Damion Willis and Michael Jordan will start at Seattle. Billy Price will not

[oldschooler]

 

[oldschooler]

 

[oldschooler]

 

[oldschooler]

 

[oldschooler]

 

[oldschooler]

 

[UncleEarl]

It is disappointing that a first round pick who played most of last season becomes a second stringer.  As far as coaches comments go, what do you expect them to  say?  Price sucks?  No, they should say the right things and they did.  If Hopkins is better, he should play.  There is a reason you don't see too many centers drafted in the first round.

[|SF2|]

53 minutes ago, UncleEarl said:

It is disappointing that a first round pick who played most of last season becomes a second stringer.  As far as coaches comments go, what do you expect them to  say?  Price sucks?  No, they should say the right things and they did.  If Hopkins is better, he should play.  There is a reason you don't see too many centers drafted in the first round.

A first round pick should always be a starter by year 2 at worst.

 

First rounder 2019 #11 IR.

First rounder 2018 #21 Price, is a second stringer

First rounder 2017  #9, Ross, is a #3 WR at best

First rounder 2016 #24, Jackson, good player no doubt

First rounder 2015 #21, Ced O, bust.

First rounder 2014 #24, Dennard, PUP, average at best in coverage

First rounder 2015 #21, Eifert, China doll.

 

Pretty much says it all and is a big reason why the team is in its current position.

 

 

[oldschooler]

 

[oldschooler]

 

[oldschooler]

 

 

 

 

Cincinnati Bengals offensive lineman Trey Hopkins is one of the big early winners of the Zac Taylor era.

Hopkins gets the nod as a Week 1 starter at center in Seattle, displacing first-round lineman Billy Price for the honors next to rookie Michael Jordan at left guard — another big winner.

 

For Hopkins, the process of seeing the best-performing players win jobs is something new and Taylor has sent a clear message about his approach.

“He’s in the business of winning,” Hopkins told the media. “It’s not about politics so much or what is perceived as politics. It’s about competing and winning and giving us the best opportunity to win, no matter who that is with week to week, game to game. He’s in the business of trying to get us where we want to be, which is the Super Bowl.”

This new approach from Taylor is a big part of the reason undrafted wideout Damion Willis will get the nod in A.J. Green’s place as a starter in Seattle, too.

Clearly, Taylor has sent a big message to his players — the best will play, regardless of tenure or perceived value.

That hasn’t always been the case in Cincinnati, which is why notable news like the ascension of Hopkins, Jordan and Willis has fans excited.

Unlike the last regime, Taylor’s actions have left no wiggle room for other interpretations — and players like Hopkins aren’t shy in talking about it.

[oldschooler]

 

[oldschooler]

 

[oldschooler]

 

[oldschooler]

 

[oldschooler]

 

[oldschooler]

PFF: Where all 32 teams need to improve in 2019

 

 

 

 

Cincinnati Bengals: Linebacker coverage

Key number: 1,779 passing yards allowed with a linebacker in primary coverage (most in NFL)

The Bengals’ linebacking corp was the only linebacker group in the NFL to allow over 1,500 receiving yards. They allowed 1,779. No group across the league was picked on more or gave up more production. They were among the bottom five teams in the league in passer rating allowed, yards per reception allowed, EPA per play allowed and coverage grade on linebacker targets. No matter the way you cut it, it wasn’t pretty. A revamped group that includes third-round pick Germaine Pratt will need to show improvement in order for the Bengals to contend in a crowded AFC North.

 

 

https://www.pff.com/news/pro-where-every-afc-team-needs-to-improve-in-the-2019-nfl-season

 

[PatternMaster]

17 minutes ago, oldschooler said:

PFF: Where all 32 teams need to improve in 2019

 

 

 

 

Cincinnati Bengals: Linebacker coverage

Key number: 1,779 passing yards allowed with a linebacker in primary coverage (most in NFL)

The Bengals’ linebacking corp was the only linebacker group in the NFL to allow over 1,500 receiving yards. They allowed 1,779. No group across the league was picked on more or gave up more production. They were among the bottom five teams in the league in passer rating allowed, yards per reception allowed, EPA per play allowed and coverage grade on linebacker targets. No matter the way you cut it, it wasn’t pretty. A revamped group that includes third-round pick Germaine Pratt will need to show improvement in order for the Bengals to contend in a crowded AFC North.

