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Ahmad Brooks is the Bengals MLB (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter rupricht
- Start date
onionsack
Footballguy
A SWEET sack for him already. He nearly took the snap himself.
didn't do much after the sack.A SWEET sack for him already. He nearly took the snap himself.
Tenacious D
Footballguy
Interesting. If they are happy with Brooks in the middle, I assume Simmons returns to a natural outside spot and Landon Johnson remains a starter, so the Jeanty feel-good story is over and Caleb is back to being a reserve. This would put Thurman's future in serious doubt with the team. Lewis was pretty pissed with him.
Jene Bramel
Footballguy
I'm not sure. Landon Johnson is a good player, but there have always been worries about him as a full time player. Jeanty is really the only SLB on the roster and I think he'll get the bulk of the work on running downs when healthy. I'm not sure when that will be though -- the Bengals are really tight-lipped about injuries -- this foot injury is starting to smell more and more (I'm wondering if it's not a Lis-Franc injury or a metatarsal fracture) with every passing week. Johnson will wear down there if asked to play SLB the remainder of the season.Caleb Miller should and will be a reserve. It was very interesting to me that Simmons came in with the nickel defense early in the game (not so much late, though) with Miller and Brooks out. I understand dressing him with no other healthy backers on the roster, but not playing him situationally. I don't have a good read on what that means for the future. It's possible that Lewis recognizes that Simmons is the fourth best backer on the team, but I don't think he sits behind Caleb Miller. Confusing.
Watching the game from the upper deck yesterday, Brooks' talent is clear. He did everything fast, shed blocks well, timed his delayed blitzes very well, and got more penetration than any Bengal MLB in years (even Thurman). His tackling was suspect at times, though, and he did overrun a couple plays. All in all, though, he looks like a NFL player. Unless the Bengals find two OLB to finally run the 3-4 next year or Brooks has an Odell-like meltdown, Thurman is probably done there IMO.
I'm glad to see Brooks in the middle -- I think, inexperience aside, he's clearly the best option there. It remains to be seen what will be done when Simmons and Jeanty are deemed fully healthy. I think you'll see Simmons/Brooks/Jeanty with Johnson playing frequently in passing situations and spelling Simmons a fair amount of time at WLB.
Renegades of Funk
Footballguy
I still can't get a clear picture on how the Bengals LB's will shake out the remainder of the year.
Marvin Lewis' comments on Brooks: (10/23)
Q: You've always said you get exasperated with rookie middle linebackers:
ML: Always. Always been.
Q: Is Ahmad Brooks kind of exasperating?
ML: I'm still exasperated.
Q: What does he have to do?
ML: He's got to keep working, keep doing things right.
Q: Is he usually in the right spot?
ML: Generally.
Q: More on Ahmad Brooks:
ML: Ahmad works very hard at it. He's very conscientious. We've been very pleased with how he's embraced it, coming in and studying extra film all the time, asking very good questions, and taking great notes. He's a very serious pro and this is why he's been given this opportunity.
Q: He seems to be taking it very seriously:
ML: It means a lot to him. Missing the opportunity to play early in the year, he knew he had to work. Nobody's on scholarship around here and you've got to earn your opportunity, and he's worked hard at it.
Marvin Lewis' comments on Brooks: (10/23)
Q: You've always said you get exasperated with rookie middle linebackers:
ML: Always. Always been.
Q: Is Ahmad Brooks kind of exasperating?
ML: I'm still exasperated.
Q: What does he have to do?
ML: He's got to keep working, keep doing things right.
Q: Is he usually in the right spot?
ML: Generally.
Q: More on Ahmad Brooks:
ML: Ahmad works very hard at it. He's very conscientious. We've been very pleased with how he's embraced it, coming in and studying extra film all the time, asking very good questions, and taking great notes. He's a very serious pro and this is why he's been given this opportunity.
Q: He seems to be taking it very seriously:
ML: It means a lot to him. Missing the opportunity to play early in the year, he knew he had to work. Nobody's on scholarship around here and you've got to earn your opportunity, and he's worked hard at it.
Renegades of Funk
Footballguy
Still can't tell if Lewis is going to leave Brooks in the middle full time - seems like the best option to me.
More on Brooks from Bengals.com
The Bengals defense got a nice brew from its rookies and veterans. Justin Smith’s 40th career sack came on a day rookie middle linebacker Ahmad Brooks got his first career sack when he timed his blitz with the snap and dropped Delhomme for a six-yard loss just as he took the exchange.
