Posts: 14,152
Threads: 501
Reputation:
106706
Joined: May 2015
It can be an offensive player, defensive player, special teamer, or coach.
If there is one person you would rate as the biggest improvement who you believe will have the greatest overall impact on the 2018-19 Bengals, which player or coach would that be and why?
I am going to go with Billy Price. Yes, he is unproven. A center? Really, X? Yes. Here's why: When I would isolate everyone on when plays broke down, time and time again I came back to the same issue: the center in my QB's lap. No pocket. No place to step in to and no clear throwing lanes. I hate to just pile on Bodine, as maybe some of his issues were the scheme run by Alexander, but he was just flat out terrible in pass-blocking situations. His run-blocking was ok, but he would whiff from time to time and lead to a huge loss on a play.
Billy Price is meant to be a center. His bowling ball (not just because he is bald) body with massive legs and core strength are an ideal fit for the position. Plus, he has what I like to call a serious case of the red-ass. Not the post-Skyline where you went overboard on the hot sauce, but that hostile in the field of battle, tough as nails, leader that we have lacked since Whit.
I am confident he will be 100% healthy, and will probably have a bit of a chip on his shoulder not being the first center taken. (Whatever it takes, right? I mean, I can see him thinking: Ragnow? Did they ever win any games?) Regardless of where his motivation comes from, I love this kid. He is exactly what we needed and I can't wait to see him.
I might be the only one that selects a center, a rookie at that, as the greatest impact on the entire team in 2018-19, but that is my selection.
Honorable mentions to Jordan Willis, Bill Lazor, Gio Bernard (I just have a feeling this is his year), and WJIII.
That is mine, what is yours?
Posts: 27,920
Threads: 349
Reputation:
239226
Joined: Aug 2016
AJ Green. I think we’re all looking for a big season out of him after a slightly down year in 2017.
Mixon and Ross are still total question marks at this point (especially the latter), LaFell and Boyd are what they are, and Eifert will likely play only a handful of games. Until someone else steps up all other teams have to do is stop Green and they have a good chance at beating us.
Not worried about the defense. They should be pretty decent.
Posts: 16,414
Threads: 151
Reputation:
61627
Joined: May 2015
Price or Bill lazor are my picks.
Posts: 1,359
Threads: 3
Reputation:
6054
Joined: May 2015
Frank Pollack.
If he can fix the line and at least make it serviceable, this team could go far.
"Our offensive line is going to surprise a lot of people" - Mike Brown (7-26-21)
Posts: 13,479
Threads: 133
Reputation:
89740
Joined: May 2015
Bill Lazor is the biggest one. He took over a team that had failed to score a TD, fought with the mainstays on the staff, and actually made a bad offense look good as the season wore on. He now had his own staff and installing his own offense.
If I have to pick a player it would be Cordy Glenn. Offensive tackle was a major issue last season and Glenn is a high caliber player.
Posts: 6,552
Threads: 88
Reputation:
45451
Joined: Apr 2017
I'm going with Ross. Will he lead the NFL in any stats, no, but AJ might just because of the fact Ross is on the field. Which will also open up the the running game for Mixon and Gio.
Posts: 5,985
Threads: 53
Reputation:
18232
Joined: May 2015
Location: Blue Ash
Too many new players in the right spots now and new coaches. It'll be hard to just pinpoint one.
I'll go with Dalton. He's going to have an All Pro record breaking year, with all his toys healthy and improved protection, no reason why he shouldn't have a great year.
Posts: 12,199
Threads: 214
Reputation:
56665
Joined: May 2015
Location: Lancaster, PA
(06-15-2018, 07:42 AM)SHRacerX Wrote: It can be an offensive player, defensive player, special teamer, or coach.
If there is one person you would rate as the biggest improvement who you believe will have the greatest overall impact on the 2018-19 Bengals, which player or coach would that be and why?
I am going to go with Billy Price. Yes, he is unproven. A center? Really, X? Yes. Here's why: When I would isolate everyone on when plays broke down, time and time again I came back to the same issue: the center in my QB's lap. No pocket. No place to step in to and no clear throwing lanes. I hate to just pile on Bodine, as maybe some of his issues were the scheme run by Alexander, but he was just flat out terrible in pass-blocking situations. His run-blocking was ok, but he would whiff from time to time and lead to a huge loss on a play.
Billy Price is meant to be a center. His bowling ball (not just because he is bald) body with massive legs and core strength are an ideal fit for the position. Plus, he has what I like to call a serious case of the red-ass. Not the post-Skyline where you went overboard on the hot sauce, but that hostile in the field of battle, tough as nails, leader that we have lacked since Whit.
I am confident he will be 100% healthy, and will probably have a bit of a chip on his shoulder not being the first center taken. (Whatever it takes, right? I mean, I can see him thinking: Ragnow? Did they ever win any games?) Regardless of where his motivation comes from, I love this kid. He is exactly what we needed and I can't wait to see him.
