2008 vs. 2007 - Personnel Comparison: Defensive Tackles

WDR brings home the 2008 vs. 2007 personnel comparison in analyzing the defensive line.  Because there is much to say about the unit, we'll break the articles up between defensive tackles and defensive ends.  A solid defensive line can make an entire defensive unit excel.  Exhibit A: The Super Bowl champion New York Football Giants.  While the Giants had adequate linebackers, they were by no means dominant.  They also had a young secondary that was fairly shaky throughout the year.  But the Giants' defensive line, led by Michael Strahan, Osi Umenyiora and Justin Tuck, led the league in sacks, stuffed the run and consistently pressured and downright punished opposing quarterbacks.  The strong play from the D-line takes pressure off the rest of the defense and makes their jobs easier.  The linebackers have cleaner shots at running backs and cleaner lanes to get to the quarterback when the D-line takes up blockers.  The secondary and linebackers also don't have to cover as long when the D-line doesn't give the quarterback tons of time to throw.  And a solid D-line can force poor throws from the best of them (even Tom Brady as seen in the Super Bowl). 

Unfortunately, the Bengals haven't had a solid defensive line in quite some time.  Last year, the Bengals ranked dead last in the NFL in sacks with a paltry 22 (this compared with the NY Giants 53 sacks).  The previous year, they tied for 15th with 35 and in 2005, we tied for 28th with 28 sacks.  While a D-line shouldn't just be measured by sacks, it's not like we've been regularly stuffing the run (rush defense ranked 21st, 15th and 20th the last three years) or getting in the QB's face enough to disrupt the opponents' passing attack (Pass defense ranked 26th, tied for last and 26th the last three years).  Given the importance of a solid defensive line and what it can do to the other team's offense, our ability to improve at defensive tackle and defensive end will be crucial to our 2008 success.

2007 Starting Defensive Tackles: John Thornton, Domato Peko

2007 Backups: Michael Myers, Jonathan Fanene

2008 Projected Starting DTs: John Thornton, Domato Peko

2008 Projected Backups: Jason Shirley, Pat Sims

John Thornton is due to make $4.625 million this year.  He had one sack last year, which ranked him tied for 55th among DTs.  He also had 32 tackles (tied for 46th among DTs).  In addition to this, he hasn't drawn attention from our opponents' offensive lines to allow our defensive ends to rack up sacks considering Justin Smith had a whopping 2 sacks last year and Robert Geathers had an astronomical 3.5.  It is unclear why John Thornton, a constant on a poor defense, has maintained his roster spot over this time considering his salary.  Now, given that this is a contract year for Mr. Thornton, there is a chance that he could step up in Albert Haynesworth type fashion (who actually ate the NFL last year) and boost those numbers in an effort to maximize his next contract...which sure as hell better be with someone else considering that the money saved by cutting him could be used to re-sign TJ or sign a free agent is hopefully with someone else.  Don't hold your breath for Haynseworth but it is remarkable how some players can fly to new levels in a contract year.  Perhaps, Thornton's performance will improve.

A controversial contract extension this past offseason was the 5 year, $29.3 million deal given to Domato Peko.  Peko certainly has looked like a good prospect in his first two seasons but the amount of this contract coupled with the fact that we spent all offseason trying to work a trade to upgrade the defensive tackle position and ultimately drafted two defensive tackles just makes the hefty contract confusing.  Notwithstanding the large contract, in his two seasons, he's had 114 tackles and for a good portion of that, he wasn't starting.  So maybe it is deserved but only time will tell.  Peko will either become a fan favorite or take the torch from Justin Smith as "overpaid d-lineman."  We certainly need him to be a force to free up Antwan Odom and/or Robert Geathers to get to the QB.

