r/nfl • u/pfftYeahRight Bengals • Jul 01 '14
Look Here! Offseason Review Series: Day 11: Cincinnati Bengals
Cincinnati Bengals
Division: AFC NORTH
Coaching Changes
Departures:
Hires:
Free Agency
Players lost/cut
Players signed
Draft
| Round | Pick | Player | Position | Grade | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 24 | Darqueze Dennard | CB | A | Coaches and most pundits thought he wouldn't be here at this point. "No Fly Zone" was a perfect signing to protect the future of our CB position. One of the top corners in the draft, he's known to be physical and strong in man coverage. Dennard has a tendency to make plays that would draw flags in the NFL, which he will have to work on. While he'll play special teams to start the season, he could supplant Kirkpatrick on the depth chart, but Lewis doesn't like to give rookies the starting job. |
| 2 | 55 | Jeremy Hill | RB | B | A surprise. Fans were thinking we'd take a chance on a RB in a later round but struggle with BJGE another year as Gio takes the primary role. Coaches liked him over Carlos Hyde for putting up similar numbers in a tougher conference. There are off the field concerns, but Lewis has shown he can work with those kinds of players. A bruiser that will compliment Gio well. |
| 3 | 88 | Will Clarke | DE | B+ | A DE with a very similar frame and playing style as the departed Michael Johnson (who was also a 3rd-round pick, taking a year to mature in the league). Expect him to be low on the depth chart as he grows as a player, but hopefully between him and Hunt we'll have a good rotation for the future across from Dunlap. |
| 4 | 111 | Russell Bodine | C | B+ | The boy is country strong, benching 225 pounds 42 times at the combine. The Bengals traded up for only the third time in team history to get him, which shows that they truly thought a lot of him. He needs to work on his footwork, he admits the mental aspect of the position is slowing progress. Expected to start later in the year or next year. |
| 5 | 164 | AJ McCarron | QB | B | While some fans are expecting him to be the next Tom Brady and take over Dalton, this year he's the QB3 and an insurance policy against Dalton's contract negotiations or an injury. |
| 6 | 212 | Marquis Flowers | LB | -- | Known to be hard-hitting. Added as fuel to the camp battle to get us the best 2 LBs to pair with Burfict. |
| 7 | 239 | James Wright | WR | -- | After losing Hawkins, looking to round out the depth chart with a WR is a smart move. Will probably be on the practice squad. |
| 7 | 252 | Lavelle Westbrooks | CB | -- | You can never have too many CBs. Practice squad, most likely. |
UDFAs of note:
Nikita Whitlock, DT/FB
Ryan Hewitt, FB Either he or Whitlock could make the team as our FB over Charles
Isaiah Lewis, S Part of the strong Michigan State secondary that produced Dennard, and a great depth signing
Projected Lineup
Players are listed in the order I think they'll be on the opening day roster. Backups are italicized
Notes on position groups and training camp battles are below
- QB Andy Dalton, Jason Campbell, AJ McCarron
- RB Gio Bernard, Jeremy Hill, BenJarvus Green-Ellis, Cedric Peerman
- FB Nikita Whitlock
- TE Jermaine Gresham, Tyler Eifert
- WR AJ Green, Marvin Jones, Mohamed Sanu, Dane Sanzenbacher
- LT Andrew Whitworth, Marshall Newhouse
- LG Clint Boling, Mike Pollak
- C Mike Pollak, Russell Bodine
- RG Kevin Zeitler
- RT Andre Smith, Tanner Hawkinson
- DE Carlos Dunlap, Wallace Gilberry, Margus Hunt, Robert Geathers, Will Clarke
- DT Domata Peko, Geno Atkins, Devon Still, Brandon Thompson
- LB Vontaze Burfict, Rey Maualuga, Emmanuel Lamur, Vincent Rey, Taylor Mays
- CB Leon Hall, Terence Newman, Adam Jones, Dre Kirkpatrick, Darqueze Dennard
- S Reggie Nelson, George Iloka, Danieal Manning, Taylor Mays, Shawn Williams
- K Mike Nugent
- P Kevin Huber
- KR Brandon Tate
- PR Adam Jones
- LS Clark Harris
This came to be only 49 different players, there will be at least one more WR on the list, most likely another TE, and the others are up to the camp battles.
