Scottishbengal Posted August 2, 2004 Report Share Posted August 2, 2004 From an interview with Bengals.com Justin Smith says: "Three years ago we were ranked ninth. I think we should easily be back there. We’re going to be disappointed if we’re not in the Top Ten.” Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barbarian Posted August 2, 2004 Report Share Posted August 2, 2004 I think NOT. The Run Defense alone with make the Bungles D go down. I'm expecting the Pass Defense to not be that bad--but the Run Defense will stink up the NFL. The Bungles will be vying with Kansas City for the worst Run D in the NFL. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Brew Man Posted August 2, 2004 Report Share Posted August 2, 2004 From an interview with Bengals.com Justin Smith says: "Three years ago we were ranked ninth. I think we should easily be back there. We’re going to be disappointed if we’re not in the Top Ten.” Lets not get ahead of ourselves now Justin. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JPW Posted August 2, 2004 Report Share Posted August 2, 2004 "Starting defensive tackles John Thornton and Tony Williams....are sick about hearing how they are the reasons for last year’s poor run defense.If you can’t pinpoint what you’re talking about, then you shouldn’t say it. To pin it on two players, saying we’re the reason our defense was bad, that’s the furthest thing from the truth. We all took turns messing up.” GH: "Marvin is talking about 11 guys in stopping the run..."Justin Smith: "This is the best we’ve looked this early since I’ve been here” Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Brew Man Posted August 2, 2004 Report Share Posted August 2, 2004 We all took turns messing up.” I hope I never hear that again...... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WhoDeyNow Posted August 3, 2004 Report Share Posted August 3, 2004 Top 10 D? I don't see it. With our D-Line, it's doesn't seem like a possibility. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chad Johnson Posted August 3, 2004 Report Share Posted August 3, 2004 It is very possible....Especially if Nate Webster steps up the play...ANd we have 3 great LB's....And I remember 2 years ago when Tony Williams had a great year...ANd if Mathias Askew develops into a great DT whew... He'll be a good fresh man I think I only wish I knew...But I'd say top half of NFL isnt out of reach...Top 10 doubtful top 16 yes possible Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WhoDeyNow Posted August 3, 2004 Report Share Posted August 3, 2004 And I remember 2 years ago when Tony Williams had a great year...ANd if Mathias Askew develops into a great DT whew... He'll be a good fresh man I think I only wish I knew... I thought picking up Matthias Askew was an absolute steal -- and still do. But the concensus on him was it would have been wisier if he spent another year at college to further develop his skills. So basically, it's going to take a season or two before he can really help the team. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chad Johnson Posted August 3, 2004 Report Share Posted August 3, 2004 so they say... but who knows for sure until we see it... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barbarian Posted August 3, 2004 Report Share Posted August 3, 2004 It is very possible....Especially if Nate Webster steps up the play...ANd we have 3 great LB's....And I remember 2 years ago when Tony Williams had a great year...ANd if Mathias Askew develops into a great DT whew... He'll be a good fresh man I think I only wish I knew...But I'd say top half of NFL isnt out of reach...Top 10 doubtful top 16 yes possible 3 GREAT LB'S????????????NAME THEM PLEASE.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JPW Posted August 3, 2004 Report Share Posted August 3, 2004 From an interview with Bengals.com Justin Smith says: "Three years ago we were ranked ninth. I think we should easily be back there. We’re going to be disappointed if we’re not in the Top Ten.”There are two types of people.Those who Think that they Can and those who Think that they Can't.And they are Both Right....I like seeing our guys setting their Sights High.You aim high and even if you come up a little short you still do alright.You aim low and even if you hit your target you still suck.Just for the record ML is Talking Super Bowl this year.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
teenbengal14 Posted August 3, 2004 Report Share Posted August 3, 2004 3 GREAT LB'S????????????NAME THEM PLEASE.... barb, i've seen the bengals at georgetown and if justin keeps hitting like he did and the defense keeps the intensity, we will have a good shot at being in the top ten. :player: oh yeah ill name 3 linebackers, Simmons:Probowl potential, Webster: is an ANIMAL!!, and Hardy has moved back to a spot where he doesn't have as much pressure on him like he did in the middle Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chad Johnson Posted August 3, 2004 Report Share Posted August 3, 2004 It is very possible....Especially if Nate Webster steps up the play...ANd we have 3 great LB's....And I remember 2 years ago when Tony Williams had a great year...ANd if Mathias Askew develops into a great DT whew... He'll be a good fresh man I think I only wish I knew...But I'd say top half of NFL isnt out of reach...Top 10 doubtful top 16 yes possible3 GREAT LB'S????????????NAME THEM PLEASE.... Simmons...Yeah remember himHardy... the guy that sucks so much he led our team in tackles as he was playing out of his position And I said if Webster steps up and plays as good as the hype has been... SO UH READ THE WHOL FING POST YOU POS Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WhoDeyNow Posted August 4, 2004 Report Share Posted August 4, 2004 I think it's a little stretch to say we have three great LBs. Now, our rival, they have three (actually four) great LBs (Lewis, Boulware, Hartwell, and Suggs). I think we have a good one, and average one, and potentially good one.Simmons is a good LB. Easily our best one. Nothing spectacular, but he's good. Hardy was a stud LB back in the day when he was a Jaguar. But now he's become rather washed-up. Still, he's a solid LB. And Webster hasn't really proved much. He has the intensity, speed, and talent to become a good one. But he still needs to prove it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IfItsBrownFlushItDown Posted August 4, 2004 Report Share Posted August 4, 2004 I'm sure someone will ride my ass for this, but I think that Justin was smart in what he said. Coach Lewis said himself that this defense did not play together last year. If he gets them all to attack the ball every down, this D will easily be top 10. You show me a team where all 11 guys swarmed to the ball every play, and you'll notice the Superbowl ring those same players were wearing at the end of the season. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
