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Bye Week (and beyond) Thread


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I think its time for a new thread addressing the next two weeks.

JMHO but I am ready to let the Clowns threads (Game Day) die and not keep adding to them with new stuff.

That said...

 

https://bengalswire.usatoday.com/2021/11/08/bengals-injury-updates-brandon-wilson-akeem-davis-gaither-trae-waynes/

 

For kick returner and safety Brandon Wilson, it’s a torn ACL that will hold him out the remainder of the season. He was vaguer on linebacker Akeem Davis-Gaither, only saying it was a foot injury and that they would have to provide more updates later in the week. Before that, things were even more unknown about the injury.

Taylor also offered an update on No. 1 corner Trae Waynes, hinting that the team isn’t counting on him to be ready for the Week 11 game against the Las Vegas Raiders — after the upcoming bye week, as noted by Paul Dehner Jr. of The Athletic:

 

Meaning, the team will have the bye to figure out a new kick returner, and potentially the starting corner and subpackage linebacker situation.

 

 

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1 hour ago, High School Harry said:

I think its time for a new thread addressing the next two weeks.

JMHO but I am ready to let the Clowns threads (Game Day) die and not keep adding to them with new stuff.

That said...

 

https://bengalswire.usatoday.com/2021/11/08/bengals-injury-updates-brandon-wilson-akeem-davis-gaither-trae-waynes/

 

For kick returner and safety Brandon Wilson, it’s a torn ACL that will hold him out the remainder of the season. He was vaguer on linebacker Akeem Davis-Gaither, only saying it was a foot injury and that they would have to provide more updates later in the week. Before that, things were even more unknown about the injury.

Taylor also offered an update on No. 1 corner Trae Waynes, hinting that the team isn’t counting on him to be ready for the Week 11 game against the Las Vegas Raiders — after the upcoming bye week, as noted by Paul Dehner Jr. of The Athletic:

 

Meaning, the team will have the bye to figure out a new kick returner, and potentially the starting corner and subpackage linebacker situation.

 

 

Had to laugh at the Waynes hint..

This guy has has suckered the team more than Ross did..

 

Sir Darrius Phillips looks to be next man up on KRs now.

Trent Taylor or Trenton Irwin maybe?

 

They're down to 4 backers...

Their subpackage at backer seems to include a corner in Hilton now..

 

Apple is bad at coverage And tackling now..

Hell bring on Vernon Hargraves..

Could he be worse?? 

 

Does Annarumo have the horses to change much at this stage..

 

 

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A few stats I saw. going into bye week.

 

Sam Hubbard is. FIRST in the NFL run stopping for DEs/LBs at 33%...

Riley Reiff is 3rd in run blocking for OTs efficiency at 83%...

Chase is 5th in drops with 5...

 

Targeted passes so far..

Chase 73

Higgins 57

Boyd 55..

 

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33 minutes ago, claptonrocks said:

A few stats I saw. going into bye week.

 

Sam Hubbard is. FIRST in the NFL run stopping at 33%...

Riley Reiff is 3rd in run blocking efficiency at 83%...

Chase is 5th in drops with 5...

 

Targeted passes so far..

Chase 73

Higgins 57

Boyd 55..

 

 

 

It doesn't seem like Boyd has that many targets. 

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1 hour ago, claptonrocks said:

Had to laugh at the Waynes hint..

This guy has has suckered the team more than Ross did..

 

Sir Darrius Phillips looks to be next man up on KRs now.

Trent Taylor or Trenton Irwin maybe?

 

They're down to 4 backers...

Their subpackage at backer seems to include a corner in Hilton now..

 

Apple is bad at coverage And tackling now..

Hell bring on Vernon Hargraves..

Could he be worse?? 

 

Does Annarumo have the horses to change much at this stage..

 

 

I would think they are REALLY kicking themselves in the ass now for releasing Hodge

and trying to fly him under the radar to the practice squad.  While not a true linebacker,

I think he could have been a real plus in some sort of hybrid function as one.

 

With Let's Go (to IR), Brandon :rolleyes: on the way to rehab and finding his life's work next year,

wonder what dumpster dive cast off they will have replace him?

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5 minutes ago, High School Harry said:

I would think they are REALLY kicking themselves in the ass now for releasing Hodge

and trying to fly him under the radar to the practice squad.  While not a true linebacker,

I think he could have been a real plus in some sort of hybrid function as one.