Although Brian Simmons (neck) suited up, he played fewer than 10 snaps and Brooks followed up his first start in Tampa last week (14 tackles) with five tackles.
“He’s really kind of seized the moment,” Lewis said of Brooks. “He was fed a few more things this week, and it was good for him. He keeps eating it up, I should say. He really is hungry to play more, and he’s got his feet wet now. It’s probably a good progression for a rookie to go through. Sit and watch other people play for awhile, and then it’s your chance.”
Simmons said he's slowly gaining strength in his arm after sitting out last week against Tampa Bay because of the related neck injury. Safety Dexter Jackson played about 20-25 snaps in his first appearance in more than a month after spraining his ankle against Cleveland Sept. 17.
Lewis has to be pleased with a defense that has held foes to four touchdowns in eight quarters without the regular play of three starters.
"They are our two best vocal leaders. And it was good. Even in their limited capacities, they bring a lot of leadership," Lewis said of Simmons and Jackson. "They bring a lot of calm and fire. Just having them on the practice field this week was huge. We’ve just got to keep going. And, hopefully, other guys will see that and continue to grow into that opportunity of what it is to be a pro.”
More on Brooks from Bengals.com
The Bengals defense got a nice brew from its rookies and veterans. Justin Smith’s 40th career sack came on a day rookie middle linebacker Ahmad Brooks got his first career sack when he timed his blitz with the snap and dropped Delhomme for a six-yard loss just as he took the exchange.
Although Brian Simmons (neck) suited up, he played fewer than 10 snaps and Brooks followed up his first start in Tampa last week (14 tackles) with five tackles.
“He’s really kind of seized the moment,” Lewis said of Brooks. “He was fed a few more things this week, and it was good for him. He keeps eating it up, I should say. He really is hungry to play more, and he’s got his feet wet now. It’s probably a good progression for a rookie to go through. Sit and watch other people play for awhile, and then it’s your chance.”
Simmons said he's slowly gaining strength in his arm after sitting out last week against Tampa Bay because of the related neck injury. Safety Dexter Jackson played about 20-25 snaps in his first appearance in more than a month after spraining his ankle against Cleveland Sept. 17.
Lewis has to be pleased with a defense that has held foes to four touchdowns in eight quarters without the regular play of three starters.
"They are our two best vocal leaders. And it was good. Even in their limited capacities, they bring a lot of leadership," Lewis said of Simmons and Jackson. "They bring a lot of calm and fire. Just having them on the practice field this week was huge. We’ve just got to keep going. And, hopefully, other guys will see that and continue to grow into that opportunity of what it is to be a pro.”
cracKer
Shawn Culcasi
WTF??? Pretty soon, Simmons is going to be in a full body cast because because he slept wrong
Renegades of Funk
Footballguy
The strength in his arms is likely related to his neck issue. I suspect there is a disc problem - if the disc is putting pressure on the nerves it can result in muscle spasms and shooting pain down the arms, etc. Based on my experience this can be a serious problem and I wouldn't want to be playing football with herniated discs in my neck. It could be just a slipped disc which would be much better for him.
CRH
Jene Bramel
Footballguy
Brooks will take the bulk of his snaps at MLB even when Simmons is healthy. Simmons is listed as probable this week but did not participate in team drills today.
bengals.com
INJURY UPDATE: Besides Chatman, linebacker Rashad Jeanty (foot) is also questionable and didn’t practice again for the fifth straight week. Of all the probable players (defensive tackle Sam Adams, cornerback Greg Brooks, strong safety Dexter Jackson, fullback Jeremi Johnson and linebacker Brian Simmons), only Brooks participated in 11-on-11 team work.
bengals.com
INJURY UPDATE: Besides Chatman, linebacker Rashad Jeanty (foot) is also questionable and didn’t practice again for the fifth straight week. Of all the probable players (defensive tackle Sam Adams, cornerback Greg Brooks, strong safety Dexter Jackson, fullback Jeremi Johnson and linebacker Brian Simmons), only Brooks participated in 11-on-11 team work.
cr8f
Footballguy
I activated him last week but didn't play him, but will this week. He looks big and fast.
INJURY UPDATE: Besides Chatman, linebacker Rashad Jeanty (foot) is also questionable and didn’t practice again for the fifth straight week. Of all the probable players (defensive tackle Sam Adams, cornerback Greg Brooks, strong safety Dexter Jackson, fullback Jeremi Johnson and linebacker Brian Simmons), only Brooks participated in 11-on-11 team work.
