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Chick Ludwig covers the Cincinnati Bengals. He also writes about his other passions: college football, basketball and golf.Home > Blogs > Chick Ludwig At Large > Archives > 2008 > June > 28 > Entry
Sea change on defense in ‘08
From my perspective, the Cincinnati Bengals defense has undergone a transformation in 2008.
From soft to hard.
It has adopted a tougher, more aggressive, in-your-face philosophy and mentality under new coordinator Mike Zimmer and new linebackers coach Jeff FitzGerald in an attempt to improve on its No. 27 overall ranking.
The unit definitely needs to be more stout at the point of attack because it’ll play 13 games against returning 1,000-yard rushers this fall.
Containing the run is priority No. 1 for ends Robert Geathers and Antwan Odom, and tackles Domata Peko and John Thornton.
Look for speed-rushing ends Jonathan Fanene and Eric Henderson, plus outside linebacker Ahmad Brooks, to rotate in on third-down passing situations and apply pressure on the quarterback.
The goal is to put the Bengals’ offense in better position to score by creating more turnovers. The difference this season is the defense is dictating the action to enemy offenses, not the other way around.
Here’s the lineup I’d unleash if the 2008 opener against Baltimore were TODAY:
LE — Robert Geathers, Jonathan Fanene
LDT — Domata Peko, Jason Shirley
RDT — John Thornton, Pat Sims
RE — Antwan Odom, Frostee Rucker
SLB — Rashad Jeanty, Ahmad Brooks
MLB — Dhani Jones, Jim Maxwell
WLB — Keith Rivers, Brandon Johnson
LCB — Johnathan Joseph, Deltha O’Neal
RCB — Leon Hall, David Jones
SS — Chinedum Ndukwe, Dexter Jackson
FS — Marvin White, Corey Lynch
CONTACT Chick Ludwig at cludwig@daytondailynews.com
Permalink | Comments (14) | Post your comment | Categories: Bengals
Comments
By BengalMatt
June 28, 2008 10:53 AM | Link to this
I don’t get Thornton still starting. What am I missing. I think he is just not big enough. Maybe he can DE on 1st or second down. Simms will hopefully start at some point this year. Given the last few years I would rather start first or second year guys than marginal veterans. Can’t wait for training camp.By L7
June 28, 2008 11:57 AM | Link to this
Question: Have the Bengals gotten that good that quick? I just cannot see John Thornton being a major force in the NFL. He seems like a nice guy but that does not equate to football talent.By JT
June 28, 2008 12:00 PM | Link to this
Thornton is starting because he’s a starting DT in this league. He might be slightly smaller than the beast DT’s out there, but he’s a 300 pound man. And he makes some plays. Thornton takes undue punishment from the fans because he’s the most recognizeable D-Lineman we have and when a tailback goes off for about 180 then unknowledgeable fans assume that it has to be the D-Line’s fault. Our horrible run D is from not being stout at DE and very soft and weak at linebacker. Hopefully the DE thing has been fixed, but I still see marginal NFL talent at linebacker. Rivers is a rookie and will play like a rookie, but I think he’s going to be a very solid LB. But Jeanty and Jones are back-ups anywhere else in the league.By JT
June 28, 2008 12:17 PM | Link to this
I agree.For the first time in years, the defense shows true potential…not just hope or belief. Hard nosed group that will get in your face. Make guys earn their way on the field…don’t hand over jobs…i.e ABrooks from last year.By JT
June 28, 2008 12:33 PM | Link to this
Thornton is a leader on a defense void of them. Don’t underestimate the intangibles he brings…not just stats. The secondary has turned the corner…LB’s need the most improvement. ABrooks needs to step up off the training table. DE’s need to hold the point of attack much better. No shoe string tackles eight yards down field.By ChicagoRed
June 29, 2008 12:39 AM | Link to this
chick — i enjoy your coverage, and hope you’re right….but any team, and certainly this team, has to prove it on the field before we can claim they’ve turned from soft to hard. They haven’t even played an exhibition game yet.By psychostats
June 29, 2008 2:29 AM | Link to this
I see that our intrepid cryptozoologist, Dr. Chickster, is at it again. Here we have yet another unverified sighting of that elusive mythical beast, the Bengals Defense. It’s too bad that people are wasting so much time chasing shadows. Until some hard evidence is produced, I think we will be much better off investing our time in more realistic pursuits. Like photographing the Loch Ness Monster. Or tracking Bigfoot in the Pacific Northwest. Or waiting for Mike Brown to let his hair down and live a little…By Troy
June 30, 2008 11:49 AM | Link to this
I think the Bengal Defense will be better this year our secondary is going to be much better. Hopefully the pass rush will be better.By Doco
June 30, 2008 12:24 PM | Link to this
The defense “IS” dictating the action? Who have they played? I’ll wait until they play. Maybe even a whole football game.By Doco
June 30, 2008 12:26 PM | Link to this
The defense “IS” dictating the action? Who have they played? I’ll wait until they play. Maybe even a whole football game.By tom
July 1, 2008 8:16 AM | Link to this
What everybody seems to forget is the fact that this defense can be as good as anybody’s if it stays healthy. The Bengals have had a history of getting key people hurt and after the first unit it is all down hill. The last playoff run was fun to watch because the team was healthy and clicking on all cylinders. When we went to the Super Bowl (Browns fans you can look up what that means in Webster’s) we were healthy and got a ton of breaks. Every team needs that to happen and Chickster is right on the money with this lineup. Who-Dey and remember, if it’s BROWN, FLUSH IT DOWN!By null
July 2, 2008 12:17 PM | Link to this
“When we went to the Super Bowl (Browns fans you can look up what that means in Webster’s) we were healthy and got a ton of breaks.” Got to love that loser mentality! Who-Dey gona lose all them games…Da Bungles!By null
July 2, 2008 12:18 PM | Link to this
“When we went to the Super Bowl (Browns fans you can look up what that means in Webster’s) we were healthy and got a ton of breaks.” Got to love that loser mentality! Who-Dey gona lose all them games…Da Bungles!By null
July 2, 2008 12:20 PM | Link to this
“When we went to the Super Bowl (Browns fans you can look up what that means in Webster’s) we were healthy and got a ton of breaks.” Got to love that loser mentality! Who-Dey gona lose all them games…Da Bungles!