5-5 Bengals Still In Wild Card Picture

[*SHRacerX*]

(11-25-2018, 12:54 AM)THE PISTONS Wrote: I have to agree with you on this. We're a lot closer to finishing 1-5 than we are to 5-1 to finish the year.

The issues with the team are 1) The Linebackers are terrible.
2) The offensive line is bad.

Those aren't issues that are just going to go away 10 games into the season.

The saddest part for me is I think they could still make a run with a few key adjustments, but they just stick with what doesn't work and die a slow death on offense and continue to make curious decisions on offense.

If on defense, they would simply use their 3 first round picks at CB to play man (and I am hoping Dennard will take the job from an injured Dre and never look back) and use one of the safeties (preferably Fej) in the box to help cover short routes and stuff the running game.  Also, have WJIII travel with the other team's best WR.  While we are at it, increase the blitz % two-fold.  We might actually get more out of these guys if they are playing more aggressive and not forcing the back end to cover all day (which they aren't able to).

On offense, target getting John Ross 10 touches a game.  Jet sweeps, screens, slants, and the occasional deep shot...but right now, they are pigeon holing him to take the proverbial top off the defense and ignoring his phone-booth quicks.  

Increase the rushing attack % and work with play-action.  Just because the rushing attack doesn't work early doesn't mean they can't wear people down.  If Ross is used even as a decoy on jet sweeps, it will force LBs to fear the outside rush and slow their gap pressure.  

It isn't rocket science, and even Tony Pike echoed some of these sentiments and in his words "I can't believe they don't even try it".

Me either.  Then again....