what would you do with this defense to make it top 5?

[icehole3]

What Im thinking is the only way to correct the team is through the defense, my feeling are the defense is close it just needs 3 or 4 more players added, so IMO I feel they need through the draft, trade (just threw that in there knowing a trade will never happen) or free agency

what I'd like to see

1. penetrating DT similar to Adkins (worried theyll become enamored with Adkins and wear him out)
2. pass rushing DE, I like Dunlap and Johnson but I wanna stockpile this position so that even if Odom comes back this area is the strongest position on the teaam and at least 2 guys have 10 sacks by years end
3. Safety, may need 2 guys who can play here draft 1 and free agent signing
4. never will be happy with the pass rush so I'd like to see another pass rusher added just in case

[McC]

What Im thinking is the only way to correct the team is through the defense, my feeling are the defense is close it just needs 3 or 4 more players added, so IMO I feel they need through the draft, trade (just threw that in there knowing a trade will never happen) or free agency

what I'd like to see

1. penetrating DT similar to Adkins (worried theyll become enamored with Adkins and wear him out)
2. pass rushing DE, I like Dunlap and Johnson but I wanna stockpile this position so that even if Odom comes back this area is the strongest position on the teaam and at least 2 guys have 10 sacks by years end
3. Safety, may need 2 guys who can play here draft 1 and free agent signing
4. never will be happy with the pass rush so I'd like to see another pass rusher added just in case

I would add find, at long last, a stud playmaking LB who puts a little fear into the hearts of offensive players and coordinators everywhere.

[crazyjdawg]

Let them get healthy. Then they'll be a top 5 defense again. I think people forget just how many injuries we had.

[BengalRugby]

Draft Bowers in the first. He starts opposite Dunlap, and there's a lot of pressure coming at the QB. Prefer Fairley, but likely gone by #4 and the Bengals don't have a second reliable pass rusher at DE. Johnson hasn't shown much, so cannot go into the season relying on him as a solution.

Look into trading for Haynesworth or Wooten. Atkins brings plenty of heat, but need another body to work next to him.

Look into drafting a downhill, pass rushing specialist at SAM, or pick one up for peanuts off a team moving to a 3-4 defense.

Re-sign or tag JJ.

Draft Hagg in the later rounds to take over the SS spot. The guy is a football player and can get it done.

[Who85Dey]

Just piggy-backing on what others have said I think that the keys to making this defense top knotch are:

1. Tagging JJ if a long term deal isn't possible. Although, even if this doesn't happen, I'd be comfortable moving forward with Adam Jones starting opposite of Hall and Ghee taking over at nickle.

2. Drafting a pass rushing D lineman. Towards the end of the season, we started being able to get consistent pressure on the QB which just our regular 4 down lineman, namely Dunlap and Atkins. We need to build on that. If we can put together a line that is able to pressure the QB on a regular basis, we wouldn't be required to blitz as often on passing downs, allowing us to drop more players into coverage.

3. Move Rey to MLB. That's his natural position. He made a name for himself there at USC. Since coming here, he hasn't made as large of an impact as anyone would hope. I think the team needs to at least experiment with him here to see if he can handle the responsibilities of being the leader of the defense.

[The Scales]

What Im thinking is the only way to correct the team is through the defense, my feeling are the defense is close it just needs 3 or 4 more players added, so IMO I feel they need through the draft, trade (just threw that in there knowing a trade will never happen) or free agency

what I'd like to see

1. penetrating DT similar to Adkins (worried theyll become enamored with Adkins and wear him out)
2. pass rushing DE, I like Dunlap and Johnson but I wanna stockpile this position so that even if Odom comes back this area is the strongest position on the teaam and at least 2 guys have 10 sacks by years end
3. Safety, may need 2 guys who can play here draft 1 and free agent signing
4. never will be happy with the pass rush so I'd like to see another pass rusher added just in case

I like this teams dline but I agree your always looking for more pass rush special players there.

A playmaker at saftey would be real nice thats for sure. I like Reggie back there so far and I still think Roy Williams can play but having a polamalu or Reed type player at either saftey positon would be very helpful.




I would add find, at long last, a stud playmaking LB who puts a little fear into the hearts of offensive players and coordinators everywhere.

Yes. A dominator at LB would be very good. But if I was running the show i'd be open to seeing Rivers, Rey, and Roddrick play meaningful football together before I'd burn high picks on a LB at the point. Now if the right guy is there and you really want him then by all means make the pick but its time to move Rey to the middle, schematicaly rivers gives you what you need on the weakside and I just have a feeling about Muckelroy - who i'm told is high football I.Q, Generally Intelligent, has good work ethic, and he can play coverage. Sounds like an everydown player to me. Plus I think those three will have good chemistry together and work well with the rest of the defense.





