Yeah, you have to assume the Saints will pound Hill and Kamara today. Big test against the run D that looked vulnerable against the Ravens. I wonder if Lou will move away from his standard base set and use more 3 linebacker sets today.
The D didn't exactly pass the test.... But they did step up when we needed them. That 3 and out late in the game set up the offense for the win. It's going to be a grind over the next few weeks. Definitely games we should be favored to win, but teams that will challenge this D on the ground. Mariota will pose some issues on the ground for sure. And we might be without Logan Wilson. Hopefully the offense continues to put up points.
A win is a win.... They have a pretty good shot on going on a little run here if they can overcome some of these defensive injuries and continue to evolve the passing game.
You have to hand it to our genius coaching staff. It only took them 5 games to understand that Burrow functions better out of shotgun/RPO than under center. Taylor mentioned yesterday that at least 5 or so of the passes were originally called runs, but Burrow hit quick throws because of the soft zone. So, while I agree that Mixon should be more involved, I guess high percentage quick hitter is essentially doing the same thing. Regardless of designs or concept, they did finally get a D out of their comfort zone and make them adjust. That it took this long with this group is maddening, but that's where we are with these guys.
If Bates keeps playing to not get hurt, his stats are going to suffer and his tape is going to show a guy not hustling to the ball. It will drastically start to decrease his FA contract. Which in my fear, that means us signing him to a large contract still where he is now unhappy and we have Dax sitting on the bench all the time.
I think, IMO, the issue with Apple is he's a better zone CB than a man CB...and in this defense, it's such a mix that you end up with stretches where he's in man, but teams don't have the play called to get him 1-1...and he looks good for the most part. Then you end up with games like Sunday, where they clearly targeted him enough to catch him in man coverage deep, and he struggles.
This is a good point. My guess is that he was one-on-one more in this game because of the situation we were in trying to stop the run. We'll have to play more safeties in the box in the next couple weeks..... We play ATL, Cleveland, and TN over the next 5 games. All of them will be a challenge to our run D and that will leave Apple on an island.
I think the Bates stuff sailed.... Someone will pay him too much. FWIW, I think the Bengals played it correctly.... He's not worth top 5 safety money. Though they might be resistant to 2nd deals, I hope they bring Bell back. He and Hill would make a good pair going forward.
IIRC - he's only had one really good rated year as a defender - and that was buoyed by quite a few INT's...The rest of his time has been average, or below. This year, he looks out of place, and slow to react a lot. I have to admit - I also often think it's because he's afraid to go full throttle - but then again - outside of his one really good year....meh.
When we do finally move on from Mixon, it would be terrific to find a guy that can learn how to block. It's embarrassing for a guy with the size and athleticism of Mixon can't do an even average job at pass protection from the running back position. And it's really a major limitation to have a running back that can't be used in 3-down capacity. It tips our plays when Perine comes in.
