Pondering the Defense

[Green 66]

I am not trying to be like some on this board, and claim that the sky is falling but i was thinking about the lack of consistancy on the defensive side of the ball. Is part of the problem with the Defense the offensive nature of the Bengals as a whole. the defense will make big plays when they have too, but when the pressure is off is when it is the most frustrating to watch them give up the big play. Are the Defensive players just too comfortable with the offense and as a result dont put in their maximum effort till the game is actually on the line? Maybe ive just had too much post game beverages in me but i was just pondering the issue of the defensive inconsistancy and thought this might be part of the reason behind it. If im way off let me know

Mike Green

Waynesville Ohio

[Stripes]

I think the big plays are a result of the defensive line failing to get consistent pressure on the quarterback. Anyone can find an open man down the field if given enough time. I think this is a result of simple poor talent on the defensive line.

[Green 66]

I agree however there have been several cases this season, example would be the last steeler game when the Defense played really well on the final down to give the ball back to the offense to seal with win, same case if i remember correctly with the Jacksonville game. the Talent level does need to improve without question however is the level that is there as bad as some of the stats dictate?

Mike Green

Waynesville Ohio

[Stripes]

the Talent level does need to improve without question but is the level that is there as bad as some of the states dictate?

I suppose that is the million dollar question on defense. The secondary and linebacking corps are both loaded with talent, albeit young. All of our speed on defense has lead to an NFL leading interception total, but the youht behind that speed also causes mistackling and mental errors out there. Beyond that, I think it is just a bad defensive line making jobs more difficult for linebacker and defensive backs.

To answer your original question, I don't think they are slacking off. They are part of a huge turnaround for this franchise, and for that simple reason, I'd assume they're playing their hearts out for the most part.

[derekshank]

There are two missing components on this team. A decent pass rush, and good safeties. Both of these are resulting in our defense being rather inconsistent, because we are much more vulnerable to big plays.

Anybody can find the open man when they don't have to worry about being sacked... and when the safeties are 2nd and 3rd string, you know guys will get open eventually.

Our rush defense worries are a thing of the past. We've only had 2 bad games this whole season. If they could be magically erased, we would have the 6th ranked rushing defense, allowing only 98.2 yards/game.

But with no pass rush, and no Madieu, teams like the Colts are going to be able to carve us up. Our offense can keep us in these games... but teams without great WR's, like the Cheifs and Broncos play into our style right now.

[HairOnFire]

I am not trying to be like some on this board, and claim that the sky is falling but i was thinking about the lack of consistancy on the defensive side of the ball.

The sky is falling?

Ask yourself this question. Did you like what you saw of the Bengals defense against the Lions more than what you've seen since the 1st Steeler game? Because if you did you're probably like me, which makes you a bigger fan of overload blitzes and constantly changing coverages...rather than a fan of stacked fronts and soft zone coverages.

The truth of the matter is that there's never been a GUToBD (Grand Unified Theory of Bad Defense), at least not in the way others have described. It's simply a matter of whether THIS team's defense is better suited to attack an opposing teams offensive weaknesses OR if it's better served to more conservatively gameplan according to it's own defensive shortcomings.

Until I see convincing evidence that proves otherwise I'm going to continue believing that the Bengals defense is better served by constantly attacking the weaknesses of other teams, and considering how most teams are built that almost always means the passing game. And that's true laregely because in most games, including the one we just watched, the Bengals offense has proven that it can negate the Bengals weak run defense by scoring so many points that the opposing teams have to abandon their running games early. And even when that hasn't been possible the slowing scoring pace of the run dominated game has dictated that the Bengals can still win most of these games provided the Bengals offense isn't completely short circuiting.

Again, looking at a very robust 11-3 record I doubt anyone is claiming the sky is falling. It's simply a matter of differing opinion about how a fairly average Bengal defense is best utilized, and on that point I'm strongly in favor of leaning heavily on the Bengals defensive AND offensive strengths. Or if you prefer, I hate the idea of gameplanning around one of your own weaknesses.