Let them get healthy. Then they'll be a top 5 defense again. I think people forget just how many injuries we had.

Pacman was a big loss. Andre Smith going down didn't help. Injuries are sometimes good friends though at least for the Bengals. How else would we have seen: Dunlap, R.Nelson, and 89?

[fredtoast]

1. Get Joseph signed. There is a good reason that CBs are the highest paid defensive players. They are crucial to a great defense and with joseph and Hall we would have a top 5 combo.

2. Bulk Michael Johnson up to 280 and make him a full time DE. The key to running a succesful 4-3 is getting pressure with just the front four, but finding 4-3 DEs is getting difficult. They have to be big enough to stand up to the run, but also quick enough to rush the passer. I believe that with Dunlap (6'6", 285) and Johnson at 6'7", 280 we would have just what we need.

3. Move Maualuga to MLB. I am not 100% convinced he will flourish there, but we have to give it a try. I am far from a Dhani hater, but we need to see what Ray can do at MLB.

4. Give Muckleroy the first shot at replacing Ray at SOLB. I have been high on Muck ever since we drafted him. His measurables may not be off the charts, but all he did in college was make plays all over the field as a 4 year starter for one of the best programs in the nation. The guy is just a ball player, and we need more of those.

5. Find 2 new safties either through the draft or free agency.

We could use another DT also, but I would rate that need behind safety. Our LBs and DTs are far from star quality, but a team can get by with average LBs and DTs better than it can get by with just average DEs and CBs.

We can't have pro Bowlers at every position, so I say start with the most important. Since I think we already have our starting DEs and CBs on the roster I would make Safety our number one priority when it comes to adding personnel. Luckily safety is not a big dollar position, so we don't have to use the #4 pick or tons of free agent money to address this need. (Althoguh if Patrick Patterson is there at #4 I wouldn't have any problem drafting him to play safety. He is a pure playmaker and could be the next Ed Reed)

[Wyche'sWarrior]

"What would you do with this defense to make it top 5?"

Fire the coaching staff? Move the defense out of Cincinnati? Tell them they're Steelers? I give up, what?:ninja:

[Norm]

- Better Linebackers

- More depth to the D-line

- Better safeties

[OMAHABENGAL54]

1. Get Joseph signed. There is a good reason that CBs are the highest paid defensive players. They are crucial to a great defense and with joseph and Hall we would have a top 5 combo.

2. Bulk Michael Johnson up to 280 and make him a full time DE. The key to running a succesful 4-3 is getting pressure with just the front four, but finding 4-3 DEs is getting difficult. They have to be big enough to stand up to the run, but also quick enough to rush the passer. I believe that with Dunlap (6'6", 285) and Johnson at 6'7", 280 we would have just what we need.

3. Move Maualuga to MLB. I am not 100% convinced he will flourish there, but we have to give it a try. I am far from a Dhani hater, but we need to see what Ray can do at MLB.

4. Give Muckleroy the first shot at replacing Ray at SOLB. I have been high on Muck ever since we drafted him. His measurables may not be off the charts, but all he did in college was make plays all over the field as a 4 year starter for one of the best programs in the nation. The guy is just a ball player, and we need more of those.

5. Find 2 new safties either through the draft or free agency.

We could use another DT also, but I would rate that need behind safety. Our LBs and DTs are far from star quality, but a team can get by with average LBs and DTs better than it can get by with just average DEs and CBs.

We can't have pro Bowlers at every position, so I say start with the most important. Since I think we already have our starting DEs and CBs on the roster I would make Safety our number one priority when it comes to adding personnel. Luckily safety is not a big dollar position, so we don't have to use the #4 pick or tons of free agent money to address this need. (Althoguh if Patrick Patterson is there at #4 I wouldn't have any problem drafting him to play safety. He is a pure playmaker and could be the next Ed Reed)
Point #5 is kinda where im thinking as well. Im pretty stoked if we get a shot @ P. Peterson. My only concern is the (current staff) would be able to make his transition seemless as possible. That seems to be a strech 4 their abilities, but i long for a day when we have a power @ safety position. That seems to work out well for other afc north teams...:smirk:

[SunsetBengal]

Imo, the best way to put this defense 'up there' with the NFL's best would be to draft Marcel Dareus at DT, add one mean LB (any spot will do), draft a good S to go along with Nelson.

