I think we need a linebacker

[Shake n Blake]

(03-21-2018, 07:50 PM)TheLeonardLeap Wrote: I think those two years deserve a big 'ol Zimmer asterisk. I mean, Zimmer can take a defense, throw in 39-year-old Terence Newman and come out with the 2nd ranked pass defense in the NFL, like he did with the Vikings in '17.

Zimmer could make a good defense with Tank Johnson, Roy Williams, Rey Maualuga, Robert Geathers, and Chris Crocker. That doesn't mean anyone else can, though. Lol

Outside of getting Zimmer back as HC/DC, the Bengals need better linebackers.

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Back to the Eagles, while they had a rotating MLB, their other two linebackers on PFF (yes, I know not perfect) were Kendricks (86.0) and Bradham (80.6).  They made up for the lack of MLB by playing a lot of 3 safeties with Jenkins (84.2), McLeod (79.3), and Graham (77.3).

The Bengals' version of that would be 3 LBs and 2 S.... Burfict (84.7), V Rey (45.7), Vigil (35.1), Iloka (77.7), and Williams (79.1)...... with Evans (35.0) coming in while Burfict is hurt/suspended 8 games a year.

Now at least Preston Brown (71.6) will replace one of those three awful players, but it still will be terribly ugly while Burfict is gone. While I will agree with anyone who says the Bengals need a safety who can make plays on the ball, I still think by far the biggest weakness of the defense is the LBs.

That's not even counting their total inability to stop a TE, or pass catching RB, or running QB, which even the addition of Preston Brown doesn't solve. Dude has a career high of 4 PDef, 3 years ago. He seems like a good tackler/run stopper, who won't get you many big plays.

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Interesting article, and I am not arguing the Bengals don't need a DT to go next to Atkins, but I was just saying they can't afford to ignore another LB improvement. Also maybe if Marvin perhaps actually coaches the guys to tackle this year rather than to look to limit practice contact as much as possible, and have all the guys run on their own gas.

Helps the Eagles when they can say...
"We need a better LB": Nigel Bradham is signed.
"We need a better DE": Chris Long is signed.
"We need a better WR": Alshon Jeffery is signed.
"We need better RBs": Blount is signed, Ajayi is traded for.
"We need a better OG": Brandon Brooks is signed.

The Bengals version of that is Brandon LaFell, Kevin Minter, Andre Smith, Michael Johnson, and Cedric Peerman.

Do the Eagles get a big ol' Jim Schwartz asterisk? The guy is a great d coordinator. Maybe that's what we really need? The Eagles LB's don't blow me away, and the article I posted kinda puts an emphasis on how big scheme is. They had/have an excellent front 4 and they stacked the box. With our corners (especially WJIII) I think we could get away with some of that if we want to try it. Whatever it takes to get those ugly rushing totals down, right?

Missing Burfict for 4 games is going to suck, but I wouldn't spend our top pick on a guy that's going to mostly ride pine after 4 games. We still have too many holes on the o-line to afford such a luxury. That said...a LB in the 2nd or 3rd wouldn't be a terrible idea. Especially if they're just planning to rent Preston Brown (I hope he's here long term). Regardless, with 11 picks, LB should be in there somewhere...I just wouldn't use the top pick on one.

As for FA, I agree. I have no complaints about what we're doing right now, but it still pales in comparison to the spree the Eagles went on last year.