MasterStrategist

Funny how many people blame the coaches/Mcd, when this team doesn't have near the top-end talent of other teams. We take Josh and Diggs off this team, and we are below average. This team continues to lack speed, on both sides of the ball. I continue to point the finger at: 1. Beane: wasted FA capital on the DL, too many bust selections at DL. I give him credit for Josh and Diggs, which buys him time, but he quickly needs to put together a solid draft. 2. Situational coaching: overall, I like our coaches and what they bring. But, certain situations have lacked creativity/poor schemes. I'm excited to see if our defense can make schematic changes/player development is improved with Frazier gone. On offense, we lack a Wr2 and OL...no surprise when appropriate resources have been misallocated (again Beane). If anyone is on the hot seat, it's Beane and his minions. When you have a superstar QB, the bar automatically rises and he's been lackluster to say the least since acquiring Josh/Diggs

Million $ question: are we lacking talent/speed on defense, or is it a combination of poor scheme/execution (maximizing adequate talent) that is holding us back in playoff games? I tend to think it's both, and mainly poor resource allocation by Beane: 1. FAs: Trent Murphy, Star, Butler, Addison: just to name a few that underplayed their contracts 2. Draft: 2 1st round picks, 2 2nd round picks - Ed, Groot, Boogie and AJ. Did Beane get value for these picks, because it seems like Boogie and AJ are just "average/replaceable" and Ed/Groot are solid, yet inconsistent. I've stated before that I'm not a huge fan of Frazier, but he hasn't had a Cincy, Chiefs, 49ers, or Eagles dline to work with here. When we start to see players leave, ie: Boogie, AJ, others in upcoming years, we will see if it's player evaluation or player development/scheme issues. My eyes tell me it's player evaluation, and that Beane/team NEED to start hitting on dline investments. Otherwise, we are counting on Josh to be near perfect.

It's a combo of both, IMO. Not using him and teams focused on other aspects of our offense, that are better than Motor. Motor bought value when he was on a rookie contract. Now that he is going to cost something $3-$5.5m per year, he needs replaced with a cheaper option. It's a combo of both, IMO. Not using him and teams focused on other aspects of our offense, that are better than Motor. Motor bought value when he was on a rookie contract. Now that he is going to cost something $3-$5.5m per year, he needs replaced with a cheaper option.

Please look at this list and tell me who is signing Motor, for $5.5m or to be a starter. Understandably some of these Rbs are FAs too, but this is comparing how Motor would rank. I'd find maybe 4 teams, other than us. Where Motor would be either an upgrade or worth $5.5m as a "1b". Dolphins, Pats, Rams, and Panthers. And personally can't see the Phins or Pats as being interested. Definitely No (order is random): 1. Jets - Breece Hall and Zonovan Knight 2. Ravens - JK and Edwards 3. Steelers - Najee and Warren 4. Browns - Chubb and Hunt 6. Bengals - Mixon and Perrine 7. Houston - Pierce 8. Colts - Taylor 9. Jags - Etienne 10. Titans - Henry 11. Broncos - Javonte 12. Raiders - Jacobs 13. Chargers - Ekeler 14. Chiefs - Pachecho and McKinnon 15. Cowboys- Pollard and Zeke 16. Giants - Barkley 17. Eagles - Sanders and Gainwell 18. Bears - Montgomery and Herbert 19. Lions - Jamal and Swift 20. Pack - Jones and Dillon 21. Vikings - Cook and Mattisson 22. Falcons - Allgeirer and Patterson 23. Saints - Kamara and Ingram 24. Bucs - Fournette and White 25. Cards - Conner and Williams 26. 49ers - Cmac and Mitchell 27. Hawks - Walker and Penny 28. Commanders - Robinson and Gibson

On defense: Biggest thing to me is 1st and 3rd down Yards per play. Especially 3rd down, we gave up alot more yardage than in 2021. Definitely an area that stood out, from just watching games (and not looking at stats).

