I don't know why

[Kazkal]

"“I’ve been told I’m two more months away from playing football. I don’t want to do it before then,” Anderson said. “I’ve got a lot of the strength back in the knee and it feels good. But could I stand up to a Justin Smith bull rush? I want to make sure the operation is healed.”"

but that made me laugh when reading it

[HoosierCat]

I thought this was the money quote from the story (up on bengals.com if anyone wants to read the whole thing):

“In the 10 years I’ve been around, I’ve seen a lot of offenses that were supposed to be decent and we didn’t duplicate it,” Anderson said Monday before leaving Atlanta. “Right now, we’re at zero (yards) and I think we’ve got guys that realize that. I’m excited about the guys we’ve got coming back. Last year was the most competitive group I‘ve been around. (Marvin Lewis) is bringing in guys who care about their reputation.”

I'm right there with Willie. I've heard it all before...including the bit about how the players really oh truly oh give a sh*t this year. Here's hoping that they aren't just spouting smoke again. :player:

[HairOnFire]

I think Big Willie knows that facing a Justin Smith bull rush is more demanding than the average Bengal fan seems to think. On more than one occasion I've attempted to defend that simple but savage bull rush as a thing o' beauty but I doubt I changed anyones mind. Most fans want spin moves...ala Stevie Nicks and Terrell Suggs, despite the fact that neither Nicks or Suggs is good against the run. (True, Stevie Nicks must be approaching 50 by now.)

And on that note, I strongly feel some of the very best news out of Bengala this offseason deals with changes in how Justin Smith is going to be used. Much to my displeasure Marvin Lewis has been far more conservative in the ways he uses Smith than LeBeau did. Consider...

LeBeau would flop Smith from the right to the left sides with regularity...forcing offensive adjustments and occasional mismatches. Lewis has had Smith lining up on the right side nearly 100% of the time. Hand down or hand up...it's not hard for opposing teams to find Smith and plan blocking schemes with him in mind.

When Lewis does move Smith around it's limited to standing him up as an OLB on the right side, just a few feet away from his normal RDE position, and the bulk of snaps at the OLB position find him retreating in pass coverage instead of rushing the passer. I admit Smith has been outstanding in pass coverage, but I'd greatly prefer him attacking forward....as LeBeau did. On the occasions when LeBeau used Smith as a LB it almost always resulted in his rushing the passer and frequently had him attacking from the middle or the left.

If it sounds like I'm barking about the job Lewis has done then think again. However, Justin Smith isn't a Marvin Lewis draft choice and I'm not uncomfortable stating that the man who did draft Smith, Dick LeBeau, had more creative plans for using Smith. To date, Lewis has seen fit to line Smith up at the same spot on almost every down, and if he wasn't there when an opposing lineman looked...he was probably only a couple feet away on the outside....a tipoff that he wasn't pass rushing at all.

The end result of the above is opposing teams having few problems finding Smith or neutralizing him with double teams whenever they desire.

[HairOnFire]

I'm right there with Willie. I've heard it all before...including the bit about how the players really oh truly oh give a sh*t this year. Here's hoping that they aren't just spouting smoke again. :player:

There isn't a player on the Bengals roster who has shoveled more smoke in the press than Willie Anderson. I love Highway 71 as much as the next guy, but he's always been the first guy to talk to the press and his history of empty brags and boasts is as long as the road that is his namesake. "We shoulda, we coulda, we're better than the guys who just beat the hell out of us, etc."

[HoosierCat]

I'm right there with Willie. I've heard it all before...including the bit about how the players really oh truly oh give a sh*t this year. Here's hoping that they aren't just spouting smoke again. :player:

There isn't a player on the Bengals roster who has shoveled more smoke in the press than Willie Anderson. I love Highway 71 as much as the next guy, but he's always been the first guy to talk to the press and his history of empty brags and boasts is as long as the road that is his namesake. "We shoulda, we coulda, we're better than the guys who just beat the hell out of us, etc."

Yup.

[walshfan]

double yup...

[schweinhart]

If it sounds like I'm barking about the job Lewis has done then think again. However, Justin Smith isn't a Marvin Lewis draft choice and I'm not uncomfortable stating that the man who did draft Smith, Dick LeBeau, had more creative plans for using Smith. To date, Lewis has seen fit to line Smith up at the same spot on almost every down, and if he wasn't there when an opposing lineman looked...he was probably only a couple feet away on the outside....a tipoff that he wasn't pass rushing at all.

