How's everyone feeling about Big Sam?

[agreen_112]

Me personally I'm not that impressed. I've seen a few good plays out of him, but nothing much... Maybe it's just that our D isn't playing off of the attention he gets from the offensive line. I'm still waiting for Sapp

[BengalszoneBilly]

I can't say he isn't trying damn hard, but GAWD, he is a fat a$$! Mobility is really poor. Moves about as fast as a glacier.

[Kazkal]

well his first step is still there =),

But we knew this when we signed him he was super fat thats reason why we wanted him was not to move and just eat blockers and space.

[Tasher]

I'd have to respectfully disagree. he is occupying two blockers consistently, his first step is a quick and fast as ever and deep into the backfield. When you have two blockers on you it is pretty challenging to also make the tackle at the same time. He is doing exactly what he is being asked and supposed to be doing. It does not help that the backers are not flowing into the open gaps that he is creating for the backers. Also he is forcing the play right into the backers, if they were there, then they would be able to make the play.

So I am not sure what you want out of him. He is not out there by himself.

As far a Sapp is concerned? Seems that the Ravens, Browns and Chargers have pretty much had their way with them, despite Mr. Sapp. I do not think that he would be any sort of an upgrade. Unless ofcourse you were recommending we get Sapp IN ADDITION to Mr. Adams. That would be impressive!

[agreen_112]

yeah in addition would be spectacular. I've noticed that that 1st step your talking about is only coming in the beginning of the game though. He seems to wear out by the end of the 1st half.

[Kazkal]

I diden't notice him losing 1st step in late game because every snap I notice him in I think hes jumping off sides.

[HairOnFire]

Eff Warren Sapp. The most impressive fatty signed by any team this offseason has been Grady Jackson.

As for our own Fat Sam, I'm not impressed, but then again I didn't expect to be. I've never expected a whole lot from Adams, and I doubt he ever plays enough downs for this team to ever pay huge dividends...or earn his paycheck.

That said, the players who surround Adams all claim to a man that he's making a difference...so I'll stop here.

[stilldiesel]

Hampton (Pitt) and Williams (SD) are the 2 best 3-4 NT's in the business. They consistently occupy 2 blockers and make plays. Sam used to be that guy (actually even better think 2000 Ravens D), but he has grown older and fatter. Still, if he is consistently occupying 2 blockers then he is doing his job.

You guys run a 4-3 so he should actually be making plays. (considering you have 3 LB's instead of 4 to make tackles) However, many 4-3's have one DT that eats space and another more adept at rushing the passer and making tackles. Bottom line, Sam is not what he used to be but he is doing his job. It's the inability of your other defenders to beat one-on-one blocks that is screwing your run 'D.'

[DontPushMe]

I can't say he isn't trying damn hard, but GAWD, he is a fat a$$! Mobility is really poor. Moves about as fast as a glacier.

Isnt that what you guys have been begging for for the past 3 years? Like ive been saying, we dont need big DTs, we need GOOD DTs, the size doesnt have as much to do with stopping the run as the talent does. You guys are learning this now.

[Kazkal]

well we have 1 good DT now just find 1 more and then a good depth one

[bengalboomer7]

THis is a dumb thread, what do you expect this guy to do, make 10 tackles a game! As someone already said, Sam's job is to just eat up two blockers. He isn't going to make many tackles or sacks or tipped passes or any tangible stat. His job is to keep his point of attack, take up two blockers while not moving backward, and let LBs roam free. Unfortunately, our defensive line (DE's especially) suck donkey balls! Our DE's and linebackers overpursue waaaaay too many plays, opening up cut back lanes that shouldn't be there. Watch Justin Smith whenever they start a run on the other side. He overpursues right into the pile, leaving a huge cut back lane for guys like Willie Parker to run through

Sorry for the rant, but Sam is fine and people need to quit freaking out about a 3-1 football team

[JoePong]

I see Sam getting off the ball so quickly it looks like he's jumping offsides sometimes. He's taking on blockers when the rest of the d-Linemen are still in their stances. He's taking on blockers and being disruptive. I think our LBs have been more of a problem, not staying in their gaps or overpursuing, leaving gaping cutback lanes. There are a lot of reasons why our run D has been bad, and since adams is in the game I'm sure he'll take some of the blame, but he's not the problem. I think he can be part of the solution, but the guys around him have to do their jobs right.

[PMThor]

THis is a dumb thread, what do you expect this guy to do, make 10 tackles a game! As someone already said, Sam's job is to just eat up two blockers. He isn't going to make many tackles or sacks or tipped passes or any tangible stat. His job is to keep his point of attack, take up two blockers while not moving backward, and let LBs roam free. Unfortunately, our defensive line (DE's especially) suck donkey balls! Our DE's and linebackers overpursue waaaaay too many plays, opening up cut back lanes that shouldn't be there. Watch Justin Smith whenever they start a run on the other side. He overpursues right into the pile, leaving a huge cut back lane for guys like Willie Parker to run through

Sorry for the rant, but Sam is fine and people need to quit freaking out about a 3-1 football team

I completely agree. Sam is doing fine for what he is. Problem is, and the team has noted it, that players aren't filling their respective gaps behind him. If anyone honestly believed that a nose tackle would come right in and totally change how the other players behind him played their individual positions is being naive.