 

With Let's Go (to IR), Brandon :rolleyes: on the way to rehab and finding his life's work next year,

wonder what dumpster dive cast off they will have replace him?

P.S.  Just saw Montana's post elsewhere.

Feet of Clay Johnson and now Hyphen on IR, too?

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Id imagine JBs progressions are Chase Higgins and Boyd..

 

By the time he looks off Higgins he's being smothered with pressure.. 

Now hes on the run and just looking to dump it off to whoever.

 

He'll allways go to Chase and Higgins before anyone else unless its a  screen...

 

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20 minutes ago, claptonrocks said:

Id imagine JBs progressions are Chase Higgins and Boyd..

 

By the time he looks off Higgins he's being smothered with pressure.. 

Now hes on the run and just looking to dump it off to whoever.

 

He'll allways go to Chase and Higgins before anyone else unless its a  screen...

 


Hopefully Burrow isn’t that dumb.  The play call and defensive formation should indicate which receiver is primary.  

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16 hours ago, claptonrocks said:

A few stats I saw. going into bye week.

 

Sam Hubbard is. FIRST in the NFL run stopping for DEs/LBs at 33%...

Riley Reiff is 3rd in run blocking for OTs efficiency at 83%...

Chase is 5th in drops with 5...

 

Targeted passes so far..

Chase 73

Higgins 57

Boyd 55..

 

 

TB needs more looks, simple as that. JB is forcing it to Uno instead of going thru his reads and looking for TB.

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https://theathletic.com/2944140/2021/11/10/grading-the-bengals-offense-thoughts-on-every-player-in-the-seasons-first-half/

 

 

Grading the Bengals offense: Thoughts on every player in the season’s first half

 
By Paul Dehner Jr. 3h agocomment-icon.png 6 save-icon.png

We’ve reached the midpoint of the Bengals’ season. They reach the bye week at 5-4 with plenty to like and a disappointing late turn that sapped the momentum from a catapult ahead of schedule.

This is a great time to take stock of what we’re seeing from every player and what to make of where they stand in the quest for a playoff run.

Throughout the season, I’m often asked what I think or am hearing about certain players. This serves as the perfect opportunity to answer such questions for everyone.

We’ll start with the offense, and my colleague Jay Morrison will take a closer look at the defense Thursday as we offer the snap count, analysis and grade for every player.

Remember: The grades are based on performance, but also performance against expectation. The curve on a grade for Tee Higgins is much different than the one for Stanley Morgan. A higher grade for Morgan doesn’t mean he’s better than Higgins or played better than Higgins; he merely saw more success relative to expectation before the season started. Also, if a player hasn’t had enough time on the field to make an accurate judgment, the grade will receive an N/A.

With that said, let’s start with the most important spot.

Quarterbacks

Joe Burrow

Snap count: 96 percent

Analysis: Burrow has taken a leap in his second year, and his connection with the NFL Draft’s No. 5 pick is at the forefront of that. He passes nearly every metric and eye test you would like with flying colors, putting him into the mix as a top-10 quarterback in the league — except with interceptions. The second half needs to see his 11 interceptions and 3.8 INT percentage cut in half. There’s more out there to turn a very good second season into a great one.

Grade: B+

Brandon Allen

Snap count: 4 percent

Analysis: The good news is we’ve barely seen Allen play. The great news is it’s twice been at the end of blowouts.

Grade: N/A

 
 
Joe Mixon (Mike Dinovo / USA Today)

Running backs

Joe Mixon

Snap count: 65 percent

Analysis: The running game has struggled with inconsistency, but overall, Mixon has delivered on a season with high expectations, reuniting with offensive line coach Frank Pollack. He’s averaging 4.2 yards per carry and 8.8 yards per reception and is on pace to set a career high in total yards from scrimmage. Only one qualifying running back met those efficiency marks last season (Alvin Kamara).

Grade: A-

Samaje Perine

Snap count: 27 percent

Analysis: Perine’s been more than a serviceable spell for Mixon. His efficiency rates are better (4.4 ypc/9.2 ypr), and he has scored two touchdowns. He’s had periodic issues in pass protection but was generally good and is otherwise a solid replacement when issues arise with the starter.

