Yesterday, 04:06 PM
(Yesterday, 01:51 PM)Nepa Wrote: Well, I for one would not whine about starters playing, because I have been consistent on this point. On the other hand, Zac and Burrow and the WRs should be (and I expect will be) flexible. For example, Andy Reid actually planned to play Mahomes two series in the last year's 1st preseason game, but then changed his mind during the game, satisfied with how things went in that first series, and had him play only one series. Zac should see how it is going and not be locked into two series if conditions (leaky OL, Philly blitzing non-stop, rainy weather, etc.) merit changing the plan to play for two series.
And Burrow, as I've already stated, should just throw the ball away or in the ground if some bruiser bursts through the OL. And Chase should go out of bounds or to the ground rather than take a hit. Not a soul in the world would blame either for protecting their bodies in a preseason game. This is a time to get ready for the speed of the NFL game and get timing down when playing at NFL speed. As Reid has stated repeatedly, practice cannot replicate that.
But injuries happen even in practices, as we see time and time again. We cannot bubble wrap the players until game 1 of the regular season.
Completely agree Nepa. The players know how to take care of themselves and in preseason the games are meaningless so no reason to
risk anything while they are out there. If things go well and we look polished then pull out the starters, adapt. Injuries as you say can
happen in practice just as much as preseason. We have to start out faster this season so we don't HAVE to win games late to get into
the Playoffs like last year.
(Yesterday, 02:05 PM)Nepa Wrote: The Patriots won 4 games all season, and the Bengals were their only victory in their first 7 games. As you note, the Bengals were not ready for that first game, against one of the worst teams in the NFL, and it cost the Bengals the playoffs. The Patriots were a lousy team, but they had played their starters in preseason and got the shocking upset.
Any team can beat any team any Sunday no question. But to lose to the Pats last year and come out asleep while doing it was inexcusable.
But the Pats played their starters in preseason like you said, so they were more prepared. We have to be prepared this season early.
(Yesterday, 02:31 PM)Luvnit2 Wrote: Nice article on Bengals website with Pitcher. Lots of good things, but like his take on the running game.
https://www.bengals.com/news/joe-burrow-dan-pitcher-primes-his-deepest-depth-chart-we-re-going-to-use-all-these-guys
GH: Chase Brown said everyone involved in the offseason run game tweaks did a good job. He calls some of it "Thick with double teams."
DP: I think every offseason, you just try to find little emphasis points and get better in areas that you know are going to be part of what you do. And then think critically. Take a hard look at, are there things that we want to discontinue? Are there new things that really do fit us that we need to re-emphasize? I do think we did a good job in that process. I think it's ongoing. I think it takes great communication from everybody. Players included. Hopefully, they believe in the plan. I think they do. That's showing in how they execute.
GH: I haven't seen many stretch runs. It's a downhill deal right?
DP: I think that's the core of it. It doesn't mean that we're not going to try to get the ball on the perimeter. We have a variety of ways to do that, and I think we've done that during training camp. But I've said this publicly several times that we understand what the engine of this offense and on this football team is. It's our quarterback, it's our playmakers, so it's our job as coaches and their jobs as players to make sure we can do all the complementary things that we're able to do based on our opponents' response to that.
Good stuff with Pitcher. I kind of like that we haven't been doing too many stretch runs. Those don't tend to work with us often especially
with our slower backs. Chase Brown is the one RB we have that could be effective on outside stretches but the OL has to be blocking well.
(Yesterday, 02:45 PM)Isaac Curtis: The Real #85 Wrote: They could get hurt in practice, too, should we cancel that? Burrow hurt his leg in camp last year.
It is football, there is always risk.
But we cannot afford to keep starting 0-2 every year. We have to be better prepared to hit the ground running. Plus, the coach knows his ass is grass if we miss the POs again.
Totally worth the risk. The first game cannot be the first time the starters play more than one series. We have seen how that movie ends. Six times. No thank you.
If someone gets hurt, then them's the breaks. But you have to do what is necessary to have the team ready on Day 1.
Completely agree Ike. We need to be ready for the opener. No more of this looking asleep crap again.
