Odell Thurman & David Pollack (1 Viewer)

[Bob Magaw]

article by espn's john clayton... with brian simmons, he is already saying they have one of the best LB corp in the NFL... many cite DEN as #1 with al wilson, DJ williams & ian gold... but that is the first call i have heard on CIN... with that offense, the team could make a move if their defense jumps close to top 10 status...

he uses NYJ last season as parallel... a key difference is the jets had a seemingly vastly superior DL, with john abraham, shaun ellis & dewayne robertson...

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/columns/stor...d=2096905&num=0

"...the moves that could really put the Bengals over the top were at linebacker. David Pollack and Odell Thurman are the inside-outside tandem that should complete the defensive transition of the team. Prior to Lewis' arrival, the Bengals figured Takeo Spikes and Brian Simmons would be the heart of their defense for 10 years. However, things changed.

Spikes got tired of losing and celebrated when the Bengals didn't stop him from heading off to Buffalo prior to Lewis' first season as head coach. Lewis used the big money it would have taken to keep Spikes to bring in veterans to change the work habits and attitudes on defense.

Getting Pollack and Thurman finally puts Lewis' athletic stamp on his defense.

"They are both tremendous athletes,'' Lewis said. "More than that, they are very well-rounded, well-coached football players. The games aren't going to be too big for them. They are going to be able to handle the flow of the game and not let things get out of their hands.''

The buzz of their additions to the linebacking corps compares to what the Jets did last season in adding Eric Barton and Jonathan Vilma and promoting Victor Hobson to the starting lineup. In 2003, the Jets were decent but slow on defense at linebacker. Marvin Jones and Mo Lewis were on their last legs. Sam Cowart struggled to stay healthy with knee problems.

In case you're wondering, the Jets finished seventh defensively, thanks to the contributions of Vilma and Barton. They made the playoffs with 10 wins. The value of tough linebackers is even more valued in the AFC North than the AFC East because the division features more physically imposing running backs such as Jerome Bettis and Jamal Lewis.

Pollack is a linebacker who is big enough to be a defensive end, and he brings pass-rushing skills and toughness to the outside. Thurman may not be as gifted as Vilma, a Pro Bowl middle linebacker in the making, but he's close. He's got great speed and leadership. With Pollack, Thurman and Simmons, the Bengals have one of the best linebacking corps in the league, and Lewis knows the value of athletic linebackers.

"Good athletes at linebacker shed blockers or beat the block to prevent larger plays from occurring,'' he said. "Other times, they are going to make a big play with that athleticism.''

For a couple of years, the Bengals tried to plug the linebacking corps with veterans. Kevin Hardy helped to get the Bengals to that 8-8 level, but the NFL is a league that needs infusions of youth. The energy and excitement created by Pollack and Thurman put the Bengals' defense in position to jump into the top 10.

The Bengals are indeed ready to take the next step."

 

[Bloom]

i agree with this:"a key difference is the jets had a seemingly vastly superior DL, with john abraham, shaun ellis & dewayne robertson..."The jets DLine, especially ferguson and robertson, were like bulls in a china shop. I dont see nearly the same level of play coming from thornton and robinson. Pollack will also struggle some with the position transition. This year may too early to predict a defensive breakout for the bengals, but if they can add an impact DT and have a solid playe emerge from the SS mess for next year, they will be ready to roll.

 

[Rushmore]

i agree with this:

"a key difference is the jets had a seemingly vastly superior DL, with john abraham, shaun ellis & dewayne robertson..."

The jets DLine, especially ferguson and robertson, were like bulls in a china shop. I dont see nearly the same level of play coming from thornton and robinson. Pollack will also struggle some with the position transition. This year may too early to predict a defensive breakout for the bengals, but if they can add an impact DT and have a solid playe emerge from the SS mess for next year, they will be ready to roll.

I think the D-line will suprise people this year. Robert Geathers as a rookie last year, started getting rotated in late in the year and made some huge plays. He's definitely a deep sleeper at DL fantasy-wise. I think he and Justin Smith will make a fine tandem at each end. Bryan Robinson, though not a "star" in this league, is known as a run-stuffing DT, which is exactly the achilles heal for the Bengals D. His addition should sure it up some. Also at the DT position, don't forget the name Mathias Askew. If he can stay healthy, he should see a lot of playing time, possibly forcing himself into the starting lineup. Last year when Tony Williams got a cheap-shot by the Denver O-lineman, ending his season, Marvin seemed giddy about the prospects of putting the rookie Askew in, calling him their "secret weapon." Unfortunately, injury kept him from showing what he can do. Langston Moore started instead as a second year player and suprised many with his ability to put pressure on the quarterback resembling Rod Coleman at times. For people who play in leagues with team defense, the Bengals is an intriguing defense. Despite struggling against the run, they managed to create a lot of turnovers, and should keep the scores down a lot better this year with their growth.

 

[Tick]

I see no comparison with NYJ, with a different alignment and none of the other components of the defense being all that similar. But the Bengals do seem to be headed for an improvement on D, and with all starters back on offense, they look like a contender to me.

 

[pretender]

Just more good news for ThurmanBengals | Believe Thurman Was a Draft Day StealTue, 12 Jul 2005 19:05:03 -0700--------------------------------------------------------------------------------Geoff Hobson, of Bengals.com, reports the Cincinnati Bengals believe they selected the draft's best linebacker in the second round when they choose LB Odell Thurman. Head coach Marvin Lewis has all but anointed Thurman as the team's starting linebacker heading into training camp, while others within the organization have called Thurman "a gift." Says Thurman, "I'm not going anywhere. I'm going to be here for a long time."