What Weaknesses Do We Have?

[SunsetBengal]

(05-30-2018, 08:14 PM)Steve Wrote: i did not vote yet.....was undecided at this time...
 regarding your comment on the "big question"....
the staff wlll explain the "new plan" to their position groups, over & over....
 but w/ so much turn over I think the early problem will be learning to play as a unit....jelling as a group...
& w/ only 16 games no team wants a slow start....w/ our 1st four games at Indy, balt on TNF at home then at Panthers & at Falcons...if we're 2-2 at the 1/4 mark i'll feel ok....
but at some point we can't split....we have to jell & try to win 10 games & the AFC North div...
call me a crazy loner but I almost fear the Browns this year as much as I do the Stealers or Rat Birds....the Browns offense will put up points....question is will their D hold up...

To bolded, the more I listen to or read things that the coaching staff say and do, the more convinced I am that they will have everyone on the same page.  With particular regard to Coaches Lazor and Pollack, those two appear to be more focused determined than we've seen on the offensive side of the ball in a few years.

As to the gelling part, I think that with Andy and AJ going into their eighth year, and all of the other primary skill players having been here at least last year, they will come together rather quickly.  The OL is obviously going to be the biggest area of concern, as far as developing into a single, cohesive unit.

Defensively, I have a feeling that we're all going to be pleasantly surprised at how dominant they are going to be.  The additions of veterans Baker and Brown are just what he Dr. ordered, in terms of bolstering the front seven while the guys drafted in the past few years continue to assume full time roles.

[*Nate (formerly eliminate08)*]

(05-30-2018, 08:31 PM)SunsetBengal Wrote: To bolded, the more I listen to or read things that the coaching staff say and do, the more convinced I am that they will have everyone on the same page.  With particular regard to Coaches Lazor and Pollack, those two appear to be more focused determined than we've seen on the offensive side of the ball in a few years.

As to the gelling part, I think that with Andy and AJ going into their eighth year, and all of the other primary skill players having been here at least last year, they will come together rather quickly.  The OL is obviously going to be the biggest area of concern, as far as developing into a single, cohesive unit.

Defensively, I have a feeling that we're all going to be pleasantly surprised at how dominant they are going to be.  The additions of veterans Baker and Brown are just what he Dr. ordered, in terms of bolstering the front seven while the guys drafted in the past few years continue to assume full time roles.

Great post Sunset that i think needed to be bumped for all to see. Lazor and Pollack seem like they are gaining
great chemistry already. This is where i thought it would take time for us to gel but it sounds like it is going a bit
smoother than i even expected. I can understand the people that voted for the coaches cause of Marv but these
guys might be able to hide his weaknesses as a HC.

On Defense Austin sure has a lot of talent to work with. Just we will see how well the Linebackers do without
Burfict the first 4 games, Preston Brown helps this though with his smarts and overall solid style of play. I am
still excited to see Billings with a full Offseason to lift. Hope he becomes who i thought he would.

Adding Jessie Bates III is like bringing in another Reggie Nelson in my mind. He has that kind of ball skills that
cannot be taught. Should really help out Iloka.

[TheUberHuber]

(05-31-2018, 02:27 PM)Nate (formerly eliminate08) Wrote: Great post Sunset that i think needed to be bumped for all to see. Lazor and Pollack seem like they are gaining
great chemistry already. This is where i thought it would take time for us to gel but it sounds like it is going a bit
smoother than i even expected. I can understand the people that voted for the coaches cause of Marv but these
guys might be able to hide his weaknesses as a HC.

On Defense Austin sure has a lot of talent to work with. Just we will see how well the Linebackers do without
Burfict the first 4 games, Preston Brown helps this though with his smarts and overall solid style of play. I am
still excited to see Billings with a full Offseason to lift. Hope he becomes who i thought he would.

Adding Jessie Bates III is like bringing in another Reggie Nelson in my mind. He has that kind of ball skills that
cannot be taught. Should really help out Iloka.

I am excited to see what bates can do. His highlight reel was perty impressive... I also think that if he ends up being that Nelson replacement it would help the entire secondary,  not just lloka. 

[*Nate (formerly eliminate08)*]

(05-31-2018, 03:48 PM)TheUberHuber Wrote: I am excited to see what bates can do. His highlight reel was perty impressive... I also think that if he ends up being that Nelson replacement it would help the entire secondary,  not just lloka. 