[et2house]

I would add find, at long last, a stud playmaking LB who puts a little fear into the hearts of offensive players and coordinators everywhere.

Yes :thumbsup:

Move Rey to middle and draft/sign/trade a playmaking SLB.

Re-sign JJ or possibly draft Peterson

Get a young, hard hitting SS to play next to Nelson or put Nelson at SS, I saw him bring the lumber quite a few times this year.

I think the team has put quite a bit into the D-line the last couple of years and we saw it start to pay dividends towards the end of the season, but depth never hurts if they find another guy like Atkins sitting there in the later rounds.

[fumblerooski]

Coaches need to coach them up better and players need to keep shoveling. We need a better pass rush and more intelligence against the run from the front four, better tacklers and turnover specialists from the linebackers, and more speed and better hands in the secondary.

If that's not possible, nunchucks and hand grenades.

[Robbie Sharp]

Imo, the best way to put this defense 'up there' with the NFL's best would be to draft Marcel Dareus at DT, add one mean LB (any spot will do), draft a good S to go along with Nelson.
Let's hope we are not once again watching the draft and waiting for that safety pick that never comes!:eek:

[twizbuck]

1. Re-sign Joseph and Odom. Yes, I know Odom was hurt again, but healthy he was fantastic. I wish I knew why this team deals with injuries more than any other team...

2. Move Rey to MLB and Muck to SLB. I say this thinking about how we're not going to be able to draft a LB early this year (and forget FA). I'm big on Muck, and heck, I think he might compete for the MLB spot. But for now, go with the guy who's been in the system longer.

3. Draft Defensive Backs. Draft a rangy FS to put beside Nelson. I'm willing to go with Nelson starting another year. But we badly need Safety help otherwise. Drafting one early and taking a flyer on a couple UDFA DB's would be good to add depth at CB.

4. Draft DT depth. Getting someone to rotate with Peko and Atkins would be great. I'm hoping and praying that the three teams in front of us go senile and let Fairley fall to us.

I think that would pretty much get us on our way.

[Goat Green]

what would I do with this defense to make it top 5?

Hire **** LeBeau?

Oh wait... Mike Brown already fired him.

Well maybe if they paint their jerseys yellow and black or maybe purple they can at least pretend to be a top 5 defense. :tiger:

[ChrisLeeWorld]

I agree, Make the D completely dominant. My biggest worry is that if they don't think Carson is coming back, the FO does something stupid, or should I say "another stupid thing on top of the million it has already done", and drafts a QB or RB in rounds 1 and 2. We need defense and o-linemen regardless of what the upcoming QB and RB situation is.
Round 1-Fairley, Dareus, or Bowers
Round 2-Pouncey, Franklin, Cannon or Ijalana

[Razor Sharpalla]

Pleeeez stop talking about the things that come and go with players and injuries and chemistry and conduct.....Marvin lewis should have been gone long ago...he has had great talent and cannot win!!!!!.........he is still there because he either has something on the owner or because they are afraid to fire a Black head coach............truth is easier than fiction

[Wyche'sWarrior]

Pleeeez stop talking about the things that come and go with players and injuries and chemistry and conduct.....Marvin lewis should have been gone long ago...he has had great talent and cannot win!!!!!.........he is still there because he either has something on the owner or because they are afraid to fire a Black head coach............truth is easier than fictionTruth is, Marvin has nowhere to go, and NO ONE wants to coach here.

[Abspara]

because they are afraid to fire a Black head coach

Seriously? The fact is Marvin is a terrible Head coach and the Bengals are a terrible team. Neither Marvin or the Bengals could do any better.

Sure, the Bengals could of brought in a first time HC looking to move up the ranks, but that would be like a lateral move. Marvin at least knows the Bengal system, for better or worse.

[McC]

Let's hope we are not once again watching the draft and waiting for that safety pick that never comes!:eek:

That would be extremely frustrating.

[Gwillednt]

Let them get healthy. Then they'll be a top 5 defense again. I think people forget just how many injuries we had.

What?!?! Colts and Steelers at the very least had TONS more injuries than us on both sides of the ball. Injuries is a terrible excuse, and this year we didn't have nearly the worst of it.

[Razor Sharpalla]

Now come on....what other HC is allowed to have these types of seasons with offensive weapons like this? Kansas City has NO TALENT and made the playoffs.....whats the Bengal's system? Losing? Lets be honest this has a weird feel to it as season after season goes by until these veteran players get older and slower and then what? You think another 5 years of rebuilding could be tolerated by the fans?

