Bengals @ Steelers Predictions

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(09-24-2019, 04:26 AM)Adamantium Wrote: This is probably the most winnable game thus far, but even then, this shit roster finds a way to lose. 17-10 Steelers.

And then we get another speech by Zac Taylor, who is trying damn hard bless his heart, but dammit this roster sucks.

I am not attacking you, but I want to honestly discuss this.

I would be curious to know other people's opinions as well.  

Here is my summary on the roster:

I really like the defensive line.  They have good size and strength in the middle with Glasgow, Billings, Topou, and Wren.  Of course Geno is a great 3T, and I love Hubbard, Carlos, and Lawson.  They will need to add another outside pass rusher to rotate with Carlos but I think they are a solid position group overall.

The linebackers are awful.  Vigil is the best of the group and he is not one that can diagnose and play downhill like the great ones.  We don't know about Pratt yet, but it was nice to see him basically get tackled and thrown to the ground (holding?) on a key third down.  Two key additions are needed here and I wish they could have done it with FA so we didn't have to wait to develop.  I still agree with drafting Williams in Rd 1, but LB should have been addressed higher than Rd 3.  

The secondary, I believe, gets a bad rap.  Look at how they handled Seattle minus a couple plays when the defensive line gets penetration.  They are often asked to cover way too long.  I think they need depth at the slot corner position, but maybe they will improve when Dennard returns, who I believe is one of our most underrated players.  I really, really wanted Derwin James, as I think a piece like that would be a huge playmaker on this defense.  Shawn Williams is late to diagnose and a bad tackler.  I would like to see Fej get more snaps in rotation here.  Bates is puzzling to me.  A great center fielder but seems to be overthinking things now.  Hope he shapes up like WJIII did after a brief slump.

On the offensive side of the ball, it is pretty straightforward.  They have weapons at QB, RB, WR, and TE.  But the offensive line is a glaring weakness.  It isn't like they didn't try.  First and second round picks on Ced and Fish (Strike one, strike two), Price drafted as first rounder (Foul tip), and Williams drafted in Rd 1 (incomplete).  But they HAVE made the right decision on Hopkins, Miller, and Hart.  Maybe Price will be a solid guard?  I haven't seen the rankings but it appeared that it was Andre that struggled the most.  If they had Williams at LT and Glenn at LG, the season might look quite a bit different than it does.  I am not going to rip the coaches and the talent level based on two key injuries. They clearly need to look for a beast at LG and maybe Price can develop in to the RG of the future.  

One thing that I though improved against Buffalo (I really had to search for something) was that they did run the ball on occasion.  Even if it only yielded a couple yards, the offense HAS to be less predictable and one dimensional.  They FINALLY ran the ball to Gio.  Didn't get much, but does anyone else realize that EVERY TIME he is in the game, it is clearly to pass protect?  That is too damn predictable.  I don't care if Mixon only gets 20 yards on 10 carries to start a game.  To make this offense work, they need to keep handing the ball off and stay balanced.  There were a few really nice runs against Buffalo.  Running on pitt will be tough, but I like that match up a lot better than Andy getting crushed from all sides when no receivers get separation quickly.  

Huber has been good, if inconsistent and Randy is fat.  

All in all, if they could go out and sign a really good LB in FA and Pratt develops, the defense could be solid.  At least mid-pack if not a little better.  The offense really needs Williams to be as advertised.  I think Glenn is done and I think that the Bengals need to look long and hard at drafting another guard.  It isn't a dumpster fire.  It is a good overall roster with a few really big holes.