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Third and ten


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I think they have said what they will do. Pollack will be on the strong side over the tight end. On third and long they may slide Thurman over to cover the TE if he doesn't stay in to block Pollack. If the TE doesn't block Pollack he may crush the QB. Few RB can block him.

Essentially it will be like a 3-4. In a 3-4 you have 2 OLB that can rush the QB, especially third and long. With Pollack it will be a 5-2 look. No personnel will come out.

I expect Pollack, Smith and Geathers or Clemons to all rush in the nickel. With Robinson and Thornton in the middle.

I never understood why it was 5 offensive linemen against 4 DL. Sometimes we had 6 against 4, with the TE blocking. Why have we never sent more than they could block. Why put 7 back in coverage? I say more pressure.

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Essentially it will be like a 3-4. In a 3-4 you have 2 OLB that can rush the QB, especially third and long. With Pollack it will be a 5-2 look. No personnel will come out.

How about a 6 -1? or a 7 - 0?

When opposing teams have an empty backfield, they can run 3 WRs & 2 TEs, 4 & 1, or split out 5 FAST wide receivers. What Linebacker do we have that you want covering a smurf-quick wide-out? Do you really want Kim Herring covering a primary receiver one-on-one?

Our nickel package will add Ratliff, and our dime will include another DB (Brooks?). That means running a 4 - 1 - 6, with Smith, Thornton, Clemons, and Geathers as a pass rush and 1 linebacker with quarterback containment.

My guess is Marvin Lewis would tab Simmons for this role, but I think Caleb Miller would excel at it.

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Well...the most versatile nickel LBs are hands down Landon and Simmons because both can cover well over the middle and rush the passer, which frees up DB blitzes and keeps QBs guessing.

The Bengals definitely got more personnel in the mix for packages this year...An excellent luxury plus a testament to depth in the event of injuries. A lot of who plays what and when will be sorted out in the next few months.

I'd rather see Thurman and Pollack wired more for stopping the run in their rookie years. No doubt they'll have to deal with some coverages but the secondary can fend for itself fairly well. The run D has to consistently show up this year to get to the playoffs.

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