Grade: B

Chris Evans

Snap count: 7 percent

Analysis: Evans’ role has been limited as the coaches eased him into the rotation, but when given an opportunity, he has flashed in a big way. A hamstring injury slowed him just after his breakout game in Detroit, but he needs to be used more in the second half. He should have earned enough trust at this point.

Grade: B+

Trayveon Williams

Snap count: 3 percent

Analysis: Williams has only 12 snaps on the year, so it’s hard to make a judgment call, but at least he’s seen a promotion from the practice squad and even a few carries.

Grade: N/A

 
 
Ja’Marr Chase (Sam Greene / USA Today)

Wide receiver

Ja’Marr Chase

Snap count: 87 percent

Analysis: Chase experienced the worst game of his career this Sunday against the Browns, but that’s merely a blip on an otherwise unprecedented start with the Bengals. He hasn’t just lived up to the hype — he has blown it away through the first half of his rookie year. And with a MIC cart full of trophies and awards, it’s hard to have anything but praise for his arrival. Outside of a few untimely drops, he’s been elite in every way.

Grade: A

Tyler Boyd

Snap count: 74 percent

Analysis: Boyd has quietly been outstanding this season. Too often he’s been forgotten in the passing game. Three times he’s received more than 30 percent of the targets and three times less than 13 percent, including just two targets Sunday. Where drops and not coming down with contested catches have been periodic issues for Chase (six drops, a 29.4 contested catch percentage, two fumbles) and Higgins (2, 31.8, 1), Boyd has been outstanding with zero drops, catching 71.4 percent of contested targets and having no fumbles. He needs to be more of a centerpiece.

Grade: B+

Tee Higgins

Snap count: 56 percent

Analysis: Uneven. Expectations were high with the way Higgins finished last year and his focused approach to the offseason, returning in incredible shape. He appeared to be poised to join the top tiers of NFL receivers. That just hasn’t been the case. He has partially been overshadowed by Chase and has enjoyed his fair share of quality moments, but he was slowed by a shoulder injury and needing to play through it. He has become more of a possession receiver and has not been as explosive over the top, outside of one play in New York. As he’s found more comfort with his injury, his level of play has increased in recent weeks, and perhaps he’s ready to take off in the second half. But the bar was set high and he hasn’t come close enough to it.

Grade: C-

Auden Tate

Snap count: 24 percent

Analysis: Bit of a forgotten man, partially because of a thigh injury keeping him out the last two weeks and partially because he’s not found a solid niche yet beyond basically being used as a tight end/receiver hybrid. The majority of his snaps come as a run blocker. He’s played 115 offensive snaps but has only been thrown to four times (one of those was a touchdown in garbage time of the Detroit blowout). Understandable considering the talent of the top three, but a generally nondescript first half.

Grade: C

Mike Thomas

Snap count: 12 percent

Analysis: Health at the top of the receiver corps kept him out of the picture for the most part. He’s only caught four passes and that’s probably a sign of the overall growth of the top-end talent and depth among the receivers.

Grade: N/A

Trenton Irwin

Snap count: 9 percent

Analysis: The fact we are even evaluating the play of Trenton Irwin is a win for the preseason standout. He earned a spot on the roster, survived being a part of roster gymnastics and even made a few plays in big spots including a slick back-shoulder catch against Jacksonville.

Grade: A

Stanley Morgan

Snap count: 3 percent/67 percent special teams

Analysis: Talk about carving out a role. Morgan was a surprise to make the team and protected at every turn. Always a favorite of special teams coordinator Darrin Simmons, he solidified that reputation this year as a core piece on special teams and is even seeing more offensive snaps the last two weeks in Tate’s absence. One included a spectacular block on a 21-yard run by Mixon around the edge. Morgan’s been great for what he’s asked to be in doing the dirty work as a special teams receiver.

Grade: A

 
 
C.J. Uzomah (Gregory Shamus / Getty Images)

Tight end

C.J. Uzomah

Snap count: 77 percent

Analysis: You never know how a player is going to respond coming off an Achilles’ tendon injury, especially at age 28. Uzomah has not only responded well but is enjoying the best season of his career by every standard: receiving, blocking, leadership, comic relief. He’s a voice and heartbeat of this team, people now know how to pronounce his name and he’s tied for the NFL lead in touchdowns by a tight end.