schweinhart Posted August 4, 2004 Report Share Posted August 4, 2004 Top 10 is the goal. Top 16 would be great.The D is without question upgraded across the board. Even at DT. Gibson and Steele were gone from the start and should've been. How hard can it be to replace them? Moore, Scott, Askew, whoever -- it can't be a major drop off at DT period.Just hearing that talk from Justin is great. This team is going to come flying out of the gate and I think it's going to be enough to kick lots of ass Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HoosierCat Posted August 4, 2004 Report Share Posted August 4, 2004 I'm sure someone will ride my ass for this, but I think that Justin was smart in what he said. Coach Lewis said himself that this defense did not play together last year. If he gets them all to attack the ball every down, this D will easily be top 10. First of all, I'm not riding your ass. Unless you happen to be a really hot chick. But I'm betting you aren't. And if you were you wouldn't have anything to do with me anyhow...Now, here's the thing: can we be a top D? Yes. But given what we have now, the secondary is the key. Follow the bouncing ball:A Marvin Lewis-style defense needs two things. First, it needs defensive backs who can be trusted on their own. Shutdown corners and cover safeties. It needs these because of its second feature, penetrating DTs. They tend to be lighter, quicker "more atheletic" guys, so you sacrifice the size that helps you on the run D. On the other hand, if you have guys who can break into the pocket from the middle, the opposing teams can do one of two things, both good for the D. Either they call plays that roll out, exposing the QB to the LBs, or they pull guys inside to bolster protection and leave the ends 1 on 1. To compensate for the loss of heft vs. the run, you try to stack eight men in the box, like teams did with us vs. CD. That's why you need guys who can single-cover.Parenthetically: This is why they aren't keen on bringing back Steele (he's a road block, not a rusher) and why they were so slow to resign Beckett (he isn't a cover safety) and why they spent both of their 2nd round picks on the secondary (and particularly on ballhawk playmakers who were arguably not the "best player" available) even though they had stocked up on DBs like Herring, Porter, and O'Neal.Like I said elsewhere, if O'Neal, James and Herring -- with some help from Williams and Ratliff -- can do the job in the secondary, this D actually has a chance to work. But I have little confidence in that; I'm just not sold on O'Neal, much less the rooks. We shall see. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IfItsBrownFlushItDown Posted August 4, 2004 Report Share Posted August 4, 2004 Great post Joisey! I agree, this secondary is going to need to step it up, which would have been a lot easier with a Taylor or Vincent signing. Where you and I differ is that I have a lot of faith in what we have. My post about attacking the ball was geared more in the sense of the run defense. However, the secondary is essential for this defense to be successful. IMO, Ratliff and Williams are going to be HUGE for this team this year, especially in the passing game. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
schweinhart Posted August 4, 2004 Report Share Posted August 4, 2004 IMO, Ratliff and Williams are going to be HUGE for this team this year, especially in the passing game. If Ratliff and Williams are half as huge as Eugene Wilson and Asante Samuel were for the Pats last year, it would be a big boost.Of course, Ratliff will eventually have to grace the rest of the team with his presence if he's going to get the chance to prove he's worth the first day tag. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wookie Posted August 4, 2004 Report Share Posted August 4, 2004 I going to say its possible IF the D-line can prove that last year was just a learning process. I for one don't believe that after training camp, preseason, and 16 regular season games that guys should still be doubled up in the gaps...but what do I know? I just have to trust that Lewis will stand for nothing less than a top 10 D, and that he'll do what he can to make that happen. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barbarian Posted August 4, 2004 Report Share Posted August 4, 2004 I think it's a little stretch to say we have three great LBs. Now, our rival, they have three (actually four) great LBs (Lewis, Boulware, Hartwell, and Suggs). I think we have a good one, and average one, and potentially good one.Simmons is a good LB. Easily our best one. Nothing spectacular, but he's good. Hardy was a stud LB back in the day when he was a Jaguar. But now he's become rather washed-up. Still, he's a solid LB. And Webster hasn't really proved much. He has the intensity, speed, and talent to become a good one. But he still needs to prove it. YES!!! I totally agree with this post.Stating that we have "3 great LB's" is not only a stretch--it's a farce. Simmons is decent, Hardy is on the downswing of his career, and Webster is a potential.I don't care what they've done in camp--BECAUSE IT'S JUST THAT--CAMP.If Camp is a great predictor of what's going to happen--then expect a long year from Palmer. He's thrown many interceptions. Apparently, he thinks that Deltha is a WR.Fortunately, I don't think this is the case. I think Palmer will have growing pains--he may even have over 20 INTs for the year, however, I don't think it's going to be that bad. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redsfan2 Posted August 4, 2004 Report Share Posted August 4, 2004 Parenthetically: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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