Bengals Play Sloppy And Still Win; Other Observations
Oct 8, 2017 21:25:25 GMT -5
Rodneck likes this
Post by 77bengal on Oct 8, 2017 21:25:25 GMT -5
The Bengals played some sloppy football today, but still got the win. I hope that this is an indication that better days lie ahead, but as long as Brown is calling the shots, Lewis is strolling the sideline and Dalton continues to play like his head is on fire (no pun intended), this team will always be behind the eight-ball.
Dalton threw three picks today. Two were on him, one wasn't. He also made a couple of really bad decisions but hey, that's Dalton. Cethan Carter dropped what should've been an easy catch for a big gain and AJ Green uncharacteristically fumbled the ball away after a big catch deep in Bills territory. But he also came up big with 189 yards and a TD. Credit the 'D' for coming up big for this 'W'.
The Bengals are still a very undisciplined team ala Lewis. There are a lot of examples I could list demonstrating such, but I'll only list a couple of the most obvious.
Bengal DE's were continually moving inside instead of protecting the edge. This allowed the Bills to gain far too many 'easy yards'.
Vontaze Burfict came within a 'flop' by Tyrod Taylor of being suspended once again after he gave the Bills QB a push in the back after both had ran out of bounds. Other than that, Burfict was a beast. Too bad he makes too many stupid decisions because he could become a great leader and lift the defense to greater heights much like Ray Lewis did in Baltimore. I don't think he'll ever understand that. Too bad.
Here are some other problems that I've noticed this year.
After receiving a lot of fanfare, Andrew Billings has been a non-factor. The run-plugging, QB chasing DT out of Baylor has been AWOL. He has time to turn it around, but the 'B' word has crossed my mind.
Jordan Willis and Chris Smith are being hampered by too much playing time being allotted to Micheal Johnson. Neither player can get anything going by being put into games so sporadically. Willis and Smith are the teams future at DE and both are already much better players than Johnson and have proven so on the field.
Bill Lazor was almost assuredly going to improve the Bengals offense after taking over for Ken Zampese, but is it enough? To date, no. Lazor may have improved the play of the offense, but his play calling on certain downs is very questionable and sometimes down right nuts. Regardless of whether Lewis leaves or comes back, Lazor is not the answer and should be replaced. However, Lazor has the rest of this season to prove he belongs, but he needs to really up his game. To say his offensive game plan is predictable would be an understatement.
Where's Tyler Boyd? Boyd had over 600 receiving yards last year and was primed for an even bigger season this year, but he's disappeared. What's going on? Something tells me that we don't know the whole story.
Cody Core was one of the best stories this year in training camp, he was in great shape, knew the playbook and played well, but he too has disappeared. Josh Malone was also looking like a contributor, but he's rarely been on the game day roster. I hate to say it, but it looks like Brandon LaFell is playing too much and taking snaps away from both of these guys. Lewis just doesn't get it.
But not all is lost.
Carl Lawson has a shot at earning Defensive Rookie of the Year honors. His ability to get to the QB was on display once again today. Like Willis and Smith, Lawson has got to receive more playing time.
Nick Vigil continues to play great. Vigil had his hands full today by going head-to-head with future Hall of Famer LeSean McCoy but Vigil held his own. Kevin Minter has also looked good in the small amount of time he's actually been on the field.
Darqueze Dennard and Tyler Kroft have turned their careers around by putting together solid seasons so far. If Kroft can continue to demonstrate that he's the teams long term answer at TE, the Bengals will have some leverage when and if they decide to extend Tyler Eifert. But my gut tells me that Eifert wants to move on and possibly play with Tom Brady. We shall see.
George Iloka has never been known as a 'ball hawk', but he may be trying to change that. Iloka has at least two interceptions this year which bodes well for the 'D'. And speaking of safeties, Clayton Fejedelem has done a nice job. Fejedelem has made a few good plays on defense and on special teams. Not bad for a seventh rounder.
Ryan Glasgow has done a nice job in a rotational role. Not only has Glasgow played well, but his relentless motor sets a standard for all to live up to.
Dalton threw three picks today. Two were on him, one wasn't. He also made a couple of really bad decisions but hey, that's Dalton. Cethan Carter dropped what should've been an easy catch for a big gain and AJ Green uncharacteristically fumbled the ball away after a big catch deep in Bills territory. But he also came up big with 189 yards and a TD. Credit the 'D' for coming up big for this 'W'.
The Bengals are still a very undisciplined team ala Lewis. There are a lot of examples I could list demonstrating such, but I'll only list a couple of the most obvious.
Bengal DE's were continually moving inside instead of protecting the edge. This allowed the Bills to gain far too many 'easy yards'.
Vontaze Burfict came within a 'flop' by Tyrod Taylor of being suspended once again after he gave the Bills QB a push in the back after both had ran out of bounds. Other than that, Burfict was a beast. Too bad he makes too many stupid decisions because he could become a great leader and lift the defense to greater heights much like Ray Lewis did in Baltimore. I don't think he'll ever understand that. Too bad.
Here are some other problems that I've noticed this year.
After receiving a lot of fanfare, Andrew Billings has been a non-factor. The run-plugging, QB chasing DT out of Baylor has been AWOL. He has time to turn it around, but the 'B' word has crossed my mind.
Jordan Willis and Chris Smith are being hampered by too much playing time being allotted to Micheal Johnson. Neither player can get anything going by being put into games so sporadically. Willis and Smith are the teams future at DE and both are already much better players than Johnson and have proven so on the field.
Bill Lazor was almost assuredly going to improve the Bengals offense after taking over for Ken Zampese, but is it enough? To date, no. Lazor may have improved the play of the offense, but his play calling on certain downs is very questionable and sometimes down right nuts. Regardless of whether Lewis leaves or comes back, Lazor is not the answer and should be replaced. However, Lazor has the rest of this season to prove he belongs, but he needs to really up his game. To say his offensive game plan is predictable would be an understatement.
Where's Tyler Boyd? Boyd had over 600 receiving yards last year and was primed for an even bigger season this year, but he's disappeared. What's going on? Something tells me that we don't know the whole story.
Cody Core was one of the best stories this year in training camp, he was in great shape, knew the playbook and played well, but he too has disappeared. Josh Malone was also looking like a contributor, but he's rarely been on the game day roster. I hate to say it, but it looks like Brandon LaFell is playing too much and taking snaps away from both of these guys. Lewis just doesn't get it.
But not all is lost.
Carl Lawson has a shot at earning Defensive Rookie of the Year honors. His ability to get to the QB was on display once again today. Like Willis and Smith, Lawson has got to receive more playing time.
Nick Vigil continues to play great. Vigil had his hands full today by going head-to-head with future Hall of Famer LeSean McCoy but Vigil held his own. Kevin Minter has also looked good in the small amount of time he's actually been on the field.
Darqueze Dennard and Tyler Kroft have turned their careers around by putting together solid seasons so far. If Kroft can continue to demonstrate that he's the teams long term answer at TE, the Bengals will have some leverage when and if they decide to extend Tyler Eifert. But my gut tells me that Eifert wants to move on and possibly play with Tom Brady. We shall see.
George Iloka has never been known as a 'ball hawk', but he may be trying to change that. Iloka has at least two interceptions this year which bodes well for the 'D'. And speaking of safeties, Clayton Fejedelem has done a nice job. Fejedelem has made a few good plays on defense and on special teams. Not bad for a seventh rounder.
Ryan Glasgow has done a nice job in a rotational role. Not only has Glasgow played well, but his relentless motor sets a standard for all to live up to.