Is that Greg Brooks or Ahmad?
INJURY UPDATE: Besides Chatman, linebacker Rashad Jeanty (foot) is also questionable and didn’t practice again for the fifth straight week. Of all the probable players (defensive tackle Sam Adams, cornerback Greg Brooks, strong safety Dexter Jackson, fullback Jeremi Johnson and linebacker Brian Simmons), only Brooks participated in 11-on-11 team work.
Is that Greg Brooks or Ahmad?
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Jene Bramel
Footballguy
Ahmad Brooks is healthy and not on the injury report.
Jestefarean
Footballguy
So, do we know who is at WLB and SLB with AHmad?
Jene Bramel
Footballguy
Nope. Jeanty practiced in team drills today, while Simmons didn't which means Marvin Lewis is probably going to have enough healthy players to have to make a decision soon. Hobson had some of the same thoughts I've been throwing out without any official confirmation today.From Hobson's mailbag today
If anything, I would think Johnson would stay at strong and Simmons would go back to weak, which is probably his natural position and probably Johnson’s natural spot, too. And what about Rashad Jeanty when he comes back and plays strong?
Plus, that’s not to say that Caleb Miller hasn’t contributed in his three starts at weak. They really like what he’s done in the last two games.
...
It will be interesting to see what happens to No. 50 (Brooks) when Simmons gets healthy to see what they do because the weak side probably suits his gamed better than the middle. But we heard all last year Lewis bemoan the pitfalls of playing with an inexperienced rookie middle backer.
But he sure sounds more tolerant of Brooks this season than he did of Odell Thurman last year, doesn’t he?
Here is Lewis on Brooks on Monday:
“Ahmad works very hard at it. He's very conscientious. We've been very pleased with how he's embraced it, coming in and studying extra film all the time, asking very good questions, and taking great notes. He's a very serious pro and this is why he's been given this opportunity.
“It means a lot to him. Missing the opportunity to play early in the year, he knew he had to work. Nobody's on scholarship around here and you've got to earn your opportunity, and he's worked hard at it.”
Can’t ever remember him praising Thurman even halfway like that last year, when he rode him in news conferences all the time.
I'm still projecting a 50-50 shot of one of the following happening:
1/ WLB Simmons -- MLB Brooks -- SLB Jeanty with Landon Johnson spelling both Simmons and Jeanty regularly and Brooks splitting time with Simmons in nickel packages. I still think this is the most likely scenario.
2/ WLB Johnson -- MLB Simmons -- SLB Jeanty with Brooks rotating in a significant number of series at MLB. I don't see how this is different enough from scenario one to be the primary issue.
When Jeanty is healthy, I think he's the starting SLB. He's really the only SLB on the roster right now. Johnson is there as an absolute last resort. The team will be extremely fussy if he gets worn down/significantly injured there. Caleb Miller probably plays a minor rotational role as well, but I can't see any way he keeps any of the top four off the field for a significant number of snaps.
All four players will get significant PT in any scenario, though, so we're probably getting to the point where we're splitting hairs, unless you're a Landon Johnson owner.
Jene Bramel
Footballguy
Jeanty did not practice today. Simmons did. Be interesting to see where Simmons lines up this week. Looks like another week at SLB for Landon Johnson.
Just to verify, there is no way that Brooks plays SLB, correct?
FalcFan21
Footballguy
From what i've been reading on the bengals boards all week it sounds like ahmad is getting his shot to be the guy in the middle and marvin lewis likes what hes been seeing out of ahmad. I dont think he will be playing any SLB any time soon as he is a natural beast of a MLB. That being said Odell Thurman is gonna have a damn hard time trying to get his job back from brooks next year, and thats IF odell can clean up his act.
On a side note:
This is my first post here, just wanted to introduce myself. Ive been using this board alot recently and thought it was about time to register and contribute to such a good informative discussion community you guys got going here. Im a big IDP nerd and an ATL homer.
On a side note:
This is my first post here, just wanted to introduce myself. Ive been using this board alot recently and thought it was about time to register and contribute to such a good informative discussion community you guys got going here. Im a big IDP nerd and an ATL homer.
Jene Bramel
Footballguy
I wouldn't say never. He's probably second on the depth chart there if Jeanty is inactive -- I doubt they'd move Simmons or Miller over to the strong side.
