Sam Adams' Debut

[membengal]

I have seen a little chatter on this in several topics, including at least one observer who was not at all impressed by him, but thought a centralized discussion of him might make some sense.

I believe it was joisey/hoosier who noted at one point that it is perhaps no small conincidence that J. Thornton went off last night, and I think that is dead on. I have not gone back to look yet, but that early holding call on a Packer guard? I suspect that was holding Adams. Numerous times I saw him in the backfield, and that was as free to run to the ball as the Bengals' linebackers have been in awhile. I suspect that Brian Simmons will be thrilled as hell to get in there and move behind Adams.

The guy took up a ton of space, drew double teams, and generally impacted the game in a very positive way from what I saw. Add in that the Bengals have depth at DT, and keeping him fresh should be very dobable.

For all the years that many many begged for a hoss up front, and wondered why in the hell the team waited to sign one, well, last night justified the criticism of the team for waiting. I am just glad that they finally did try and address it, as Adams is still, even at age 33, a real difference maker for a defense in my opinion.

With him and Jackson new up the middle, and M. Williams back from injury, this defense is markedly, very much so, better than last year. How much better? We shall see. But over 16 games, I suspect it will be significant.

I can't wait to go back and watch the game again tonite off of the Tivo and concentrate a little more in the trenches. I think I will like what we saw there. No Simmons, no O'Neal, very little Pollack, the D still ain't quite there, but it is headed in the right direction, I think. Adams' presence in the middle will be a big part of that I suspect.

Anyone else?

[Stripes]

The entire defensive line was insane last night, and I've little doubt Adams played a major role in that. The ends were getting consistent pressure, Thornton was all over the field (finally he can make good use of his athleticism), and the linebackers were in the backfield many times. The Packers offensive line must have been occupied with something, and Fat Sam was probably that something.

Good Lord is he huge!

[Tasher]

Every time I noticed Adams on the field, he was pushing the center of the line three yards deep into the backfield. That in and of itself looks phenomenal to me. Once the backers adapt to the free space, they will wreak havoc!

Jeanty already has learned to on the one play he stood Green up two yards deep through the hole into the backfied, UNTOCUHED by any blockers. It seemed that Jeanty was shocked to be so free to run downhill at the RB!

Oh, yeah, this will be huge! Give me Simmons and Thurman back in the middle and this will be a very solid defense!

Who Dey!

[HoosierCat]

Someone also mentioned elsewhere, and it deserves repetition here, that Bryan Robinson has also benefitted from a move back to DE. That's something I threw out there months ago when the Bengals were driving around the block looking at that pretty girl at the bus stop and I couldn't be more thrilled to see it look like it's working out.

Peko continued to have a strong preseason, too. I feel very comfortable with an Adams - S. Smith - Thornton - Peko DT rotation.

Geathers was all over the place last night in a strong performance. We are going to cut at least one and maybe more good DEs. Robinson, Justin and Rucker are in, you hve to think, but that leaves Geathers, Henderson, and Fanene. Henderson to the PS? Doubt he clears waivers. Fanene the odd man out? Seems that way.

[skyline]

Yeah, we knew Adams would be this way coming in, right?

I never expected him to come and make a lot of tackles or sacks. His impact will be seen by the success of those around him.

Yes, last night was only the Packers, but so far so good.

[Kazkal]

He's so big

Geathers was all over the place last night in a strong performance. We are going to cut at least one and maybe more good DEs. Robinson, Justin and Rucker are in, you hve to think, but that leaves Geathers, Henderson, and Fanene. Henderson to the PS? Doubt he clears waivers. Fanene the odd man out? Seems that way.

Fanene Fanene Fanene Fanene Fanene,though mybe they'll pup him but I still think he edges out henderson from what i've noticed hasen't done much has he even got a sack? when I could pick him out on plays DL were washing him out

[ShulaSteakhouse]

I like Henderson, has played well - and as mentioned so has Robinson and Thornton in their new alignment, Geathers was in a standing position rushing last night like a LB and moving around, has looked very good.