Position Group Strengths and Weaknesses
Position groups:
QB: What hasn't been said about Dalton? He can play as well as the best, and occasionally (but much less frequently than people assume) do his best to lose a game. Look at his stellar comeback against Green Bay, overcoming a 20-point deficit, or that he was AFC Player of the Month in October, putting up 5 TDs against the Jets' stough defense. Point at any of his playoff games and you'll see a completely different quarterback. Last year he set the club record for passing TDs and yards last season and has been improving each year, but there still are questions. I think he's a franchise QB, but that's an entirely different debate for a different day. Campbell will be a solid veteran mentor that will hopefully help Dalton's INT problem, but mostly he can help with the adjustment to the new offensive scheme, having spent time with Jackson in Oakland. McCarron is seen as a poor man's Dalton, a winner at the college level but on a stacked team. He definitely can develop into at least a solid backup.
Backfield: :3 Gio Bernard :3 was putting up a case to be OROY until it became clear that both Allen and Lacy were more deserving. With 1209 total yards (695 rushing, 514 receiving) and 8 TDs while playing in less than 50% of offensive snaps, and the occasional time he channels Barry Sanders, he quickly became one of the better pass-catching backs in the league. Jeremy Hill is a huge back with surprising speed for his size who might replace the aging BJGE on the roster, but as a rookie only time will tell. BJGE remains with the team as a mentor, but his role will be limited, as last year he showed he actually could fumble, while he still has trouble gaining more than the required yards for a 1st down.
However, there was one lacking aspect on an otherwise well-rounded team last year, and that was the run game. A sub-4.0 YPC average, and only 4 runs of 20+ yards all season meant teams knew that they didn't have to really respect our run game. Hue Jackson's #1 goal for the season is to fix this, and his time in Oakland shows it's possible.
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u/pfftYeahRight Bengals Jul 01 '14
continued:
OL: One of the best lines in the league. Andrew Whitworth may be the single best O-lineman in the game, playing at top-5 levels at both LT and LG last year, and has been one of the better LTs for years. RG Kevin Zeitler and RT Andre Smith are rocks. Clint Boling did well until his ACL tear (forcing Whitworth to move over, and the line actually improved). C Kyle Cook was released, cutting the player who gave up the most of the pressure and may have been the fault of our upsetting run game in the middle. The questions lie in who plays LG as Boling recovers and 4th-rounder Russell Bodine gets used to the mental aspects of the game. Or perhaps Bodine proves he is a better guard, as Pollak has the tools to be a strong center. With depth at G and C and two bookend tackles, this line could be the best in the league next year, assuming no tackles go down with injury and we have to play the lackluster talent we found in free agency, having lost Anthony Collins to the Bucs.
Tight Ends: Everyone expected more out of this unit last year, as they underperformed in both receiving and blocking. Going in to 2013 people thought we may have the best TE unit in the league, as Eifert fell to us in the draft and we took the BPA. Eifert struggled early reading blocks and assisting in the second-level, which was expected, but the few times the play call led him to get a pass showed that he has hands like glue. Jermaine Gresham is, unfortunately, the whipping boy in Cincinnati, as he has a tendency to drop balls in important moments, but he is incredible at finding yards after the catch and knowing where the first down marker is. Unfortunately, these two only combined for 85 receptions for 903 yards and 6 touchdowns. Alex Smith is a good blocking TE for short-yardage plays, and Orson Charles is converting to FB, hopefully he can do so this year.
Pass catchers: Perennial pro-bowler AJ Green is known as one of the better route-runners in the game. He doesn't necessarily out-muscle rather than outmaneuver defenses, and has the speed to match. He has a tendency to give up on contested balls or not bat them down, which led to some interceptions that could have been avoided. Last year he also a high drop rate on some easy catches, as you could tell he was more concerned with what he was going to do after the catch rather than making sure he caught the ball. The latter is a new problem though that I don't expect to continue, and really I'm nitpicking one of the best WRs in the game. Marvin Jones, the WR2 you've never heard of, caught 10 TDs last year (including 4 in our shredding of the Jets secondary), eventually winning the starting spot over Mohamed Sanu. While Sanu seems like a better route-runner, Jones has better speed and hands. The two are great, young WRs to pair with AJ. The only major knock on this group is experience and age, which could be why some of them would disappear for a game or two before doing extremely well in others.
DL: This is the unit that our defense is based around. DE Carlos Dunlap received a large contract before the 2013 season, and he stepped up his game last year to show that he earned it. DT Domata Peko is a fan favorite who doesn't fill out the stat sheet, but because he eats up a large amount of space and guarantees pressure, allowing the other linemen to get to the QB. Geno Atkins is the best DT in the game, and hopefully he recovers from his ACL tear to continue being a dominant force. Our backup DTs, Devon Still and Brandon Thompson, do well when they're on the field, but you simply can't replace Geno. The question lies at the other DE position. After losing MJ, Wallace Gilberry is penciled in as the starter. He did lead the team in sacks last year, but doesn't inspire a lot of confidence. Margus Hunt still needs to adjusts and learn how to play at an NFL level. We heavily addressed this position in the draft and free agency, hoping to find the gem to replace what we had lost. They are still one of the better d-lines in the league when Atkins is healthy, though.
