Duane Clemons on the Bubble?

[HoosierCat]

Chick Ludwig's latest Bengals Insider column suggests that Clemons may be on the way out (didn't we just extend him?) with Justin Smith moving over into his hole and Jumpy Jr. -- for whom Chick's got big predictions -- taking over for Justin.

http://www.daytondailynews.com/sports/cont...509bengals.html

The times they are a-changin' ... for Bengals' defense

By Chick Ludwig

Dayton Daily News

The 2005 season holds one guarantee for the Bengals. Changes are in order on defense — in the secondary, at linebacker and especially on the line — because the status quo is unacceptable.

With the emphasis on shoring up the league's 26th-ranked run defense, new starters will surface in all three phases of the unit.

Free agent Bryan Robinson (Dolphins) is the new No. 1 at right defensive tackle next to John Thornton.

First-round draft pick David Pollack is earmarked for left outside linebacker now that Kevin Hardy has been released. And even though strong safety Kim Herring and left cornerback Deltha O'Neal are incumbents, both positions are under siege.

While Keiwan Ratliff looks to steal O'Neal's spot in two areas — the starting lineup and on special teams as the punt returner — the search for answers at strong safety continues.

Siddeeq Shabazz, claimed off waivers from Atlanta, will compete with Anthony Mitchell and Herring to fill the void created by Rogers Beckett's release.

Shabazz is a powerful hitter capable of forcing fumbles, but lacks bulk and needs to improve his speed and range to win the job.

Left end Duane Clemons also finds himself under a very large microscope.

If he can't bounce back strong from a sprained knee that slowed him down late last year, the line faces a reshuffling.

Don't be surprised if right end Justin Smith switches to the left side, allowing Robert Geathers to claim the right end spot.

Smith, who led the team in sacks (8) last year, has improved dramatically as a run defender.

You heard the prediction here first: "Jumpy" Geathers will become the Bengals' first double-digit sack artist since Alfred Williams in 1992. He's lightning quick with great hands and has an explosive first step.

The player who lands at left end in the base defense — Clemons, Smith or underdog Carl Powell — will likely move inside on third down so the club can get its best pass rushers (Geathers, Smith and Pollack) on the line at the same time.

Head coach Marvin Lewis has big plans for the versatile, enthusiastic Pollack.

He'll line up over the tight end as the strongside 'backer, then put his hand on the ground as a pass-rushing left end in the nickel package. Lewis' response when asked if Pollack will be involved in zone blitzing: "Don't limit yourself."

Rookie minicamp ended with Pollack smacking a ball against the wall near the equipment room and chasing it around the locker room with his lacrosse stick.

The dude is more than a matinee idol. "A what idol?" he asked on draft day. He's a natural born leader.

[Kirkendall]

Bye.

[The_Next_Big_Thing]

I doubt Clemons will fall. You need to keep 3 defensive ends in order to have someone if there is an injury, and he's in the top 3.

[TippCityRick]

Clemmons certainly could be on the bubble. However he did show some good work late in the year against the run on the outside and movement inside when they brought in Jumpy Jr. His versatility could save him. If I had to pick between he and Powell, I'd go with Clemmons.

[HoosierCat]

Clemmons certainly could be on the bubble. However he did show some good work late in the year against the run on the outside and movement inside when they brought in Jumpy Jr. His versatility could save him. If I had to pick between he and Powell, I'd go with Clemmons.

I was thinking the same thing.

[ShulaSteakhouse]

I don't think Clemons is on "the bubble," there's no one to replace him if he's released. They kept all of these guys last year. You just don't release your 2nd-3rd best pass rusher for no good reason.

I think Ludwig is just saying with the re-shuffling he may lose some playing time or be switched around.

And yes Geathers of course was nothing short of impressive last season and may end up as the team's best pass rusher before it's all said and done. I think the way Smith disrupts things (even though he doesn't always make it to the QB) really, really helps whomever is on the other end.

Throw Pollack in that mix with some decent DB's and the Bengals may finally have a legitimate QB sacking machine.

[HoosierCat]

You just don't release your 2nd-3rd best pass rusher for no good reason.

Well, if Clemons' knee is shot, that would certainly qualify as "good reason." And Ludwig's whole reshuffle scenario is predicated on that being the case. If Duane's healthy, no, I don't see them being in any rush to dump him.

[Sox]

Nice article,and every change that Chick has proposed seems to make sense.

[HairOnFire]

Make me the boss and Duane Clemons wouldn't get a sniff of any starting position regardless of the status of his knee. Yeah, he's a very capable pass rusher, and should have a role on the team even if replaced in the starting lineup. But IMHO he's the least instinctive player on the Bengals D-line and when combined with his poor lower body strength Clemons becomes the weakest run defender on this defense by a wide margin. Trust me, it's not close.

Pop in a tape of ANY game and watch how the Bengals bleed on the defensive left. Over and over and over again. Single or double teamed it hardly matters. The edge is there for the taking, and take it they do. Every Bengal defensive performance becomes a bloody death of a thousand cuts, all of them delivered in the same methodical manner.

The best that can be said is that last season Clemons started making a few plays of his own. The problem remaining is that it wasn't nearly enough. So I've got zero problem with the idea of moving Justin Smith to the left side as he's been rock solid everywhere he's been lined up. In fact, I've got few problems with the idea of trying the untested Geathers at that spot as things can hardly get worse than they've been. And if you're worried he can't hold up then use a platoon. Use Clemons as a wave player or as a designated pass rusher who could line up anywhere on 3rd down.

But please change. Please.