Jene Bramel
Footballguy
It's official -- Brooks is the starting MLB moving forward.
BRIAN SIMMONS to play strong side
per Bengals.com. No word yet on who plays WLB -- and I'm done speculating 
.
The Bengals showed their faith in rookie middle linebacker Ahmad Brooks Sunday when they kept him in Sunday’s starting lineup and moved Brian Simmons to the strong side in place of the injured Rashad Jeanty.
BRIAN SIMMONS to play strong side
per Bengals.com. No word yet on who plays WLB -- and I'm done speculating .The Bengals showed their faith in rookie middle linebacker Ahmad Brooks Sunday when they kept him in Sunday’s starting lineup and moved Brian Simmons to the strong side in place of the injured Rashad Jeanty.
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pgreenfan
Footballguy
Great news for Brooks owners. Jene where do you rank him going forward for the rest of the year? Ceiling? Floor?It's official -- Brooks is the starting MLB moving forward.BRIAN SIMMONS to play strong side
Jene Bramel
Footballguy
About where you'd have ranked Odell Thurman last year -- mid-high LB2 with a ceiling at low LB1 if he can match Odell's big play production. The schedule is much tougher and if Brooks improves at staying in his gaps, his tackles stats could be pretty big. Bengal homer aside: I don't like Simmons on the strong side -- not one bit.Great news for Brooks owners. Jene where do you rank him going forward for the rest of the year? Ceiling? Floor?It's official -- Brooks is the starting MLB moving forward.BRIAN SIMMONS to play strong side
Jene, what do you think Brooks will do today? Something like 6 solo t and 2 assists?About where you'd have ranked Odell Thurman last year -- mid-high LB2 with a ceiling at low LB1 if he can match Odell's big play production. The schedule is much tougher and if Brooks improves at staying in his gaps, his tackles stats could be pretty big. Bengal homer aside: I don't like Simmons on the strong side -- not one bit.Great news for Brooks owners. Jene where do you rank him going forward for the rest of the year? Ceiling? Floor?It's official -- Brooks is the starting MLB moving forward.BRIAN SIMMONS to play strong side
Jene Bramel
Footballguy
I think he'll do well. He's quick enough to make plays against Vick and Dunn. I'd say 6-2-0 is possible. Could be better. I'm not a projections type guy -- but the matchup is a good one.Jene, what do you think Brooks will do today? Something like 6 solo t and 2 assists?About where you'd have ranked Odell Thurman last year -- mid-high LB2 with a ceiling at low LB1 if he can match Odell's big play production. The schedule is much tougher and if Brooks improves at staying in his gaps, his tackles stats could be pretty big. Bengal homer aside: I don't like Simmons on the strong side -- not one bit.Great news for Brooks owners. Jene where do you rank him going forward for the rest of the year? Ceiling? Floor?It's official -- Brooks is the starting MLB moving forward.BRIAN SIMMONS to play strong side
Thanks for the info Jene. Let's go Brooks!It's official -- Brooks is the starting MLB moving forward.
BRIAN SIMMONS to play strong side
The Bengals showed their faith in rookie middle linebacker Ahmad Brooks Sunday when they kept him in Sunday’s starting lineup and moved Brian Simmons to the strong side in place of the injured Rashad Jeanty.
Does Brooks blitz much? He got a sack last week.I think he'll do well. He's quick enough to make plays against Vick and Dunn. I'd say 6-2-0 is possible. Could be better. I'm not a projections type guy -- but the matchup is a good one.Jene, what do you think Brooks will do today? Something like 6 solo t and 2 assists?About where you'd have ranked Odell Thurman last year -- mid-high LB2 with a ceiling at low LB1 if he can match Odell's big play production. The schedule is much tougher and if Brooks improves at staying in his gaps, his tackles stats could be pretty big. Bengal homer aside: I don't like Simmons on the strong side -- not one bit.Great news for Brooks owners. Jene where do you rank him going forward for the rest of the year? Ceiling? Floor?It's official -- Brooks is the starting MLB moving forward.BRIAN SIMMONS to play strong side
Jene Bramel
Footballguy
Fairly often -- about as much as Thurman did last year. He probably came on a run or pass blitz about 4 or 5 times last week. Maybe as often as Tatupu, Mike Peterson. The sack was actually a run blitz. Brooks got through the A gap so quickly he almost stole the handoff.Does Brooks blitz much? He got a sack last week.I think he'll do well. He's quick enough to make plays against Vick and Dunn. I'd say 6-2-0 is possible. Could be better. I'm not a projections type guy -- but the matchup is a good one.Jene, what do you think Brooks will do today? Something like 6 solo t and 2 assists?About where you'd have ranked Odell Thurman last year -- mid-high LB2 with a ceiling at low LB1 if he can match Odell's big play production. The schedule is much tougher and if Brooks improves at staying in his gaps, his tackles stats could be pretty big. Bengal homer aside: I don't like Simmons on the strong side -- not one bit.Great news for Brooks owners. Jene where do you rank him going forward for the rest of the year? Ceiling? Floor?It's official -- Brooks is the starting MLB moving forward.BRIAN SIMMONS to play strong side
Jene Bramel
Footballguy
Hobson has updated his initial news update. Landon Johnson gets the start at WLB.
