The Class of 2013

[princeton]

One other thing to consider on the finesse/power scale is that the pass-dominated nature of today's NFL is relegating the old "bruiser" style of play to the proverbial dustbin of history. The "no lowering your head at the end of a run" rule is just the latest example of the changing nature of the game. Last season, none of the AFCN teams were in the top 10 in rushing yards and only one, Baltimore, was even in the top half of the league. For better or for worse I think it's becoming a finesse league, if it hasn't already.

yes, it's an interesting idea. The talking heads were also talking about a trend toward smaller linemen so that they don't pass out in no-huddle offenses.

but I would note that last year's Super Bowl teams were two of the most physical teams in football.

[jjakq27]

One other thing to consider on the finesse/power scale is that the pass-dominated nature of today's NFL is relegating the old "bruiser" style of play to the proverbial dustbin of history. The "no lowering your head at the end of a run" rule is just the latest example of the changing nature of the game. Last season, none of the AFCN teams were in the top 10 in rushing yards and only one, Baltimore, was even in the top half of the league. For better or for worse I think it's becoming a finesse league, if it hasn't already.

yes, it's an interesting idea. The talking heads were also talking about a trend toward smaller linemen so that they don't pass out in no-huddle offenses.

but I would note that last year's Super Bowl teams were two of the most physical teams in football.

If Chip Kelly or some of these newer coaches are successful, their systems will require smaller, more agile O-linemen. Denver and Indy are two that always had smallish, quick linemen.

For what it's worth, I heard that under Andy Reid, the Eagles were running around ten plays in 10 minutes during practice. They are now running forty plays in that same 10 minute time frame with Chip Kelly's system. That's just crazy.

[princeton]

fits with the low demand for Moobs

[HoosierCat]

fits with the low demand for Moobs

Good point. I hadn't thought about it in those terms but you and jj are right. In that pic of Smith Reedy snapped the other day my first thought was that he'd lost too much weight. Even Marvin noted it in his comments that he had "worked his butt off and worked some of his butt off, too."

[princeton]

Ray Lewis talked about how much the weight loss helped him as offenses changed; supposedly ReyRey played better after he dropped weight but I throw that out to the community here for confirmation because I didn't see it.

maybe Sean Porter is the LBer size of the future

[COB]

Peter King, in today's MMQB:

15. Be careful, Cincinnati. Or we'll start to think you know how to draft.

/>http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/-nfl-draft/news/20130429/nfl-draft-peter-king-monday-morning-quarterback/#ixzz2RrhzzPPQ

You don't need to be careful, Peter King. We're not going to start to think you know how to write.

[HoosierCat]

maybe Sean Porter is the LBer size of the future

Or Shawn Williams. I keep thinking back to that 52% stat: the Bengals were in the nickel for 52% of snaps last season. For all the talk about the 4-3 or the 3-4, the Bengals base defense last season was effectively the 4-2-5. And the centerpiece of that defense, at least down in Alabama, is the "star" safety/linebacker. The description of that position sounds an awful lot like Porter and Williams.

That could also explain why the coaches aren't nearly as concerned about Maualuga as the rest of us dumbasses. If the star is going to take over the job as the QB of the defense, then the obvious guy to come off is Rey, not Harrison. And that also makes more sense of the Harrison signing because it answers the question of how they expect to get him more snaps than have traditionally been given to the SAM.

Yah, thinking about it a move to the 4-2-5 answers a lot of questions...

[princeton]

maybe Sean Porter is the LBer size of the future

Or Shawn Williams. I keep thinking back to that 52% stat: the Bengals were in the nickel for 52% of snaps last season. For all the talk about the 4-3 or the 3-4, the Bengals base defense last season was effectively the 4-2-5. And the centerpiece of that defense, at least down in Alabama, is the "star" safety/linebacker. The description of that position sounds an awful lot like Porter and Williams.

That could also explain why the coaches aren't nearly as concerned about Maualuga as the rest of us dumbasses. If the star is going to take over the job as the QB of the defense, then the obvious guy to come off is Rey, not Harrison. And that also makes more sense of the Harrison signing because it answers the question of how they expect to get him more snaps than have traditionally been given to the SAM.

Yah, thinking about it a move to the 4-2-5 answers a lot of questions...

I'm not holding my breath. last year's 4-2-5 always had ReyRey right smack in the middle of it. Maybe that would have changed if Howard hadn't been injured, but IMO Bengals coaches are pathologically stubborn about ReyRey. the more we complain, the deeper the line drawn in the sand by the coaches

we really should begin a movement in praise of Ray M and see if that gets him off the field.

