2007 defense

[derekshank]

Yet it appears the club hasn’t approached either about a contract extension beyond this season, which doesn’t seem to ruffle them. Smith has been hearing talk that he’ll be discarded because of an alleged move to the 3-4 next season.

http://www.bengals.com/news/news.asp?story_id=5388

If they don't sign Smith, it seems like another sign that we're moving to the 3-4 base. It will be interesting to see if Fanene makes the team, because he's a 3-4 type of DE. If we stay in the 4-3 and don't re-sign Smith, we might have to use a high draft pick on a DE. Something a lot of fans wanted last year. We got Rucker, but Robinson is not a long-term solution there.

As for James... this is just evidence of the young guys working out. Joseph and Ratliff are showing a lot of promise, and Deltha is a stud. No matter how much you like Tory, there is little need to keep him around... especially at the salary he requires.

[WretchedOne]

I really think We're staying a base 4-3 who will give a lot of 3-4 looks.

If we were going to be going to a 3-4, I have to believe that Marvin would have drafted some younger guys who would be nice DEs in that scheme.

I would have expected an Orien Harris, Barry Colfield, someone like that.

And yet from this past draft alone we signed 2 guys who are 6-2/6-3 265 pounds in Rucker and Henderson.

[cincy9275]

i would like to see smith extend . i know there is a lot of hate around here against him . tory is not going to be resigned his age and that we have some good players behind him .

if we switch to a 3-4 or stay with the 4-3 doesnt really matter to me as long as we become a good defense and can stop the run .

[Spain]

Smith said the same on draft day, were going to a 3-4, marvins been drafting 3-4 players since he got here.

[AMC]

Joseph was drafted to take Tory's spot.

I see a 4-3 with some 3-4 THIS year, and more 3-4 in the future. They will not run 100% 3-4 IMO...

It will be interesting to see if Fanene sticks. That would be a sign which way the D will go....

[The_Next_Big_Thing]

Joseph was taken to increase competition at cornerback, not to "take" anyone's spot. The best thing so far drafting him has done is to inspire Ratliff to be what he was supposed to be when we drafted him.

[AMC]

Joseph was taken to increase competition at cornerback, not to "take" anyone's spot. The best thing so far drafting him has done is to inspire Ratliff to be what he was supposed to be when we drafted him.

Joseph has increased competition.

He was chosen to replace Tory next year not this year though. Joseph will start opposite Deltha next year.

[BlueResident]

Joseph was drafted to take Tory's spot.

I see a 4-3 with some 3-4 THIS year, and more 3-4 in the future. They will not run 100% 3-4 IMO...

It will be interesting to see if Fanene sticks. That would be a sign which way the D will go....

I'm not sure we'll ever only run one strict style of defense...Chuck Breshnahan seems to like using both so that we give the offense more looks and disguise our blitzes more effectively...

[BengalByTheBay]

I just see this as confirming that they want to keep their options open on Justin and especially Tory. These are not the kind of guys you need to wrap up with a proactive contract negotiation. Tory could justify a 1 or 2 year contract signing next offseason. I'll have to wait & see whether I think there's any chance of Smith being resigned, but my gut tells me that somebody will overpay him on the FA market. I don't see the Bengals getting into a bidding war over Smith because he has mildly underperformed and has not improved over his rookie year -- a bad sign IMO. I don't hate Smith -- he just hasn't done anything to justify a top 10 DE contract.

[Kazkal]

Smith said the same on draft day, were going to a 3-4, marvins been drafting 3-4 players since he got here.

Um he never said that and only 3-4 style players we have our brooks and pollack who are just as good in a 4-3...why havent we been trying get 3-4 DE's? ruckers not even close to 3-4 DE if henderson stays around hes not a 3-4 DE geathers isent a 3-4 DE

[Kazkal]

well if we don't sign justin it could also contract wise DE's we been picking up leam more towards sticking with 4-3

[derekshank]

I personally don't care what scheme we run. I have nothing invested in the scheme... I just want the most productive football players on the field all at the same time. Right now we have better LB's than D-Linemen, so it's natural to want to get them out there.

I agree that we're going to shake it up a lot in the future. We are drafting guys for their versatility, not because they fit in either the 3-4 or the 4-3. I actually like Smith. He has only underachieved because they don't set him loose to get to the QB like the Colts do with Freeney... but if even he admits he's not versatile enough to fit in the 3-4, then maybe he's not versatile enough to be a part of the future of this defense that is being built on versatility.

