MasterStrategist

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

Confident Jax will adjust their defense 2nd half, more aggressive/focus on shutting down run game. They absolutely need points here though...even a FG, get this back to 1 score game.

Gonna be difficult to stop KC, if offensive holding is never called. Jags need to bring more pressure...throw everything at Henne, play aggressive defense

Agree, he's likely only coming back if Henne is knocked out

Where is the holding calls on these stretch run plays?

Soon as that shoe comes off, that ankle is gonna balloon. 50/50 he returns...high ankle sprains, which is what it looked like, are not the type of injury that many players return for in 1-2 weeks, let alone same.game.

Need some screens, slow down the pass rush