04-27-2020, 12:36 PM
Okay, Bengaldom! This has been a most successful offseason, don't you think? Cincinnati, after decades of treating free agency like a virus they were trying to avoid, finally got in the game and crushed it. Adding DJ Reader, Josh Bynes, Trae Waynes, Shaun Sims, Mackensie Alexander, and Von Bell on defense and adding Xavier Su'a-Filo and Isaiah Prince on offense were all great moves -- and then what happened with this year's draft class was simply amazing in combination.
The Bengals should be a vastly improved team in 2020 if -- and only if -- the coaches and coordinators can come up with offensive and defensive playbooks which leverage this team's recently increased talent level.
I'm not worried about the defense at all, to tell the truth. Lou Anarumo has morphed the defense from a 4-3 base to a 3-4-ish hybrid with lots of edge rushers. Facing Lamar Jackson twice a year has forced his hand somewhat; I understand this. Lou also no doubt saw the Bengals' inability to cover opposing tight ends and the linebackers selected in the draft should help with coverage in space. The secondary will look completely different as well which will be a relief for us all. Lou finally has the players on board to make his ideal defensive playbook come to life.
Zac Taylor and Brian Callahan are the wild cards, however. Dusting off last year's offensive playbook combined with atrocious play calling will be a recipe for disaster. Drawing as much as possible from LSU's offensive scheme will be the best route toward assuring Joe Burrow will be a success in the NFL; it's much more promising to develop the Cincinnati offense around what Burrow can do vice fitting him into an existing system. That was the difference between Joe's 2018 season and his 2019 season at LSU.
Also, it's time to ditch the "throw it 55 times a game" philosophy. Jim Turner has a few months to turn this revamped offensive line into run blocking beasts. A good offense in the NFL is balanced these days and during late season playoff runs in the AFC North a clock-chewing run game can make all the difference in the world.
The Bengals should be a vastly improved team in 2020 if -- and only if -- the coaches and coordinators can come up with offensive and defensive playbooks which leverage this team's recently increased talent level.
I'm not worried about the defense at all, to tell the truth. Lou Anarumo has morphed the defense from a 4-3 base to a 3-4-ish hybrid with lots of edge rushers. Facing Lamar Jackson twice a year has forced his hand somewhat; I understand this. Lou also no doubt saw the Bengals' inability to cover opposing tight ends and the linebackers selected in the draft should help with coverage in space. The secondary will look completely different as well which will be a relief for us all. Lou finally has the players on board to make his ideal defensive playbook come to life.
Zac Taylor and Brian Callahan are the wild cards, however. Dusting off last year's offensive playbook combined with atrocious play calling will be a recipe for disaster. Drawing as much as possible from LSU's offensive scheme will be the best route toward assuring Joe Burrow will be a success in the NFL; it's much more promising to develop the Cincinnati offense around what Burrow can do vice fitting him into an existing system. That was the difference between Joe's 2018 season and his 2019 season at LSU.
Also, it's time to ditch the "throw it 55 times a game" philosophy. Jim Turner has a few months to turn this revamped offensive line into run blocking beasts. A good offense in the NFL is balanced these days and during late season playoff runs in the AFC North a clock-chewing run game can make all the difference in the world.
![[Image: 4CV0TeR.png]](https://i.imgur.com/4CV0TeR.png)
