs don't cause enough of them. I believe this draft class has some good safety candidates.
6) 1-2 pass rushing threats, preferably a DT. The draft looks to have good pass-rushing DTs at the top of the draft, but not many mid-to-late round prospects to groom. If the Bengals go DT in the draft, they probably should do so on Day 1 or Day 2.
I believe that if done properly, all of the above can be accomplished within this coming offseason and the Bengals can compete again. Even moreso if McCarron and/or Dalton could be moved for additional early-round draft picks. However, at least one of the above needs will likely have to be acquired in FA because the Bengals only have so many early-round picks (expected four in Rds 1-3 unless trades happen).
Note - I did not list WR because I believe with LaFell gone and a staff that can properly assess and utilize John Ross, the Bengals receiving game will be improved. I also did not list TE because I believe the Bengals have adequate TE options for a run-focused offense much like the Jags.
What are your thoughts on this approach? Do you think the Bengals could morph into a run-first team and get back to competing once again?
Ocho, great thread with some originality, major reps.
Yes, i think this is the way to go. With a new HC like Russ Grimm who knows how to fix the O-line and adjust i could
see this happening. Get Norwell the Panthers Guard in FA, draft Billy Price the Center and this is well on its way.
Like you said we have lots of the proper players already in place for this to become reality.
I think aggressive is the main word here that you mention. No more of this conservative approach.