I might be the only one that selects a center, a rookie at that, as the greatest impact on the entire team in 2018-19, but that is my selection.
Honorable mentions to Jordan Willis, Bill Lazor, Gio Bernard (I just have a feeling this is his year), and WJIII.
That is mine, what is yours?
If we were going players only, Billy Price would be my choice, too. However, you said anyone and so I have to go with Pollack. Our biggest issues could be traced to the offensive line. Defense gassed? Offense probably stalled out too many times. Offense stalling out too many times due to offensive line issues (i.e. no running lanes for RB and giving up pressure on the QB, etc.).
Pollack is the key to fixing it. Yes, Glenn and Price are tremendous upgrades and having Hart or even a properly coached Fisher in at RT could also be an upgrade, it's still up to Pollack to make sure the line is clicking on all cylinders. I think he'll be more than up to the task and we're going to see a much improved OL which will lead to a better, more consistent offense which will only help the defense and we should be right back in the playoff hunt praying that we'll actually get a playoff win THIS time.
Posts: 7,773
Threads: 216
Reputation:
40871
Joined: May 2015
Location: Cave
I am going with a healthy Glenn at LT. Billy Price a close second. Removing Paul Alexander from the Bengals third.
Posts: 2,302
Threads: 114
Reputation:
16494
Joined: May 2015
Location: Boise, Idaho
Lots of good arguments on here for different people, but just to mix it up, I'm going to go with Alex Van Pelt, the new QBs coach.
I hope Van Pelt can take Andy Dalton to a "next level." I know Lazor's new playbook, our new Online coach and his new players will all play a role in this, but Van Pelt helped create the freak that is Aaron Rodgers. If Dalton can ramp up his game a notch or two by
- not staring down AJ Green every play
- doing a better job of using his eyes to move pass defenders
- throwing better on the run and under pressure
I think he could make the Pro-Bowl and maybe return to his 2015 form when he was on the way to becoming an MVP candidate.
Today I'm TEAM SEWELL. Tomorrow TEAM PITTS. Maybe TEAM CHASE. I can't decide, and glad I don't have to.
Posts: 20,777
Threads: 99
Reputation:
193401
Joined: May 2015
Location: Bluegrass Region
(06-15-2018, 10:48 AM)2MinutesHate Wrote: Frank Pollack.
If he can fix the line and at least make it serviceable, this team could go far.
This.....if for nothing else, we no longer have an oline coach meddling with the run game.
"Better send those refunds..."
Posts: 25,862
Threads: 650
Reputation:
243432
Joined: May 2015
Location: Jackson, OH
(06-15-2018, 10:48 AM)2MinutesHate Wrote: Frank Pollack.
If he can fix the line and at least make it serviceable, this team could go far.
This is where I am, as well.
(06-15-2018, 03:21 PM)Wyche Wrote: This.....if for nothing else, we no longer have an oline coach meddling with the run game.
Agreed, a position coach shouldn't be dictating any schematics. He should be coaching/teaching fundamentals and techniques to properly execute the plays/game plan presented to him.
Volson is meh, but I like him, and he has far exceeded my expectations
-Frank Booth 1/9/23
Posts: 20,777
Threads: 99
Reputation:
193401
Joined: May 2015
Location: Bluegrass Region
(06-15-2018, 03:39 PM)SunsetBengal Wrote: This is where I am, as well.
Agreed, a position coach shouldn't be dictating any schematics. He should be coaching/teaching fundamentals and techniques to properly execute the plays/game plan presented to him.
Absolutely. I just got finished reading an article about Ogbuehi that, of course, heavily featured Pollack on the Bengals site. It appears even Og has benefited immensely from Pollack's tutelage and blocking schemes. This isn't just from the OTAs that I made a thread about either....this was during minicamp. Interesting read. I really feel like Frank Pollack is going to have the biggest impact on any success this team may have.
"Better send those refunds..."
Posts: 25,862
Threads: 650
Reputation:
243432
Joined: May 2015
Location: Jackson, OH
(06-15-2018, 03:55 PM)Wyche Wrote: Absolutely. I just got finished reading an article about Ogbuehi that, of course, heavily featured Pollack on the Bengals site. It appears even Og has benefited immensely from Pollack's tutelage and blocking schemes. This isn't just from the OTAs that I made a thread about either....this was during minicamp. Interesting read. I really feel like Frank Pollack is going to have the biggest impact on any success this team may have.
This article?
http://www.bengals.com/news/article-1/Ced-gets-another-say/16334a2b-7acb-4962-9c1b-7f6b27afd0cd
Coach Pollack seems willing to give him a fair shot, and also seems encouraged by what Ogbuehi has demonstrated. Ced seems enthusiastic about getting taught to be aggressive, and use his hands. I wonder why PA never tried that??
