What Weaknesses Do We Have?

[*SHRacerX*]

(05-06-2018, 01:31 AM)Lionel Hutz Wrote: Other. Coaching, toughness, leadership all ongoing issues with this team.

This would probably be the most accurate answer, with tons of history to back it up.  I tried to give a "non-coaching" or "non-culture" answer, so I went with "backer".

I don't see the offensive line as a weakness today.   Should there be an injury to someone like Price, or if neither Ced, Fish, or Hart can be decent at RT, but overall I like what was done here.  Westerman could possibly play center in a pinch, but they will likely keep TJ Johnson for that backup role.  I also strongly believe as evidenced by an in-season adjustment to the line a year ago and the dramatic results with a couple inexperienced players at Guard (and a Guard at LT) that we will see huge improvements in this department.  

WR has talent, but (as I am sure a certain red-handed individual will point out) they are not NFL-proven talent.  Ross, Core, and Malone simply must stay healthy, minimize mistakes in the preseason, and make the most of ANY snaps they get.  Dalton will need to trust them before he ever looks in their direction.  This group will also play substantially better with improved line play.  If the defense only has to defend a 15 yard segment, their job becomes much easier.  Dalton needs time to beat them down the field, and I have said a thousand times (this makes 1001) that when Dalton is kept clean, he is a surgeon and will pick teams apart.

For me, the uncertainty of Burfict, the depth outside of Brown and Burfict, the inexperience of Jefferson, and the inconsistent Vigil all spell big trouble in the LB corps.  I was sure the Bengals would pick up a veteran here, and they still might, but maybe they believe that the rookie Jefferson will make an impact and that Vigil will show more consistently what he has flashed at times.  

Although the RB we got in the fourth looks promising, for a third RB with Brian Hill on the team already, I would have much rather used that pick on Shaq Griffin, a speed merchant that flies all over the field and can cover in nickel.  Maybe Vigil proves he earned the spot at Nickel.  Maybe Jefferson shines right away.  Maybe Jordan Evans shows he has the football IQ to go with his amazing athleticism.  Yeah, and to quote one Wayne Campell:  "Yeah, and monkeys might fly out of my butt". 

I see LB as the biggest question mark and to make matters worse, we don't know how much better if any the DT position will be outside of Geno.  Just like an offensive line and RBs, the LBs need a good front four to be successful.