Most important player on D

[redsfan2]

I read Daughertys article in the Enquirer today. It's pretty much the same ol' whaa ... whaa about Pollacks holdout. He takes a few shots at most everybody without offering any real alternatives other than asking the coach what he would do If " He were king for a day " ... and then agreeing with him.

The one thing that did catch my eye and start me to thinking was at the end where he says that Pollack is the most important player on the defense. Now he is a sportswriter by trade and I'm not ... so I'll defer to his greater knowledge about the game and sports in general ( here comes the but ) .... BUT ...... The guy is a rookie fer chrissakes! How can a rookie be your most important player anywhere ?????

My second thought was that -------------- was probably a lot more important to the defense ... And you know what ???? Nobody came to mind. So I went and looked at the depth chart .... and still nobody jumped out at me. I ... for one, can't point to a guy and say " He's the most important guy we have on defense ".

I have to ask you guys .... Do we even have a " most important guy " ?? If so .... Who is he ??

I need direction and counsel

[redsbengalsbucks]

The most important player to the Bengals defense is Rudi Johnson. If he continues to control the ball and run for first downs he allows the defense to sit and rest. This is an important part of any defense, but with the no name defense we have I think it is more important than ever. Hopefully the Bengals will employ a ball control offense to help the defense this year, along with the bomb every once and awhile. This offense will make the deep game even better and help protect the run defense from themselves.

[ShulaSteakhouse]

Yeah you're right there really is no stand-out player on this defense (one of their problems).

I would think one or two would emerge over time amongst Madeiu, Geathers, Pollack, LJ and Thurman. They seem to be the ones with the most upside, and should be the core for a while I hope.

[Geep]

I'd wager a fair amount on Madeiu. He's going to be a force to be reckoned with.

[redsfan2]

The most important player to the Bengals defense is Rudi Johnson. If he continues to control the ball and run for first downs he allows the defense to sit and rest. This is an important part of any defense, but with the no name defense we have I think it is more important than ever. Hopefully the Bengals will employ a ball control offense to help the defense this year, along with the bomb every once and awhile. This offense will make the deep game even better and help protect the run defense from themselves.

Now that's just funny. 2nd most important player to the D is Palmer, and 3rd is Chad.

Defensive scheme is that we get the ball on the first series .... score ...... and then get it at the end of the game ....... and score.

[redsfan2]

I agree on the upside of the guys that Geep and Shula named, .... but I'm talking about right now. Since you guys are talking about future contributors, ( or the offense ) you evidently feel the same way I do ... at this point there just isn't one.

[bengalboomer7]

As far as player goes, there isn't one. I think right now the most important guy on defens is Chuck Breshnhan(I know that's spelled wrong) Even though the scheme doesn't change that much, hopefully his fire and his own personal philosophy will be the personality of this defense

[redsfan2]

As far as player goes, there isn't one. I think right now the most important guy on defens is Chuck Breshnhan(I know that's spelled wrong) Even though the scheme doesn't change that much, hopefully his fire and his own personal philosophy will be the personality of this defense

Hadn't considered coaches ... or coordinators, but that's a good point. Kinda like Miamis' NoName defense in years gone by, or even prior to that The Purple People Eaters of Minnesota. No stand outs either place, but just plain good as a unit. I could live with that ........ hell ... that'd be a big step up

[clevelandbengal]

I would say when he gets going it will be Odell. He is the middle linebacker and will be the field general.

[Spain]

Steinbach , Rudi can be replaced if Bach gets hurt our running game is screwed!

[skyline]

I would say when he gets going it will be Odell. He is the middle linebacker and will be the field general.

Yeah, I was going to say MLB, generally speaking. They're all important, and if any one of them screws up, then the defense is shot as a whole. But the MLB is often referred to as the quarterback of the defense, right? He calls the shots...

[DC_Bengals_Fan]

I have to ask you guys .... Do we even have a " most important guy " ?? If so .... Who is he ??