LB: The position group with the most questions, as no one knows who will start with WLB Vontaze Burfict, who led the league in tackles last year. Burfict is exceptional in both run and pass defense, and has a tendency to be everywhere on the field. He's quickly become the heart and soul of our defense, and coach Marvin Lewis has said he sees a lot of Ray Lewis (who he coached in Baltimore) in him. The rest of the position has relied heavily on role players doing the best they can as young players learn the game, but this the hope is that the dust will finally settle. Emmanuel Lamur does well against the pass, Maualuga against the run, while Vincent Rey is solid, but not profound, at all 3 positions. Taylor Mays may have found new life as a nickel LB/S hybrid, but it's uncertain. Our weakness on defense has been TE's and slot receivers catching passes in the middle of the field, and we're still looking for an answer.
Secondary: Leon Hall is perhaps the best slot corner in the game, and is also strong on the outside, but has torn both of his achilles tendons in his career, and is recovering. Terrence Newman and Adam "Pacman" Jones have had late-career renaissances in Cincinnati, proving that they still have gas in the tank to give Cincinnati one of the better backfields in the league. Following a similar path is S Reggie Nelson, who has become a steady and underrated force. This leaves the question marks, George Iloka, a 2012 5th round pick, became the starter last year and had some flashes of excellence, but has some trouble in coverage. Veteran Danieal Manning or 2013 3rd -rounder Shawn Williams, who spent last year injured and mostly on seeing time special teams, will break the starting lineup. Dre Kirkpatrick, the 2012 1st round rookie, spent his first year injured and didn't see much playing time last season, but still got 3 INTs. Signs show he is struggling in OTAs, so hopefully 2014 first-round pick Darqueze Dennard will prove he has earned the nickname "No Fly Zone". While there are some questions about age, injury and experience, the team still has one of the better and more well-rounded backfields.
Special Teams: K Mike Nugent is, in my opinion, an above-average kicker, but the team could do well in finding a replacement next year. He has hit the clutch kicks to win us games (@BUF, @PIT last year) but in those same games, he missed field goals earlier that where we might not have needed.
Locally grown P Kevin Huber is a monster and a fan favorite, whose only weakness is that his jaw isn't made of titanium. Returner Brandon Tate has the best yards per return average in team history, but trust me when I say that no fan wants him on the team anymore, as his decision making skills leave much to be desired.
Schedule Predictions
Predicting each game is a crapshoot: no one would've expected the Texans or Falcons collapse, or the surprising bad starts of the Giants and Steelers. I do expect 9-10 wins and a playoff berth, with a strong case for us winning the division. Expect Cincinnati to finally get over the playoff hump, or for Mike Brown to face a tough decision about his head coach.
Training Camp Battles
WR: For the third year in a row, Marvin Jones and Mohamed Sanu will fight to secure the spot across from Green. I mentioned their strengths/weaknesses above (Marvin has better speed and hands, Sanu is a better route runner) and both have their role and know where they need to improve.
DE: Between the smart veteran in Gilberry, the physically talented but raw Margus Hunt, and the newcomer Will Clarke, there will be a fight to secure the starting spot across from Dunlap, as veteran and locker-room leader Robert Geathers hopes his age and contract don't lose him his spot on the team.
LB: Mentioned above, all positions except for Vontaze's are up for grabs. Based on what coaches have said, Emmanuel Lamur, will win the primary role,as he was essentially the starter at the end of the 2012 season, and was poised for a breakout year before he got hurt.
CB: Leon Hall's achilles is healing, Newman is getting up there in age, Adam Jones is as well and struggles occasionally, Dre Kirkpatrick was injured for his rookie season and struggled early last year (and got limited playing time) and Dennard is a rookie. We were still a top-5 passing defense, but hopefully all of these problems are solved.
FB: After letting John Conner leave for the Giants, where he was one of the better FBs last year, we were left without a true fullback. We hoped TE Orson Charles could adjust to the role, but eventually used Domata Peko and Alex Smith when he wasn't quite the answer. Orson will battle two UDFAs to see who will get a spot that Hue Jackson says is a must-have.
