quick thoughts on the bengals

[Chromeburn]

Like many games last year, this was winnable. Unlike last year, the arrow is pointing up. As I watch Mack rip apart the Packers I wonder what could have been if we traded for him.

This defense has no pass rush, I hope it changes but I don't think it will. If you don't have a pass rush, your defense will suck. We need a 3-tech in the middle to make this D work. People keep looking at The old Tampa 2 we ran and think we need a Freeney and Mathis. It would be nice but we should look at the Bear and Tampa builds for the design. There should be a lot of good DTs available next draft. Unfortunately, no help is coming this year. I have my doubts about the Tampa 2 system, I think the league has moved on from it. But at least get the right personnel to make it work.

Leonard looks like a keeper and a bright spot, but all the LBs are raw. They will be better at the end of the year. Hooker looks a step slow to me. I think it takes two years to recover from knee injuries. And don't forget, experience wise, he is still essentially a rookie.

The offense looks competent and should get better with more time running it and more experience. The rookies need more game time. It is fairly encouraging that they did so well on their first outing. Too bad Deon Cain tore his knee, I think he would do well in this system.

When it comes down to it, this is not a playoff team. The front office doesn't think so, we shouldn't either. We have 60 million in cap space. It's a rebuilding year. I expect them to address the defense next year, but this year, expect a long season when it comes to the D. It will be the Achilles of this team this year.