(01-22-2017, 04:43 PM)SunsetBengal Wrote: You are definitely onto something with quality teams having other options to rely on, once the first option is taken away. With Atlanta, the difference this year is clearly the signing of Alex Mack, making their rushing attack a truly viable option. Atlanta has always had good 2nd and 3rd options in the pass (see Roddy White and Gonzales). Now that their OL has transformed from being primarily pass pro, to a unit that can attack a defense up the gut, defenses are forced to defend the entire field every play.
And how many games did the Bengals have a healthy Eifert, AJ, and Sexy on the field together? None.
I couldn't understand why once Eifert did return that they didn't do more two TE sets with Uzomah, who showed pretty good athleticism (that was a TD against putzburgh). I think Kroft has been a major disappointment thus far, but then I think how Belicheck got something out of our practice squad guy Matt Lengel. Kroft would likely get more targets from an offense that knew how to run with multiple TEs.
I would rather see our TEs matched up against LBs than our #3 and 4 receivers matched up against DBs. I think they provide a bigger target and they also have the added bonus of helping the running game.
From a pure weapon standpoint, it seemed our worst lineup was 3 WRs with Hill in the backfield...can't block, can't break tackles, and too predictable. That could all be markedly improved with a RB like Cook, paired with Sexy and Gio, and more two and even three TE formations (red zone).
FWIW, I do think our 3 WR formation will work ok with Core on the other side of AJ and Boyd in the slot.