Ahmad Brooks is the Bengals MLB (1 Viewer)

[Jene Bramel]

Did anybody watch this game? If so, can you tell me if Brooks is just sucking or what?

He's doing some things better (staying in his gaps), but more things worse (poor tackling, less aggressive, not shedding blocks). He's also not blitzing nearly as often as he was in his first game or two on the job and he played less in nickel packages today than he had in awhile. It looks to me like he's slowing down his playing speed to avoid making a huge mistake -- typical rookie things. His first two starts in the middle could've been a fluke -- but he really looked like a player against TB and CAR. Today, Rashad Jeanty was easily the best LB on the field -- he blew up and evaded blocks and tackled everything he hit. Unfortunately, there wasn't a backer (or safety) that could handle Heap.Also, Landon Johnson was taken off the field in the second half with an injury. He was wobbly and favoring his left side -- either a concussion, stinger, or shoulder injury. I've not seen any reports updating his condition.

 

[22613]

anyone see why ahmad brooks only had 3 solos today? is it just because he stinks?

 

[nortobc]

anyone see why ahmad brooks only had 3 solos today? is it just because he stinks?

Somebody please elaborate on this. I benched him this week and glad I did. I also benched Al Wilson

 

[The_Hunchback]

anyone see why ahmad brooks only had 3 solos today? is it just because he stinks?

Don't go jumping to such extreme conclussions. Everyone thought he was the end all be all not more than a couple weeks ago, now he struggles and all of a sudden he stinks.The guy is a rookie who missed basically the entire off season and is trying to make up for lost time. He is going to have up and downs during the season and I'm sure he just learned how difficult it is to try and get a hold of LT2 for a tackle.I wonder if there were any other top notch LBs who only got 3 tackles yesterday and all of a sudden now stink?

 

[nase]

anyone see why ahmad brooks only had 3 solos today? is it just because he stinks?

Don't go jumping to such extreme conclussions. Everyone thought he was the end all be all not more than a couple weeks ago, now he struggles and all of a sudden he stinks.The guy is a rookie who missed basically the entire off season and is trying to make up for lost time. He is going to have up and downs during the season and I'm sure he just learned how difficult it is to try and get a hold of LT2 for a tackle.I wonder if there were any other top notch LBs who only got 3 tackles yesterday and all of a sudden now stink?

he's actually had 2 lackluster weeks in a row and the week before that was below par as well.

 

[nortobc]

anyone see why ahmad brooks only had 3 solos today? is it just because he stinks?

Don't go jumping to such extreme conclussions. Everyone thought he was the end all be all not more than a couple weeks ago, now he struggles and all of a sudden he stinks.The guy is a rookie who missed basically the entire off season and is trying to make up for lost time. He is going to have up and downs during the season and I'm sure he just learned how difficult it is to try and get a hold of LT2 for a tackle.I wonder if there were any other top notch LBs who only got 3 tackles yesterday and all of a sudden now stink?

he's actually had 2 lackluster weeks in a row and the week before that was below par as well.

I endorse this message.

 

[Jene Bramel]

Missed this one yesterday.

Brooks has two main issues right now. First, and probably more important, he's not playing in any nickel situations right now. He was routinely off the field most of the first half and a good part of the second yesterday. But that doesn't excuse his lack of tackles the past couple of weeks against a reasonable number of rushing attempts. Secondly, he's clearly not attacking as aggressively as he once was -- he looks like he's thinking a little bit too much so that he doesn't make a big mistake -- and has said as much himself. Also, his big game came against Tampa Bay, whose interior line has struggled all season long. He had a reasonable game against Carolina, but has struggled against the better OL of the Ravens and Chargers the past two weeks.

I remain high on Brooks and my positive posts reflect my excitement to see him play. But Brooks is another reminder that LB is not an easy position to play in today's NFL. The Tatupus and Ryans of the world -- rookies who approach 100 solo tackles -- are exceptions. They have both the instincts and skill set to position themselves well in a quicker, stronger league and to take advantage. The Thurmans, Vilmas, and many others all take a little adjustment time. The better ones make the adjustments quickly. Others, like say a Jeremiah Trotter or Antonio Pierce, sometimes take a little longer.

When Brooks begins to play rather than think/hesitate (and improves in coverage enough to play in nickel situations) I still believe his skill set makes him a potential stud.

 

[nortobc]

Bump for 0 points this weekend.

 

[cracKer]

Bump for 0 points this weekend.

Brooks entered the game probable with a groin injury but DNP. Caleb Miller started at MLB and had a monster game.The Bengals are now digging deep for LBs, playing without Odell Thurman (suspension), Brian Simmons (neck), David Pollack (neck) and Ahmad Brooks (groin)

 

[Jestefarean]

Anyone know if this is a sign of things to come? I already own Landon, Odell, and Ahmed. It would seem I should go grab Caleb too?!?!?

 

[Jene Bramel]

Anyone know if this is a sign of things to come? I already own Landon, Odell, and Ahmed. It would seem I should go grab Caleb too?!?!?

Hard to say. Marvin is always tight-lipped about this stuff.Some are speculating that the groin injury was the determining factor, some that the Bengals wanted Miller's speed in the lineup against Bush and the Saints check down and misdirection packages. And there's always Marvin's undercurrent belief that he wants players who know their assignments and do their job. Miller/Simmons/Johnson fit that bill better than Brooks at this stage of their careers.My guess is you won't know the answer in any given week if all are healthy until gametime and even then down and distance will determine playing time rather than who starts on the opening play.

 

[Jestefarean]

Anyone know if this is a sign of things to come? I already own Landon, Odell, and Ahmed. It would seem I should go grab Caleb too?!?!?

Hard to say. Marvin is always tight-lipped about this stuff.Some are speculating that the groin injury was the determining factor, some that the Bengals wanted Miller's speed in the lineup against Bush and the Saints check down and misdirection packages. And there's always Marvin's undercurrent belief that he wants players who know their assignments and do their job. Miller/Simmons/Johnson fit that bill better than Brooks at this stage of their careers.My guess is you won't know the answer in any given week if all are healthy until gametime and even then down and distance will determine playing time rather than who starts on the opening play.

ack! LOL>..thanks very much...guess Ill stick with Landon and forget the other Bengal LBs

 

[Jestefarean]

Anyone know if this is a sign of things to come? I already own Landon, Odell, and Ahmed. It would seem I should go grab Caleb too?!?!?

Hard to say. Marvin is always tight-lipped about this stuff.Some are speculating that the groin injury was the determining factor, some that the Bengals wanted Miller's speed in the lineup against Bush and the Saints check down and misdirection packages. And there's always Marvin's undercurrent belief that he wants players who know their assignments and do their job. Miller/Simmons/Johnson fit that bill better than Brooks at this stage of their careers.My guess is you won't know the answer in any given week if all are healthy until gametime and even then down and distance will determine playing time rather than who starts on the opening play.

ack! LOL>..thanks very much...guess Ill stick with Landon and forget the other Bengal LBs