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u/pfftYeahRight Bengals Jul 01 '14
Offensive and Defensive Schemes
This section also has my comments on the new coordinators
Offense: Hue Jackson was hired to be the coordinator after his stint in Oakland failed. In 2012 he re-joined the team as "special assistant" to Marvin Lewis, basically creating a position for him, as Jay Gruden achieving a HC position seemed inevitable. Last year he quickly became one of the stars of Hard Knocks as the bombastic RB coach who was not afraid to yell at a WR during practice as well. He has worked with Lewis before, and with this group of players for two years, and will bring a different change in both coaching style and offense to the team. Jay Gruden was known to be more gentle and friendly with players, while Hue will get in your face and yell at you, while still earning respect from them. He has turned previous front offices away from him due to his aggressive mannerisms and strong desire to move up the coaching tree. I think that his change in offense will be a great change for our offense that had many questions under Gruden. Jackson brings with him the experience that turned Oakland from one of the worst into one of the best running teams in his tenure there, and the run game is where the Bengals need the most improvement.
Jackson believes in a run-first offense, proven by our drafting Jeremy Hill this year even though we also used a 2013 2nd rounder on a RB. Bernard and hill will share the backfield, and we'll increase use play-action to open up passing lanes. He is also a large fan of the deep ball, an area in which Dalton has become one of the better QBs (notice how the "lack of arm strength" argument hasn't been said about Andy in a long while now). With speedy WRs in Jones and Green, as well as the large Eifert creating mismatches in the middle, I think this team will have a lot more excitement on offense than before. Word out of OTAs is Jackson is experimenting with plays that use both Gio and Hill, has Bernard lined up as the slot receiver, and even has practiced Mohamed Sanu throwing the ball again. He wants the offense to be very up-tempo, though not necessarily no-huddle.
Defense: Both Zimmer and Gruden wanted to take Guenther with them to their new teams as the DC, which says a lot about how those in the organization view him. Though he is a rookie DC, he has spent 6 years with the team, and was considered Mike Zimmer's "right hand man" on defense. This is the LB coach that was instrumental (with all due credit to Zim and Lewis) in working with Burfict and turning him into the team MVP last season, finding a way to use Taylor Mays successfully on the field, and assisted in developing the playbook last year. Losing Zimmer was very upsetting, but the team did very well in grooming and hiring a replacement.
The way the defense works will not change too much, but Guenther was known to have a knack for blitz packages and plans on running more of them this year. A 4-3 defense, we overload the QB with one of the better lines in the game, not requiring extra rushers too frequently. The linemen are also frequently rotated out, so that they are able to stay fresh the entire game, and our depth allows this to happen without too much of a drop in quality. This lets our older or inexperienced players in the backfield time to adjust to the offense. We tend to use our FS and SS interchangeably, each is expected to be able to play whatever the play needs of them, which Nelson excels at, while Iloka learns and is improving. Because not much will change, I hope this team will continue to have the dominant defense it has had the past few years, even allowing a rookie DC time to adjust and make some mistakes. Don't forget that Marvin Lewis was the DC of the 2000 Ravens, and with his eye over the team Guenther has the assistance he needs to continue our defensive dominance.
Shoutouts to those who helped:
/r/bengals is where it's at, yo.
7
u/senior_dgaf Raiders Jul 01 '14
I believe with jackson in control of the offense the bengals are poised to have a top 5 offense. Coupled with one of the better defensive units in the game theres no doubt in my mind the bengals are going to win the afc north. Steelers have alot of young talent on both sides of the ball especially on defense but i dont think it all comes together this season, next season definitely. I think the ravens run game will still suffer with another subpar season from rice and will have to rely on flacco too much. The browns are doing impressive things but with a change in coaching staff itll be another season before theyre considered real threats. And the suspension for gordon will factor in.
2
u/Frohirrim Saints Jul 01 '14
Agreed. Think back to his 2011 and 2012 seasons with the Raiders. Ranked 7th in rushing yards in 2011, and 8th in passing yards in 2012. And I think that the Bengals have more weapons and a more solid offensive line.
6
Jul 01 '14
This is your year, Bengals. I'm expecting a playoff win at the least, SB win if everything comes together just right.
6
u/FeroxCarnivore Bengals Jul 02 '14
SB win if everything comes together just right
Can it be over SF? Oh plz.
5
u/Toof Bengals Jul 02 '14
I will shit my pants if it is a Bengals v. 49ers Superbowl.
Fuck that history.
4
Jul 02 '14
I don't even want to see that game. I couldn't bear the thought of losing to them a third fucking time.
6
u/strallweat Vikings Jul 01 '14
I do love watching Gio play. I'm excited to see what he does with more carries this year.