[McC]

I agree, Make the D completely dominant. My biggest worry is that if they don't think Carson is coming back, the FO does something stupid, or should I say "another stupid thing on top of the million it has already done", and drafts a QB or RB in rounds 1 and 2. We need defense and o-linemen regardless of what the upcoming QB and RB situation is.
Round 1-Fairley, Dareus, or Bowers
Round 2-Pouncey, Franklin, Cannon or Ijalana

Agree with everything you say. Would add that I think a QB in the first two rounds was already a done deal before Carson said a word.

[Razor Sharpalla]

I just look at the Chiefs.....disaster to playoffs with no talent but a gutsy HC that has these guys thinking they are good.....Lewis is a horible motivator and looks clueless

[Bengals in Toronto]

Robert Quinn and Marvin Austin and Camp Bailley as a FS draft a SS

but it will never happen


Rey in the Middle is a must

[twizbuck]

I just look at the Chiefs.....disaster to playoffs with no talent but a gutsy HC that has these guys thinking they are good.....Lewis is a horible motivator and looks clueless

That's pretty far off.

They have two very good RB's, a strong line, along with Bowe and Moeaki on offense. They need to add more receiving weapons and Cassel needs to be more consistent, but their offense is not bad. Defense has some young developing talent in guys like Jackson, Berry, Dorsey, Flowers and Hali with veteran presences Vrabel and Johnson. They're an upstart team that should be good for awhile.

[jmohr]

Marvin Austin and DeAndre McDaniel would improve our D big time and it's def realistic

[twizbuck]

Marvin Austin and DeAndre McDaniel would improve our D big time and it's def realistic

I'm not on the McDaniel bandwagon right now. I'm more for a centerfielder FS and letting Nelson play SS.

[TheRealestBengalFanAlive]

We got to...

Draft a DE--Adrian Clayborn-iowa,OR,JJ Watt-wisconsin
Draft a Safety-DeAndre Mcdaniel-clemson
Draft a Linebacker-Mark Herzlich=boston college (next brian urlacher)

[Gwillednt]

'Roids.

[crazyjdawg]

What?!?! Colts and Steelers at the very least had TONS more injuries than us on both sides of the ball. Injuries is a terrible excuse, and this year we didn't have nearly the worst of it.

without injuries we were a top 5 defense last year. So it's actually the perfect excuse. You can't win when you're starting a CB you signed 3 days before the game.
I'm pretty sure we were among the league leaders in players on the IR. Not back ups either. Starters.

[GodFather07]

Let them get healthy. Then they'll be a top 5 defense again. I think people forget just how many injuries we had.

They were healthy at that Patriots game...and they played like a 31st ranked defense never mind top 5.

[crazyjdawg]

I just look at the Chiefs.....disaster to playoffs with no talent but a gutsy HC that has these guys thinking they are good.....Lewis is a horible motivator and looks clueless

That's not a fair statement at all. KC has a lot of talent. Jamaal Charles is a great player, as is Thomas Jones, Albert, Waters, Lilja, Bowe, McCluster, Moeki, Jackson, Dorsey, Hali, Johnson, Vrabel, Berry, Flowers, Carr, (occasionally) Cassel.
That team is teeming with talent.

[bodabengal]

Get healthy.... We can be a great D

[Toast Jones]

Click my red shoes together 3 times, and offer praise be to Allah just for shats and giggles. Other than that, gut the entire D except for the following (listed below) and wait a couple years for it to develop, or hope we draw the schedule equivalent of the juggernauts we faced in 09.

Hall, Joseph, MJ, Dunlap, Atkins, Rey, Rivers (I don't love the LB's but they'll do) Peko (for depth?) Ghee (cuz he's young, not sure he's good) MAYBE Pacman Throw in a couple Muckelroys and whoever you're keen on to fill out some younger depth, and that's probably it I guess.

Oh yeah, I'd shat can whatever Hayes brother is on that side of the ball, and Kevin Coyle so fast it would make your head spin.

[bfine32]

Go to the combines, interview the LBs, draft the craziest SOB you can find. Why do you think people around here still love Odell? Here's a hint:


http://www.ickscorner.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/06/week3-41.jpg

Sure dude missed a play or 2. But he was a Mad Man.

[ishouldbegm]

get rid of zimmer move to a 3 4 defense and get some damn linebackers that know how to tackle and hit hard

[bfine32]

Draft Hagg in the later rounds to take over the SS spot. The guy is a football player and can get it done.

I really like Hagg. Dude is slow as dirt, but he's a gamer.

