What does our defense need to be #1?

[walzav29]

I want the best D in tyhe NFL. What do we need? I'm trying to think of what the Bengals should target in the draft to get this D top notch. It seems they need more pressure from the DT position Jared Odrick could be good out of Penn St. I have a feeling about Brandon Graham. The question, (just so Pong doesn't bust my chops)is what position do you feel the bengals will target to get their defense better?

[cincyhokie]

I want the best D in tyhe NFL. What do we need? I'm trying to think of what the Bengals should target in the draft to get this D top notch. It seems they need more pressure from the DT position Jared Odrick could be good out of Penn St. I have a feeling about Brandon Graham. The question, (just so Pong doesn't bust my chops)is what position do you feel the bengals will target to get their defense better?

They need to address DT or DE in the first 3 rounds. I think DT is more of a priority due to what we saw at the end of last season. Injuries, lack of depth.

[HAPPYJAQ]

A FS/SS that it able to both play the run and is a threat to incercept passes in coverage. Call me crazy, but I was interested in seeing what Keiwan could do at FS. He's a pretty sure tackler and better in coverage that Crocker. He's definitely not the answer, but could possibility generate more turnovers. As far as the draft/FA goes, I'm still hoping Earl Thomas could fall to us, although their are a number of safeties in this class that could be Day 1 starters.

I would say a pash-rushing DE, but I'm predicting 10+ sacks for MJ this year. He was getting back there consistently towards the end of last season. Odom is a major question mark coming off the dreaded Achilles injury, and due the fact that we haven't even heard the coaches mention it or bring any guys in so far, says they think Johnson could step in seamlessly, IMO. I think he'll end up being the best player we drafted last year, when it's all said and done.

[jonahdsage]

I want the best D in tyhe NFL. What do we need? I'm trying to think of what the Bengals should target in the draft to get this D top notch. It seems they need more pressure from the DT position Jared Odrick could be good out of Penn St. I have a feeling about Brandon Graham. The question, (just so Pong doesn't bust my chops)is what position do you feel the bengals will target to get their defense better?

They need to address DT or DE in the first 3 rounds. I think DT is more of a priority due to what we saw at the end of last season. Injuries, lack of depth.

I think we grab Taylor Mays in rd 1 if he's there and then grab a LDE in round 3. Thinking back to the first 4 games or so last year we were getting serious pressure with our D line rotation -- about the only spot that didn't produce was geathers. It'll be really interesting to see how M. Johnson looks this upcoming season. . .

My only real question marks on the defense are safety and nickel CB. I'm sure at least one of those get addressed in the first 3 rounds (no CB in rd 1 though). At the end of the day, though, I'm pretty content with the #4 defense . . . i mean, come on, this is the bengals. #4 defense. 'nuff said.

[volcom69]

A FS/SS that it able to both play the run and is a threat to incercept passes in coverage. Call me crazy, but I was interested in seeing what Keiwan could do at FS. He's a pretty sure tackler and better in coverage that Crocker. He's definitely not the answer, but could possibility generate more turnovers. As far as the draft/FA goes, I'm still hoping Earl Thomas could fall to us, although their are a number of safeties in this class that could be Day 1 starters.

I would say a pash-rushing DE, but I'm predicting 10+ sacks for MJ this year. He was getting back there consistently towards the end of last season. Odom is a major question mark coming off the dreaded Achilles injury, and due the fact that we haven't even heard the coaches mention it or bring any guys in so far, says they think Johnson could step in seamlessly, IMO. I think he'll end up being the best player we drafted last year, when it's all said and done.

Man i hope your right about MJ, because im worried about Odom coming off of injury. They need a pass rusher bad.

[HairOnFire]

Even when everyone is healthy the pass rush is far too deliberate. Too focused on slowly breaking down the pocket by rushers tasked first and foremost with staying in their rushing lanes. However, the Bengals have made it clear these things are by design so I doubt we'll see them attempt to bookend Michael Johnson with a comparable player. Rather, I'd expect them to add a true pass rushing OLB prospect if the right player were available.

As for what might push this defense into the realm of the elite? Well, as crazy as it might sound I think they have to develope the capability and mindset of simply not stopping other teams, but scoring points defensively. Obviously that means more turnovers. Lots more. And typically that comes from a better pass rush, as already mentioned, as well as better play from the free safety and nickle corner positions.

