denverbengal Posted May 18, 2004 Report Share Posted May 18, 2004 According to Bengals.com, In Marvin Lewis’ first year as Defensive coordinator, "the Ravens were ranked 30th in defense. Then they went to No. 25 to No. 22 to No. 2."After last year's dismal defensive ranking of 26th overall, and with ML getting more involved with the defense and adding players that he thinks add speed and depth, where do you think the Bengals D will rank this year?My prediction is 18th. The Bengals D will be much improved over last year's. While I think there's plenty of rebuilding to do over the next few years, I think we'll see a greater improvement over what ML did his first year in Balltimore. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tiger Stripes Posted May 18, 2004 Report Share Posted May 18, 2004 im thinking 15th maybe! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scottishbengal Posted May 18, 2004 Report Share Posted May 18, 2004 16th is my call - smack bang in the middle! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BengalszoneBilly Posted May 18, 2004 Report Share Posted May 18, 2004 With the new rules on limiting downfield contact on recievers by the defense, then looking at the people Marvin has added this off season to operate within those rules, I'm predicting 12th. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AGrizzlyBaer Posted May 18, 2004 Report Share Posted May 18, 2004 i just cant wait until ratliff brooks and williams turn our secondary into a strength anyways for next year ill go with 16th Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ntpou Posted May 18, 2004 Report Share Posted May 18, 2004 How about that a weakness has turned into a strength. Ya gotta love Lewis. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cincykent Posted May 18, 2004 Report Share Posted May 18, 2004 I will predict about 19th for next year. The following year, after another solid draft, I expect them to jump to about 10th. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Black'n'Orange Posted May 18, 2004 Report Share Posted May 18, 2004 I'm thinking closer to 19th or 20th. Hopefully I'll be pleasantly surprised Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skyline Posted May 18, 2004 Report Share Posted May 18, 2004 15th. it'll get stronger as the year goes on. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chrishcovga Posted May 18, 2004 Report Share Posted May 18, 2004 I'm leaning towards 18th. The new rules favor the wide receiver more than anyone, which takes away from our press coverage. I don't think we landed an impact defensive end to play across from Justin Smith, and Daryl Gardner isn't much of a pass rusher. We'll be noticeably better, especially against the run, but unless we have a 2001 impact at rushing the passer, Pass defense could be the weakness again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HoosierCat Posted May 18, 2004 Report Share Posted May 18, 2004 I think we'll land someplace in the 16-20 range. Our defense will be improved, but I expect it will still struggle to cope when faced with a "complete" offense: we'll be able to stop the run or the pass, but not both at the same time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WorldBFree Posted May 18, 2004 Report Share Posted May 18, 2004 Weaknesses last year were at the defensive tackle, middle linebacker and cornerback positions. I think that the d-line will be shored up and O'Neal and Ratliff should help at CB, but unless we can get better pass coverage and tackling from our linebackers, we will continue to have holes and will be exploited during our tougher schedule.I say, 20th at best. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barbarian Posted May 18, 2004 Report Share Posted May 18, 2004 Weaknesses last year were at the defensive tackle, middle linebacker and cornerback positions. I think that the d-line will be shored up and O'Neal and Ratliff should help at CB, but unless we can get better pass coverage and tackling from our linebackers, we will continue to have holes and will be exploited during our tougher schedule.I say, 20th at best. 26th again.I hope they prove me wrong. If it weren't for Marvin Lewis, then I believe that the Bungles would have the worst defense in the NFL. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Indycat Posted May 18, 2004 Report Share Posted May 18, 2004 There seems to be an emphasis on offense to go to a more deep threat quick scoring attack than last year. If that is the case, then the defense will still be on the field more. I think the team will be greatly improved over last year (11-5 or 10-6 at worst) but I don't think it will show up in the defense ranking. I see us in the 18-22 range. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