[Scotty Potty]

First we need to get Joseph signed, but i wouldn't break the bank on an often hurt CB who has never been to a Pro Bowl. Then we need to Draft the best available D-Lineman with our 1st pick and also Draft a Safety within the first 3 rounds, then move Rey to the middle where he belongs and start either Brandon Johnson or Muckleroy at Rey's former OLB spot. If we do these things then i think that we can be close or better than our '09 defense.

[mrcrockj]

1 - Get Joseph signed long term, if we can't get a long term deal done, then apply the tag.

2 - Draft a pass rusher first round. Bowers is a fan of some, I think I like Quinn. He has sat out a year, but depending on where he's at weight and athleticism, I think he could be that monster SAM backer that we need. Possibly be what Pollack would be doing now if he wouldn't have broke his neck.

3 - Put Maualuga at MIKE and Muck at SAM. Until we get another perminant SAM like Quinn, or Chris Carter in the draft. That kid is raw, but after some coaching at the LB position, he has what it takes to go sideline to sideline, and knows how to get to the QB.

4 - Improve the Safety position. I'd draft a Safety to start -McDaniel- then a backup/special teams freak like Keo so we can rid ourselves of Ndukwe and Williams. Maybe even work Ghee in at some Safety. I don't see him getting a lot of CB time with Hall, Joseph, Jones and Trent.

5. I don't know if a DT will drop late enough to make a difference, but we'll see.

[Dutch70]

A good running game B)

[thefinalcut813]

- Better Linebackers

- More depth to the D-line

- Better safeties

Short and Accurate ..Sad but True!!!( Its all 3 levels on defense)......I got another one....STOP THE 3 AND OUTS ON OFFENSE !!!!!!

[fredtoast]

Pleeeez stop talking about the things that come and go with players and injuries and chemistry and conduct.....Marvin lewis should have been gone long ago...he has had great talent and cannot win!!!!!.........he is still there because he either has something on the owner or because they are afraid to fire a Black head coach............truth is easier than fiction


I am not disputing your points, but could you please keep them out of threads like this?

I am not trying to start a fight or anything, but I am just totally burned out on these types of comments. I am trying to avoid threads on that topic, so could you please keep these types of comments in one of the 100 other threads on that subject.

I am not saying that Marvin isn't a problem, but there are still other things to talk about.

Thanks.

[Tigers Johnson]

Add Von Miller as your WLB and move Keith Rivers to SLB and Rey to MLB....

Then pick up another S some where....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yu7wh1VNnEo

[Goose]

I agree, Make the D completely dominant. My biggest worry is that if they don't think Carson is coming back, the FO does something stupid, or should I say "another stupid thing on top of the million it has already done", and drafts a QB or RB in rounds 1 and 2. We need defense and o-linemen regardless of what the upcoming QB and RB situation is.
Round 1-Fairley, Dareus, or Bowers
Round 2-Pouncey, Franklin, Cannon or Ijalana

YEP! :agree:

[mallorian69]

ok here's my take
1. getting fairley is a must. i wasn't too high on him till i watched the bowl game. he was a force unto himself. with him and adkins pushing the pocket from the inside opposing qb's will have no chance to step up to avoid the rush coming from the outside. how many times did ben just move up in the pocket against us and make a play? not only that he was a beast against the run as well with 3 tfl to go with his one sack. not only that he is as nasty as they come and will be feared by opposing offenses for the next 8-10 years.

2. resign or tag j jo. with leon on the other side and jones as the nb, and either trent or ghee as db we will have the best coverage unit in the league.

3. i'm not sold on rey in the middle. he was often out of position on the outside. but i agree with several others, we need someone nasty to put fear in the hearts of te's coming over the middle (which killed us this year) and to make rb's flinch before they even take the hit. i'm not against giving rey a shot but we'd better have someone with a mean streak a mile wide if he can't handle it.

4. i don't think we need a big play making safety. if we have a good pass rush we'd be wasting money on that type of talent. nelson showed me that he can handle the ss job but we do need a good center fielder type to keep a lid on any big plays. there are several that are fa's this year that could fit the bill. i'd prefer a vet here but if not there are several guys that will be there in the middle rounds.

5.i know this is about the defense but we have got to have a better running game and beable to sustain drives on offense. one of the biggest reasons our defense looked so horrible last year, especially towards the end of games was they were on the field way too much because the offense couldn't do anything. while better depth along the d line will help this it isn't enough by itself. besides if they get fairely at #4 we will have good depth behind atkins and fairely with sims and peko rotating in.