[walzav29]

Seems like pass rush is the thing that gets mentioned most. They can't reach though. I have high expectations for MJ, but for the value if he's there Taylor Mays. If not the best DT possible, then maybe Carlos Dunlap in the 2nd.

[HairOnFire]

I would say a pash-rushing DE, but I'm predicting 10+ sacks for MJ this year. He was getting back there consistently towards the end of last season.

It's possible, but when watching Michael Johnson play I was repeatedly struck by how slow he is off the snap. Clearly he has the physical ability to improve, but last season he seemed reluctant to cut it loose...probably because he was too worried to draw a flag.

[alleycat]

I dunno. It's hard not to like the havoc that Brandon Graham wreaks.

Anyone see this:

West Texas A&M adapts to weather for pro day

Posted: March 12th, 2010 | Gil Brandt | Tags: 2010 Pro Days, Eugene Sims, J'Marcus Webb, Keithon Flemming, Mike Solari, Mike Zimmer, West Texas A&M

Inclement weather? No indoor facility? No problem for West Texas A&M.

The school had to hold its pro day about 40 miles from its Canyon campus on Thursday, moving it 40 miles to Amarillo to use an indoor arena. There were 14 teams on hand, including 49ers offensive line coach Mike Solari and Bengals defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer.

Here are the notable prospects:

OT J’Marcus Webb (6-7 3/8, 328 pounds) ran the 40-yard dash in 5.31 and 5.29 seconds, had a 25 ½-inch vertical jump, an 8-foot, 5-inch broad jump, 4.14-second short shuttle, 7.63-second three-cone drill and did 17 bench press repetitions at 225 pounds.

DE Eugene Sims (6-4 5/8, 247) ran 4.76 and 4.74 in the 40, had a 32 ½-inch vertical jump, a 9-6 broad jump, a 4.46 short shuttle, a 6.90 three-cone drill — which is an amazing time at his size — and 17 strength lifts.

RB Keithon Flemming (5-10 1/8, 208) ran 4.65 and 4.68 in the 40, had a 33 ½-inch vertical jump, a 10-foot broad jump, a 4.54 short shuttle, a 7.21 three-cone drill and did 21 lifts.

What was our big fish doing swimming in that little pond?

[walzav29]

I like Brandon more and more. He should be there at 21. I gotta learn more about the guy you just mentioned. I'll youtube him this weekend (thats my film room)!

[Kazkal]

1#Pass Rush we need constant passrush...we had our good games but we had alot bad ones with no pass rush...So I'd like to see either a 3rd down passrusher to pair with MJ or a SLB who can put his hand down on passing downs ala what we wanted David Pollack to do.

2#Safety who isn't going be torched by any decent pass receiving Tight End.

They need to address DT or DE in the first 3 rounds. I think DT is more of a priority due to what we saw at the end of last season. Injuries, lack of depth.

Injury wise? ya we were hurt by depth but I still think DE is much bigger need because we need actual production more then what our starters give....DT we just need someone encase Peko and Tank go down at the same time.

[BengalPimp]

I really don't think the Bengals will go defense in the 1st Round unless one of the top 3 safeties fall (Hoping for Mays, don't like Thomas as much). We could use a DE, but it depends on who's there. We pretty much know they won't go LB or CB, and likely not DT (with Peko, Sims, and Tank in fold).Aside from that, They'll most likely go offense. Either O-Line or maybe TE....WR is now a long shot.

To answer your question "What does our defense need to be #1"

Honestly, with some of the offenses we will play this season (Ravens now, Colts, Saints, Patriots, Chargers, Even Pittsburgh and Atlanta) I would be VERY HAPPY if we finished 4th again.

[BlainThePain]

They need the Steelers' team doctor.

[Kazkal]

They need the Steelers' team doctor.

isn't he available after being busted with over 300k in steroids?

[HoosierCat]

WR is now a long shot.

I wouldn't be so sure of that. In one way, the Bryant signing actually boosts the chances of a wideout: they would not have to rush them onto the field and press for immediate results. If they covet someone like Tate or Benn, both of whom would need work, singing a stopgap like Bryant who can (hopefully) give them a couple good years is exactly what I'd expect.

As to the rest of the corps, Simpson has shown zip, Caldwell has been inconsistent at best, Matt Jones is a joke and, if the Bengals don't pick up his option in 2011, this is Chad's last year in stripes. Really, I don't think the rebuild at WR has even begun yet, and the longer they put it off the more money and picks they will eventually have to throw at it.