I agree, having that Center fielding Safety should help everyone out. Wanted Bates all along just thought he would be
around in the 3rd but that is how the Draft works. I had a 2nd round grade on both Hubbard and Jefferson, to get Bates
and both those guys blew me away. I thought Bates would of fell to the 3rd cause he is not the best tackler.

But he can work on that, the stuff he has already cannot be taught.

[SunsetBengal]

(05-31-2018, 02:27 PM)Nate (formerly eliminate08) Wrote: Great post Sunset that i think needed to be bumped for all to see. Lazor and Pollack seem like they are gaining
great chemistry already. This is where i thought it would take time for us to gel but it sounds like it is going a bit
smoother than i even expected. I can understand the people that voted for the coaches cause of Marv but these
guys might be able to hide his weaknesses as a HC.

On Defense Austin sure has a lot of talent to work with. Just we will see how well the Linebackers do without
Burfict the first 4 games, Preston Brown helps this though with his smarts and overall solid style of play. I am
still excited to see Billings with a full Offseason to lift. Hope he becomes who i thought he would.

Adding Jessie Bates III is like bringing in another Reggie Nelson in my mind. He has that kind of ball skills that
cannot be taught. Should really help out Iloka.

Think robbing, stealing, along with general pillaging and plundering.  A ruthless bunch of marauders..  

[*Nate (formerly eliminate08)*]

(05-31-2018, 05:09 PM)SunsetBengal Wrote: Think robbing, stealing, along with general pillaging and plundering.  A ruthless bunch of marauders..  

I like

[sandwedge]

(05-31-2018, 05:09 PM)SunsetBengal Wrote: Think robbing, stealing, along with general pillaging and plundering.  A ruthless bunch of marauders..  

Great, now I have the scene from "Blazing Saddles" stuck in my head!!! Harvey Korman telling Slim Pickens what type of guys he wants to attack Rock Ridge!!!

[SunsetBengal]

(05-31-2018, 05:34 PM)sandwedge Wrote: Great, now I have the scene from "Blazing Saddles" stuck in my head!!! Harvey Korman telling Slim Pickens what type of guys he wants to attack Rock Ridge!!!

Ha!  They sure as hell couldn't get away with making a movie like that, today!

Seriously, I see the defense as going to be stingy, stout, and capitalizing on some QBs getting forced into bad throws.

[*Nate (formerly eliminate08)*]

(05-31-2018, 05:55 PM)SunsetBengal Wrote: Ha!  They sure as hell couldn't get away with making a movie like that, today!

Seriously, I see the defense as going to be stingy, stout, and capitalizing on some QBs getting forced into bad throws.

How good do you think a few guys can be, namely WJ3, Dennard and Bates...

with Geno, Dunlap, Lawson, Willis and Hubbard all getting pressure? I think we might see a lot of ints this year.

Not to mention if a guy like Billings, Baker or Glasgow can step up and get a bit of pressure alongside Geno.

[SunsetBengal]

(05-31-2018, 06:07 PM)Nate (formerly eliminate08) Wrote: How good do you think a few guys can be, namely WJ3, Dennard and Bates...

with Geno, Dunlap, Lawson, Willis and Hubbard all getting pressure? I think we might see a lot of ints this year.

Not to mention if a guy like Billings, Baker or Glasgow can step up and get a bit of pressure alongside Geno.

Personally?  I think that Jackson could very well emerge as a superstar this season.  I'm not as certain on Dennard.  He was always a boundary corner at Michigan St., if he truly embraces the role of Slot Corner, then maybe.  I'm really excited about Bates, I hope he makes the most of the snaps he gets as a rookie and stays injury free.  Injuries have ******** the development of what, the last 3 top secondary picks on this team?  Overall, I think the secondary is going to be a strong unit.  Coach Austin comes from a DBs coaching background, and I feel like this might be the unit that he is the most "hands on" with.

The front seven really has me looking forward to when the pads go on.  Adding Baker and Brown will do wonders to patch the holes that were trying to be filled with Bilings and Vigil.  Not that I don't think those guys can still develop into first rate talent, especially Billings, I just think that last year was too soon for full time action.  Lawson is who I'm particularly excited to see this year.  In somewhat limited action, he made the NFL All-Rookie team, let's see how he follows it up.

[fredtoast]

(05-31-2018, 06:48 PM)SunsetBengal Wrote: I think that Jackson could very well emerge as a superstar this season.

Lawson is who I'm particularly excited to see this year.

Dead on.

