Bengals OTA notes (1 Viewer)

[Jene Bramel]

Some interesting notes from Mark Curnutte (Cincinnati Enquirer) after the first day of OTAs in Cincinnati.

-- Head coach Marvin Lewis said the team is installing a new defense.

-- Linebacker Ahmad Brooks said he has been moved to strong-side linebacker, a shift that suggests the Bengals are counting on Odell Thurman to regain his spot at middle linebacker Thurman missed the first OTA practice today because he was in his native Georgia, where his grandmother's funeral was held Monday.

Brooks said he was limited to five repetitions in practice because he still is struggling with the aftereffects of surgery to repair a groin injury last season.

And from Geoff Hobson (bengals.com)...

The fallout of drafting Keith Rivers No. 1 surfaced Tuesday with Dhani Jones moving to middle linebacker to make room for Rivers at WILL and Ahmad Brooks moving from the middle to SAM. After practice Brooks said the Bengals backed him off work because he still has soreness from the surgery to repair the season-ending torn groin he suffered in the second game of the season. So last year's SAM starter, Rashad Jeanty, got most of the work there Tuesday.

A third-year player with just 13 NFL games, Brooks said he has never played outside the box and adjusting to the SAM backer spot is "going to be tough, but I can do it."

I have no idea what "installing a new defense" means, but it appears that the door is wide open for Thurman to regain the starting job at MLB.

 

[bcr8f]

Hope Odell stays clean. Can he get 90 tackles? Last time he did well because of big plays.

 

[Jene Bramel]

Hope Odell stays clean. Can he get 90 tackles? Last time he did well because of big plays.

I don't think it's unreasonable to project him to 90 solos. The Bengals faced a below league average number of rushing attempts in 2005 and Thurman wasn't particularly sound in his assignments. The big plays prove that he was around the ball, however, and he's got what should be a better LB coach this year. Thurman is the toughest handicap this season, though. He'll have to prove he's in playing shape, win the MLB job, prove he's assignment sound, deal with what should be a better tackling supporting cast and stay out of trouble.For now, I think he's a LB3 with significant upside. Too much baggage to risk a higher investment until we get more information.

 

[MAC_32]

So the Bungles are planning on starting a SAM who's never played outside before, a MIKE who's been out of the game for two years, a rookie at WILL, all while installing a new offense. This reaks of disaster, the question isn't whether Marvin will be the coach in 09 or not it's will he make it through the season...him being fired is all but a forgone conclusion.

 

[redman]

Why, oh why do they have to screw me by moving Brooks to Sam?

 

[Jene Bramel]

While I won't argue that there was some hedging involved with Thurman's pending suspension issues, the Bengals staff specifically noted that Brooks attracted them as a potential all-around OLB prospect with some pass rush skill. They originally started him in camp at the SLB position and only moved him when it became apparent that Thurman wasn't coming back in 2006. So this really shouldn't be a big surprise. It's what many have been projecting to happen since Thurman's reinstatement was rumored to be likely to happen.

Whether he's a great fit there is another question. On one hand, playing one side of the field should limit the reads he'll have to make; he can blow up one gap or rush the passer and be done.

Actually, that's probably what "new defense" entails. If Brooks says he's moved to the "strong side", it implies that there may be no more ROLB/LOLB, Lewis read and react style. More Zimmer-like downhill, gap-attacking concepts. Would be good news for the presumptive MLB and should keep Rivers value in the top half of every down WLBs as well.

 

[BearsFan]

While I won't argue that there was some hedging involved with Thurman's pending suspension issues, the Bengals staff specifically noted that Brooks attracted them as a potential all-around OLB prospect with some pass rush skill. They originally started him in camp at the SLB position and only moved him when it became apparent that Thurman wasn't coming back in 2006. So this really shouldn't be a big surprise. It's what many have been projecting to happen since Thurman's reinstatement was rumored to be likely to happen.Whether he's a great fit there is another question. On one hand, playing one side of the field should limit the reads he'll have to make; he can blow up one gap or rush the passer and be done.Actually, that's probably what "new defense" entails. If Brooks says he's moved to the "strong side", it implies that there may be no more ROLB/LOLB, Lewis read and react style. More Zimmer-like downhill, gap-attacking concepts. Would be good news for the presumptive MLB and should keep Rivers value in the top half of every down WLBs as well.

"Strong side" = LILB in a 3-4.

 

[MAC_32]

While I won't argue that there was some hedging involved with Thurman's pending suspension issues, the Bengals staff specifically noted that Brooks attracted them as a potential all-around OLB prospect with some pass rush skill. They originally started him in camp at the SLB position and only moved him when it became apparent that Thurman wasn't coming back in 2006. So this really shouldn't be a big surprise. It's what many have been projecting to happen since Thurman's reinstatement was rumored to be likely to happen.Whether he's a great fit there is another question. On one hand, playing one side of the field should limit the reads he'll have to make; he can blow up one gap or rush the passer and be done.Actually, that's probably what "new defense" entails. If Brooks says he's moved to the "strong side", it implies that there may be no more ROLB/LOLB, Lewis read and react style. More Zimmer-like downhill, gap-attacking concepts. Would be good news for the presumptive MLB and should keep Rivers value in the top half of every down WLBs as well.

If everything you wrote comes to fruition I stand corrected, as a Browns homer I'm a little concerned about how much sense your post makes. I'm still not a believer as this is just too much change too quickly, but there's at least room for optimism.