Agree on Frazier/his scheme being a big concern. As other said, it's a great defense against middle-of-the-road offenses (ie: making them drive the field, hoping for 1-2 mistakes). But against top tier offenses, you can't count on Mahomes/Burrow types to make critical mistakes or get behind the chains. I'm least concerned about Dorsey, of all the other problems we have. Dorsey is just over-aggressive, he needs to dial it back. He did have issues acclimating everyone, but that improved (some) with getting Knox more involved. We need more of an identity, seemed like he was overcomplicating himself with so many formation/package variations. I'm not looking up the stats, but Dabolls run game was definitely not better. He got it balanced toward the end of his time here, but he too lacked "balance" in multiple games. Our offense started great this year, it lost momentum at crucial times....turnovers didn't help either. Frazier I'm fine with leaving, but Dorsey would be a mistake.

Thanks @Alphadawg7, great post and insights! Agree with alot of what you said. I'd summarize by saying: 1. Top focus should be OL/WR. 2. Hope Beane doesn't waste cap on VERY good, but not great players who are gonna cost a ton (ie let Poyer, Edmunds walk) 3. Retool the defense: need more dynamic players up front and at S. Need to keep spending picks, albeit 3rd-5th (not 1st/2nd) until they get this right at DL 4. Coordinators: to me, it's risking alot to let Dorsey and Frazier go. Dorsey/Josh relationship is so strong, also high upside still there. Frazier is just a pure leader. Rather see them adapt their styles, however unlikely, it is needed. 5. Defense: like us to move to a dime defense on 3rd downs. Just like RB has moved to a "committee", so has MLB for some teams that don't have a stud/dynamic 3-down type. Get Benford or another draft pick some time, and limits our need for Edmunds...we waste guys like Neal/others that play <10% snaps (outside of specials). If they can fix 1-2 spots on OL, add another key WR/weapon, diversify the offense/scheme, and Retool the DL/scheme...then we're looking at a team who can compete with anyone.

Great write up and analysis! Only disagreement is on Jawaan Taylor. He doesn't impress me. 1. I would release Morse, Neal, and Maketevich. 2. Don't resign Poyer or Edmunds 3. Extend Oliver, as mentioned 4. Restructure Josh and Von, as mentioned 5. Use remaining FA money on a starting C, G, S, MLB, rotational/depth RB, and backup DE (ideally with speed). 6. Move Benford to safety, likely as a primary backup year 1 7. 1st-4th rounds of draft: RT (with guard versatility), Wr, 3-tech DT, and DE. 8. Rest of draft: Best slot WR/gadget type, 2 CBs, and LB or RB depth Most important: improve OL play, get 1-2 additional WR playmakers (Shakir will also take more on) Next: get more dynamic with pass rush/DL play. Yes, we need to keep putting resources here, ie: round 3-5 type draft picks and 1 yr rental types. Concern: MLB without Tremaine. I'd rather us sign a middle of the road vet type, but mitigate this concern by... Transition defense: move to a dime defense on 3rd/obvious passing downs. Either a drafted CB, or Benford transitioning to a safety/CB hybrid role would fill the dime (ie:MLB becomes less important and Milano remains on the field). Gets more speed and athletic ability, similar to Pats/Chiefs/Steeler defenses recently.

Suck it Burrow....maybe go smoke a cigar at halftime. Glad to see these arrogant pr*cks put back in their place

KC absolutely carving up this Cincy defense. Keep that going and pressure on Joey B. If Boyd is out, I'd expect a lot of Chase motioning to the slot. Bring that nickle blitz, Spags

Agree. Combination of scheme and players. Notice where that pressure is mainly coming from (interior) and make of that what you will.

Then don't give up a TD on defense. Take the points and keep pressuring Burrow. Close to forcing a turnover.

Good start by Chiefs dline... go get 7 now

Let's see how Spags plays 3rd downs..... I think either rush 3, allusion of 5, or bring 5-6. Burrow to quick against 4 man rushes.

Not a huge Frazier fan, as I'd like to see a more aggressive/attacking/physical defense. But... 1. Injuries: gotta be honest and see that key players were either out, or playing less than 100% against Cincy. 2. Beane/player evaluations on DL: they get absolutely no benefit of the doubt or excuses. Point the finger here, because they haven't just missed on key FAs/cap money, but also critical draft picks at these positions: Star, Mario, Murphy, Butler, Aj, Boogie. Then I'd consider Von, Ed, Jones, and Groot to "break-even", given what we gave up for them (ie: Cap and/or draft slots). To me, I'm tired of seeing us draft players who aren't contributing at least AT OR ABOVE, draft slot. Josh Allen and Stefon Diggs basically saved this franchise, and Beane his job. Kudos on those moves, but to put this team in superbowl contention we need to stop wasting 2nd and 3rd round picks