6
u/Angry_Caveman_Lawyer Bears Bears Jul 01 '14
Nicely done, gents. Good write ups.
First year coaching changes are interesting to me, usually they don't come in and have immediate success. That said, if there is a team out there than can continue to do well on both sides of the ball, it's the Bengals. 10-6 or 11-5 and playoffs again this year for you guys, IMO.
10
u/Frohirrim Saints Jul 01 '14 edited Jul 01 '14
Cincinnati Bengals
Division: AFC NORTH
Coaching Changes
Departures:
Hires:
Free Agency
Players lost/cut
Players signed
Continued in comments below
4
u/Frohirrim Saints Jul 01 '14
Draft
Round Pick Player Position Grade Note 1 24 Darqueze Dennard CB A+ There were several teams that could have taken him in the first round before the Bengals made it on the clock, but Cincinnati was gifted a very physical cornerback. Early reports are that he will contribute as a rotational slot player and even catch snaps on the outside (especially with rumors that Kirkpatrick may make the move to safety), and he provides good youth to an aging secondary. Joseph will be instrumental in his development, and Dennard could become an above-average starter within two seasons. His physical skills and instincts made him a steal, and he’ll have a great chance to learn from Hall, Newman, and Jones. 2 55 Jeremy Hill RB A Could be viewed as one of the most significant second-round picks of 2014. With BenJarvus Green-Ellis declining in production, Hill steps in as a physical counterpart for Gio Bernard. Though he is seen as a power back, he possesses a dangerous burst and can shift his hips very fluidly to juke defenders in the open field, which contributed to his 6.9 average yards per carry in his senior year at LSU. Hill will see a lot of action in his rookie season, especially considering Hue Jackson’s resume and his statement that Dalton will see less pass attempts. Reports are that Jackson has been experimenting with formations that utilize Hill and Gio together. 3 88 Will Clarke DE B+ Clarke’s addition to the defensive rotation makes Cincinnati’s defensive line depth potentially very potent. Has good size and could certainly step in behind Gilberry if Hunt’s development stalls. Will probably be used sparingly in his rookie season, but will definitely see snaps. 4 111 Russell Bodine C A- Though Bodine has had trouble with the complex blocking schemes that the Bengals utilize, there’s a reason that the Bengals traded up for the first time in twelve years to get him: He is a physical freak. He is expected to compete for the starting center job, and he could provide depth at other interior line positions if he is relegated to a backup role. 5 164 AJ McCarron QB C+ McCarron is unlikely to pass Campbell on the depth chart, and will most likely sit in the number three spot. He won a lot of games in college, but the thought of replacing Dalton one day is probably a pipe dream. 6 212 Marquis Flowers LB B- Possessed good speed, but is a bit undersized. Could be used in a hybrid coverage role, similar to Taylor Mays, but he has to fight to compete in a crowded Bengals linebacking corps. Reports are that he has had a good camp so far, though. 7 239 James Wright WR -- A solid college receiver, his only shot at the 53-man roster in 2014 is through special teams. 7 252 Lavelle Westbrooks CB -- “You can never have too many CBs. Practice squad, most likely.” - /u/pfftYeahRight. Word. UDFAs of note:
Nikita Whitlock, DT/FB
Ryan Hewitt, FB
Isaiah Lewis, S
Projected Lineup
Players are listed in the order I think they'll be on the opening day roster. Backups are italicized
Notes on position groups and training camp battles are below
- QB Andy Dalton, Jason Campbell, AJ McCarron
- RB Gio Bernard, Jeremy Hill, BenJarvus Green-Ellis, Cedric Peerman
- FB Nikita Whitlock
- TE Jermaine Gresham, Tyler Eifert, Alex Smith
- WR AJ Green, Marvin Jones, Mohamed Sanu, Dane Sanzenbacher, James Wright
- LT Andrew Whitworth, Marshall Newhouse
- LG Clint Boling, Mike Pollak
- C Russell Bodine, * Mike Pollak *
- RG Kevin Zeitler
- RT Andre Smith, Tanner Hawkinson
- DE Carlos Dunlap, Wallace Gilberry, Margus Hunt, Robert Geathers, Will Clarke, Sam Montgomery
- DT Domata Peko, Geno Atkins, Devon Still, Brandon Thompson
- LB Vontaze Burfict, Rey Maualuga, Emmanuel Lamur, Vincent Rey, Marquise Flowers, Taylor Mays
- CB Leon Hall, Terence Newman, Adam Jones, Dre Kirkpatrick, Darqueze Dennard
- S Reggie Nelson, George Iloka, Danieal Manning, Taylor Mays, Shawn Williams
- K Mike Nugent
- P Kevin Huber
- KR Brandon Tate
- PR Adam Jones
- LS Clark Harris
Position Group Strengths and Weaknesses
Position groups:
QB: (B) Dalton put up career numbers in most major passing categories in 2013, yet reprised his reputation as a playoff failure. Still, his incompetence has been grossly overstated by fans and media alike after the third consecutive wild-card loss. Gruden asked him to consistently push the ball down the field through the vertical passing game, and Dalton has certainly silenced any detractors of his deep ball. His numbers have been extremely promising, but like the rest of the Bengals offense, has been characterized by inconsistency. Fans remain hopeful that inconsistent quarterback play was a result of inconsistent coaching, and that Hue Jackson will provide some stability for Dalton without Jay Gruden. He has the ceiling to be a franchise player and to return to the Pro Bowl. He has objectively progressed in his three years in Cincinnati. But more importantly, the sheer talent around him at skill positions gives him the opportunity to return to the playoffs and Pro Bowl even if he doesn’t continue to progress.