schweinhart Posted May 18, 2004 Report Share Posted May 18, 2004 23rd but won't seem as bad because the O will put the points on the board.Still too many question marks with the DL. Will Gardener/Askew be any better than Gibson/Steele?If Williams is released, what then?I wouldn't be suprised to see Steele come back now that the Titans aren't as interested. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
halp Posted May 19, 2004 Report Share Posted May 19, 2004 let's try 9th or 3rd. we've really solidified our defense all the way around. therefore our defense will reflect our offensive leaders from last year and this year, kit and palmer. so they'll finish 6th. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tiger Stripes Posted May 19, 2004 Report Share Posted May 19, 2004 werent we the 9th defense in the league a few years back? and now with the additions weve made this year i dont see why we cant be as good once again. i dont think it will be this year that we have a feared D but 2005 is the year! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bobcat Bengal Posted May 19, 2004 Report Share Posted May 19, 2004 werent we the 9th defense in the league a few years back? and now with the additions weve made this year i dont see why we cant be as good once again. i dont think it will be this year that we have a feared D but 2005 is the year! Its gonna take a while I imagine for Webster and the FA's to grasp the playbook.....I'd be happy with anything in the top 15.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tampa Bengal Posted May 20, 2004 Report Share Posted May 20, 2004 I'm gonna go out on a limb and say 11th.We were ranked 9th a few years ago and the most important thing is no more Artrell Hawkins. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chrishcovga Posted May 20, 2004 Report Share Posted May 20, 2004 23rd but won't seem as bad because the O will put the points on the board.Still too many question marks with the DL. Will Gardener/Askew be any better than Gibson/Steele?If Williams is released, what then?I wouldn't be suprised to see Steele come back now that the Titans aren't as interested. Well actually I think releasing Tony Williams is just a matter of time. You know Marvins' policy on guys that are paid to start, and don't !Gardner vs. Gibson - I have to think Gardner gets the edge here. At one time in his career he was as lights out as they get when he played in Miami. - He's pretty good at making "smallish" linebackers look good just ask Zach Thomas. As for Steele - I think Marvin is giving Langston Moore the opportunity to win that spot. A year on the practice squad and 2 full training camps should do well for him. Plus he's built just like Gibson 6-1 303 lbs. Gardner,Thornton,Askew, Moore- will probably be our rotation.Defensive End is a question mark, because I' Know I'm not the only one that noticed that Robert Geathers is wearing Carl Powell's number... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HoosierCat Posted May 20, 2004 Report Share Posted May 20, 2004 Defensive End is a question mark, because I' Know I'm not the only one that noticed that Robert Geathers is wearing Carl Powell's number... Not to mention that Hardy is angling for time at DE, too... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kevnz Posted May 20, 2004 Report Share Posted May 20, 2004 Defensive End is a question mark, because I' Know I'm not the only one that noticed that Robert Geathers is wearing Carl Powell's number... Not to mention that Hardy is angling for time at DE, too... Plus Hardy is trying to get the Bengals to sign Brackens as well..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jditty47 Posted May 21, 2004 Report Share Posted May 21, 2004 im going to say at the mid way point after division matchups that our standing will be 14th and end prolly at 20th. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
schweinhart Posted May 21, 2004 Report Share Posted May 21, 2004 Gardner,Thornton,Askew, Moore- will probably be our rotation. Looks lean to me. Gotta be somebody else coming at DT. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chrishcovga Posted May 21, 2004 Report Share Posted May 21, 2004 Gardner,Thornton,Askew, Moore- will probably be our rotation.Looks lean to me. Gotta be somebody else coming at DT. I disagree, the lightest of them all is John Thornton. Moore dominated at times during the '02 season at South Carolina. That should be plenty of beef. - The Key will be the play of the DE's. - We've got to take away the 5 and 7 step drops from opposing quarterbacks. We've got to shorten the field with a good pass rush. * Leads to more tipped passes,corners jumping slants, etc. We'll be better against the run for sure, but I don't know about Hardy playing DE. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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