Things That Make Me Nervous: The Screen Pass

Let me first just state that I do not believe the preseason provides much indication of performance in the regular season.  Then, let me contradict myself and say that the preseason play by the Bengals leaves me with the creepy feeling that the Bengals' play will be similar to last year.  In other words, I don't believe in the preseason except for when I do.   Allow me to elaborate.

First, here are some goods:  selective players (Utecht and Perry) look productive and dangerous.  Here are some bads:  overall sluggish first team offensive play, surprisingly weak O Line play, non-existent pass rush and terrible defensive tackling.  Sound familiar?  It should. 

However, things can change...the WR core can get healthy, the O Line can step up, our linebacking core is better (it can't be worse) and perhaps Odom will help with the pass rush.  But, in the end, I can't shake the feeling that we have not done enough to improve from last year.  And, if I had to pick one thing that I see that reinforces this feeling more than anything else, it is the following (you guessed it):

The Screen Pass.

Historically, I doubt any single play has been run so successfully against us while simultaneously been used so ineffectively by us.  By now, I view this as comedy more than tragedy.  Every Bengals fan can remember feeling that burst of hopefulness when out-of-nowhere our D Line barrels through and looks like they are about to sack the QB.  Then, that feeling abruptly vanishes as you realize the O Line has let the D Line through and the QB dumps a little pass...you (and everyone around you) lets out a large groan.  The only thing more embarrassing than realizing you were again fooled into thinking we had actually pressured the QB was that the Bengals entire defense was also fooled.   On offense, I just cannot remember that we have used it much at all or that has been effective when we have.

This preseason we have seen more of the same and it makes me nervous.  Why?  Because I believe the reasons this play works so well against us yet so poorly for us are smaller manifestations of some larger problems that have beset the team since 2005.  First, on the defensive side, the lack of any pressure on the passer on the typical play is what makes you so excited when the screen first unfolds and the inability for the Bengals to recognize the screen indicates both poor situational awareness and ability to react quickly (not a good sign for your defense).  Second, on the offensive side, it indicates what I think will be more of an issue than people realize, a dull and uninspired playbook that does not use all the weapons on our offense.  The disturbing periods of stagnation in our typically excellent offense the past two years are not solely due to injuries, in my opinion, and I fear we have become predictable.  Sure, maybe Rudi hasn't been the best back to run the screen to, but that doesn't mean it can't be run.  Hell, at least our defense might see it more in practice so they might recognize it in an actual game.

Perhaps, as usual, the preseason will say little about the Bengals regular season.  But the overall play and the Screen Pass, in particular, make me think otherwise.

Comments

[Paul Katz]

I never care about the preseason except when i do care about the preseason. Truer words will never be spoken.

[Andrew Simon]

Fact: Justin Smith got fooled by the screen pass EVERY TIME. I am so glad that assclown is no longer on the team.