I really like Jeanty and Henderson as rotation guys - Fanene has to go to PUP or be released if he can't stay healthy.

[HoosierCat]

Fanene Fanene Fanene Fanene Fanene,though mybe they'll pup him but I still think he edges out henderson from what i've noticed hasen't done much has he even got a sack? when I could pick him out on plays DL were washing him out

Yeah, I can't say at this point that I'd keep Henderson over Fanene, but OTOH I haven't heard Fanene's name much this offseason either, and the Bengals did chase Henderson hard as a UDFA. I dunno which way they will jump, tho Marvin has cut late-round DEs before (anyone remember Elton Patterson?).

[membengal]

Yeah, we knew Adams would be this way coming in, right?

yes indeed, his occupying blockers and taking up space was the advertising, but it was nice to see some confirmation about what we hoped to get here.

It's a wonderful concept, drawing team's attention to the middle and allowing others to swarm to the ball because of it.

[lando griffin]

Geathers was all over the place last night in a strong performance. We are going to cut at least one and maybe more good DEs. Robinson, Justin and Rucker are in, you hve to think, but that leaves Geathers, Henderson, and Fanene. Henderson to the PS? Doubt he clears waivers. Fanene the odd man out? Seems that way.

Geathers makes it no question...it's amazing to think he's 23 and heading into his third season. Anyway, I think I heard Lance say (take your grain of salt) that Fanene is heading to PUP, and I believe Henderson will be be going to PS.

This is redundant, as all of you have mentioned the monstrosity called Sam Adams, but I was really really surprised at how HUGE he was. You see pics and videos of him in the locker room and you think, "yea, he's pretty big", but with those pads on he almost looked non-human he was so big. His torso kind of reminded me of the headless f**king horseman because it was so wide, the jersey was black, and his helmet looked to sink into his shoulder pads.

Whoever said they weren't impressed with him is retarded. His impact is not stats--it's pushing the line back, taking up space and extra O-linemen, and allowing others to make plays.

[derekshank]

I think it is about even between Adams and B-Rob moving to DE. There are just too many 300 lb bodies for an O-line to account for (In Adams case 360 lbs).

As for Fanene, I heard he might start the season on the PUP, so we won't have to cut him. That way we can keep our veterans AND our youth. I'd be happy with that.

[bengalskyspy]

Sam was awesome last night. He was in the backfield almost every time, and was collapsing OL regularly. Very quick step.

[walshfan]

Adams went up against a rook and their whole line sucks....

dont get carried away just yet

[Jonboat]

Adams went up against a rook and their whole line sucks....

dont get carried away just yet

Maybe... but the thing is he was double teamed most of the time which is going to free up others to make plays ( ie Thornton) Any team we play will have to account for him at all times.

Another thing I like about him is his attitude they say he's a mean SOB on the field but off the field I like his team attitude. He talks alot about playing as a team. Sounds like he's going to be a great leader & bring some much needed killer attitude to the D, something I think you have to have to win in this division & I think they have lacked in the past.

The only concern I have about him is can someone that damn big stay healthy all year? Here's to hoping he does.

[HoosierCat]

Now for an opposing viewpoint:

Sam says D still sucks.

Well, Sam, ya gotta understand, the bar for "defensive improvement" has been set pretty low 'round these parts for a while now...

[bengalskyspy]

Adams went up against a rook and their whole line sucks....

dont get carried away just yet

I am not carried way just yet. But it is obvious he will attract attention on the line like noone else has for the Bengals. With better players, he may not be in the backfield every play, but he is going to disrupt and destruct.

[rwalling]

Sam was awesome last night. He was in the backfield almost every time, and was collapsing OL regularly. Very quick step.

The thing I like best is that he's an enforcer inside, bengals.com says Packers were cut blocking so instead of getting mad Sam "got even"!

When was the last time the Bengals had a real, honest to goodness enforcer on the D-Line?

