Our Linebackers Are The Worst In Coverage

[bengalsturntup926]

You would think our linebacker specialist coach would have an issue with how the linebackers are performing. No lets not try anything different..

I liked the offseason moves by this team,blew my mind on some of them. But came to realize during the season its the same ol shit from this coaching staff. Marvin will never change.

[sonofstat]

(10-30-2018, 08:44 PM)SunsetBengal Wrote: Thanks for the statistical analysis to confirm what most of us have already been thinking.  The knee jerk reaction might be "it's got to be the coaching", and I would agree, to a point.  I think it goes much deeper than that, but think more budgetary..  Yes, ownership doesn't want to shell out the $$$ for what it takes to have capable LBs in a 4-3 defense.

They seem to have gotten all caught up in Edge Rusher phenomenon, that they forgot that quality LBs that can stop the run, cover the pass, and blitz the QB are the heartbeat of a successful 4-3 defense.  Sure, it takes 11 men committed to a common goal to be truly successful, but if you stack your defense strong up the middle (NT, LB, and Safety), you automatically force offenses to play the edges of the field.

We've not drafted a LB in the first 2 rounds for a decade.

The LB corps has been Tez and a bunch of guys for a while now....but now Tez is not reliably available we are exposed more.

One thing I will say is that this appeared a conscious decision previously to not plough a lot of resources into LB....and you could argue this was justified with some very productive and consistent defenses in the playoff years.

You can't invest in every position group - we have consistently invested in say CB (3 1st round picks) and DL (Geno, Carlos contracts) so there is never going to be a lot left for LB.....think the problem now is our pass rush is not consistently great and our coverage overall (not just LBs) is just leaking points and yards....this then combined with a thin LB corps ain't great news.

[*SHRacerX*]

(10-30-2018, 09:58 PM)NATI BENGALS Wrote: If i was as smart as Marvin (think the turd who pokes its head out of the water) with two of our starters down. And had to choose between a washed up vet who is totally done. And a second year undrafted free agent who shouldnt be in the league. And a rookie LB we basically traded up for. I would for sure give ZERO defensive snaps to our athletic 3rd round pick LB.

Its been written in stone for years. Aint winning shit with this shithead

I still wanted Shaquem Griffin, who has been very good in Seattle.  And his strength was his speed and ability to stay with receivers.  

[*Wyche'sWarrior*]

(10-31-2018, 12:51 AM)I_C_DeadPeople Wrote: Going into the season it was pretty clear LB and OL were the weakest spots and this would cost us games

Yep, but so far, the o line hasn't cost us a game.  They've had their bad moments, but the LB corp is a total liability out there.  

[SunsetBengal]

(10-31-2018, 08:58 AM)Wyche Wrote: Yep, but so far, the o line hasn't cost us a game.  They've had their bad moments, but the LB corp is a total liability out there.  

Yep, with 'Taze looking like a shell of his former self, Brown not proving to be the hero we'd hoped for, and Vigil getting beat up, it's a freakin' disaster out there.

[*ochocincos*]

(10-30-2018, 08:59 PM)Brimey Wrote: In his defense they handed him a bunch of late round, undrafted guys and said, "Here! Turn this mess servicable!" Now he's obviously failed, but how much of that's directly on him I don't know

On the flip side, Haslett could have said he thought the LBs were good and the Bengals could wait on a LB in the draft. 

Also, Preston Brown, Nick Vigil, and Malik Jefferson were all third-round picks. I would assume/hope Brown and Jefferson were brought in at the recommendation of Haslett. So the team isn't full of late-rounders or UDFAs in reality.

[I_C_DeadPeople]

(10-31-2018, 08:58 AM)Wyche Wrote: Yep, but so far, the o line hasn't cost us a game.  They've had their bad moments, but the LB corp is a total liability out there.  

I would agree. Lazor has done a good job at working around the OL issue. It is still an issue and teams will adjust but no blame on the offense given the tools they have or lack thereof. 

[I_C_DeadPeople]

BTW, is not Marvin's son also a LB coach? Good luck firing him...

[sandwedge]

(10-30-2018, 10:31 PM)Devils Advocate Wrote: Our LBers have the physical attributes built to stuff the run & take up space, not to cover. It’s an antiquated philosophy in the tough, ‘run heavy’ AFCN. This is a passing league & division, trending towards offenses resembling the college passing game. It blows my mind that Marvin hasn’t figured this out & adjusted.

I made a post after the KC game, that said the samething you just said. Glad to see I am not the only one that sees that.

[sandwedge]

(10-30-2018, 08:48 PM)Brimey Wrote: This franchise has invested almost nothing I to the position. The talent flat out isn't there. They could be a little improved when Vigil and Burfict get back.

Very true Brimey. For some reason we, meaning FO, do not value the LBer position. Sure we took a chance with VB and scored, but he was a shithead in college with 1st RD talent. If you'd had asked me before the season,  I'd have said we need RT in the draft next year, but now I really believe we need the best LBer we can get. 

[wolfkaosaun]

Just read that the Bengals LBs have allowed 53 first downs into their coverage through Week 8, which is the most of any linebacking corps in Weeks 1-8 in the ProFootballFocus era (2006-Present).

[*bengalfan74*]

(11-03-2018, 08:03 PM)wolfkaosaun Wrote: Just read that the Bengals LBs have allowed 53 first downs into their coverage through Week 8, which is the most of any linebacking corps in Weeks 1-8 in the ProFootballFocus era (2006-Present).

Are they really that bad wolf ? Or is it the coaching/scheme ? Or both ?

[wolfkaosaun]

(11-03-2018, 08:34 PM)bengalfan74 Wrote: Are they really that bad wolf ? Or is it the coaching/scheme ? Or both ?

Seems to be a combination of both.

Our linebackers have never been that great in coverage, and the scheme is putting them into soft zone coverage. Plus the defense will bundle the linebackers up and then have them spread out, but they're not fast enough to get into their zones before the receiver gets there.

They're not good in man or zone coverage. There's a distinct lack of speed and recognition.