What Lineup swinging could improve the D?

[NJ29]

Obviously. everyone is mad at the entire defense after the debacle yesterday. But what lineup adjustments could be done to at least slightly improve the defense? Here's what I would like to see done:

-Start Peko. I know he's getting just as much time as Thorton, but I think deserves the official starting nod from week to week. He penetrates just as well as Thornton, but he can anchor against the run better and is noticeably stronger.

-Give Geathers his job back. We hear all of this talk about speed all the time, and Robinson just doesn't have it. Your argument may be that Robinson is stronger and can anchor against the run better, but Robinson gets run around all the time.

-Tory has to go. He's just too damn slow. JJ didn't have his best game yesterday, but nobody did. JJ has shown the ability to run with great slot receivers, and he sells out his body when he tackles. Something Tory definately doesn't do. Keiwan aint a great nickel corner, and I still think this team needs one more good corner in the draft in order to be great.

-Brooks is much better in coverage than Jeanty, and he can play the run.

[GregCook]

For two weeks certain Bengal players are claiming "certain players" are quiting on the team. I don't know who is being talked about but they are a good place to start. I've been hearing for years now that players don't stay in their lanes and are out of position. Same for the last game.

I don't think Thornton or Robinson are the problem. Tory maybe but you can't use yesterday as JJ's proof of superiority.

Linebackers are playing slow, but the reserves aren't an improvement.

Dline men aren't dominating the line of scrimage. Who on the bench are going too?

With the Bengals this year, from week to week either the offense sucks and the defense plays ok or its the other way around.

Tough problem for Marvin and this year, with the injuries and suspensions, his cupboard is bare.

[agreen_112]

Can Keasviharn play LB? Miller can't, L. Johnson can't,,,, who can?

[BULLDOGG]

I would like to see, first and foremost, JJ and Ratliff in the secondary. James and O'Neal have just been overmatched last year, but O'Neal would do well in the slot against the 3rd WR because of his athleticism. Ratlif has not been given as much time this year, but has proved to be a playmaker, although he at times can be exploited deep. To me, that is not as much of a concern because ALL of our DB's have had difficulty times against the deep-ball. I would also like to see a shake-up at Safety. Dex Williams has not been as good as advertised, especially against the pass. I say that they give some of their younger, more athletic guys a go and see what they can do, in Jones, Busing and Kilmer. Look at the Jets safeties that shut down Brady in Coleman and Rhodes (who is having a Pro-Bowl year). Both were picked in the later rounds of the draft.

At linebacker, Brooks has done very well. The outside backers have been horendous. Miller and Johnson have to go! Give Frazier (who has shown some speed and tackling ability with good size) more reps in the regualar D. I think Jeanty will be OK. He's still learning the D. Up front Robinson and Thornton are giving us nothing and both should be released in the offseason. Peko and Shaun Smith need more time. Fanene needs to be activated, too. He played well against Pittsburgh last year and should be better this year, if he's healthy.

[DC_Bengals_Fan]

For two weeks certain Bengal players are claiming "certain players" are quiting on the team. I don't know who is being talked about but they are a good place to start. I've been hearing for years now that players don't stay in their lanes and are out of position. Same for the last game.

I don't think Thornton or Robinson are the problem. Tory maybe but you can't use yesterday as JJ's proof of superiority.

Linebackers are playing slow, but the reserves aren't an improvement.

Dline men aren't dominating the line of scrimage. Who on the bench are going too?

With the Bengals this year, from week to week either the offense sucks and the defense plays ok or its the other way around.

Tough problem for Marvin and this year, with the injuries and suspensions, his cupboard is bare.

You can use this entire year as proof of Tory's INferiority. I hate to say it. I like the guy, he had a pro bowl year 2 years ago, but he's aging fast. Problem is Ratliff SUCKS. So are we in a position where we need to pick up 2 corners as well as figure out the D line? Ouch.

[GregCook]

Can Keasviharn play LB? Miller can't, L. Johnson can't,,,, who can?

Landon Johnson can't play? The player second to Madieu in tackles with 44?

Yeap, that would be a big plus.

Caleb Miller has 36 tackles this year too. Taking them both out, why thats 80 tackles so far this season.

In losing Pollack and Odell, the Bengals haven't yet found their replacements. Problem is, its likely neither Pollack or Odell will ever play for the Bengals again.

[HairOnFire]

-Start Peko. I know he's getting just as much time as Thorton, but I think deserves the official starting nod from week to week. He penetrates just as well as Thornton, but he can anchor against the run better and is noticeably stronger.

-Give Geathers his job back. We hear all of this talk about speed all the time, and Robinson just doesn't have it. Your argument may be that Robinson is stronger and can anchor against the run better, but Robinson gets run around all the time.

-Tory has to go. He's just too damn slow. JJ didn't have his best game yesterday, but nobody did. JJ has shown the ability to run with great slot receivers, and he sells out his body when he tackles. Something Tory definately doesn't do. Keiwan aint a great nickel corner, and I still think this team needs one more good corner in the draft in order to be great.

-Brooks is much better in coverage than Jeanty, and he can play the run.

My take.

1 - Sit Fat Sam.

Few fans have noticed, but the Bengals run defense has improved...largely due to having a much bigger physical presence in the middle of the Bengals 2nd line, MLB Ahmad Brooks. But the real reason Adams should sit more often is due to the lack of interior pass rush he offers. Yeah, he got a sack yesterday when Rivers fell down, but the rest of the game Adams never pressured Rivers, yet he remained in the game despite the Bengals early 21 point lead forcing the Chargers to abandon their running game and throw on nearly every down. At best, Adams should have been pulled and reinserted into the game only in the Bengals red zone package, where he might have been fresher and more of a force in attemting to stop LT near the goal.

2 - More Jonathan Joseph should also mean more Keiwan.

Jonathan Joseph has all but taken Tory James starting role even if it hasn't been made official so I'm not that concerned with that point. But it's become painfully obvious that Tory James has lost two or three steps, not just one, and as a result I'm in favor of Keiwan Ratliff getting more of whatever is left of Jame's playing time. Ratliff will never be the Pro Bowl player that James once was, but he's far more physical that James, less prone to guessing wrong and giving up the huge play, and at this point may be a better playmaker. He needs more reps, and the only way he'll get them is at the further expense of Tory James.

3 - Get healthy.

Landon Johnson seems to be playing with a bad arm, a dinged shoulder, and two bad ankles. In a perfect world he's not even on the field, but due to the plethora of LB injuries he has to play if possible. And of all of the injuries the extended loss of Brian Simmons seems to have been the last straw, as the Bengals can't seem to get of the field on 3rd down.

4 - Two and three make four.

I'm becoming more and more convinced that there's something physically wrong with Deltha O'Neal due to the way he's avoiding any and all contact. Granted, he's never been a thumper, but he's never been a coward either....until lately. Specifically, all he's attempted to hit is air since he got banged up attempting to make a tackle in the endzone several weeks ago.