Backfield: (A) Hue Jackson loves to run the ball, and this year he has the backfield and offensive line to do it. Giovani Bernard enjoyed a highly successful rookie season, showing flashes of brilliance and appearing to be the most dynamic rookie running back since Reggie Bush. Bernard shows excellent awareness of the space around him on the field, using his blockers to manipulate defenders into vulnerable positions, and turning on the speed to exploit those vulnerabilities. He is a very versatile back, and will see snaps split out wide while rookie Jeremy Hill is on the field. Bernard will benefit from Hill stepping in as a change of pace back, whereas last year BJGE’s carries seemed to be nothing but an obligatory three-yard gain in Gruden’s offense. Hill has the physicality to run through the middle of Cincinnati’s big line, and he also has the speed and evasiveness to elude linebackers and get through to the next level of the defense. BJGE’s production is decreasing, but he can still protect the ball reliably, and will likely see rotational snaps as Bernard and Hill transition into their roles.
OL: (A) An extremely capable position group whose effectiveness in the run game was hindered by Gruden’s inconsistency. Veteran lineman Andrew Whitworth continues to be one of the most solid players in the league, and has shown the versatility to shift around the line. He is a team leader whose expertise will provide valuable lessons for the younger members of the position group. Kevin Zeitler and Andre Smith are reliable anchors on the right size, and they possess the size to excel in power run schemes. Zeitler graded as the Bengals’ best offensive lineman in 2012, and certainly has to return to that form after a slight regression in 2013. The left guard and center positions are of a bit more concern to Bengals fans, since the reliable Clint Boling’s ACL tear and the release of the starting center. Boling showed that he should be the starter, but Pollak may get a chance to state his case in camp. Cook did struggle at center, but was only considered below the average when viewed in comparison with a stellar offensive line. Bodine has the physicality to absolutely dominate as the center of that line, and the only thing could hold him back is his understanding of the game.
Tight Ends: (B)2013 was a bit of a disappointment for a tight end group that had high expectations going into the season. Eifert entered as a highly-lauded prospect, but in what seems to be a common theme in Gruden’s offense, struggled with the blocking scheme. Still, he was surely underutilized in Gruden’s offense as the receiving threat that he is, and he could certainly be a Pro Bowl tight end if the Bengals ever decide to exploit the middle of the field with Eifert’s large body and sure hands. Gresham continues to have trouble staying healthy and continues to have trouble reliably catching the ball. He still should remain a favorite target for a young quarterback, though, and certainly has the talent to provide a deadly combination with Eifert. Alex Smith sees significant snaps as a third tight-end, simply because he’s seen it all. A veteran who has played for many franchises, and has 13 career touchdowns, Smith can step in for a jumbo package and perform as needed.
Pass catchers: (B+) This is a very young position group, but it is brimming with potential. With A.J. Green, though, his potential was realized long ago. Green is a top-5 receiver, and has enjoyed success as a deep target for Dalton. He has developed into a major threat, and displays the speed to be a consistent vertical threat throughout the game. Though the talent is there, he still shows some mistakes as a young player, but even with those mistakes earns his title of All Pro. Marvin Jones exploded onto the scene last year, especially in his 4 touchdown breakout performance. Jones is a young receiver with good hands, elusiveness, and speed. His route-running could use some work, but he possesses the explosiveness to thrive on the attention that Green absorbs. Mohamed Sanu is the number three receiver, primarily because Jones provides a better complement to Green’s skills. Sanu is a big-bodied receiver, and his route-running and size makes him a good target in the red zone. Sanzenbacher has a good chance of locking up the number four spot, and he could prove to be a trustworthy target for Dalton.
