Ratliff

[bengalsfan4lifekf]

i personally love ratliff on defense because he makes big plays when he is in

but i hate him returnig punts we have to give Oneal a chance delta did great with

denver

[Stripes]

Keiwan is one of my favorite Bengals. I love having him as our third cornerback, that is some of the best depth in the league at the position. He has struggled in returning punts this year, I think he has been to hesistant to hit the holes, and has relied on the fair catch too often. Still, I think he will improve. Last year he showed flashes of being a very good returner, and I think given more time he will be back in form.

[buck3y3d]

I like Ratliff for his hard hitting style. His coverage is developing and I think he will transition nicely to a starter.

I hate him returning punts. I would kind of like to try Tab or maybe even Walter back there. I don't know how Walter fields the punts, but he is big and could break some tackles for a solid 10 yard gain consistently.

[AMC]

Marvin is grooming him to take over for Tory in a few years...I see them extending Ratliff's contract while they can extend him for cheaper.

I like how you can see Marvin's TEN YEAR PLAN coming together. You look at the roster and you can start to see young replacements being groomed in just 3 drafts. Odell, Pollack, Landon, Keiwan, Madieu, Geathers, Carson, Chris Perry, Guy-check...Some are already starting of course...Marvin has a plan....

[jrandom42]

i personally love ratliff on defense because he makes big plays when he is in

but i hate him returnig punts we have to give Oneal a chance delta did great with

denver

You really think it's a good idea to have one of your starting cornerbacks returning punts?

[DC_Bengals_Fan]

I like Ratliff for his hard hitting style. His coverage is developing and I think he will transition nicely to a starter.

I hate him returning punts. I would kind of like to try Tab or maybe even Walter back there. I don't know how Walter fields the punts, but he is big and could break some tackles for a solid 10 yard gain consistently.

Dunno about Walter returning punts. I mean, when I'm thinking about who to put back there to return punts, I don't think big, slow, straight-line runner. Tab maybe.

Incidentally, it takes a certain mentality to return punts. I'd be happy with a guy who gets his 5-6 yds per return, NEVER MUFFS, doesn't fair-catch on the 2, and doesn't go crazy with the changes of direction that invite blocks in the back. Basically, I think punt returners (though not kick returners) are overrated - the risk isn't worth the extra 2 yards you'll average between a "good" and "average" returner. Maybe that's Marvin's plan - get the ball back and don't screw up.

Incidentally, I'll agree with the general sentiment - for now, Ratliff makes a nice nickelback. Later, maybe even a quality starter.

[ShulaSteakhouse]

I like Ratliff for his hard hitting style. His coverage is developing and I think he will transition nicely to a starter.

I hate him returning punts. I would kind of like to try Tab or maybe even Walter back there. I don't know how Walter fields the punts, but he is big and could break some tackles for a solid 10 yard gain consistently.

Dunno about Walter returning punts. I mean, when I'm thinking about who to put back there to return punts, I don't think big, slow, straight-line runner. Tab maybe.

Incidentally, it takes a certain mentality to return punts. I'd be happy with a guy who gets his 5-6 yds per return, NEVER MUFFS, doesn't fair-catch on the 2, and doesn't go crazy with the changes of direction that invite blocks in the back. Basically, I think punt returners (though not kick returners) are overrated - the risk isn't worth the extra 2 yards you'll average between a "good" and "average" returner. Maybe that's Marvin's plan - get the ball back and don't screw up.

Incidentally, I'll agree with the general sentiment - for now, Ratliff makes a nice nickelback. Later, maybe even a quality starter.

Agree with all of that. Last I checked the Bengals are 30th in PR's. At what point do you change the return man? Ratliff has ability, but I think he needs to get stronger and be more physical. He's a good open field tackler, but gets used by big WR's (Eagles preseason game) and has trouble downfield more than he should. His strength is in closing on people not running with them. So I think he's a career nickel back - and a decent one with potential still, as that's ideal for him. When you lose good Cb's and he has to play on the outside, that means you don't have as good of a d-backfield as you could/should.