Pretty much the same story last offseason, let's just hope Beane is more honest with himself on weaknesses on this team and executes the draft/FA better (and hope for fewer injuries). OL, WR, DL

"Gashed" is probably not the best term. Maybe inconsistent and just overall meh. Jones has his role, understandably. The main issue I have isn't Daquon, but the overall lack of disruption/physicality this dline brings to the table. We did however get gashed in the run game against Packers, Jets (game 1), Vikings, Dolphins (game 2), and Pats (game 2) to an extent. Daquon is just a complimentary piece, as you mention. This might be hitting on a different topic than what you're discussing, but my point is we've invested a lot into this dline for a very average return. We lack identity on both sides of the ball. We were just too inconsistent throughout the season. Unless our offense is totally dominant, our dline needs to be more of a problem for offenses to account for...as opposed to lacking. Same issue the past 2 seasons.

No offense, but this dline got gashed by teams, even when Daquon played. Is he better than Settle, absolutely. We are in desperate need of game-changers on thr front 4. We have Von, but he's getting up there in age and coming off a torn acl. Listen to Coach's end of season presser, and it's pretty clear they weren't pleased with the dline play in total (once Von went out). Oline will be priority #1, but dline is a close 2nd. Ed is an above average player, not a difference maker. Groot is the same. Daquon is slightly above average. It's too bad we've practically wasted premium picks on Boogie, AJ, and Cody Ford over the past few drafts. Need top tier talent upfront, that can be disruptive (not just occupy blocks). Football is a simple game: top tier Qb play, strong oline, and a disruptive front 4 is almost a sure recipe for a deep playoff run. New England, Steelers, and others have perfected this in years past. We need to check those 2nd & 3rd boxes, before this team takes the next leap in the playoffs.

I was at the game, so I have no idea what was said on broadcast... But Bills had 12 men on defense. They were going to their "3 man rush"/dime defense, and Siran came in but Boogie forgot to come out. Right after the timeout, they decided to go back to nickle/4 man rush, with Boogie out there. While I agree it was a horrible timeout, the purpose was to save the 5 yard penalty.... meaningless now in the big picture. Our defensive, and offensive, strategies were complete garbage today. I wonder how much the head coach interview distracted Ken this week? Leslie on the other hand, said it last year and will say it again, he is nowhere near aggressive enough. KC played with less talent on defense than the past few years, that gap is now closing tho, but Spags gets ALOT more out of his scheme. We have zero team identity...it's basically let Josh Allen be superman, and Diggs to dominate (when given enough opportunities). Their needs to be a new ID on defense, called getting fast/physical players. Likewise on OL and playmakers... Difficult to let Ken go after 1 year, especially when Josh deserves some say in it and need better supporting cast. Leslie should immediately be fired, and we need to "retool" that defense.

Nailed it. Even in 2020 and 2021, this defense was not "Championship caliber". That's not solely Poyers fault, but we definitely need more speed and aggressive players across that defense. You stop top flight offenses with speed/tough/physical defenses. Right now, there's probably 3-4 in the NFL: 1. 49ers 2. Philly 3. Dallas 4. Ravens We need an identity on both sides of the ball... we have some good players, just not sure their skillsets "mesh". But that's a different topic... I will miss Poyer as well, and grateful for the leadership, toughness and dedication he brought to the team. Just think he's past his prime/too much of an injury risk, for us to try signing long-term...we need to retool on defense.

Nice steady snow at stadium....run game will be important. Like to see us be aggressive/press their WRs in this weather. Joey and that offense is predicated on quick passing/timing routes. Disrupt the timing and slick field.

Jones out doesn't help, but cmon enough whining. Bengals have 3/5 of their starting oline OUT. Their starting dimeback OUT, and Hendrickson playing with 1 hand (broken wrist). Time for Tim Settle and other dlinemen to step up. Big/evenly matched game like this, gonna come down to which offense executes the best (TDs instead of FGs. key turnovers, S/T play). Home game in January, LFG!!!

Couldn't ask for much right now, need points and serious momentum.

Predicting a draw play/run. I'd love to see Henne get aggressive, interception coming at some point this game.

Big kick/drive there...smart to take the 3. Adjust that defense at halftime, and come get a 3-and-out to start 2nd half