Can't wait to see what he does with the Stains O-Line!

[derekshank]

I'm not all that excited with Sam Adams... but the entire D-Line as a whole is getting me pretty pumped.

We've got good depth for the first time in recent memory. Peko is showing signs of greatness. S. Smith is very good depth as a good run stopper. Geathers will be great in passing situations against this year, and I haven't given up hope to see something good from Rucker this year (and even if we don't... I'm not sure that we'll notice)

Then with our starters... Adams adds about 60 lbs to his DT spot from last year. Robinson moves to DE, and adds 30-35 lbs over Geathers last year. That is nearly 100 lbs extra we didn't have last year, so teams won't be able to just pound the run up the middle against us.

Add our overall defensive team speed (which some experts claim is the fastest in the NFL) should cut down on long runs to the outside.

Really, my only concern with this defense remains the pass rush. We've shown signs of getting much better... but I still have seen the QB back there patting the ball a couple times. A couple of our sacks on Favre were more coverage sacks than anything. Peyton Manning would probably find an open receiver.

But... if we can get more consistent pressure on the QB, this defense will be scary... because it's the only weakness I see. No offense to Sam Adams and his negative comments... but it sounds like something Palmer would say after throwing 3 TD's in the first half. "We did some things pretty good, but we have a long way to go."

Sure... get better if you can, but you won't hear any of us complaining about the results we're currently getting.

[skyline]

Now for an opposing viewpoint:

Sam says D still sucks.

Well, Sam, ya gotta understand, the bar for "defensive improvement" has been set pretty low 'round these parts for a while now...

I love hearing that from Sam! I hope the rest of the defense listens to him.

I'd hate for those guys to be feeling like they've already arrived.

[membengal]

Sam is saying the correct things. His teammates should have that thrown in their face as much as possible until the improvement has taken.

As for fans? Well, any little improvement against the run, even in pre-season, is damn near cause for a ticker-tape parade...

[Stripes]

I think Sam's presence Monday night bolstered the pass defense too. The pass rush looked amazing (probably a lot to do with Green Bay's line too). If the Bengals can consistently get that many guys in the quarterback's face, the secondary is going to get even more turnovers than last year.

[membengal]

From the .com news and notes update:

" It seems the Packers' young offensive line took some liberty with cut blocks early in Monday's game. In true three-time Pro Bowl fashion, Bengals defensive tackle Sam Adams didn't get mad, he got even and then didn't talk about it. 'It's OK as long as you reach an understanding,' Adams reflected Wednesday. 'As long as you reach the understanding, OK.' Translation: As one Bengals coach said, 'It's like having the sheriff in town.'"

I. am. now. laughing. my. ass. off.

f**k yes, bring some of that old-time nastiness to this team Sam. Been too long. Been far far FAR too long.

[HoosierCat]

From the .com news and notes update:

" It seems the Packers' young offensive line took some liberty with cut blocks early in Monday's game. In true three-time Pro Bowl fashion, Bengals defensive tackle Sam Adams didn't get mad, he got even and then didn't talk about it. 'It's OK as long as you reach an understanding,' Adams reflected Wednesday. 'As long as you reach the understanding, OK.' Translation: As one Bengals coach said, 'It's like having the sheriff in town.'"

I. am. now. laughing. my. ass. off.

f**k yes, bring some of that old-time nastiness to this team Sam. Been too long. Been far far FAR too long.

Yeah, I saw that this morning and got a good chuckle out of it, too.

I don't know if I'd call it "nastiness," tho. It's not so much about being nasty as it is about making it clear to your opponent that will not be f*cked with. And yeah, it takes a guy with a name and a rep to do it. Bryan Robinson didn't bring it, Duane Clemons didn't bring it, John Thornton didn't bring it, Warren Sapp could have brought it...but didn't.

But Sam brings it. I think it's more along the lines of "respect." Maybe even with a dollop of "fear." And hopefully, it's catching (yeah, Peko, I'm talking to you).

And yeah, it's been far too long.