The end result of the above is opposing teams having few problems finding Smith or neutralizing him with double teams whenever they desire.

Smith does have versatility and his backside pursuit is as good as his pass rush. Moving him to the other end of the line could boost the run D, which got gashed too much on that side. And RTs are often a significant step less in pass protection than their LT counterparts so Smith at LDE does look like it would increase QB pressures, sacks, and backfield penetration overall if he's not doubled teamed a whole lot more on the strongside than he is now.

Justin vs. Ogden doesn't work too well for the Bengals but Justin vs. Zeus....that sounds like disruption.

[HairOnFire]

Justin vs. Ogden doesn't work too well for the Bengals but Justin vs. Zeus....that sounds like disruption.

The point about Smith working against larger but less mobile tackles found at RT is a good one, and it brings up another point about how differently Lewis and LeBeau have used Smith. Much to my surprise and displeasure it's fair to say that Justin flashed more pass rush moves as a rookie and 2nd year player than any time since. In my opinion BOTH coaching staffs desire for better run defense from Smith has demanded more discipline & less risk taking...resulting in the disappearance of Smith's spin move and far fewer plays where he flashes outside/inside double moves. Outside containment seems to be priority one instead of sack production. However, working against less mobile RT's should result in Smith attacking with speed and quickness more than relying on a steady diet of power moves.

The funny thing about the above is Justin Smith usually has strong games against Ogden. With the exception of one game three seasons ago where he was shut down as completely as I've ever seen...Smith has gotten a few sacks and very steady pass rush pressure...so much so that two seasons ago the Ravens stopped asking Ogden to handle Smith one-on-one and started giving Ogden steady help against Smith.

[Kazkal]

Hopfully smith does better on the left so all his h8ers will stop bitching about him.

[Kirkendall]

I'm right there with Willie. I've heard it all before...including the bit about how the players really oh truly oh give a sh*t this year. Here's hoping that they aren't just spouting smoke again. :player:

There isn't a player on the Bengals roster who has shoveled more smoke in the press than Willie Anderson. I love Highway 71 as much as the next guy, but he's always been the first guy to talk to the press and his history of empty brags and boasts is as long as the road that is his namesake. "We shoulda, we coulda, we're better than the guys who just beat the hell out of us, etc."

When you actively go looking for Bengals news and updates, most likely you'll see Willie Anderson. Good. What's wrong with that? Wasn't he a captain? Isn't he still? If not, should be.

At least when he speaks up is about the team, whether frustated or happy, and not some greedist need more money type of speel. Some earn the right to talk, whatever that may be, and Willie's ours.

[Kazkal]

Nothing wrong with talking,

as long as its not TO,corey dillon or moss talk.

[HairOnFire]

No, there's nothing unusual or wrong about his habit of talking. You might even say it's part of his job. But when he mentions how past expectations haven't been met...how it's all talk until proven...there's nobody I can think of who has offered more "smoke" than Willie. So it sounds a little funny to me hearing him comment on past expectations that turned out to be nothing more than talk.

[Kirkendall]

OK, I see your point. Nevermind then.

[HairOnFire]

Didn't figure it was worth starting a thread over, but I got a little pumped reading the article about the new defense taking its first steps today, especially the bit about Pollack lining up behind Justin on the left side. That's some firepower I could get used to watching. Didn't mind reading about Clemons not showing up today either. Kinda hope it becomes a habit.

Oh yeah, loved the bit where Chad says P-dub is looking more P-dubbish.

[schweinhart]

The funny thing about the above is Justin Smith usually has strong games against Ogden. With the exception of one game three seasons ago where he was shut down as completely as I've ever seen...Smith has gotten a few sacks and very steady pass rush pressure...so much so that two seasons ago the Ravens stopped asking Ogden to handle Smith one-on-one and started giving Ogden steady help against Smith.

I hear you Hair, but last year's match was an absolute man-on-man shutdown by Odgen from what I saw. Even on contain, Smith got pushed back way too far outside instead of being able to hold some ground to narrow the inside lane. Not a jab at Smith at all, but after watching Freeney thoroughly abuse Ogden, it would be nice to see something closer to that.

