Posts: 3,965
Threads: 55
Reputation:
8642
Joined: May 2015
Right now he's fighting with Sims as the 5th man on the rotation.
Posts: 40,628
Threads: 1,062
Joined: May 2015
I am afraid the Bengals are stunting his development by using him in the hybrid DE/DT position. He needs to concentrate full time on DT.
Posts: 4,889
Threads: 124
Reputation:
22809
Joined: May 2015
Location: Oregon
I think the team's plan for him is to replace Gillberry and having a guy that can play multiple positions on the line is a very valuable commodity. He's an ideal 5-technique DE anytime the team wants to run a 3-4 look.
Posts: 3,160
Threads: 70
Reputation:
15749
Joined: May 2015
Location: Pittsburgh, PA
As Fred said, he needs to concentrate fully on the DT position.
I like him a lot. And would honestly take him over every other DT right now besides Atkins, Peko, and Billings.
Posts: 7,827
Threads: 281
Reputation:
31873
Joined: May 2015
I like the cross training at DE and DT. Let Hunt and Clarke focus on DE, they need it and our depth there is more of a concern. With Atkins, Peko, Sims, and Billings we are looking good at DT. Hardison as the swing man taking over for Gillberry could be an improvement.
Posts: 14,281
Threads: 294
Reputation:
31560
Joined: May 2015
He's just one of many draft and develop players with the Bengals. Just because you don't see a lot of him the first season or two doesn't mean he won't have a big impact down the road. It's a loaded roster which is a great problem to have. At least he's not being rushed into the line to sink or swim like so many teams do with players. I'm thinking Billings may have to do the same thing, take some time to develop to earn the spot on the line..Still, not a bad problem to have.
In the immortal words of my old man, "Wait'll you get to be my age!"
Chicago sounds rough to the maker of verse, but the one comfort we have is Cincinnati sounds worse. ~Oliver Wendal Holmes Sr.