They might try to skate by one more year, but I doubt it.

[cincyhokie]

1#Pass Rush we need constant passrush...we had our good games but we had alot bad ones with no pass rush...So I'd like to see either a 3rd down passrusher to pair with MJ or a SLB who can put his hand down on passing downs ala what we wanted David Pollack to do.

2#Safety who isn't going be torched by any decent pass receiving Tight End.

They need to address DT or DE in the first 3 rounds. I think DT is more of a priority due to what we saw at the end of last season. Injuries, lack of depth.

Injury wise? ya we were hurt by depth but I still think DE is much bigger need because we need actual production more then what our starters give....DT we just need someone encase Peko and Tank go down at the same time.

A big question is where is the draft deepest? As far as I know it's at DT and S. If there's a whole lot of talent on the board this year, you need to take advantage of it. There's a draft next year too if there isn't a stud DE or LB available this year.

Also, I am and always will be a "draft from the inside out" supporter. Is our DT rotation good? Yes. It could be a whole lot better though.

Get elite at the DT position with some guys that will be here for 6-10 years....and the DE's will play better....and with the DT's absorbing the blockers the LB's will play better....and with the increased pass rush the secondary will play better.

[Kazkal]

We have 3 good DT's with 3 Ends who can play DT on Passing Downs yes if we have injurys like last year then it's a different story...

With the Chance of Hall or Joseph going down should we spend another 1st or 2nd on CB? How about OT Should we use a 2nd to back up Whitworth & Andre? we have enough holes that need to be filled that I just don't think we should be looking for Backups Backups in the first three rounds.

Mind you I don't even really wanna see a DE in the first two rounds but easier swallow because the passrush is a actual weakness of this team and most superbowl winners have a great passrush...(Besides the Saints but any other team for past 10 seasons)

[cincyhokie]

We have 3 good DT's with 3 Ends who can play DT on Passing Downs yes if we have injurys like last year then it's a different story...

With the Chance of Hall or Joseph going down should we spend another 1st or 2nd on CB? How about OT Should we use a 2nd to back up Whitworth & Andre? we have enough holes that need to be filled that I just don't think we should be looking for Backups Backups in the first three rounds.

Mind you I don't even really wanna see a DE in the first two rounds but easier swallow because the passrush is a actual weakness of this team and most superbowl winners have a great passrush...(Besides the Saints but any other team for past 10 seasons)

I understand what you are saying about having to draft for other positions depth too, but both the O and D lines HAVE to have good depth, if they don't you'll see what we saw with the defense at the end of the year. It all starts upfront.

Great DT's provide pass rush. In fact, Zimmer said he was "disappointed" in Tank's pash rushing this past year, but that he still did a good job.

I like Tank but he's not a starter. He's a solid rotation guy. I want to see a stud and if there's someone in the first 3 rounds that we can take in a supposedly deep draft class I think we should do it.

Of course, this assumes that we are taking best player available between DT, DE, and S. Of those 3 take the BPA.

[kingwilly]

WR is now a long shot.

I wouldn't be so sure of that. In one way, the Bryant signing actually boosts the chances of a wideout: they would not have to rush them onto the field and press for immediate results. If they covet someone like Tate or Benn, both of whom would need work, singing a stopgap like Bryant who can (hopefully) give them a couple good years is exactly what I'd expect.

As to the rest of the corps, Simpson has shown zip, Caldwell has been inconsistent at best, Matt Jones is a joke and, if the Bengals don't pick up his option in 2011, this is Chad's last year in stripes. Really, I don't think the rebuild at WR has even begun yet, and the longer they put it off the more money and picks they will eventually have to throw at it.

They might try to skate by one more year, but I doubt it.

Yep, and as all of this occurs, the clock ticks away on Carson. tick tick tick.

[kingwilly]

What was our big fish doing swimming in that little pond?

he was doing what the non-existent scouting staff should be doing.

[walzav29]

WR is now a long shot.

I wouldn't be so sure of that. In one way, the Bryant signing actually boosts the chances of a wideout: they would not have to rush them onto the field and press for immediate results. If they covet someone like Tate or Benn, both of whom would need work, singing a stopgap like Bryant who can (hopefully) give them a couple good years is exactly what I'd expect.

