Fantasy Value

[The Big Orange]

While in Kroger this morning I read over The Sporting News analysis and predictions which they have Bengals winning the AFC North. They predicted us going 9-7...the Ravens the same, Pitt 8-8, Browns 2-14 (that's generous).

Anyway, I always enjoy reading fantasy rags predicting how well they think our players will do.

Most view Hoouoiuouuooouoousch as under valued and Warrick as over valued. TSN rated Carson as 9th best QB (projection), Chad as 3rd best WR (which 3-5 is about normal), and Rudi as 13th best RB.

But the big surprise was that they said they would not be surprised if our D shot up to the 8th-5th ranking by the end of the season (fantasy-value of course, which includes ST). I wet myself.

Is it possible? The Sporting News is a pretty big rag and though I mistrust all media as the work of Satan, I still indulge myself from time to time.

[CantStop85]

If the defense forces the number of turnovers it did last year, it could be of solid value in fantasy leagues. I see a lot more sacks this year and maybe a couple more interceptions.

Not the craziest thing I've ever heard.

[The_Next_Big_Thing]

I won my league last year starting the Bengals defense, picked in the last round.

[CTBengalsFan]

the Bengals defense had like the 6th most fantasy points last year I think...

[BengalszoneBilly]

But the big surprise was that they said they would not be surprised if our D shot up to the 8th-5th ranking by the end of the season (fantasy-value of course, which includes ST).  I wet myself.

Is it possible?  The Sporting News is a pretty big rag and though I mistrust all media as the work of Satan, I still indulge myself from time to time.

Why does everyone consider that if this happened it would be such a big freaking surprise?!?

Hasn't anyone even taken the time to research the coaching career of Marvin Lewis. Look at the top defenses he helped create in Baltimore and in Washington. Now let me ask you how the hell could you be surprised?

I got news for all you guys. IMHO the 2005 Cincinnati Bengals will be greatly feared/respected, but it won't have as much to do with the Bengals offense as it will a "swarming-stifling-ass-kicking-take-the-f**king-ball-away-from-the-other-team-and-hand-it-to-Carson-and-his-boys-to-do-their-thing-one-more-time-defense!"

And BTW Big "O," not all media is the work of "Satan." The media does happen to carry a Bengals game from time to time you know. Just because they do the same thing for the Browns hardly makes them "Satanic!" Lets just say they have human frailties.

[walshfan]

I would agree with the offensive rankings of our players.....for now....

As for the defense.....

IF Robinson comes thru and IF the linebackers make the tackles we will have a good unit.........

[derekshank]

I got news for all you guys. IMHO the 2005 Cincinnati Bengals will be greatly feared/respected, but it won't have as much to do with the Bengals offense as it will a "swarming-stifling-ass-kicking-take-the-f**king-ball-away-from-the-other-team-and-hand-it-to-Carson-and-his-boys-to-do-their-thing-one-more-time-defense!"

And I'm sure you believe this to be true based completely on statistical analysis, rather than the fact that you are a Bengals fan.

The fact is that regardless of the fantasy numbers, our defense didn't scare anybody last year, and if I recall, we were coached by Marvin Lewis last year too. No one has reason to be intimidated by our defense just yet. I hope you're right billy, but I'm not ready to make such bold, matter of fact statements about how great our defense will be this year.

I think our defense couldl be good enough to not cost us games this year. Maybe I'll be ready to make such statements about our D next offseason... we'll have to see how this year plays out.

[CantStop85]

Last year, our defense was tied for third in most takeaways with 36. Only Buffalo (39) and Carolina (38) had more. We were eighth in interceptions with 20, the same amount as New England. We were tied for third with New England with 16 Fumble Recoveries.

We could force turnovers, but we could not stop the opposing offenses any other way (mainly because of the run defense).

And speaking of the run defense, it was much improved from the beginning of the season to the end. Probably, in part, because of Landon Johnson being moved to the middle.

[walshfan]

Last year our run defense made every back in the league look like the second coming of Jim Brown.. Lets me real here.. We need the linebackers to step it up and quit missing tackles llike last year.. Robinson has to open lanes for them to make plays.. Fantasy aside if we are to make it to the playoffs the single most important contribution may me made by our man Robinson...

[BengalszoneBilly]

And I'm sure you believe this to be true based completely on statistical analysis

Yes I did! As I said

"Hasn't anyone even taken the time to research the coaching career of Marvin Lewis. Look at the top defenses he helped create in Baltimore and in Washington. Now let me ask you how the hell could you be surprised?"

Based on the statistics from those years, the odds favor the Bengals defense being as I described they would.

[The Big Orange]

I remember a time last year...I think it was during a Pittsburgh game that our corners and line were really clicking that I almost dared those guys to try a passing play over 5 yards, between the sacks and picks/near picks.

We were very good in the take away department. In stripping the ball, Brian Simmons is one of the best in the league. If they don't have the old Marriucci 4- point hold going on, Simmons put it on the ground.

Tory also had some amazing diving int's. Keiwan had a lot of knockdowns...and Madeiu was just a blur on every play...he will soon be as good as Ed Reed and Troy Polamalu (call this homerville if you want...you just watch). THIS GUY IS SPECIAL.

Our run defense up the gut wasn't bad...it was around the perimeter where the OLB and SS should be there at the point of attack that we really stunk at...especially early on. Shedding tackles was the weakest part of our game (besides not having a TE).

That's why I disagree that it is up to Robinson if we are going to make it. It's far more up to the DE's, LB's, and SS...the SS part is what makes most of us nervous, along with the rookie LB's. I think Mitchell is going to have a huge year...

I'm more concerned about the LB's...especially early on...Our O needs to put up 30+ a game for the first few...we will lose if we dip below 25 in the first 5 games.

[derekshank]

And I'm sure you believe this to be true based completely on statistical analysis

Yes I did! As I said

"Hasn't anyone even taken the time to research the coaching career of Marvin Lewis. Look at the top defenses he helped create in Baltimore and in Washington. Now let me ask you how the hell could you be surprised?"

Based on the statistics from those years, the odds favor the Bengals defense being as I described they would.

That's true, and if I recall I said

The fact is that regardless of the fantasy numbers, our defense didn't scare anybody last year, and if I recall, we were coached by Marvin Lewis last year too.

I'm not debating the fact that we will be better. I really believe that we will, with the changes and the new look... but we will not be known for our defense... not yet.

I never really took you for a homer billy, which is why this post surprised me a little. Yes, Marvin had success with his other teams as a defensive coordinator, and yes, you can assume that because of his presence, we will improve. But he has been here for two years, and our defense has been awful, so just citing his name is not enough to get me excited about how dominating our defense will be.

Until actual on the field evidence proves otherwise, we suck... hopefully though our potential that Big O was talking about will pan out, and we will suck less.