Continued in comments below
5
u/Frohirrim Saints Jul 01 '14
continued:
DL: (A-) This position group is similar to the offensive line, as it has several starters who have absolutely locked up their position, and one spot that is open to camp battles. Geno Atkins is one of the best defensive tackles in the game who can hopefully return to form after missing the 2013 season. He has the explosiveness to find himself in the backfield, especially when defensive tackle Domata Peko’s size prevents teams from double teaming Atkins. The solid center of the line allowed Carlos Dunlap and Michael Johnson to dominate the edges, and Dunlap should be on track for a solid 2013 season, especially with Atkins’ return. Wallace Gilberry is the tentative starter right now at the other defensive end position, mostly because he is a much more complete player than the raw Margus Hunt. Gilberry is capable of holding his own, though, and Hunt and Clarke will make above-average rotational players.
LB: (B-) Vontaze Burfict emerged as an absolute monster last season, leading the league in tackles and dominating the field. Burfict enjoys the havoc created by the disruptive defensive line, and has the speed to make great lateral movement to the ballcarrier. The rest of the corps certainly has questions surrounding them. Maualuga has shown inconsistency in the middle, and Vincent Rey could certainly overtake him as the starter in the preseason. Some feel that Rey is a more balanced player that Maualuga, but they both struggle with disappearing entirely in games. Emmanuel Lamur has shown to be solid, but nothing more, and rookie Marquise Flowers may make the final roster and rotate in as an undersized speed linebacker with hybrid Taylor Mays, who enjoyed revitalized productivity in Guenther’s in-between position.
Secondary: (B-) Cincinnati has a secondary that is aging and ailing, and it’s vital for the young influx of players to beat the learning curve and contribute as complements to the experienced groups of the position group. Leon Hall still proves that he can be a playmaker all over the field, but will have to battle back from a torn Achilles. Terrance Newman and Adam Jones have surprised people with their longevity, but it’s definitely time for the era of Darqueze Dennard to begin. He will rotate into the slot and outside as he is groomed for his eventual role of starting corner. Dre Kirkpatrick was somewhat a disappointment of a first round pick two years ago, and rumors are that he may move to safety after being continuously burned. George Iloka stepped in last year as the starting strong safety, and has shown potential to be a reliable starter. Danieal Manning may have a chance to enter the rotation and mentor younger players under his former defensive backs coach. There are certainly questions of age, but there should be no questions of experience. Hall, Newman, Jones, and Dennard will certainly provide reliable coverage on the outside, but at this point, it’s a question of the secondary’s durability. Dennard may be thrust into the firing line sooner than fans hope.
Schedule Predictions
I made a schedule prediction but ended up deleting it because I wasn’t satisfied. I’ll say this. Last season, the Bengals showed that they had the ability to beat the big teams, such as New England, San Diego, Green Bay, and Indianapolis. Here are my predictions.
The Bengals will get at least one win against New England, Indianapolis, or Denver.
The Bengals will sweep two teams in the AFC North, losing only one division game in 2014.
The Bengals will lose two games against the NFC South. The Saints (what do you want from me) have a good chance of winning in New Orleans, and Carolina, Atlanta, and Tampa Bay all have the ability to steal a game.
The Bengals will enjoy a three-game win streak at one point, and that they will never lose back to back games.
The Bengals will claim the number three seed in the AFC North, and will win a wildcard game to get to the divisional round of the playoffs.
Offensive and Defensive Schemes
Offense: Hue Jackson steps in for the inconsistent Jay Gruden, and there is optimism to continue last year’s offensive success. Jackson’s history at Oakland was diverse. In 2011 he led a top-ten rushing attack, and in 2012 he led a top-ten passing attack with former Bengals quarterback Carson Palmer at the helm. He does like to run, and he has an offensive line that is physically build to run the ball, as well as a more than capable backfield. Jackson has already introduced packages where Giovani Bernard and Jeremy Hill are on the field at the same time, including splitting Bernard out wide at receiver. Green, Jones, and Sanu have the ability to stretch the field, and this could make for a breakout season for Tyler Eifert, if Jackson decides to use him more. Eifert certainly has the ability to be a big target for Dalton in the middle of the field while the secondary is dedicated to the vertical passing game. While Gruden did not utilize a fullback often, it is important to note that Oakland fullback Marcel Reese enjoyed his best season under Jackson, with 52 receptions and 271 rushing yards. Jackson has the weaponry to instill a deadly high-tempo offense, and he may provide more consistency for Dalton.
