I’ve been thinking about this anomaly we have:
PART A) We have good enough talent to lead some of the better teams for 58+ minutes.
PART B) We are so weak, talent wise, that we lose those games.
So is it, in fact, talent that is the problem? If it was, even with the injuries, Part A wouldn’t be true.
I’ve always felt that the end of the game is when the players take over and the coaching ends. Sure there’s time management and all but the blood & guts comes from the eleven guys out there. They have to want it more than the other guy. But they need to be pushed and that, IMO, is the problem. We have no vocal leader on defense.
“Lets go out there like a bunch of crazed dogs” or “17 – 14 that’s the final score. If you believe it - it will happen”. Who talks to the team now? We have no Jesse Armstead. We have no Pepper Johnson. Do you think Robustelli, Greir and Katkavitch would give that extra effort if prodded on by Prince Amukamara?
This can’t come in the draft. We need a PROVEN leader, preferably at middle line backer. I’d sell the farm to buy the right guy.
There are so many holes on defense, and where there are no holes, they are filled with mediocre talent....
People look to the draft....but if lucky, you may fill one hole from the draft....free agency? Chances are the top free agents resign with their own teams, or sign with teams offering a ridiculous contract...chances are Reese will have to overpay, for those that are left, and may just be slight upgrades over what we have.....this defense is a 2-3 year rebuild, if everything goes right.....
Can we wait for that? Eli can't.....it's easier to build up the offense, and make a stronger OL with a new RG, and Tackle(depending on the Beatty situation), get a second WR, and possibly a RB, that can scare the bejesus out of the opposition.....an offense that can put points on the board, and control the clock in the fourth, can overcome the shortcomings of the defense....
If one cannot figure out who those are I don't know what to tell you.
Look at the thread on stats.
Ummm, sign this guy.
He'd be a perfect fit at MLB. Smart dude who can command the defense and match wits with opposing QB's. Tackling machine. Plus he's shown himself to be versatile and play all LB positions - and he's a good citizen.
Ascending, under the radar talent (eg, won't command top open market dollars like SB-winner Trevathan) are the way to go though.
I don't know if the Bengals will let him get away, but I feel like he's someone to look at.
Those two may actually be the only two middle backers to make the roster with Sean Porter, Jayson Dimanche, Nico Johnson and Trevor Roach all fighting for roster spots. There's no guarantee any of them make it, especially with weakside linebacker Vincent Rey being able to play in the middle. He played mostly at the WILL last year with Vontaze Burfict injured though.
link - ( New Window )
However, benefits of -tending in- that direction:
1. managing time invested in the staff both for free agency and draft, evidence is that they could use such focus.
2. timing the end of Elis career with the skill sets of proven offensive players.
3. its is VERY hard to find great defensive playmakers in free agency, whereas we HAVE great offensive playmakers (ODB, VEREEN and ELI) and require specific, proven role players.
4. Feed the old school fans - who find great D entertaining, with a great DL that will last for years to come.
you would halve the number of players that the staff has to vet and arguably increase the effectiveness of search by 2x.
In addition, with 'round by round positional emphasis' one could decrease the number of players viewed in depth by (a factor that possibly increases as the rounds descend) and possibly increase the staff's effectiveness of in depth player evaluations by a factor of 3x or even more.
just a thought.