 

 

https://www.pff.com/news/pro-where-every-afc-team-needs-to-improve-in-the-2019-nfl-season

 

This is very accurate, too many times last season they couldn't get off the field on 3rd downs.

 

They improved as the season went on but they were still pretty awful in pass protection. 

[Le Tigre]

9 hours ago, SF2 said:

A first round pick should always be a starter by year 2 at worst.

 

First rounder 2019 #11 IR.

First rounder 2018 #21 Price, is a second stringer

First rounder 2017  #9, Ross, is a #3 WR at best

First rounder 2016 #24, Jackson, good player no doubt

First rounder 2015 #21, Ced O, bust.

First rounder 2014 #24, Dennard, PUP, average at best in coverage

First rounder 2015 #21, Eifert, China doll.

 

Pretty much says it all and is a big reason why the team is in its current position.

 

 

Great. Then what does it say about UDFA's they pick up? Don't draft? 

 

Draft picks are Grade A rolls of dice  and always subject to 20-20 hindsight judgments by media and Internet experts. 

[|SF2|]

2 hours ago, Le Tigre said:

Great. Then what does it say about UDFA's they pick up? Don't draft? 

 

Draft picks are Grade A rolls of dice  and always subject to 20-20 hindsight judgments by media and Internet experts. 

Nah, later round draft choices are rolls of the dice, you need to get quality  starters out of the majority of your 1st rounders.  I am not blaming the Bengals to be honest other than the Ross pick, just some bad luck. 

[oldschooler]

 

[T-Dub]

21 hours ago, SF2 said:

Nah, later round draft choices are rolls of the dice, you need to get quality  starters out of the majority of your 1st rounders.  I am not blaming the Bengals to be honest other than the Ross pick, just some bad luck. 

 

Picking guys with known injury problems isn't bad luck.   Drafting people based on how they pour ketchup isn't bad luck.

[|SF2|]

On 8/29/2019 at 6:42 PM, T-Dub said:

 

Picking guys with known injury problems isn't bad luck.   Drafting people based on how they pour ketchup isn't bad luck.

The guy had the 5th most reps at the combine and I don’t think anyone was discussing injury as far as I can remember.  Started every game in his college career, 44 straight.  And yeah, if you pour ketchup wrong you might be a serial killer!

[T-Dub]

Everyone misses on draft picks. Not everyone stubbornly refuses to admit they missed on a draft pick. I'd say it's the 2nd thing that put the team in such a hole.  They created a culture that would rather rationalize their mistakes than correct them. That is not a recipe for success.

[oldschooler]

Preliminaries are over; Bengals turn page toward season opener

Jeff Wallner | WCPO Contributor

10:15 PM, Aug 29, 2019

 

 

CINCINNATI – Following Thursday night’s loss to the Indianapolis Colts in a sparsely-populated Paul Brown Stadium, Bengals head coach Zac Taylor was asked to define the preseason:

“Necessary,” he said, smiling.

That was the prevailing sentiment among the 35,247 fans who bought tickets and most others after the Bengals lost 13-6 to the Andrew Luck-less Colts, with the majority of the participants for both teams being backups and reserves looking to grab a few remaining roster spots.

The roster needs to be paired down to 53 men by Saturday, and there are a few tough decisions to make.

“This is a very finite job that we’re in,” said Bengals tight end C.J. Uzomah. “People are here one day and gone the next. You see guys you’re close with come and go, get picked up by other teams. I know every one of these guys in this locker room can play, either here or somewhere else.”

The preliminaries are over.

The Bengals who finished 1-3 in the preseason, open the regular-season schedule one week from Sunday at Seattle, which will be Taylor’s debut as an NFL head coach.