Michael Myers was a serviceable backup last year in that he was just about as good as Thornton, the starter.  He had two more tackles and the same amount of sacks (1).  He also had a huge interception in the first game of the year.   Myers doesn't do anything particularly special but is a veteran contributor like Thornton.  To WDR, the only difference between him and Thornton is that Myers is being properly compensated ($883,340 this year as opposed to $4.625 million).  At $883,340 per year, we can accept this performance a little better.  Myers might be on the chopping block for this season given we'll have to make space on the roster for new draft picks, Pat Sims and Jason Shirley and the Bengals seem set on keeping Thornton.  But WDR wonders if someone at PBS has taken a long hard look at every game film from last year and compared Myers to Thornton to see if the difference between them is $3.2 million (the difference b/w cutting Thornton and cutting Myers) and whether it might be worth keeping Myers over Thornton.  Such money could be used to for a free agent next year or go to re-signing a veteran (TJ).

There is little to say about Pat Sims and Jason Shirley other than they have the potential to make the Bengals' front office look like geniuses.  Rather than make a move for the obvious need and trading away a pick for Sedrick Ellis, the Bengals stayed put in the draft with the #9 overall pick, watched the New Orleans Saints leap frog them to take Ellis at #8, took linebacker Keith Rivers were still able to get DTs, Pat Sims in the 3rd round and Jason Shirley in the 5th round.  If Sims and Shirley turn out to be solid DTs, then this was a shrewd move (or lucky inaction) in that we got our DTs and were able to pick up the top linebacker on the board.  Sims and Shirley's ability to contribute early will be a largely determinitive factor in the success of our defensive line and defense.

Prognosis: Slightly Better (we think).  We'll give a "slightly better" in that the Bengals did make some effort to improve at the position and might have done so.  Although we didn't land Shaun Rogers or get Sedrick Ellis, Sims and Shirley look somewhat promising but certainly not locks to improve the front 4 immediately.  Strong contribution from either or both of these two rookies would be huge for the defense.

Up Next: Defensive Ends

Comments

[Andrew Simon]

Since I have started writing this post Peko has been driven off the ball by 5 yards.

[Nguyen Parry]

It is pretty sad that the future of our D-line rests on Peko (who consistently gets blown off the ball,) Shirley (who was suspended more often than he played in college,) and Sims (one year wonder in college.)

If all else fails, Mikey could just keep Jeremy Johnson on his diet of chocolate donuts and malt shakes, and let him play interior d-line.

[IgnatiusJReilly]

Call me an optimist or just consider me driven completely insane by 17 years of Mike the Mediocre's reign but I've got this feeling...

Jason Shirley, off the field aside for a moment, is a freaking beast. He's taller, heavier, faster, more athletic, and as strong as either Ellis or Dorsey(and, yeah, I was one of the people screaming at Mikey and Marv as the Saints made our move up to 7)). In the little film I've seen, he just manhandles opposing interior linemen like a kid with toys. Did I mention he's ginormous?

I figure eventually one of these knucklehead picks has got to put his past behind him and pay dividends for the team, For the moment, I'm betting on Jason "What's Bigger Than A Refrigerator" Shirley.

Also, Sims slipped from what should have been a high second to where we got him primarily because his commitment to football was questioned by some over his taking a year off football at Auburn when his mother passed away. Judging by his play in the SEC last year, he took care of his family obligations and was pretty damned focused on his game.

Would I have liked to be going into camp with Ellis holding out instead of Rivers- and without Rivers or Sims as a result? As of this moment, no.

[Reggie Rembert]

Pretty well agreed on Shirley. I think he's got some serious potential. So did Chris Henry but hopefully this dude pans out. He's definitely a wildebeast.

[Sleeping With Bieniemy]

But that hair! Sweet lord Peko has got some great hair...the kids LOVE it.

If Shirley works out I am not willing to give ownership credit beyond the laws of probability finally working in our favor to make one of these character risks finally pan out.

If Sims and Shirley both work out and Rivers is as good as advertised I am not willing to give credit to shrewd insight by ownership on draft day. It will be as you said, lucky inaction.

[IgnatiusJReilly]

I'm just trying to imagine how it would feel, for once, to bring some defensive terror to our opponents. A Jason Shirley, say, in the middle to prompt opposing centers to wear Depends under their uniform pants. Kind of like the Ravens fans must have felt watching Ray Lewis in his prime. He scares me even through the television screen.