While it is not the literal halfway point, the bye week does
separate the first half from the second half, and therefore is a good time to
hand out mid-way report cards.
Team as a Whole: B-
At the beginning of the year, I would have taken 7-4 at the
bye week – especially if it meant a 2 game division lead and legitimate shot at
the AFC 2 seed. However, given how the games played out, I think 7-4 is
disappointing and, given the inconsistencies of the team, they concern me
enough to get just a “B-“ overall.
Quarter Back: C
At times, Dalton has been an A+. At other times, Dalton has
been an F. Unfortunately, for the most part, he has been one or the other and
has not been able to spend much time anywhere in between. 7-4 is good, but
could (probably should) be better. After 11 games, he is on pace for 4,297
yards, 31 TDs, 61.5% comp., 7.21 avg. and a 85.2 rating – all of which would be
career highs and all of which are very good (in a vacuum). He is also on pace
for 22 INTs and 6 fumbles – both very bad and both career highs. Though not all
his fault, Dalton has to find some level of consistency. No recipe for long
term success includes 28 turnovers by the QB. If less throwing means less yards
and TDs, I am fine with that as long as it means significantly less turnovers.
In the last 5 games, the Bengals need to find some consistency and success in
the run game and run the ball more to help Dalton. Andy Dalton should never be
in the top 5 in attempts (4th) – at least not at this point in his
career.
Running Backs: C
Any time you are in the bottom half of the league in
anything, that is not good. The Bengals find their run game ranked 19th,
averaging just 107.9 ypg. Surprisingly, the Bengals are 4th in the
NFL in rushing attempts (319) but rank just 26th with 3.7 ypc. The
struggles in the run game are a culmination of poor run blocking, poor play
calling, poor scheming and also poor running back play (at least by the “starter”).
Most disappointing has been the play of BJGE. While BJGE leads the team with
522 yards, he is averaging a paltry 3.3 ypc. That ranks him below 40 other
players, including backups like Bilal Powell, Danny Woodhead, Daniel Thomas,
Jacquizz Rodgers, Mike Tolbert, etc. Meanwhile, his “backup” (Bernard) is
averaging 4.4 ypc and offers a lot in the passing game as well. If not for the
rookie Bernard, the running backs grade would be a “D” at best. With 42
receptions, 809 all-purpose yards, and 7 TDs, it is time for Bernard to be the
starter and BJGE to be the situational player. With Dalton’s recent struggles,
establishing an actual running attack in down the stretch will be very
important to the Bengals ability to advance in the playoffs.
Wide Receivers: B
With AJ Green 2nd in the NFL in receiving yards
(1,020) and the emergence of a legit #2 (Jones), the Bengals wide receiver corps
is having a pretty good year – 1,466 yards, 13 TDs and 97 receptions between
Green and Jones. The only thing keeping this grade from an A is the drops.
Green and Sanu have each cost the Bengals at least a game a piece due to drops
and/or fumbles (Chicago and Miami). As good as Green is, like Dalton, he needs
to work on his consistency and concentration before he can get an “A”.
Full Backs: N/A
Hahahaha! Maybe I should have Hue Jackson write about the
play of his full backs. I think on the season, everyone but the “Full Back”
(Charles) has played full back – Peko (DT), Smith (TE) and Eifert (TE).
Tight Ends: B+
Like the wide receivers, the tight ends have had a good year,
but have also been plagued by consistency issues – drops and penalties (well, Gresham
has). Those issues keep this group from being an “A” as well. However, despite
some of the issues, the tight ends have still contributed 66 receptions, 725
yards and 3 TDs. Tyler Eifert looks to be a legitimate NFL tight end and as
much as I bang on him, Gresham, at times, can still be an excellent weapon.
Offensive Line: B-
The Good? Despite the 6th most passing attempts
(411), the line has surrendered just 26 sacks (16th) – 10 of which
came in a poor two game stretch against Miami and Baltimore. For the most part,
Dalton has had time to throw.
The Bad? They rank just 26th in rushing yards per
attempt (3.7) – and run blocking is supposed to be what offensive lineman like.
On multiple occasions this year, the line has failed to get enough push for
BJGE, Bernard or Dalton to convert 3rd and 4th and
shorts, and some of those (Baltimore and Miami) likely cost the Bengals the game.
Defensive Line: A-
Even without Atkins, the defensive line has been the
strength of the team and been the most consistent aspect of the 2013 Bengals.
The Bengals are 4th in the NFL with 34 sacks, of which, 25.5 have
come from the defensive line. Thanks to that pass rush, the Bengals rank 6th
against the pass, yielding just 211 ypg and 10th against the run
(102 ypg).With the injuries to Atkins and Geathers, the depth of the line has really
been on display, and after the bye, Devon Still will get a chance to be added
back to the rotation.
