Round 1 (17): Shemar Stewart, DE, Texas A&M

[Allentown21]

11 hours ago, ArmyBengal said:

Well Stewart and the Bengals can’t figure out a first round contract for some stupid reason the Bengals created out of thin air.

Murphy has been mostly unseen during his time here despite being a first round pick and is a complete unknown and maybe a bust.

Trey is working on his third offseason of demanding more and seeing the Bengals get dragged through the media, despite them giving him everything he’s asked for in each occasion.

Put me in the camp that even though this defense only needs to get to middle of the pack, they are going to have a hard time doing that. I like Al Golden, but he has his hands full.

The Bengals secondary has a lot of young talent that could breakout.... Same with the dline. 

 

 

[ArmyBengal]

Don’t get me wrong, I love the Bengals like most of these guys on this forum. Being on this site for over 20 years talking about them says enough. (Probably that we’re crazy)

So when I shit in their Wheaties, it’s just being realistic. The secondary has talent, but it all comes with issues. Dax Hill was a first rounder. He has great talent but has been hurt. DJ Turner the same.

CTB has talent with an overwhelming need to talk shit without backing it up.

If we get the last half of last season Geno Stone, that’s awesome. If not, that sucks. Who’s the other safety? Battle I guess, but he’s had ups and downs as well.

Newton is said to be taking over the nickel spot since Hilton isn’t coming back. Never thought much of him.

Again, Golden has his hands full.
I’m hoping all the stars align but it’s really going to take that to make this D get where it needs to be.

[Stripes]

I am confident that the defensive backfield will improve.

I am the opposite of confident that the pass rush will improve.

I am ambivalent about the linebackers.

[ArmyBengal]

I’m confident in Golden’s abilities.

Whether that pans out this year remains to be seen. I’m ever hopeful however.

[AMPHAR]

Maybe Lou was a Dick Lebeau.  Maybe he wasn't.   We'll see.   I think/hope we'll see across the board improvement in yards allowed and most importantly point allowed. 

Sack numbers are great but not a tell all.  First I think Trey plays and doesn't miss much time IF any through a hold out.  I don't see that path getting him much more at all and probably costs him headaches and millions.  

I don't think Lou went into games with getting to the QB as the priority of his game plan.  I think he wanted to avoid big plays and got stuck playing the same zone defenses even when it was clear the other OC/QB figured it out.   See Russell Wilson career half throwing to an empty middle over and over again.   

So again we'll see. 

 

 

 

[ArmyBengal]

I'm with you AMPHAR.  I'm hopeful we see the improvement.

That being said, I've spent most off seasons thinking, if the o-line could just hold up.
This is the first time that has shifted to, if the defense could just get off the damn field.

Honestly, I'm going into the season exceptionally hopeful Golden can make that happen.
However, the talent they have really needs to step it up and produce.

Speaking of Trey, has anyone seen some of the stupid ass trade scenarios posted out there?
If any of those are remotely possible, better to wait Trey out.  Sooner or later he's going to be the one to cave.
No way he doesn't play even at the rumored $28m for the season.  Take the bird in the hand Trey.
The Bengals won't blink.

[AMPHAR]

I don't even know if the OL can get it together so everyone will have a nice PFF grade.  Is it possible?  Given the way TC is conducted, game play calling, QB?  I don't know.   

I know they seem to play worse than normal in the first month of the season.  That goes hand in hand with the QB also struggling early.  

On one hand they've been top 10 offense missing a decent amount of snaps from Higgins with a bad OL.   Its just been so long from a time under Alexander were you could expect a sack a game average.  Now the 3 sack game people are applauding.    Does Joe need to throw away more, check down more?  

Obviously they don't fire a OL coach and replace two starters IF everything is just great.  Its been bad.  I just have my doubts fans are ever going to have on paper proof the OL is fixed.   Joe Burrow doesn't play that way and Zac doesn't call a game that way.    IF Higgins is on the field more often,  I doubt any of the play calling gets easier on the OL.   Production probably goes up tho. 

 

 

[ArmyBengal]

30 minutes ago, AMPHAR said:

Obviously they don't fire a OL coach and replace two starters IF everything is just great.  Its been bad.  I just have my doubts fans are ever going to have on paper proof the OL is fixed.   Joe Burrow doesn't play that way and Zac doesn't call a game that way.    IF Higgins is on the field more often,  I doubt any of the play calling gets easier on the OL.   Production probably goes up tho. 

I don't disagree with this at all.  I think it's part of the reason I'm not as concerned about the o-line as in years past.
They (the coaches) seem to think the offense is going to be top end regardless.
I've just always been of the line of thought that I wonder how much better they could be?

If Joe is going to take the blame for last season's failure, when he turned in an MVP season, and thinks he could have done more, that more should be coming off the back of the offensive line.  That is literally the only way he could have done more.