New Jersey Bengal Posted April 2, 2007 Report Share Posted April 2, 2007 [b]4/1/2007 Print it By Chick Ludwig For Sporting News Second-year RCB Johnathan Joseph is slated to start after meeting every expectation except one as a rookie. A gifted athlete with great speed and quickness, Joseph has learned the nuances of man-to-man and zone coverage. He gets in good position because he understands situations, anticipates well and studies hard. He has the strength to jam and re-route wide receivers at the line of scrimmage, plus the speed to run stride for stride downfield with the league's fastest receivers. His only weaknesses are his hands and concentration level because he dropped numerous potential interceptions. With his closing speed and toughness in run support, Joseph should break through as an impact player this year. . . . Backup RB Chris Perry won't be ready for the start of training camp because he's rehabbing a broken right fibula. That's why the club re-signed third-down specialist Kenny Watson, who will serve as the top backup to starter Rudi Johnson. Watson is a tough inside runner, a reliable check-down receiver for QB Carson Palmer and a sure tackler in coverage on special teams. . . . The No. 3 wide receiver spot is a battle worth watching as Tab Perry, Glenn Holt and Antonio Chatman top the list of players trying to wrestle the role away from talented but troubled Chris Henry, who faces suspension because of numerous arrests. Perry's size, Holt's speed and Chatman's quickness should combine to get the position covered. SCOUTING REPORT: Chatman is being counted on to win the punt-return job and give the passing game some punch as a slot receiver. A severe groin injury limited him to three games in 2006. In order to earn a larger piece of the offensive pie, Chatman must prove he can stay healthy. He's a fast, quick receiver who brings excitement to the lineup because he can burst off the line of scrimmage, cut sharply and make tough catches in traffic. Because of his size (5-8, 182), he'll continue to be challenged by physical corners trying to bump and re-route him. But his lateral quickness allows him to excel as he works the middle of the field against linebackers and safeties. His ability to accelerate quickly through tight openings, with good speed and vision, is a big plus. DEFENSIVE ADJUSTMENTS: Flexibility, versatility and productivity are the keys to improving the 30th-ranked unit as coordinator Chuck Bresnahan continues his philosophy of rotating substitution groups in the 4-3 defense. Bresnahan will go big on early downs in an attempt to contain the run. DTs Sam Adams and John Thornton, along with DEs Justin Smith and Bryan Robinson, bring good strength and girth to the lineup on running downs. But there will be plenty of substitutions in the nickel defense as the unit applies heat on the quarterback on passing downs. RE Robert Geathers, the club's most explosive pass rusher, will enter the lineup, allowing Smith to move to left end. DE Jonathan Fanene has the ability to move inside as the unit goes lighter and quicker. The goal is to get the best pass rushers on the field so more sacks and interceptions can be generated. A year ago, the defense was too passive and reactionary. This season, it must dictate and be more aggressive. Chick Ludwig covers the Bengals for [/b] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest schotzee Posted April 2, 2007 Report Share Posted April 2, 2007 So what is the one expectation Joseph failed to meet he is talking about?Staying out of trouble?In his reference of the D needing to dictate and be more agressive is that what he is being told is what's going to happen,or is this Chick's opinion of what needs to happen?I wanted to know because I for one would like to see more of that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Bengals1181 Posted April 2, 2007 Report Share Posted April 2, 2007 [quote name='schotzee' post='465733' date='Apr 2 2007, 08:21 AM']So what is the one expectation Joseph failed to meet he is talking about?Staying out of trouble?In his reference of the D needing to dictate and be more agressive is that what he is being told is what's going to happen,or is this Chick's opinion of what needs to happen?I wanted to know because I for one would like to see more of that.[/quote] I beleive it was his dropping interceptions. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest mongoloido Posted April 2, 2007 Report Share Posted April 2, 2007 [quote name='schotzee' post='465733' date='Apr 2 2007, 08:21 AM']So what is the one expectation Joseph failed to meet he is talking about?Staying out of trouble?In his reference of the D needing to dictate and be more agressive is that what he is being told is what's going to happen,or is this Chick's opinion of what needs to happen?I wanted to know because I for one would like to see more of that.[/quote] On the second part, I think it's what Chick is being told. Haven't there been all sorts of comments from Bengals players and coaches about finding an identity, and getting more aggressive. I kinda think that was part of what got Simmons off the team. He was a leader by age and experience, but entirely too calm and passive for the defense. If he had just been a guy on the team who kept calm, he'd be okay. However, I think guys were following his lead and not getting really nasty... Wow. Just a quick stat. In the 8 games Simmons did not start for the Bengals last season, we gave up an average of 17 points per game... That includes the 49 San Diego put up on us. In the eight games he started for us, we gave up an average of 24+ points a game. There are lots of other factors, but I think we also played more aggressive football without him in the lineup. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest schotzee Posted April 2, 2007 Report Share Posted April 2, 2007 Wow. Just a quick stat. In the 8 games Simmons did not start for the Bengals last season, we gave up an average of 17 points per game... That includes the 49 San Diego put up on us. In the eight games he started for us, we gave up an average of 24+ points a game. There are lots of other factors, but I think we also played more aggressive football without him in the lineup. Wow is right.Interesting stats.Thank's mongo. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DanvilleBengal Posted April 2, 2007 Report Share Posted April 2, 2007 [quote]Wow. Just a quick stat. In the 8 games Simmons did not start for the Bengals last season, we gave up an average of 17 points per game... That includes the 49 San Diego put up on us. In the eight games he started for us, we gave up an average of 24+ points a game. There are lots of other factors, but I think we also played more aggressive football without him in the lineup.[/quote] What we need is a good mix of the two. Obviously we need to turn up the heat and allow the guys to just go out there and hit whatever moves, but at the same time, be somewhat disciplined about it, if that makes sense. I still think that the players were thinking more than reacting, which is never good when you are in a sport that relies on split second timing and rapid reaction. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
natifanatic Posted April 2, 2007 Report Share Posted April 2, 2007 [quote name='Bengals1181' post='465748' date='Apr 2 2007, 06:16 AM']I beleive it was his dropping interceptions.[/quote] WORD! Dude needs to get some glue or something. I think he dropped like 4 picks in that Baltimore game. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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