Volson is meh, but I like him, and he has far exceeded my expectations
-Frank Booth 1/9/23
Posts: 1,754
Threads: 0
Reputation:
7034
Joined: Mar 2017
Frank Pollack. He will have a big impact on the entire Oline. Which will help improve the QB WR RB and TE. If we can get more consistent moving the ball it can give our pass rushers and DB time to rest up.
Posts: 20,777
Threads: 99
Reputation:
193401
Joined: May 2015
Location: Bluegrass Region
(06-15-2018, 04:08 PM)SunsetBengal Wrote: This article?
http://www.bengals.com/news/article-1/Ced-gets-another-say/16334a2b-7acb-4962-9c1b-7f6b27afd0cd
Coach Pollack seems willing to give him a fair shot, and also seems encouraged by what Ogbuehi has demonstrated. Ced seems enthusiastic about getting taught to be aggressive, and use his hands. I wonder why PA never tried that??
Yep, that's the one.
Ego and stubbornness? I dunno, but I like how that article preaches getting on the defender quickly and aggressively....mentioned punching as well.
"Better send those refunds..."
Posts: 2,481
Threads: 27
Reputation:
19395
Joined: May 2015
Coaching in general. Pollack in particular, for all the reasons noted above. I LOVE the Ogquehi article.
The guy appears to have brought a full scale culture change. And I love the way he welcomes former Bengals O-linemen.
This guy gives me a lot of hope.
Posts: 520
Threads: 12
Reputation:
2625
Joined: May 2015
Billy Price. Both in effectiveness with his execution, but also bringing his attitude and optimism to our offensive unit.
Looking at the offensive line as a unit, I feel some solid hope about improvement, and possibly great improvement, as long as we get something good happening at RG and RT. I have hopes for Westerman and Fisher.
Last year at this time I was certain we would just continue to fumble, stumble and fall with our O-line. Not that you had to be a great analyst to see that coming. I think we all knew it.
Everyone seems to feel very positive about John Ross so far this year, and the line improving will help us utilize him, also. So I'm trying to be optimistic. Pessimism is just no fun for me.
Posts: 36,289
Threads: 49
Reputation:
234749
Joined: May 2015
Location: Star Valley, Wyoming
(06-15-2018, 07:42 AM)SHRacerX Wrote: It can be an offensive player, defensive player, special teamer, or coach.
If there is one person you would rate as the biggest improvement who you believe will have the greatest overall impact on the 2018-19 Bengals, which player or coach would that be and why?
I am going to go with Billy Price. Yes, he is unproven. A center? Really, X? Yes. Here's why: When I would isolate everyone on when plays broke down, time and time again I came back to the same issue: the center in my QB's lap. No pocket. No place to step in to and no clear throwing lanes. I hate to just pile on Bodine, as maybe some of his issues were the scheme run by Alexander, but he was just flat out terrible in pass-blocking situations. His run-blocking was ok, but he would whiff from time to time and lead to a huge loss on a play.
Billy Price is meant to be a center. His bowling ball (not just because he is bald) body with massive legs and core strength are an ideal fit for the position. Plus, he has what I like to call a serious case of the red-ass. Not the post-Skyline where you went overboard on the hot sauce, but that hostile in the field of battle, tough as nails, leader that we have lacked since Whit.
I am confident he will be 100% healthy, and will probably have a bit of a chip on his shoulder not being the first center taken. (Whatever it takes, right? I mean, I can see him thinking: Ragnow? Did they ever win any games?) Regardless of where his motivation comes from, I love this kid. He is exactly what we needed and I can't wait to see him.
I might be the only one that selects a center, a rookie at that, as the greatest impact on the entire team in 2018-19, but that is my selection.
Honorable mentions to Jordan Willis, Bill Lazor, Gio Bernard (I just have a feeling this is his year), and WJIII.
That is mine, what is yours?
If i go overall i say Frank Pollack, this guy still needs to coach Price up and i think he will do it. It also doesn't matter
how good of a playcaller Lazor is if the Line blowz. So Pollack as the coach and then Price as the player on Offense.
Honorable mention Cordy Glenn of course on Offense.
On Defense i think Dunlap will go crazy this year with all the motivation and being in the best shape of his life and
Lawson pushing him saying he will end up being the all time sack leader here. Love Lawson's confidence and the fact
we are getting the competition between our pass rushers going on like this.
Lawson says he expects to end up with 120 sacks atleast in the NFL if he can stay healthy.
Of the rookies on Defense i think both Hubbard and Bates could make pretty big impacts.
Posts: 1,178
Threads: 3
Reputation:
3746
Joined: Aug 2015
(06-15-2018, 10:48 AM)2MinutesHate Wrote: Frank Pollack.
If he can fix the line and at least make it serviceable, this team could go far.
Right with ya. Our record is surprisingly decent given how bad the Oline play was last year.
The offense knows how to play without Eifert and hopefully some of the year 2 guys can make that leap.
|