 

[redman]

While I won't argue that there was some hedging involved with Thurman's pending suspension issues, the Bengals staff specifically noted that Brooks attracted them as a potential all-around OLB prospect with some pass rush skill. They originally started him in camp at the SLB position and only moved him when it became apparent that Thurman wasn't coming back in 2006. So this really shouldn't be a big surprise. It's what many have been projecting to happen since Thurman's reinstatement was rumored to be likely to happen.Whether he's a great fit there is another question. On one hand, playing one side of the field should limit the reads he'll have to make; he can blow up one gap or rush the passer and be done.Actually, that's probably what "new defense" entails. If Brooks says he's moved to the "strong side", it implies that there may be no more ROLB/LOLB, Lewis read and react style. More Zimmer-like downhill, gap-attacking concepts. Would be good news for the presumptive MLB and should keep Rivers value in the top half of every down WLBs as well.

"Strong side" = LILB in a 3-4.

They're not really running a 3-4 though, to my understanding. I think they're back to the 4-3, and aren't even running a hybrid. If anyone knows different, please say so.

 

[Jene Bramel]

While I won't argue that there was some hedging involved with Thurman's pending suspension issues, the Bengals staff specifically noted that Brooks attracted them as a potential all-around OLB prospect with some pass rush skill. They originally started him in camp at the SLB position and only moved him when it became apparent that Thurman wasn't coming back in 2006. So this really shouldn't be a big surprise. It's what many have been projecting to happen since Thurman's reinstatement was rumored to be likely to happen.Whether he's a great fit there is another question. On one hand, playing one side of the field should limit the reads he'll have to make; he can blow up one gap or rush the passer and be done.Actually, that's probably what "new defense" entails. If Brooks says he's moved to the "strong side", it implies that there may be no more ROLB/LOLB, Lewis read and react style. More Zimmer-like downhill, gap-attacking concepts. Would be good news for the presumptive MLB and should keep Rivers value in the top half of every down WLBs as well.

"Strong side" = LILB in a 3-4.

Not in this case. Hobson specifically said Dhani Jones at MLB and there's no way the Bengals drafted Keith Rivers to play a 3-4 OLB position. I suppose one could make an argument that Brooks was playing LOLB, but the Dayton Daily News noted that Eric Henderson was moved back to defensive end today, which wouldn't be the case in a 3-4. It was also pretty clear that the Bengals left any 3-4 or hybrid plans on the drawing board when they signed Antwan Odom.I haven't seen any confirmation, but as I think on it a little more, I'd be willing to bet that the "new defense" is really a not-so-subtle change in gap philosophy.

 

[Kirby]

While I won't argue that there was some hedging involved with Thurman's pending suspension issues, the Bengals staff specifically noted that Brooks attracted them as a potential all-around OLB prospect with some pass rush skill. They originally started him in camp at the SLB position and only moved him when it became apparent that Thurman wasn't coming back in 2006. So this really shouldn't be a big surprise. It's what many have been projecting to happen since Thurman's reinstatement was rumored to be likely to happen.Whether he's a great fit there is another question. On one hand, playing one side of the field should limit the reads he'll have to make; he can blow up one gap or rush the passer and be done.Actually, that's probably what "new defense" entails. If Brooks says he's moved to the "strong side", it implies that there may be no more ROLB/LOLB, Lewis read and react style. More Zimmer-like downhill, gap-attacking concepts. Would be good news for the presumptive MLB and should keep Rivers value in the top half of every down WLBs as well.

"Strong side" = LILB in a 3-4.

Not in this case. Hobson specifically said Dhani Jones at MLB and there's no way the Bengals drafted Keith Rivers to play a 3-4 OLB position. I suppose one could make an argument that Brooks was playing LOLB, but the Dayton Daily News noted that Eric Henderson was moved back to defensive end today, which wouldn't be the case in a 3-4. It was also pretty clear that the Bengals left any 3-4 or hybrid plans on the drawing board when they signed Antwan Odom.I haven't seen any confirmation, but as I think on it a little more, I'd be willing to bet that the "new defense" is really a not-so-subtle change in gap philosophy.

x2 They have 4-3 lineman. I don't think they could run a 3-4 more than a few times a game on passing downs if they wanted to. I think "strong side" is going to end up meaning "backing up Jeanty".

 

[Bri]

Thurman was real close to his grandmother. She raised him for a time. He's said to be pretty shaken by her loss.

I wouldn't be surprised if he takes time off or if he returns and his mind is elsewhere. He's going to be pretty difficult for coaches to judge initially.

 

[John Norton]

him being fired is all but a forgone conclusion.

Not a chance. This is a club that stuck with Dave Shula and Bruce Coslet for 5 years each, despite neither having a single winning season. Marvin Has just 1 sub .500 season in 5 years. He's a fan favorite and still considered a savior in Cincy. Unless they go 3-13 for the next 2 years, he's going nowhere.

 

[bcr8f]

Thurman was real close to his grandmother. She raised him for a time. He's said to be pretty shaken by her loss. I wouldn't be surprised if he takes time off or if he returns and his mind is elsewhere. He's going to be pretty difficult for coaches to judge initially.

He could channel some of the pain into inflicting pain on RB's in practice. It is tough, but his career is important too.

 

[Bri]

Thurman was real close to his grandmother. She raised him for a time. He's said to be pretty shaken by her loss. I wouldn't be surprised if he takes time off or if he returns and his mind is elsewhere. He's going to be pretty difficult for coaches to judge initially.

He could channel some of the pain into inflicting pain on RB's in practice. It is tough, but his career is important too.

Maybe not per se what you wrote but, I imagine his family and teammates are just waiting for him to turn that corner. "Moving on" is always easier said than done.

 

[massraider]

Two years off is a long time. Anyone like Dhani as a sleeper?