Depends how you define important. Most outstanding based on last year? Gotta go with James. Most important for continued improvement on D? Robinson. Biggest potential hole? Whoever wins the SS job or O'Neal (if he reverts to Denver form). Biggest question? Thurman, playing MLB as a rookie or Geathers playing running downs. Most dependable? Thornton and Simmons. Most potential? Williams (really good already), Thurman, Pollack. Most upside this year? James and Smith. Best insurance? Landon Johnson, Ratliff, Clemons.

To me, important means the guy who will have the greatest impact on W/L this year vs. last. That's why I'd go with Robinson - he has the best chance to instantly improve the run stop.

Overall, I think the Bengals have the chance to develop a solid, no-name defense, which is just fine with me.

[DesperateDerelict]

Now he is a sportswriter by trade and I'm not ... so I'll defer to his greater knowledge about the game and sports in general

Y'all probably aren't going to like these thoughts, but too bad.

1) Daugherty is a tool, who has no knowledge of organized sports . . . quoting "Doc" does not help you win any arguments, more likely the reverse.

2) The most important player right now on 'D' has got to be Bryan Robinson . . . Nobody else is capable of doing their job and utilizing their skills if the big guy doesn't clog up the middle - He is as important to us as an NT in a good 3-4 defense.

3) A close 2nd would be the fans - I don't think we are experienced enough to dominate on the road, but we damn sure need to be a top ten "D" in the Jungle!

[Benzoo]

That defense is still developing, and I'm okay with that.

They've got the bright youngsters that were already mentioned, and that's what's important. Those two vet corners are steady, and have been known to ball hawk.

They aren't as good as they're gonna be, but when they are, the big names will present themselves with authority.

The further development of the defense is one of the stroylines that I'll be following closely.

[BlainThePain]

Madieu Williams. We are already thin at safety and everybody else has a backup that is about at the same talent level as the starter. If Williams goes down, you will see more big plays against our new and improved Cincinnati "Pounce" defense.

[Bobcat Bengal]

Yeah you're right there really is no stand-out player on this defense (one of their problems).

I would think one or two would emerge over time amongst Madeiu, Geathers, Pollack, LJ and Thurman. They seem to be the ones with the most upside, and should be the core for a while I hope.

Not gonna be no-name for long, I can assure you that.

Not with the way Madieu, Landon, Robert, Keiwan and hopefully, Odell and Dave have been/will be playing.

[redsfan2]

Y'all probably aren't going to like these thoughts, but too bad.

1) Daugherty is a tool, who has no knowledge of organized sports  . . . quoting "Doc" does not help you win any arguments, more likely the reverse.

Yeah ...... you probably missed it, but that's why I didn't agree with his assessment ....... which lead to the topic ... and so on.

You're the 2nd guy to say Robinson, so maybe there's something to that .... same with MLB, but that is conditional on " when he gets going".

Anybody not liking what you have to say isn't a prerequisite for chiming in. People don't like some of the things I say either and tell me to take a hike ... but then you probably get that a lot too.

[The_Next_Big_Thing]

In my opinion, the most important guy on the defense right now is Kim Herring. Yes, that's right, the guy we are still waiting to get a full year from. He's a veteran who has been to the playoffs, and his leadership of the very, very young team is essential. He is a guy who must help cover the run from the strong safety position, and he must cover the pass as well.

If Kim Herring is successful, our defense will be successful.

[redsfan2]

I have to ask you guys .... Do we even have a " most important guy " ?? If so .... Who is he ??

Depends how you define important. Most outstanding based on last year? Gotta go with James. Most important for continued improvement on D? Robinson. Biggest potential hole? Whoever wins the SS job or O'Neal (if he reverts to Denver form). Biggest question? Thurman, playing MLB as a rookie or Geathers playing running downs. Most dependable? Thornton and Simmons. Most potential? Williams (really good already), Thurman, Pollack. Most upside this year? James and Smith. Best insurance? Landon Johnson, Ratliff, Clemons.