Line Backers: A-
Who would have thought at the beginning of the year the
Bengals would have gotten such good play from their line backing corps, especially
with Lamur going down in camp. Many expected Burfict to continue his good play,
but he was still a second year undrafted player with a history of maturity
issues and less than a full year as a starter. Regardless, no one had him
leading the league in tackles and being arguably the best line backer in the
NFL. Maualuga has put together his best season as a pro, yet his backup (Vinnie
Rey) has played so well in Maualuga’s absence that Rey could replace Maualuga
in the starting lineup. And Harrison, although his playing time has been
limited, has been effective in situations. All-in-all, the Bengals have gotten
way more out of the line backer position than I (and many) thought they would.
Corner Backs: B+
Like the defensive line, the Bengals are very deep at corner
back as well, and like the defensive line, a lot of the credit for the Bengals
6th ranked passing defense also has to go to the corner backs. Even
with Hall out, this group has performed well. There aren’t a lot of big plays
made by the group, but there also aren’t a lot of big plays given up either.
Kirkpatrick and Ghee have finally gotten healthy and been able to contribute as
well.
Safeties: A
While the safeties have played well, this grade, more than
any other, is largely a product of expectations. Going into the year, I was
very concerned with who would play opposite Nelson. I wanted the Bengals to
take a safety high in the draft and they held off until taking Williams in the
4th round. Fortunately for the Bengals, Iloka has played well enough
that Williams hasn’t seen the field. Much like the cornerbacks, the Bengals
safeties haven’t made a ton of big plays, but I have rarely found myself
cursing the Bengals safeties in 2013…something I couldn’t say in past years and
something I did not think I would be saying 11 weeks into 2013.
Kicker: C
Nugent has been like this entire team – inconsistent. Yes,
he has made some huge game-winning kicks, however, they have been needed
because of earlier misses. At 15 for 19, Nugent is in the bottom eight of the
league (25th) in kicking percentage and is challenging himself for
his worst season as a pro. If a big kick is needed in the playoffs (or to get
to the playoffs), I don’t exactly trust Nugent to make it.
Punter: A
Someone I do trust in Huber, and like the defensive line,
has been one of the few consistent aspects of this 2013 Bengals team. Huber is
ranked 11th in Net (40.5) and 6th in punts inside the 20
and is in the midst of a Pro-Bowl type season.
Kick/Punt Returns: B
The Bengals are ranked 8th (24.7) in kick returns
and 19th in punt returns (8.4) – pretty average. However, they get
an above average score because they have done a good job holding onto the ball and
not hurting the Bengals.
Kick/Punt Coverage: A-
The Bengals rank in the middle of the road (15th)
when it comes to kick returns (23.2), but they have been doing very well (10th
thanks to Huber) on the punt return coverage (7.2). The coverage is a little
above average and Huber is much above average, leaving them in the “A” range.
Head Coach: B-
His team is at 7-4, leading their division, and in position
to compete for the #2 seed. Marvin has also been much more aggressive this year
with his willingness to go for it on 4th down and has greatly
improved his challenge success rate. That is the good. However, he hasn’t
exactly been successful with his high risk calls. In fact, a few have likely
cost them the game (the Baltimore and Miami games come to mind). And, like
always, Marvin still seems to struggle managing the end of the half and end of
the game. Lastly, though 7-4 is good, a few questionable decisions likely are
the difference between 7-4 and 9-2.
Offensive Coordinator: D
If not for their 7-4 record, this would be an F.
Play-calling has been poor, predictable, boring and ineffective. If not for
Bernard’s highlight reel runs and Green’s crazy catches, this offense would be
brutal to watch. Dalton seems to have regressed again and at times the offense
looks like it is stuck in reverse. With the plethora of weapons on offense, the
stagnancy of this offense is unacceptable.
Defensive Coordinator: B+
Zimmer is in the middle of another impressive campaign. He
has lost his best corner, his best 2 cover line backers (Lamur and Taylor), his
starting middle line backer and the best DT in the NFL and still has his unit
ranked 6th overall. The only thing keeping him from an “A” is
multiple late game/half collapses of the defense (see Chicago, Cleveland,
Buffalo, Miami and Baltimore games for example). If not for late game collapses
in Chicago, Miami and Baltimore (Cleveland may not have mattered), you may be
looking at a 10-1 team rather than a 7-4 team.
Special Teams as a Whole: B+
If not for a few big misses by Nugent, this group would be
an “A.” The way Huber has been playing, the 2 blocked punts and 1 TD last week,
as well as the overall consistency of the return game and return coverage has
been very impressive this year.
No comments:
Post a Comment