Third and ten

[Spain]

Ok Bengaldom we have completely reshuffled the D line, Justin is on the left, geathers on the right, Robinson and Thorton switched. So on third and 10 who leaves and who stays. Pollak is a monster pass rusher but IMHO is too light to rush from the right. Your not going to take Justin out and Robinson is just a run stuffer. I know he is playing the Joker and could rush or drop into coverage but I would like to see him in the pass rush on third and long. So the real ? is where does Marvin plan on using him on third and long? If you take robinson out on long passing downs what does are front four look like?

LDE Smith

DT Thorton

DT Geathers

RDE Pollak

I am perplexed.

[HoosierCat]

Smith and Geathers will be on the end, Clemons and Thornton on the inside.

[DesperateDerelict]

Geathers is much too light for DT. While we're talking about it, who do we swap out for the nickel? The dime? I can't seem to find room for Pollack on the field in long yardage situations.

[HoosierCat]

While we're talking about it, who do we swap out for the nickel? The dime? I can't seem to find room for Pollack on the field in long yardage situations.

According to reports so far, the bengals have been moving Pollack around a lot. In the nickle, I could see them sliding Pollack over to MLB and sending him straight up the middle after the QB.

[The_Next_Big_Thing]

Wow, lets hope the opposing team is as perplexed as you all are.

[HoosierCat]

Another option for Pollack is to line up at DE, according to LB coach Hunley (from pfw):

Rookie David Pollack’s primary role is at strong-side linebacker, but he will also be expected to help at defensive end in the team’s “sub” packages on passing downs. LB coach Ricky Hunley told PFW that opponents will have to account for Pollack’s pass-rushing ability, even when he’s at linebacker, and may even have to slide the protection to his side. Pollack, Cincinnati’s No. 1 pick, was a two-time Southeastern Conference Defensive Player of the Year at Georgia while starring at defensive end, but Hunley said the Bengals “knew we had a linebacker” when looking at his college tape. “He’s not the size you look for at end,” said Hunley. The Bengals took Pollack’s college teammate, LB Odell Thurman, in Round Two. While Hunley says the 6-0, 233-pound Thurman is currently somewhat “undersized” for an NFL linebacker, he believes the rookie will add the necessary bulk during his first season. Hunley is impressed with Thurman’s quick instincts, which he says allow him to play with leverage and be productive. “He gets his read, and he gets to the spot,” Hunley said.

Of course, that would mean pulling Geathers or Smith...my guess would be Geathers, at least initially.

[The_Next_Big_Thing]

Another option for Pollack is to line up at DE, according to LB coach Hunley (from pfw):

Rookie David Pollack’s primary role is at strong-side linebacker, but he will also be expected to help at defensive end in the team’s “sub” packages on passing downs. LB coach Ricky Hunley told PFW that opponents will have to account for Pollack’s pass-rushing ability, even when he’s at linebacker, and may even have to slide the protection to his side. Pollack, Cincinnati’s No. 1 pick, was a two-time Southeastern Conference Defensive Player of the Year at Georgia while starring at defensive end, but Hunley said the Bengals “knew we had a linebacker” when looking at his college tape. “He’s not the size you look for at end,” said Hunley. The Bengals took Pollack’s college teammate, LB Odell Thurman, in Round Two. While Hunley says the 6-0, 233-pound Thurman is currently somewhat “undersized” for an NFL linebacker, he believes the rookie will add the necessary bulk during his first season. Hunley is impressed with Thurman’s quick instincts, which he says allow him to play with leverage and be productive. “He gets his read, and he gets to the spot,” Hunley said.

Of course, that would mean pulling Geathers or Smith...my guess would be Geathers, at least initially.

Pulling Geathers on 3rd down? Is that not where he shined last year?

[Spain]

Sorry guys but Im still confused here, he might be are best pass rusher and he wont see third and long? Justin will do great at LDE but unless they blitz I cant see pollak getting anymore than 8 sacks a season which would be a waste. ON the Nikel I could see him covering Marvin stated he was impressed by his coverage skills at rookie minicamp. So the Middle backer will leave the formation. In the dime Simmons still is one of the best coverage LBs in the leauge. So how the hell are they going to use this beast. Well if I had too guess Marvin has been hinting about some of the things he would like to do in the Joker D. That includes moving guys to create miss matches. So we might see One of the four drop in coverage and bring a safety are a corner in order to confuse the O. So we might see Justin , Geathers, (one them drop into coverage) and Pollak rushes from the weak spot in the O. Im still trying to figure out what the hell is the Joker D that Marvin likes so much.

[Sox]

On third and long,Geathers at end,a tackle(probably Robinson)gets pulled,Justin Smith slides inside to his spot,and Pollack lines up at the spot J.Smith just vacated.He could even line up next to Geathers to change things up.

That's most likely what you'll see.

[redsfan2]

3rd and 10 ............ Where they at ??? ... inside their own 5 ? ( hopefully ) .... mid field ????? inside our 5 ???

Think any of you could be right depending on the circumstances.

[Spain]

Cant see it but if thats true dont look for a big year from Justin I would rather see him go to RDE and Pollak go to left.

[The_Next_Big_Thing]

Pollak is not going to be playing much end this year folks, get that out of your head. Geathers, Smith, and Clemons will be playing at end.

Don't be surprised if in a nickle package, Landon Johnson and Brian Simmons are our two linebackers either.....