[Bobcat Bengal]

NOt sure if someone posted this, if they did, I apologize.

Sometimes I don't read every post.

DDN reporter Chick Ludwig mentioned in his article that expect to see Justin Smith moved to RDE, and Jumpy taking his spot over at LDE.

The way he worded seemed like it was a sure bet, just a matter of time.

[Bobcat Bengal]

LOL.

NEVERMIND.

Joisey posted it to begin with.

I told ya.

[jditty47]

good job terry...we can always count on you for new news!

[jjakq27]

Ludwig was on Lance McAlister's show this afternoon and basically recanted the high points of the article that he wrote.

He did make a few interesting comments. One was that they drafted Tab Perry to return kickoffs. Another was that Marvin feels like Anthony Mitchell could surprise and be the guy at strong safety. He definitely ruled out Caleb Miller going to SS also.

At the end of his interview, Ludwig raved about David Pollack's intensity and how he will be the leader on defense this year. And Ben Wilkinson will not play at all this year but he is the steal of the draft. He was also vague about the status of Rich Braham, making some reference about him having to get healthy. He said he was impressed with Guy-Check at center.

[Messenger Guard]

I don't see Clemons going anywhere. He plays hard, provides a decent pass rush, and can play inside at times. I get irritated by the penalties. He must have gotten at least four 3rd down roughing the passer penalties last year that kept the defense on the field. And that was never good. He signed a contract extension last year. Coach Lewis says the line wasn't the primary problem and backed this up by taking Pollack to play linebacker and passing on Erasmus James, followed by taking Thurman. I think the line only benefits by a good rotation that keeps everyone fresher. Certainly hoping for better results this year.

[HairOnFire]

Ludwig was on Lance McAlister's show this afternoon and basically recanted the high points of the article that he wrote.

Perfect.

[Bobcat Bengal]

good job terry...we can always count on you for new news!

I live in Dayton.

I don't have a laptop, so I actually read the article in the Dayton Daily News.

I just remembered little bits of info to relay the message.

I saw a thread related to Duane Clemons and just blindly started typing.

I get shown up on my own hometown paper.

[jjakq27]

Ludwig was on Lance McAlister's show this afternoon and basically recanted the high points of the article that he wrote.

Perfect.

?????

[HoosierCat]

Ludwig was on Lance McAlister's show this afternoon and basically recanted the high points of the article that he wrote.

Perfect.

?????

If Ludwig "recanted" what he said in the article, that meant he took it all back, that he said everything he said was wrong. Which would understandably upset Hair, since he wants change. Did you mean recant or something like "recounted" or "repeated"?

[HairOnFire]

If Ludwig "recanted" what he said in the article, that meant he took it all back, that he said everything he said was wrong. Which would understandably upset Hair, since he wants change.

Joisey, we may disagree from time to time but we do know each other pretty well. Yeah, that's exactly what upset me and provoked my sarcastic one-word response.

For the sake of others let me repeat, I'm begging for change at LDE. And because that's true it's more than a little bit cruel for a writer to get my hopes up by claiming that Duane Clemons was under a huge microscope...only to read later in the day that the same writer might have taken it all back.

Please, somebody put Duane back under the microscope. Please find the virus or diseased cell that dooms the patient to a lifetime of sucking. ((Whimper))

[ShulaSteakhouse]

And if you're worried he can't hold up then use a platoon. Use Clemons as a wave player or as a designated pass rusher who could line up anywhere on 3rd down.

I always thought that's pretty much how they used him, and what my post should've mentioned - he's a 3rd down rotation player. He gets in the backfield, period, I didn't think anyone was portraying him as a run-stopper or 3 down player.

[jjakq27]

Ludwig was on Lance McAlister's show this afternoon and basically recanted the high points of the article that he wrote.

Perfect.

?????

If Ludwig "recanted" what he said in the article, that meant he took it all back, that he said everything he said was wrong. Which would understandably upset Hair, since he wants change. Did you mean recant or something like "recounted" or "repeated"?

Recounted, repeated, regurgitated, rehashed, ......

Better now?

[HairOnFire]

Recounted, repeated, regurgitated, rehashed, ......

Better now?

Heck yeah it's better. That means Clemons is still under the microscope.

No single smilie can convey how happy that makes me.

[The Big Orange]

Clemmons is a guy I can get so excited about when he is in a mood to play nasty....but he is the quisestential guy who takes plays off...sometimes even entire games off. I love his nastiness when he's on, but when he's off there is no pressure on the QB and he's got a big ole' sign that says "RUN THIS WAY" and I'm waiting for J. Smith to come over and smack him in the mouth

[schweinhart]

Big Duane ain't the total waste of space Tony Williams was. But he's an example of reliance on scheme over personnel and personality over ability. Carl Plowed is another example of this DE/DT type, but Big Duane is much better on the inside than Plowed but also much slower than Plowed on the oustide.

Clemons and Powell are the types who are relied upon unrealistically, IMO, to perform at levels they will not reach. I like Big Duane and he does kick some a$$ from time to time, but I'd rather see him and Powell go to give the likes of Jumpy Jr. and Derrick Crawford or Elton Patterson the chance to excel.

Keep the DEs as DEs and don't crutch on these DE/DTs types who either completely lack speed outside or size inside and have to stunt most all the time for chances at random success.

[jjakq27]

I am still waiting for Justin Smith to become the force we thought he would. Perhaps with guys like Jumpy and Pollack applying pressure, this might open things up for Smith. This might be the case for Clemons as well, but I doubt it.

I was also interested in Ludwig's comments about Anthony Mitchell starting at SS.