Grade: A

Drew Sample

Snap count: 44 percent

Analysis: Sample looks to have plateaued into the player he will be — an unremarkable block-first tight end, who reached a solid enough level for somebody almost solely focused on blocking. That doesn’t make him a bad second tight end behind Uzomah. He’s fine and utilized to his strengths. You just hoped for more than fine coming off a 2020 that was a step in the right direction. As a side note, the Bengals run on 61 percent of the plays he’s in the game and have had success adding 12 and 13 personnel (two and three tight ends) to their playbook. So there are positives.

Grade: C-

Mitchell Wilcox

Snap count: 6 percent

Analysis: Primarily a special teams value as the last tight end. Mostly non-eventful nine games, but you’d better believe Wilcox will call nine games getting paychecks on the active roster as a heck of an accomplishment thus far for the undrafted free agent who came out on top of a deep battle at his position in the preseason.

Grade: C-

 
 
Jonah Williams (Brad Mills / USA Today)

Offensive line

Quinton Spain

Snap count: 100 percent

Analysis: Arguably the most pleasant surprise of the season. Spain enjoyed starter-level play during his career, but his ascension this season as one of the best guards in the NFL helped the Bengals win a big gamble made in fixing the interior offensive line with low-profile candidates. PFF ranks Spain in the top 15 of 58 qualifying guards in overall grade, run-blocking grade and pass-blocking efficiency. Amazing return on a one-year, veteran minimum contract (that will not be the going rate for his services next year).

Grade: A

Jonah Williams

Snap count: 100 percent

Analysis: Williams produced the year the Bengals were banking on thus far. He’s become solid and reliable at left tackle. He even added a nice performance against the front-runner for Defensive Player of the Year, Myles Garrett, not allowing a pressure in 17 true pass sets, despite Garrett getting the best of him for a sack in another one-on-one. He’s not perfect, but growing into a staple at left tackle and rising on the list of extension candidates over the next two offseasons.

Grade: B+

Riley Reiff

Snap count: 98 percent

Analysis: Exactly what you would expect a 10-year veteran with nearly identical PFF grades at two different stops of his career to look like. Signing Reiff brought stability, reliability and predictability to the line. The example he’s set for a generally young group of linemen has also been invaluable. He’s not the greatest right tackle in the game, but they weren’t expecting him to be.

Grade: B

Trey Hopkins

Snap count: 96 percent

Analysis: A tough case here. The Bengals have been trying to will Hopkins through the season coming off his ACL tear. He doesn’t practice on Wednesdays anymore and is limited on Thursdays. The hope being as the season continues his knee (still just 10 months removed from his ACL) will find strength. Nobody can question his heart or effort. His play has not been all that good, but he’s still the smartest lineman on the team, ideal as the nerve center of the blocking attack and long enough to execute much of the game plan. You wonder how long he can hang on as the season stretches into January. It does feel like this will be the last year for him in Cincinnati as his contract is up at the end of the season.

Grade: D

Jackson Carman

Snap count: 62 percent

Analysis: Disappointing. The latest turn in being replaced by Hakeem Adeniji signals a second-round pick struggling with picking up the game and the maturity necessary to master the details from week to week, game to game, rep to rep. He spends far too much time on the ground but the inconsistency was killing the offense at times, specifically in the loss to the Jets. His career is far from a completed book, he has so many of the desirable traits and flashes them, but his rookie year has not been what the team desired.

Grade: D-

Xavier Su’a-Filo

Snap count: 26 percent

Analysis: Su’a-Filo returned as a veteran, known quantity meant to fill a hole early in the season and, at the very least, provide experienced depth as the season progresses. He has obvious limitations and those showed in his short stint, but he was hurt in the second game of the year and hasn’t returned since. It’s a similar fate as last year when he went down in the opener. When he does return, it’s hard to see him regaining a starting role. This staff has already moved on to the high-upside younger players in front of him.

Grade: C-

Trey Hill

Snap count: 12 percent

Analysis: There’s an internal thought that Hill might be the future at center. The sixth-round pick showed flashes of that potential in the preseason which prompted the trade of Billy Price. When given an opportunity at center during the regular season, he’s shown the same. He should be in competition to compete for the starting gig in 2022 and if things depreciate with Hopkins as the season goes on, maybe sooner than that. But as has been obvious when playing at guard, he’s far from polished enough to be counted on immediately.