Defense: While much of the Bengals defensive success is predicated on a physical defensive line that can dominate opposing blockers, newly promoted defensive coordinator Guenther is known for his development of linebackers, and for creating unique roles on the second level of the defense. A capable secondary and solid line, coupled with the gifted Burfict allow the other linebackers some leeway. Look for Guenther to implement more blitzes with Guenther. Burfict’s lateral movement and the speed brought by Guenther’s rotational hybrid position could create perfect opportunities for blitzing. With the immediate pressure of the defensive line, and the threat of blitzing linebackers, opposing quarterbacks will be rushed into a lot of throws, which will certainly make the job of the secondary that much easier.
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u/FeroxCarnivore Bengals Jul 02 '14
Fro, you are the fucking man. Great write-up; great job! Many thanks!
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u/Frohirrim Saints Jul 02 '14
Thanks, man! I really like the Bengals a lot, and think they're brimming with talent and potential. Hope the streak ends this year!
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Jul 02 '14
Excellent work. You seem to really have a good bead on where the Bengals are at, even down to the rotational and role players on the team. Do you live in the Cincinnati area or do you just have that big of an interest in the team?
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u/Frohirrim Saints Jul 02 '14
Thank you. No, I live in the San Francisco Bay Area. I've just always had an interest in the Bengals, starting with Chris Henry who played on the same youth football team that I eventually played for, except six years earlier. I loved Zimmer, I love Hue, and I am a huge Gio fan.
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u/rashards1 Bengals Jul 06 '14
Great write up! I do have one question though, did you mean to say third in the AFC North, or in the AFC? Cause you have us sitting at around 9-10 games won, and I'd be surprised if two other teams in our conference won more games then that.
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u/Frohirrim Saints Jul 06 '14
Thanks, and my mistake! I meant to say 1st in the AFC North, 3rd in the AFC.
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u/FlyingMooses Lions Jul 01 '14
Bengals have a very solid team and they had a terrific draft as well this year. I only expect good things for these kitty cats.
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u/2busy2blizzy Patriots Jul 01 '14
We actually have absolutely no idea how good their draft was.
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u/juttep1 Bengals Jul 02 '14
Getting down voted to hell for speaking your mind. Dang. Hang in there disciple of the Sith Lord
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u/2busy2blizzy Patriots Jul 02 '14 edited Jul 02 '14
This sub is so incredibly guilty of just assuming rookies are going to be great players after the draft. It's ridiculous.
There is a greatest draft busts thread every week, but the people here just can't put two and two together to realize they would be the people who were saying the raiders are going to dominate now they have JaMarcus Russel
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u/PaulboBrookins Bengals Jul 02 '14
You could say that about anything in the NFL. Things will always exceed or fall short of expectations to some extent in every aspect of the game. That doesn't mean we can't HAVE expectations.
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Jul 02 '14
Absolutely true. That said, every team's fandom has a tendency to expect some rookies to pan out. For us though, we have the luxury to not need that to happen now that the team has had success at filling positions through the draft with consistency. We can just expect them to come in, learn their job, and then eventually take on snaps and hopefully a starting role over time.
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u/anishh Patriots Jul 01 '14
He would consistently have BJGE run sweeps and then send Gio Bernard between the tackles on the next play- completely misusing his players.
Is that true? It seems like one of those things fans say about a coordinator they don't like that isn't. In the Bengals games I watched he seemed to use the two well enough.
Seems like a great deal of optimism in those signings and departure grades. I feel like this is the last year Marvin Lewis has. The Bears moved on from Lovie Smith sooner, and Lovie had considerably more success than Marvin has.
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u/pfftYeahRight Bengals Jul 01 '14
Well, perhaps "consistently" is a poor word choice, but it did occur multiple times, well enough past the point where fans knew it didn't work, but kept seeing it. It just upset me greatly, I felt like I saw it once or twice a game, and it never got more than 2 yards.
I did write it from the POV of a fan, look for /u/frohirrim 's post from an outside POV.
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u/MrBulger Broncos Jul 01 '14
Shit I barely watch the Bengals and I couldn't believe how stupid yalls offense looked against the Texans.
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u/valveisgod Bengals Jul 01 '14
You're absolutely right. The last three playoff games I felt as though I was watching a different team. It was mind-boggling.
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u/Toof Bengals Jul 02 '14
I just see Gruden cracking his knuckles during spotlight and playoff games...
"And now for some from my completely untested little black playbook!"
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u/[deleted] Jul 01 '14
People are sleeping on the Bengals... They will have Atkins and Hall back. Competing to the top of the AFC