[Steve]

(05-31-2018, 05:55 PM)SunsetBengal Wrote: Ha!  They sure as hell couldn't get away with making a movie like that, today!

Seriously, I see the defense as going to be stingy, stout, and capitalizing on some QBs getting forced into bad throws.

getting turnovers on "D" would be a nice change....

it wasn't long ago we had the NFL record for most games played w/out getting a fumble....I think it was 17 games...?

[fredtoast]

(05-31-2018, 07:11 PM)Steve Wrote: getting turnovers on "D" would be a nice change....

it wasn't long ago we had the NFL record for most games played w/out getting a fumble....I think it was 17 games...?

Over the last 4 years (Guenther tenure) we had more interceptions than any other team in the league.

I have heard that fumble stat and it makes no sense.  I saw a study once that showed recovering fumbles was basically random.  Some teams force more than others but over time the recovery numbers even out and it is basically random chance on which team recovers.

[Jason_NC]

I like our D-line a lot.

I love our DBs.

I'm still iffy on the LBs, especially while Taze is out and in coverage.

[*Nate (formerly eliminate08)*]

(05-31-2018, 06:48 PM)SunsetBengal Wrote: Personally?  I think that Jackson could very well emerge as a superstar this season.  I'm not as certain on Dennard.  He was always a boundary corner at Michigan St., if he truly embraces the role of Slot Corner, then maybe.  I'm really excited about Bates, I hope he makes the most of the snaps he gets as a rookie and stays injury free.  Injuries have ******** the development of what, the last 3 top secondary picks on this team?  Overall, I think the secondary is going to be a strong unit.  Coach Austin comes from a DBs coaching background, and I feel like this might be the unit that he is the most "hands on" with.

The front seven really has me looking forward to when the pads go on.  Adding Baker and Brown will do wonders to patch the holes that were trying to be filled with Bilings and Vigil.  Not that I don't think those guys can still develop into first rate talent, especially Billings, I just think that last year was too soon for full time action.  Lawson is who I'm particularly excited to see this year.  In somewhat limited action, he made the NFL All-Rookie team, let's see how he follows it up.

It was more of a rhetorical question but you nailed it exactly how i feel.

Will Jax could be that next Revis Island type shutdown Corner. Dennard played well last year but you are right he has
always played his best on the outside, but that doesn't mean he cannot play the Slot though. Dennard's biggest knock
is his lack of elite speed but he has great hips and can change direction on a dime while being a ballhawk. Could really
see him having a breakout year if he can stay healthy.

Health, that is the key as you said. Just have to hope these guys stay healthy. Bates is going to be a fun one if he
doesn't get that bad luck rookie injury we have been plagued with for years. Billings and Lawson need to stay healthy,
don't forget why Lawson fell to the 4th, injury history.

[fredtoast]

weaknesses (or question marks) right now.

The right side of our O-line.

WR behind Green.

LB.

DT other than Geno.


Of these 4 I feel most confident that we can come up with a DT and WR. The first four games without Burfict really worry me.

[*Nate (formerly eliminate08)*]

(06-01-2018, 12:53 PM)fredtoast Wrote: weaknesses (or question marks) right now.

The right side of our O-line.

WR behind Green.

LB.

DT other than Geno.


Of these 4 I feel most confident that we can come up with a DT and WR.  The first four games without Burfict really worry me.

I agree with you here Fred. I am thinking right now Westerman or Redmond win the RG job and Fisher or Hart
win the RT job. I like how Pollack has been saying that he is going to let the best man win. I have been impressed
with Westerman everytime i have watched him but he is not as big as Redmond and is not the road grader that
Pollack might like at RG.

Fisher has been out there practicing so i hope the heart problem is over. Hart is not as bad of a signing as i first
thought either. We might be alright here but it is yet to be seen. I have trust in Pollack coaching these guys up
though.

Ross has been looking really good from everything i have read. Ran 23.2 MPH but we all know he is fast and that
this is without pads. Still, Bicknell is really liking what he is seeing from the entire WR corps. Says it is just as good
as any he has been around and he has seen some good ones in his time.

Preston Brown i think really helps our LB's and especially a guy like Malik Jefferson who has had problems in the
past not recognizing plays. Burfict will help him too, Jefferson has all the talent to play SAM for us.

Really hoping to see Billings come around, adding Baker was good insurance and Glasgow did not play bad as a
rookie. I think one of these guys steps up.