With Jeanty missing his fourth straight game with a foot injury, the move kept Johnson and his 43 team-high tackles on the field. Johnson went back to weak, where he started the first three games of the season before Jeanty got hurt.
With Jeanty missing his fourth straight game with a foot injury, the move kept Johnson and his 43 team-high tackles on the field. Johnson went back to weak, where he started the first three games of the season before Jeanty got hurt.
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Jene Bramel
Footballguy
Nickel defense. And Johnson and Brooks had each just overrun a play fake allowing Vick to get outside on a bootleg. He'll take all the snaps in the base defense and a good number of nickel snaps too.something is wrong
2-4-ATL 25 (14:16) W.Dunn left tackle to ATL 27 for 2 yards (C.Miller).
Caleb Miller on 2nd down ??
Jene Bramel
Footballguy
Didn't look as active in the second half. Hard to tell for certain, but it looked like they may have asked him to play a spy role on Vick after halftime or at least not crash the gaps as hard. He was up in the A gap consistently in the first half, not so much in the second. He also looked a little lost in zone coverage with Vick looking him off more than once in the second half on passes over the deep middle.
In any event, I agree, it's a little messy right now. There didn't seem to be an easily definable reason for the personnel shifts -- it wasn't a clear cut rotation by series or down/distance that I picked up on. All four backers played a fair amount.
In any event, I agree, it's a little messy right now. There didn't seem to be an easily definable reason for the personnel shifts -- it wasn't a clear cut rotation by series or down/distance that I picked up on. All four backers played a fair amount.
Jene Bramel
Footballguy
No major news.Jeanty is probable this week, has practiced two straight days, and may be good to go. Simmons is questionable, hasn't practiced yet, and not looking good to go. We'll see what Friday brings.
Jene Bramel
Footballguy
Simmons downgraded to doubtful after not practicing again today. Jeanty will play this week, but Lewis refused to say if he'll start or not.
Cincinnati Enquirer (Mark Curnutte blog)
The Bengals are likely to be without the services of veteran linebacker Brian Simmons at Baltimore Sunday. He was downgraded today to doubtful with a neck injury.
The good news for the Bengals is that rookie linebacker Rashad Jeanty, out for more than a month with a foot injury, did practice today for the third day in a row and remained probable. Coach Marvin Lewis said Jeanty would play but withheld information whether Jeanty will start.
Cincinnati Enquirer (Mark Curnutte blog)
The Bengals are likely to be without the services of veteran linebacker Brian Simmons at Baltimore Sunday. He was downgraded today to doubtful with a neck injury.
The good news for the Bengals is that rookie linebacker Rashad Jeanty, out for more than a month with a foot injury, did practice today for the third day in a row and remained probable. Coach Marvin Lewis said Jeanty would play but withheld information whether Jeanty will start.
Jene Bramel
Footballguy
He should play more this week with Simmons out, but I've not found a pattern for the snaps he'll play yet. Some long passing downs, some short. Some 3 WR sets, some 2 TE sets. Blitzes some, drops in coverage some. Most of his value will come from run downs/situations anyway.
Jene Bramel
Footballguy
Brian Simmons is inactive this week and Rashad Jeanty returns to the starting lineup on the strong side. No confirmation on the remainder of the starting lineup, but it'll likely be Landon Johnson on the weak side and Ahmad Brooks in the middle with a healthy dose of Caleb Miller mixed in.
Geoff Hobson will update this link before game time with the lineup changes most likely.
Geoff Hobson will update this link before game time with the lineup changes most likely.
Jeanty, Johnson and Miller all have more tackles than Brooks. WTF?