Smith and Thornton side by side on the right side had some intriguing aspects to it and it's likely some of that will be seen this year, too. How much Smith as LDE remains to be seen, but I hope it's more than less because that will mean Jumpy Jr. is building quickly on the good things he did last year. Either way, the less Big Duane at LDE the better as far as run D goes.

[HairOnFire]

Not a jab at Smith at all, but after watching Freeney thoroughly abuse Ogden, it would be nice to see something closer to that.

Won't happen. I'm a big fan of both players but IMHO they don't have comparable skills and aren't asked to do the same things. Freeney is rarely asked to do anything but pass rush and it's almost fair to say that he's allowed to freelance within the Colt's scheme. He uses speed and quickness and whirling dervish style pass rush moves that produce more sacks but also gives up more big running plays.

By comparison, the Bengals have treated Smith like an anchor for their right flank, asking him to pass rush only in ways where he can retain outside containment. There are exceptions of course, but overall it's a much more disciplined and restrained pass rushing role. In fact, Smith rarely uses inside technique unless it's his designated role in stunts and twists. Thus, there's almost no freelancing opportunities. No chances to set up a blocker....just straight up play. And speaking of straight up play, I'd guess the Bengals ran twice as many stunts that featured Clemons last season....and if Smith gets those opportunities after moving to the left I have little doubt you'll see Smith produce more sacks.

Last, I'll argue that Justin Smith has a very impressive combination of speed, quickness, moves, and power....but he's not in Freeney's class when it comes to the first three assets. Few are.

[BengalszoneBilly]

Won't happen. I'm a big fan of both players but IMHO they don't have comparable skills and aren't asked to do the same things. Freeney is rarely asked to do anything but pass rush and it's almost fair to say that he's allowed to freelance within the Colt's scheme. He uses speed and quickness and whirling dervish style pass rush moves that produce more sacks but also gives up more big running plays.

By comparison, the Bengals have treated Smith like an anchor for their right flank, asking him to pass rush only in ways where he can retain outside containment.

Might this not change with the new defensive coordinator, or do you think that scheme was implemented at the direction of head coach Marvin Lewis, and will remain in place regardless of who the teams defensive coordinator is?

[Rimington over Marino]

I am thinking Clemons in more 3rd and long situations. Letting him come in with fresh legs at his age, although he is the same age as Willie, will possibly increase his quickness. He was ahead of Smith in sacks til late in the year. He wore down late in the season. He still has more quickness than Smith.

[HairOnFire]

Might this not change with the new defensive coordinator, or do you think that scheme was implemented at the direction of head coach Marvin Lewis, and will remain in place regardless of who the teams defensive coordinator is?

Until I'm told differently I'll assume that all of the major defensive decisions are made by Lewis. I'm sure the new coordinator has plenty of input and the remarks made about the differences between Frazier and Lewis imply the coordinator is given plenty of rope....enough to hang himself if the desired results aren't produced. But major decisions about what positions players like Smith, Geathers, or Pollack line up at have to come from Lewis. And I think it's the addition and emergence of other players at other positions that has allowed Lewis to consider moving Smith to a position that has been the weak link in the teams run defense.

Considering how much I've been talking about the way Smith has been used as a pass rusher I should probably hammer another point home. My opinions about the way Smith has been restricted as a pass rusher, right or wrong, are all well and good, but I think the driving force behind giving more reps to Smith at LDE is related almost entirely around run defense. Sack production is probably an afterthought.

Frankly, Duane Clemons is a good pass rusher, and if anyone wants to argue that he's as good as Smith on that score I won't argue very much. But in run defense Clemons has been a huge liability on the left while Smith has been a team strength on the right. So with Geathers emerging as a potential starter the temptation to move Smith into Clemons spot had to be apparent to Lewis, Bresnahan, or anyone else who bothered to watch.

[HairOnFire]

I am thinking Clemons in more 3rd and long situations. Letting him come in with fresh legs at his age, although he is the same age as Willie, will possibly increase his quickness. He was ahead of Smith in sacks til late in the year. He wore down late in the season. He still has more quickness than Smith.

I've got no problem with Clemons being used in that role and I felt he was surprisingly effective moving inside on 3rd down last season while Geathers stepped into his LDE position. I also like the idea of keeping him around in a dedicated platoon with Geathers until the latter can prove he's an every down player. The idea of Clemons as a wave player who can back up both DE positions is pretty attractive to me. I just don't want to see him line up as the starting LDE anymore.