"Maualaga, do you hear those fans cheering for you? Please go join them in the stands"

[skyline]

You want physical players? I think Margus Hunt should count for two years worth of them. :P/>

[Earendil]

You want physical players? I think Margus Hunt should count for two years worth of them.

If Hunt hasn't quite figured out the physicality of the game, he's going to kill people when he finally does.

[jditty47]

Long time Bengal Fans...too long I guess. A lot has changed so don't get that much time to do what I want anymore.

Anyways, great draft! Very happy with the weapons added. Bernard being added since Scott might be out is a huge hole filled. The more help Dalton gets the better. Our D is sick and to add Hunt and Williams is going to help. Adding Harrison before the draft is finally going to bring some identity to our LB core.

I really feel that Baltimore and Pittsburgh didn't get better and if anything have regressed. We have made the playoffs 2 years in a row now to get beat by Houston which was great, but now we need to kick the door down and actually be feared when we enter it.

[HoosierCat]

Good to hear from you jditty! I hope the changes have been good changes.

[membengal]

Holy crap, ditty! Nice to hear from you again!

[ArmyBengal]

Indeed nice to see you pop back in around draft time !!

[HoosierCat]

we really should begin a movement in praise of Ray M and see if that gets him off the field.

"Maualaga, do you hear those fans cheering for you? Please go join them in the stands"

In that case you can put me down as president of the Rey Maualuga fan club.

One thing I missed reading about Williams: he has experience at LB. he played several games at the position in 2011 when Ogletree got hurt. He impressed doing so.

/>http://atlanta.sbnation.com/georgia-bulldogs/2011/9/15/2426855/christian-robinson-alec-ogletree-injuries-shawn-williams

I may be completely crazy about this whole 4-2-5 thing but if they were looking for a hybrid LB/S for one, Williams fits the bill.

[HoosierCat]

Before viewing the folloing video, please ensure your anti-bukkake screens are in place or you will get wet on this ride.

/>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jJ4CcHK4qZs

[Kazkal]

One other thing to consider on the finesse/power scale is that the pass-dominated nature of today's NFL is relegating the old "bruiser" style of play to the proverbial dustbin of history. The "no lowering your head at the end of a run" rule is just the latest example of the changing nature of the game. Last season, none of the AFCN teams were in the top 10 in rushing yards and only one, Baltimore, was even in the top half of the league. For better or for worse I think it's becoming a finesse league, if it hasn't already.

yes, it's an interesting idea. The talking heads were also talking about a trend toward smaller linemen so that they don't pass out in no-huddle offenses.

but I would note that last year's Super Bowl teams were two of the most physical teams in football.

If Chip Kelly or some of these newer coaches are successful, their systems will require smaller, more agile O-linemen. Denver and Indy are two that always had smallish, quick linemen.

For what it's worth, I heard that under Andy Reid, the Eagles were running around ten plays in 10 minutes during practice. They are now running forty plays in that same 10 minute time frame with Chip Kelly's system. That's just crazy.

Hell even Oregons Dline was undersized and agile,They always used DT's that looked more like Defensive ends

[jjakq27]

I heard Lap's recap of the draft last Monday on Lance's show. Here are a few interesting take-aways from their discussion:

-Bernard and Hunt were both in the Bengals top 32. They were obviously thrilled to get both.

-The Bengals had targeted Tavon Austin, Tyler Eifert and Eric Reid as their top three in the first round. Austin and Reid were gone and they were concerned that Chicago would take Eifert. Had that happened they probably would have taken Sharrif Floyd.

-Bengals didn't panic when the other safeties were gone. They took Shawn Williams in the 3rd. They went to the Georgia well once again because they run a pro-style defense and the transition to the pros is less than others.

-They passed on Lacy because of some foot and other injury issues. They felt like he was too worn down and he is comparable to BJGE. Bernard offered a different dimension.

-The Bengals have quietly built a lot of depth on their roster and have given themselves replacement options going forward.

Also, this link regarding the Palmer trade and the revisionist history regarding the impact on both teams:

http://sports.yahoo....A3BtaA--;_ylv=3

[ArmyBengal]

Yeah, I had heard they had both Bernard and Hunt rated highly as well, so that doesn't surprise me in the least.

I made the comment about Floyd still being on the board as well, but glad they got Eifert.