Grade: C

Isaiah Prince

Snap count: 10 percent

Analysis: This has certainly been a successful run for Prince. He came from opt-out and off the radar to swing tackle behind Williams and Reiff with a strong preseason. Not only that, he’s carved out a role as the extra blocking tight end in a heavy 13 personnel formation that’s enjoyed success. In fact, PFF gives him the highest grade of anyone on offense (89.5), but it’s only in 48 snaps and 42 of which have been runs. Still, excellent progress from the former undrafted free agent from Ohio State.

Grade: A-

Hakeem Adeniji

Snap count: 10 percent

Analysis: Oh, hello, Hakeem. He recovered from a torn pectoral suffered in May and impressed so much during his 21-day practice window that Pollack had to give him a real chance to fix his biggest weakness. He acquitted himself relatively well against the Browns, playing for the first time this year at a position he’s hardly played. He wasn’t perfect but he did enough that he will start against Las Vegas. He brings more reliability and already gained much more trust from the coaching staff. He may end up the answer at guard the rest of the season.

Grade: N/A

Fred Johnson

Snap count: 4 percent

Analysis: Not much to say here other than a disappointing season all around. He languished at the back of the depth chart and lost the swing tackle gig to Prince. He’s been asked to slot in at guard in a pinch but hasn’t done enough to garner a sniff of the playing time. He’s been a healthy scratch multiple times. Clearly, this staff doesn’t view him as an answer to any of the issues at OL or we’d see him more involved. Motivation dogged him coming out of Florida and it’s an issue again.

Grade: F

D’Ante Smith

Snap count: 0

Analysis: Hasn’t played a snap after a fantastic preseason. He suffered a season-ending injury the week he was about to get his opportunity to fill in at guard against Detroit. Bad luck all around as his bout with dehydration curtailed a strong first half of camp and he never got an opportunity on the field this year. But what he was able to accomplish built intrigue about what his role could be in 2022.

Grade: N/A

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Updateded pff oline rankings

 

Browns....5

With Conklin out the tackle spots are shaky..

The interior is outstanding..

 

Raven..18

They're feeling the loss of Orlando Brown...

 

Bengals...20..

Still.below average but Reiff and Spain have helped upgrade this unit from 29th a year ago..

 

Stealers...23

Very inconsistent play as a unit.

 

 

 

 

 

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2 hours ago, claptonrocks said:

Updateded pff oline rankings

 

Browns....5

With Conklin out the tackle spots are shaky..

The interior is outstanding..

 

 

 

 

 

 

And the Browns in the past 2 days signed Teller to a new contract for 4 years and extended Joel Bitonio for another 3 years so he’s now signed through 2025.☹️

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2 minutes ago, Shebengal said:

And the Browns in the past 2 days signed Teller to a new contract for 4 years and extended Joel Bitonio for another 3 years so he’s now signed through 2025.☹️

Two of the outstanding guards in the league..

Going to keep that wall up front for Mayfield and Chubb ...

Hopefully the Bengals give Spain a good contract that they both can agree on.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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What’s up next?

Baltimore looks to stay on top of the division when it visits the lowly Miami Dolphins for a Thursday night game. The Ravens are more than a touchdown favorite at this point and own a statistical advantage over Miami in nearly every category. 

To make matters worse, Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa is nursing a small fracture in his middlefinger and Miami may have to turn to Jacoby Brissett for his second consecutive start.

Pittsburgh plays host to winless Detroit, but the two teams are actually pretty evenly matched from a statistics point of view. Still, the Stealers are currently a nine-point favorite and look to run their winning streak to five games.

Lions quarterback Jared Goff has been one of the worst quarterbacks in the NFL so far this season, and his line has not done him any favors. Goff was sacked five times in Detroit’s week 8 loss to the Eagles.

Cleveland has probably the toughest test as it travels to New England to face a hungry Patriots team that is fresh off an impressive victory over the Carolina Panthers.

The Browns are riding high after completely embarrassing Cincinnati on Sunday and look to keep things going after its defense posted five sacks and a total of 12 quarterback hits.

The Bengals will use their bye week to try to turn things around.

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