I think the Bengals are in a great position

[Tasher]

Defensively speaking, the problem with stopping the run could and should continue. Yes, getting DJax and Jeanty back might help some, but with so many holes at LB, there just doesn't seem to be a permant solution this season. Also, looking at the remaining opponents, the majority of them rely heavily on the run. We may see some indirect help from the offense by jumping out to early leads, but then it seems like we're just hoping for some relief. All in all still think we'll win the division, but until we get a little more solid on D we won't go far in the playoffs.

I have to debate your thinking here. As I've stated extensively in other threads, our poor run defense last year was over-stated. This year, our LB's may bit a bit weaker than last year... but our D-Line is much better. Also, the only LB that we were used to having last year that we don't have right now is Odell Thurman. Pollack only played consistently on passing downs.

Last year our LB's were for the most part, Simmons, Odell, Landon. This year, when healthy it is Landon, Simmons, Jeanty. Landon may be a downgrade from Simmons... but Simmons is a smarter player than Odell... and Jeanty is definetly a better SSLB than Landon Johnson.

All in all, I think our LB's are at least as good as last year... and with a better D-Line, our defense should be improved over last year. We've had 2 bad games (one really bad game)... but we choose to forget how good our D played in the first 2 weeks... when we had health (80 rushing yards/game).

We're not the kind of defense that is going to hold teams to 50 rushing yards a game. We're the kind that allows them to get short gains, and either stall out, or make a mistake. If we play against a team that doesn't make many mistakes... our offense is good enough to win a shoot-out. Our defense is the kind that allows a good offense to capitalize. That's how we're set up. We don't suck on defense.

YEAH! What he said!

[fattyjay]

Defensively speaking, the problem with stopping the run could and should continue. Yes, getting DJax and Jeanty back might help some, but with so many holes at LB, there just doesn't seem to be a permant solution this season. Also, looking at the remaining opponents, the majority of them rely heavily on the run. We may see some indirect help from the offense by jumping out to early leads, but then it seems like we're just hoping for some relief. All in all still think we'll win the division, but until we get a little more solid on D we won't go far in the playoffs.

I have to debate your thinking here. As I've stated extensively in other threads, our poor run defense last year was over-stated. This year, our LB's may bit a bit weaker than last year... but our D-Line is much better. Also, the only LB that we were used to having last year that we don't have right now is Odell Thurman. Pollack only played consistently on passing downs.

Last year our LB's were for the most part, Simmons, Odell, Landon. This year, when healthy it is Landon, Simmons, Jeanty. Landon may be a downgrade from Simmons... but Simmons is a smarter player than Odell... and Jeanty is definetly a better SSLB than Landon Johnson.

All in all, I think our LB's are at least as good as last year... and with a better D-Line, our defense should be improved over last year. We've had 2 bad games (one really bad game)... but we choose to forget how good our D played in the first 2 weeks... when we had health (80 rushing yards/game).

We're not the kind of defense that is going to hold teams to 50 rushing yards a game. We're the kind that allows them to get short gains, and either stall out, or make a mistake. If we play against a team that doesn't make many mistakes... our offense is good enough to win a shoot-out. Our defense is the kind that allows a good offense to capitalize. That's how we're set up. We don't suck on defense.

I didn't say we suck on defense, just that we could expect to see more teams try to take advantage of the most obvious weakness, especially teams that rely heavily on the run such as Pitt, Atlanta, B-More, etc. I think that the Dline play has been satisfactory to this point, but the constant over-pursuit by the LB's along with the fact that they are a tad undersized is a definite weakness.

[derekshank]

I didn't say we suck on defense, just that we could expect to see more teams try to take advantage of the most obvious weakness, especially teams that rely heavily on the run such as Pitt, Atlanta, B-More, etc. I think that the Dline play has been satisfactory to this point, but the constant over-pursuit by the LB's along with the fact that they are a tad undersized is a definite weakness.

Okay. I'm personally fine with a team that takes that strategy. I don't think we suck in rushing defense as much as it appears. The LB's are a bit small, and our DT's seem to generally lack endurance (which is why I want S. Smith in the game more)... so we can tend to get worn down when the offense doesn't hold up its end of the bargain. If the offense can maintain drives and keep the defense fresh (which they generally do) it's not a big problem.

But even if our run defense is a weakness that teams will be able to take advantage of... it's a whole lot better than the weakness of last year's defense - Ohalete.

[walzav29]

I'm not talking about the Bengal fans. I'm talking about the general media. The 1st 3 weeks the Bengals were gettin #1 rankings and all kind of praise for finding a way to win at Pitt.

[membengal]

Well, dude, they got pole-axed by 25 at home. Not exactly ideal conditions for causing national media to continue writing nice things about them. Add in a bye week, and it's a pretty natural reaction to let them slide from careful consideration.

A win over Tampa will get people nationally talking again.

[derekshank]

Despite that "pole-axing" the national media stuck with us. No one has dropped us out of their top 10... and in fact we stayed in the top 5 before our bye week hit. It seems that having a week off hurts just as much as getting killed at home.

[membengal]

Despite that "pole-axing" the national media stuck with us. No one has dropped us out of their top 10... and in fact we stayed in the top 5 before our bye week hit. It seems that having a week off hurts just as much as getting killed at home.

That's a good point, the "Bungles' talk sure didn't start back up nationally. Playing will help get everyone focused back on the field.

[jditty47]

we havent even shown 50% of what this offense is capable of. i cant wait till C. Perry and Henry get back, hopefully braham is healthy or guycheck or steinbach are playing more consistent at the center spot, and we'll be seeing alot more points put up on the board.

[derekshank]

we havent even shown 50% of what this offense is capable of. i cant wait till C. Perry and Henry get back, hopefully braham is healthy or guycheck or steinbach are playing more consistent at the center spot, and we'll be seeing alot more points put up on the board.

I think what you'll see if our offense being more effecient. I don't know if we're going to score a ton more points. If anything, our defense will improve. We already scoring 24.5 points/game. Last year we scored 26.3 points/game. So I don't really look for it to increase substantially. I just want to see the TOP get better so our defense doens't have to be on the field so much.

[walzav29]

I'm saying that I think 2 weeks of Marvin yelling that you aren't as good as you think, and everyone saying you can't do this and that is better than everyone kissing your butt for 2 weeks, hositing NFL access and all other types of distrations that being 4-0 would have brought. The Bears are the media darlings now. Let them have it.