[StripesNTn]

I like the thought of Geathers at RDE, if he can show he can stop the run go for it. Smith should be more dangaerous and simply be able to run around RTs. Pollack seems like a guy that you could put in at about 6 different spots. Both ends or all LBs depending in situation. If he is as smart and as good a cover guy as they say he is, man talk about potential to change this team and the whole game. It really seems we have the bodies now to constantly to be interchanging players and constantly show a different front. If our secondary stays strong as last year and the front catches on quickly this could be a very very interesting and confusing defense.

[HoosierCat]

Pulling Geathers on 3rd down? Is that not where he shined last year?

Yup...but there's always the chance the other team might change things up and run the ball instead. Justin plays the run pretty well. Until Geathers shows he can do that, too -- and granted he hasn't had a lot of opportunity -- I think they keep Smith in vs. Jumpy Jr. in that situation.

redsfan2:

3rd and 10 ............  Where they at ???...Think any of you could be right depending on the circumstances.

Yup again. The bottom line is that, assuming Pollack lives up to the hype, he won't be a problem but an opportunity. In that case, he could line up in any of the backer spots or on either end, depending on the situation.

[Spain]

Do you guys know they have already been switched as reported by the oficial site?

[The_Next_Big_Thing]

Pulling Geathers on 3rd down?  Is that not where he shined last year?

Yup...but there's always the chance the other team might change things up and run the ball instead. Justin plays the run pretty well. Until Geathers shows he can do that, too -- and granted he hasn't had a lot of opportunity -- I think they keep Smith in vs. Jumpy Jr. in that situation.

They aren't going to pull Smith or Geathers on 3rd downs.

[TecmoFever]

Pulling Geathers on 3rd down?  Is that not where he shined last year?

Yup...but there's always the chance the other team might change things up and run the ball instead. Justin plays the run pretty well. Until Geathers shows he can do that, too -- and granted he hasn't had a lot of opportunity -- I think they keep Smith in vs. Jumpy Jr. in that situation.

I don't understand this statement. If you can't have a pass-rushing guy who is weak against the run on the field on 3rd and 10, then when can you have him on the field? Yes, there's always a chance for a run, but if you can't hold a draw play to under ten yards most of the time, then there's a bigger problem than just Geathers.

[HoosierCat]

Pulling Geathers on 3rd down?  Is that not where he shined last year?

Yup...but there's always the chance the other team might change things up and run the ball instead. Justin plays the run pretty well. Until Geathers shows he can do that, too -- and granted he hasn't had a lot of opportunity -- I think they keep Smith in vs. Jumpy Jr. in that situation.

I don't understand this statement.

It's pretty straightforward. If you decide to go into a nickel D on third-and-long, and you want to keep Pollack on the field (say NBT is right that Johnson and Simmons will be the two nickle backers), then moving him to DE is the way to go. In that case you either slide one of your current DEs inside (as Sox suggested) or substitute Pollack for either Geathers or Smith. In that case, Geathers seems the more logical choice to me. Wheather he's weak against the run or not, we simply don't know. As I said before, he hasn't had a chance to show if he can be a three-down DE yet. But since we do know Smith can handle the run, swapping out Geathers for Pollack makes the most sense.

If Geathers does get a chance to shine, then playing Pollack in Smith's spot occasionally becomes yet another wrinkle in the defensive playbook. (Which is why I originally said Geathers seems to me the choice...initially.)

All that said, I expect they'll employ the "sub" package Hunley talks about sparingly. The vast majority of snaps all these guys get will be at their primary positions. I think our nickle backers will end up being Pollack (in the middle) and Simmons, with Smith and Geathers on the ends. But expect a few wrinkles now and then.

[Kazkal]

"Pollak is not going to be playing much end this year folks, get that out of your head. Geathers, Smith, and Clemons will be playing at end."

Is your name marvin lewis? can't really say what he'll do for sure sense were not marvin

[Spain]

Pass rsuh is oe of the easiest things to do as a rookie, with that being said I would think Geathers is moving inside and we will have the combo of Pollak and J Smith.

[The_Next_Big_Thing]

"Pollak is not going to be playing much end this year folks, get that out of your head. Geathers, Smith, and Clemons will be playing at end."

Is your name marvin lewis? can't really say what he'll do for sure sense were not marvin

No, my name isn't Marvin Lewis. However, I'm willing to put money on my knowledge of Marvin Lewis and how he will end up using his players. Are you?

[Kazkal]

Nope but I think Big Orange could be marvin

[BengalPappaw]

What is going on? Take out Geathers, Take out Smith, take out Pollack -- WHY???

IMO Pollack will be the pass rushing OLB. Smith and Geathers will be DE. How about Clemons and Thorton at DT? :player:

[HairOnFire]

IMO Pollack will be the pass rushing OLB. Smith and Geathers will be DE. How about Clemons and Thorton at DT? :player:

Yeah, what he said.

[HoosierCat]

What is going on? Take out Geathers, Take out Smith, take out Pollack -- WHY???

Because we're talking about the nickel formation, which swaps out a linebacker for an additional corner. So either Pollack, Landon (currently our starting MLB) or Simmons has to jog off. I suspect we'll see various nickel packages involving Pollack/Landon, Pollack/Simmons, and Landon/Simmons, depending on the situation and match-ups.

IMO Pollack will be the pass rushing OLB.  Smith and Geathers will be DE.  How about Clemons and Thorton at DT?     :player:

Works for me. If you do that in the nickel, slide Simmons back to the middle -- not like he hasn't been there before -- and double up corners on the weak side.