To me, important means the guy who will have the greatest impact on W/L this year vs. last. That's why I'd go with Robinson - he has the best chance to instantly improve the run stop.

Overall, I think the Bengals have the chance to develop a solid, no-name defense, which is just fine with me.

I was defining important in the context of the article.

Other guys have mentioned Robinson .... could be ........ Simmons has been mentioned in another thread as having lost a step, and not being as effective this year. That combined with his unwillingness to assume a leadership role ( I think ) kind of argues against him. He's one of the guys that I think every year is going to be the year that he really steps up. Like the rest of you I'm still waiting. Maybe as Bengals fans we're used to that.

Like I said above, a collective group of guys that play really well together is fine by me as well.

[kingwilly]

The most important player on the bengals D (meaning who would hurt the most to lose) is pobably Madieu. Then Simmons, Tory, Deltha, RObinson and Thurman...in that order.

The most important player(s) to the bengals D is probably Kyle Larson and Shane Graham.

then in order of decending importance....

Rudi

Palmer

Chad

TJ

Perry

Interesting thread.

[ArmyBengal]

Madieu Williams. We are already thin at safety and everybody else has a backup that is about at the same talent level as the starter. If Williams goes down, you will see more big plays against our new and improved Cincinnati "Pounce" defense.

Couldn't have said it better. He's the most important not only due to his playmaking abilities, but if he goes down, we're screwed at the safety position. Don't mention K2 as a suitable starter if something (God Forbid) were to happen to Madieu either, because I'm NOT AT ALL impressed by his play and no I don't care if he does come cheap. Ever heard the term you get what you pay for ?? There you go... Anyway, safety position is an issue IMO...

WHODEY !!!

[alleycat]

If we're talking most important and not 'best,' I think this question gets answered by who are you going to be the most vulnerable without? That makes them important. ODell may be a helluva player one day and run the D, but we're deep at backer and Landon et. al. could step in for him. Also deep at corner. And the line, though it still needs to prove/improve itself, is pretty even between first and second string. So my vote is absolutely Madieu. Without him we're in BIG trouble.

My wish list for the draft next year already has SS at the top (I was dying for Thomas Davis, but Pollack made me happy), followed by a beast DT (losing hope on Askew) and/or helluva pass rushing DE (even if Justin weren't going into FA).

EDIT: Sorry for the redundancy, the previous two posts came up while I was typing.

[DC_Bengals_Fan]

Anyway, safety position is an issue IMO...

I don't think there's any question - SS is the only position on D that isn't settled, and it isn't because the candidates are all so fantastic. I'd say whoever wins that battle (Herring?) is easily the weakest starter on either offense or defense.

That does make Madieu more important for sure - if one safety position is weak, it puts more pressure on the other, so let's hope he does stay healthy.

Maybe it's just me, but I don't think the Bengals have the depth at linebacker - at least quality - that some of you believe they do. Especially until Pollack gets up to speed, it looks kind of thin these days, with Webster practically useless and Hardy gone. I'm not so enthused with the 2nd team LBs right now.

Now, in two months when they effectively have 4 starter quality linebackers, I'll feel a little better.

[alleycat]

I don't know. Stevens and Wilkins haven't looked bad in camp. And then there's Miller. I thought he was useless last year mostly because he got swallowed by blocks, but he put on some serious bulk in the off-season. With the ankle injury I'm guessing he's put on even more upper body strength. He certainly has the speed. There's also been recent talk of Webster possibly being ready before the regular season, though that seems like some wishful thinking.

[Columbusbengal]

Overall, I think the Bengals have the chance to develop a solid, no-name defense, which is just fine with me.

I'll bet a lot of great defenses started out as "no name" defenses. When their teams started winning, national media types started LEARNING their players' names. When the Bengal youngsters start maturing and stopping teams cold, we'll suddenly have a whole team of pro bowl players.