[Spain]

keep dreamin lil dreamers

[derekshank]

keep dreamin lil dreamers

About what?

Oh yeah... the LaVar Arrington thing?

You know Spain... I usually respect your opinion more than most. I like what you bring to this board... but we can all do without your little arrogant statements that never end up panning out. You said we were going to the base 3-4 last year too. You were wrong, and you're arrogant condescending jabs only served to hurt your credibility.

Honey draws more flys than vinegar. That's all I'm saying.

[DC_Bengals_Fan]

Joseph was taken to increase competition at cornerback, not to "take" anyone's spot. The best thing so far drafting him has done is to inspire Ratliff to be what he was supposed to be when we drafted him.

Hopefully he'll accomplish more than blowing a #1 pick to inspire a #2 from a few years ago. They drafted him because Tory's old and aging CBs aren't pretty.

I agree with others, our Dline is so bad, if Smith isn't resigned they'd practically have to devote a draft to the D-line. Also consider that Robinson and Thornton are in varying degrees of bad and old, and, as unproductive as they are, look to get worse.

[The_Next_Big_Thing]

Joseph was taken to increase competition at cornerback, not to "take" anyone's spot. The best thing so far drafting him has done is to inspire Ratliff to be what he was supposed to be when we drafted him.

Hopefully he'll accomplish more than blowing a #1 pick to inspire a #2 from a few years ago. They drafted him because Tory's old and aging CBs aren't pretty.

I agree with others, our Dline is so bad, if Smith isn't resigned they'd practically have to devote a draft to the D-line. Also consider that Robinson and Thornton are in varying degrees of bad and old, and, as unproductive as they are, look to get worse.

Tory is not that old.

[DC_Bengals_Fan]

Joseph was taken to increase competition at cornerback, not to "take" anyone's spot. The best thing so far drafting him has done is to inspire Ratliff to be what he was supposed to be when we drafted him.

Hopefully he'll accomplish more than blowing a #1 pick to inspire a #2 from a few years ago. They drafted him because Tory's old and aging CBs aren't pretty.

I agree with others, our Dline is so bad, if Smith isn't resigned they'd practically have to devote a draft to the D-line. Also consider that Robinson and Thornton are in varying degrees of bad and old, and, as unproductive as they are, look to get worse.

Tory is not that old.

He's 33. In CB years, he might as well be dead. Seriously, did you watch last year? He was getting by on tricks and guile, because he's losing speed like crazy. Add two more years of slowing down to last year, and I really don't see him starting, in 2007, at age 34. Or if he is, it means that the Bengals have really screwed up developing CB depth, and neither Ratliff nor Joseph has panned out. If he starts in 2007, he's going to need his own personal safety to help him, creating serious problems throughout the secondary.

Hopefully, Joseph is the real deal, he starts in 2007, and Tory is either playing nickel, safety, or for somebody else.

[ShulaSteakhouse]

I really think We're staying a base 4-3 who will give a lot of 3-4 looks.

If we were going to be going to a 3-4, I have to believe that Marvin would have drafted some younger guys who would be nice DEs in that scheme.

I would have expected an Orien Harris, Barry Colfield, someone like that.

And yet from this past draft alone we signed 2 guys who are 6-2/6-3 265 pounds in Rucker and Henderson.

On that note, actually, AJ, Brooks, Pollack, Henderson and Jeanty all are ideal 3-4 OLB's (tougher to find than DT's in a 3-4, or DE's - since DE's in a 3-4 aren't pass rushers per se).

Thorton, Robinson and Geathers can all play ends in a 3-4.

At this point, switching to a 3-4 would not be an issue really. We are seemingly going the way of Pittsburgh and now Baltimore with that defense - it's en vogue again due to what Pissburgh has done the last few seasons. If you have the DB horses (which we do now) to make it work, it can be very effective, obviously.

But it's allllll about personnel (something we didn't have when Lebeau was here)

[ArmyBengal]

I agree with not really caring what scheme we run as long as it's effective on the field. I will say that I find it amusing that people were loving the pick of Joseph DUE TO THE FACT that we didn't need him to start and could learn behind two pro-bowl CB's. He isn't going to be looked upon to start and can learn without being torched week in and week out. NOW, some are claiming Tory will be gone THIS year. Doesn't that defeat the entire purpose of developing Joseph ?? Wouldn't that be taking a step back as opposed to forward ?? I think Tory stays at least through this season and depending on Ratliff, could very well stay another year after this one.

WHODEY !!!