[impactplaya]

i dont think the greatest weakness on this team is any one position.
i think its weakness is its inability collectively as team to keep.it together in the last minute of the 1st half and the 4th q.
too many times ive seen the team over the last few years allow a team.to drive down the field score and change momentum at the end of the half
or have a lead with 4 minutes left and give up a td or fg to lose
leaders need to.show up make plays at critical.times
the Genos the Burficts the Greens the Dunlaps the LaFells

[fortyyearfan]

(05-05-2018, 07:28 PM)BFritz21 Wrote: As a team, what weaknesses do you see on our team?

Obviously, the line is a huge question mark with Fisher struggling at right tackle, but let's hope he can finally put it together with being fully healthy and with Pollack's coaching, and Hart will hopefully push him.  Glenn appears to be an upgrade at left tackle and is even glorified by some experts as one of the top ten left tackles in the league.  Price can hopefully anchor the line and be the leader and strongpoint on the line that we've been missing since Braham.  Guard is still a question mark and should be a good competition with Redmond, Westerman, Boling, and Hopkins.

The line could be, and (at the moment) appears to be, a weaknesses, but Pollack could turn it into a strength or at least a serviceable squad.  

We obviously have AJ and Ross could be coming into his own, and LaFell is also average but, outside of those three, depth could be a concern at receiver.

Safety could be seen as a weakness, but I'm hoping that Bates brings some excitement into the secondary and is a force at one safety spot for us.

Is backer a weakness?  We have Burfict and Jefferson, but will our third backer be good enough?  Can Preston Brown get it done?  Is Vigil improving enough?  Rey?

I left off Marvin and I'm hoping that it finally clicks for him this year and that the assistant coaches help mask his weaknesses and that he listens to them.  He didn't have coaches good enough to be strong enough minds to have an influence on him, but I'm hoping that they play a part in game planning and clock management this year.

Do you agree with my weaknesses?  What weaknesses do you see?

To me having been around this organization for 47 years,I do believe the biggest two downers we have is the QB and MARVIN LEWIS. Marvin does not pick the correct players to jell,he often leaves the better player either go to the practice squad or at best a backup to a player he likes,case in point he let westerman and the other dude sit as backups and you see what they did when they played the last two games,they dominated their position.I do not trust him to put the BEST players on the field on gameday.Hopefully these unproven new coaches will have a say so and with ANDY I think he has to have a lot more fire in him to compete for this division.He has gotten his big money and now has two kids and he is not going to take chances when the game is on him.I hope I am wrong because I like him,I just want a super bowl ring someday as I am now in my 70's. I ask all on here when is it going to happen.The nfl pundits pick us as finishing 3rd in the division and they do this for a reason.Our Bengals have done nothing to convince me any thing changes.Not enough fire in all of them,some yes but you have to all be on the same page and battle for each other.All the teams we face this year will be balling out all game,believe it.To win you have to score an average of 30 points.The defense played more snaps than this offense.I am hopeful every year,but I am worn down and tired of all the promises.

[fortyyearfan]

(05-31-2018, 06:48 PM)SunsetBengal Wrote: Personally?  I think that Jackson could very well emerge as a superstar this season.  I'm not as certain on Dennard.  He was always a boundary corner at Michigan St., if he truly embraces the role of Slot Corner, then maybe.  I'm really excited about Bates, I hope he makes the most of the snaps he gets as a rookie and stays injury free.  Injuries have ******** the development of what, the last 3 top secondary picks on this team?  Overall, I think the secondary is going to be a strong unit.  Coach Austin comes from a DBs coaching background, and I feel like this might be the unit that he is the most "hands on" with.

The front seven really has me looking forward to when the pads go on.  Adding Baker and Brown will do wonders to patch the holes that were trying to be filled with Bilings and Vigil.  Not that I don't think those guys can still develop into first rate talent, especially Billings, I just think that last year was too soon for full time action.  Lawson is who I'm particularly excited to see this year.  In somewhat limited action, he made the NFL All-Rookie team, let's see how he follows it up.

One of my biggest concerns is the stinkin refs,they will steal 2 games from us,believe it, they hate tez and they hate all of bengals land.I could easily see tez getting kick out of a game with this new rule and stinkin marvin lewis does nothing to get in the refs ass and challenge the call. He is a very conservative dude and I hate that about him.It effects the whole team when he refuses to go off on somebody and show his players he has their back.I would love to see him get kicked out of a game for just going crazy about a bad call,which we get a ton of throughout the season.If he is the same old marvin,we win maybe 8 games.