Shawn Williams becomes more appealing to me as things go and I hope his transition is smooth, because until he proves it, safety is still the weakest spot on the team and I don't want to see Crocker pulled back off his couch again.

I didn't want Lacy either as I didn't think he would bring anything new to the offense. The injury just confirmed that thought.

In response to the Palmer trade, it's hard to say for sure. Give it another season or two and then look back.

If Kirkpatrick and Bernard turn out to be difference makers or even above average, it was a good trade for us.

It's hard to play the "what if" game for the Raiders simply because there is no way to know who they would have picked at those spots had they not traded them to us. While I can certainly acknowledge Palmer didn't play bad, he certainly didn't play well either and while they liked his stats, the INT's and "when" he throws them are the bigger concern. Now that Palmer is in Arizona, I can't say as that was anywhere near what they thought they were going to get when giving up those picks.

[Sea Ray]

Yeah, I had heard they had both Bernard and Hunt rated highly as well, so that doesn't surprise me in the least.

I made the comment about Floyd still being on the board as well, but glad they got Eifert.

Shawn Williams becomes more appealing to me as things go and I hope his transition is smooth, because until he proves it, safety is still the weakest spot on the team and I don't want to see Crocker pulled back off his couch again.

I didn't want Lacy either as I didn't think he would bring anything new to the offense. The injury just confirmed that thought.

In response to the Palmer trade, it's hard to say for sure. Give it another season or two and then look back.

If Kirkpatrick and Bernard turn out to be difference makers or even above average, it was a good trade for us.

It's hard to play the "what if" game for the Raiders simply because there is no way to know who they would have picked at those spots had they not traded them to us. While I can certainly acknowledge Palmer didn't play bad, he certainly didn't play well either and while they liked his stats, the INT's and "when" he throws them are the bigger concern. Now that Palmer is in Arizona, I can't say as that was anywhere near what they thought they were going to get when giving up those picks.

There's no questioning that the Bengals got great value out of trading Palmer when they did. Two years later the Raiders pretty much gave Palmer away. He had NO value. Whether the Bengals made good choices with those picks remains to be seen

[HoosierCat]

-The Bengals had targeted Tavon Austin, Tyler Eifert and Eric Reid as their top three in the first round. Austin and Reid were gone and they were concerned that Chicago would take Eifert. Had that happened they probably would have taken Sharrif Floyd.

Can you imagine the howls of outrage if they'd taken DT in the first? If you thought Eifert raised a ruckus, taking Floyd after spending a second and third last year on two DTs who could barely even get on the field would have resulted in a nuclear meltdown.

[HoosierCat]

Re the Palmer trade, I'll says again what I've said before: once they fired Hue, any chance there was that the deal would work out from the Raiders' side went up in smoke. The Bengals definitely got the better of the trade, but the Raiders might have had better results if they hadn't shot themselves in the foot.

[jjakq27]

-The Bengals had targeted Tavon Austin, Tyler Eifert and Eric Reid as their top three in the first round. Austin and Reid were gone and they were concerned that Chicago would take Eifert. Had that happened they probably would have taken Sharrif Floyd.

Can you imagine the howls of outrage if they'd taken DT in the first? If you thought Eifert raised a ruckus, taking Floyd after spending a second and third last year on two DTs who could barely even get on the field would have resulted in a nuclear meltdown.

No kidding. But best player available seems to be the new mantra. Things seemed to fall their way so I'm pretty satisfied with what they have done this year and over the last three or four. I think the Eifert backlash was more related to the safety we so desperately need. Gresham's inconsistency has been well documented so taking Eifert to complement or eventually replace him is OK by me.

This blurb was in yesterday's Enquirer. Like it or not, I think their way of conducting the draft has changed for the better. It appears Duke Tobin has done a great job preparing the front office and keeping things together on draft day. I also maintain that having Zimmer involved in the scouting process has yielded some very productive players on defense.
/>http://news.cincinnati.com/article/20130504/SPT02/305040116/Bengals-insider-Lewis-gets-back-on-campuses

[ArmyBengal]

I mentioned Floyd due to him being the best player available and while one could argue and moan about the two DT's we took last year, it's not like Peko is only signed through 2014 and Sims is no longer on the team. Many people bitch about Peko, so for them, that would have been a good move.

He would clearly present as the BPA, but not grabbing either Elam or Cyprien would probably result in said meltdown.

[Sea Ray]

If Eifert was gone, I think they should have seriously considered trading down rather than draft Floyd