“I’ve been encouraged by the progress our guys have made,” Taylor said. “Pleased with where we’re at and we’ll start game-planning for Seattle. That’s the exciting part of the preseason, now that we get to focus on the next phase.”

The first-team offense made only a cameo appearance in the preseason.

Andy Dalton finished the preseason 19-of-28 for 200 yards with one touchdown and an interception. His last throw of the preseason was a 26-yard TD to Uzomah in the third game.

Taylor admitted that the full breadth of the playbook is yet to be unleashed, as is the case with most teams in the preseason. The Bengals have been without A.J. Green due to an ankle injury suffered in July, allowing young receivers like Damion Willis to make their mark. Joe Mixon had just one carry in the preseason, and that was by design.

“There were times we showed flashes we have the ability to score points,” Uzomah said. “At other times, it’s the preseason, and we needed to work out the kinks, learn how the refs are going to call certain things. It’s good for that. We didn’t open the playbook. I’m excited to head to Seattle and feel good about us being able to score some points.”

Points were at a premium on Thursday night.

Bengals kicker hopeful Tristan Vizcaino missed a 55-yard field goal attempt off the left upright in the second quarter. He went 2-for-3 on the night.

In the third quarter, Bengals cornerback Darius Phillips had a 73-yard punt return for a touchdown negated by a penalty.

Later in the quarter, Bengals safety Dan Godsil recorded his second fumble recovery of the night when cornerback Dovantae Harris forced a muffed punt.

The Bengals had a late touchdown negated when video review resulted in an offensive pass interference penalty on tight end Mason Schreck, invoking a new rule.

“That’s a tough one right there,” Taylor said.

Jake Dolegala started at quarterback for the Bengals and passed for 253 yards. The Central Connecticut State product could land on the practice squad after a standout preseason in which he completed nearly 70% of his passes for 347 yards and two TDs.

“Jake’s done a nice job all preseason,” Taylor said. “He’s a good kid. He does it the right way. You pull for him.”

Dalton’s likely backup Ryan Finley shined at times, passing for 414 yards and three touchdowns while completing 73.4% of his passes during the first three preseason games.

After healthy competition at a couple spots, the starting offensive line is set with Cordy Glenn at left tackle, Michael Jordan at left guard, Trey Hopkins at center, John Miller at right guard, and Bobby Hart at right tackle. The one caveat for the season opener is Glenn who is in concussion protocol. If he can’t go, Andre Smith will get the nod at left tackle.

The defensive line is deep with the return of Carl Lawson who joins incumbents Geno Atkins and Carlos Dunlap. Moeller High product Sam Hubbard brings some ability to stop back into pass coverage.

Rookie linebacker Germaine Pratt was impressive during the preseason and could see some playing time when the Bengals go with a 4-3.

The one thing you never want to happen in the preseason is a significant injury. But unfortunately, that happened in the first quarter on Thursday night when running back Rodney Anderson suffered a right knee injury and did not return.

Anderson had just returned from an ACL injury to the same knee and had been impressive in the preseason.

“He’s got a tough injury history, so I don’t want to speculate,” Taylor said.

Following Thursday’s game, Taylor said the Bengals will be looking at the waiver wire to grab some additional depth at key positions.

“We leave all of our options open,” he said. “(Director of Player Personnel) Duke (Tobin) and that crew do a great job, having conversations about upgrading at certain positions. It will good to watch the tape tomorrow. We have to make some tough decisions over the next few days.”

For Bengals players, the newness of a new head coach, coaching staff, and offensive and defensive systems wore off early in training camp. While there will be a lot of talk about Taylor’s debut as head coach over the next week or so, the players are just happy to put “Fake Football” behind them.

“It’s exciting anytime you get out of the preseason, and you’re ready to go out and get ready for a 16-game season, hopefully more,” Uzomah said. “Obviously, there is a new coaching staff and new energy that came in, but now it’s just business as usual, ready to go and get after it.”