Was Austin the Problem with the Defense?

[Whatever]

(01-14-2019, 06:59 PM)wolfkaosaun Wrote: Really dig the write up.

I don't think Austin was bad persay, just his defense wasn't a good fit for what the Bengals had.
He preferred zone and attempting to maximize on turnovers. The cornerbacks are MUCH better with man to man. Look at Jackson before and after Austin. His play completely changed.

The biggest issue for this team is linebackers.

Also, to note:
The Bengals had 13 turnovers under Austin in 9 games.
(10 INTs, 3 fumble recoveries)

Since then?
Bengals had 5 turnovers in 7 games.
(2 INTs, 3 fumble recoveries)

Our LB's are just plain bad.  Burfict is finished.  Rey is finished.  Brown is a decent 2 down thumper, but he's a FA.  Vigil looks like a quality backup, at best.  Evans looks lost half the time.  Nickerson isn't NFL roster worthy.  Jefferson couldn't get on the field, but new coaches might be able to get something out of him.  We definitely need 2 guys that are starting caliber.

Pass rush also became an issue when Lawson went down.  He wasn't getting sacks, but he was generating pressure and forcing QB's to step up into Geno.