As to the rest of the corps, Simpson has shown zip, Caldwell has been inconsistent at best, Matt Jones is a joke and, if the Bengals don't pick up his option in 2011, this is Chad's last year in stripes. Really, I don't think the rebuild at WR has even begun yet, and the longer they put it off the more money and picks they will eventually have to throw at it.

They might try to skate by one more year, but I doubt it.

Yep, and as all of this occurs, the clock ticks away on Carson. tick tick tick.

I agree with this 100%! The clock is ticking. Thats why I say sign T.O. and draft all defense and go for it this year. If the D is great, and alomg with the running game and adding T.O., Bryant, Jones along with Caldwell and an improved B. Scott. They could do it this year. The clock is ticking, and getting a qb is hard!

[Ickey44]

I want the best D in tyhe NFL. What do we need? I'm trying to think of what the Bengals should target in the draft to get this D top notch. It seems they need more pressure from the DT position Jared Odrick could be good out of Penn St. I have a feeling about Brandon Graham. The question, (just so Pong doesn't bust my chops)is what position do you feel the bengals will target to get their defense better?

For them to be #1 next year they need to find a way NOT to play the Colts and the Saints....

[ArmyBengal]

What do they need ??

Well, they need a more consistent pass rush that happens outside of when a blitz is called. It seemed at many times last year the blitz packages were the only time they could get any type of pressure on the opposing QB. Do we need to draft a DE end higher or do we see what we are going to do with Michael Johnson ?? While MJ seemed to be a step behind at times last year, the dude got a huge dose of the playbook at both DE and OLB last year. I think how the coaching staff views MJ will go a long way to determine what they do draft wise at the position. DT ?? Yeah, wouldn't mind an upgrade there either, but Tank (regardless of what you think of him) and bigger holes will keep us from going DT early.

They need better play from the Safety position. Ndukwe flashes at times and looks completely lost at others. I know he was a 7th round pick and we've gotten production out of him, but I would rather see him coming off the bench and not have to rely on him as a starter. I actually wouldn't mind seeing how Ratliff stacks up against him at the safety position. That aside, I think they still draft a Safety within the first two rounds as I think they need to get better there talent wise. A 1st round pick there wouldn't surprise me in the least.

OLB is also a question as well. How do they view Maualuga with his offseason issues ?? Do they consider a move to the inside ?? Can Brandon Johnson move to the other side ?? Is Jeanty coming back ?? The way I see this is, either way they go, I think OLB needs to be addressed. The only scenario I see that would keep them from drafting an OLB is if the coaching staff views Michael Johnson as a more capable OLB than DE and leaves him there exclusively. If you go after a guy like Graham in the 1st should he still be there, he's also viewed as a tweener that could move to OLB. That would give them some flexibility, but who knows ??

I liked Morgan Trent at times last year and not so much at others. I think some CB depth with better talent would be a nice thing as well. I think the minute JJoe or Hall goes down, this defense takes a HUGE hit in the secondary and the talent level is a bigger drop off than it should be. So yeah, I think CB should be considered as well.

The question in all of this is still trying to guess what the coaches are thinking in regards to what they already have on the roster and then what is the value of the players on the board versus what holes do we have to fill come draft day. This years draft should be very interesting to watch for that very reason.

[redsbengalsbucks]

I think the D is about three or four players away from elite. They need a ball-hawking Safety, they need a DE that can create havoc and allow the other linemen to take advantage of the double teams (MJ might be this player), and they need to enhance the depth at:

CB (Morgan Trent played well, but I dont see much more upside in his style of play)

LB (Dhani is getting up there, is Rey the answer in the middle?)

DT (injuries here really hurt down the stretch last year)

I would love to see them draft a coverage Safety early in this years draft and than look for the BPA at DE, CB, LB, and DT.

The Offense is also in need of a G and a TE (if Coffman and Kelley are both ready to play this season TE is not a need)

I am happy with the WR FA's that they have picked up, , so I am looking forward to a strong Defensive draft. Bryant was a #1 WR and Jones was a #2 WR on thier last teams, one or both of them will upgrade the passing game.

I also think fans here are forgetting that Caldwell was hurt the last part of the season, I think he steps back up into a solid #3 this coming year. If a WR is picked, it will be for the future not next season.

Remember, on average, D wins championships.

[AGrizzlyBaer]

My thought is a similar thought for years and years. They need a safety that can cover TEs. That was the one position that I felt repeatedly could beat this defense.