I mean just rewatch what the Pats did. Sam would commit one way, the runner would cut back going to the opposite side of his push, and there would be no one filling that hole. How is Sam supposed to be responsible for that? It happened all game. Not his fault.

[ArmyBengal]

I'm feeling fine about Sam. If you think he's the reason our defense is having problems, you need to relook the situation. Our LB's are beat up and you can't put it all on one players shoulders...

WHODEY !!!

[Stripes]

I think Sam has not only done his job thus far, he has done it well. The linebackers behind him refuse to play their gaps, and overpursue almost everytime they get a chance. That's where Odell and Pollack are missed, though both made similar mistakes their rookie years.

[BlainThePain]

He's better than what we've had the last couple of seasons.

[Casey]

He's doing OK. Nothing to get overly excited about, but he's doing pretty much what is expected of him.

[walzav29]

He's doing good. The middle is not soft anymore. Teams are running away from him. I watched the game again yesterday and I noticed that all of the run's were wide and mostly to the side of Caleb Miller and KK. There were missed tackles, dropped passes, and blown coverage by James. I am a lot more encouraged after watching the game again.

[agreen_112]

He's doing good. The middle is not soft anymore. Teams are running away from him. I watched the game again yesterday and I noticed that all of the run's were wide and mostly to the side of Caleb Miller and KK. There were missed tackles, dropped passes, and blown coverage by James. I am a lot more encouraged after watching the game again.

that's funny, KK and miller together on one side. Jackson, please quit limping and get back on the field. That has to be one of the worst duo's in the league. I love Keas's heart and effort, but man he can really suck sometimes.

[jditty47]

that is true. kk has heart, but he doesnt have the brains or something half the time.

if u watched that game again, how many of those blown coverages were james' fault? how many were KKs? i only recall that TD. like ive said, that wasnt james' fault im betting, it was KK's on over the top coverage which he blew taking the under reciever.

[agreen_112]

that is true. kk has heart, but he doesnt have the brains or something half the time.

if u watched that game again, how many of those blown coverages were james' fault? how many were KKs? i only recall that TD. like ive said, that wasnt james' fault im betting, it was KK's on over the top coverage which he blew taking the under reciever.

There was definitely some misunderstanding on that play. I'm not a 100% sure it was KK fault, but I can't see what type of play would have KK covering the out and James the deep 3rd, especially in the red zone. I'd point the finger a KK too, but we could be wrong, only the coaches and team know the answer to that. What I do like about this D though is that they don't point the finger and the player who made the mistake, like a lot of teams do.

[walzav29]

Phil Simms went into to detail on how Tory was caught lokking into the backfield. I still think the last 2 weeks of the defense sucking and Dexter being out aren't a coincidence.

[agreen_112]

Me either. By having Dexter back, it's not going to fix the problem at LB and D-line.

[MacD BengalFan]

I'd have to respectfully disagree. he is occupying two blockers consistently, his first step is a quick and fast as ever and deep into the backfield. When you have two blockers on you it is pretty challenging to also make the tackle at the same time. He is doing exactly what he is being asked and supposed to be doing. It does not help that the backers are not flowing into the open gaps that he is creating for the backers. Also he is forcing the play right into the backers, if they were there, then they would be able to make the play.

So I am not sure what you want out of him. He is not out there by himself.

As far a Sapp is concerned? Seems that the Ravens, Browns and Chargers have pretty much had their way with them, despite Mr. Sapp. I do not think that he would be any sort of an upgrade. Unless ofcourse you were recommending we get Sapp IN ADDITION to Mr. Adams. That would be impressive!

I must respectfully disagree with your respectful disagreeance. I rarely see him occupying two blockers as you allude to. I rarely see him in the backfield disrupting the play. Whenever he gets close to a running back, all I see is a hand when he swipes at the runner and misses. Against the Pats, I actually saw the center push Big Sam backwards 3 yards. I thought because of his size, he was immoveable. I have seen on a number of occasions where Big Sam was just pushed aside by the center allowing for a huge hole in the line that the running back flies right through. I rarely see Big Sam any where near the ball or making any kind a tackle because of being easily moved aside.

Domata Peko is faster off the line, is not shoved aside or backwards, gets to the ball rapidly and makes tackles. Atleast twice as many as Big Sam.

I do not believe picking up Big Sam will be the fix for the Bengals run stopping woe's as expected. I think Domata actually gives the defense a better chance at stopping the run then Big Sam when he is in the game because of the reasons I just stated above.

[ArmyBengal]

I think Shaun Smith has proven his ability to stop the run and would like to see him getting more snaps... I still won't bag on Big Sam though.

WHODEY !!!