mgteich

We'll find out on Sunday. Cinci is a running team with Ochocinco and TO as their wideouts. They'll run it as much as they can.

BradyToHernandez

I looked at Benson's "situational stats" and how he fares on each type of run.

2009 stats
Wide right - 59 attempts, 209 yards, 3.5 AVG, 0 TD
Right - 77 attempts, 296 yards, 3.8 AVG, 3 TD
Middle - 45 attempts, 157 yards, 3.5 AVG, 0 TD
Left - 69 attempts, 397 yards, 5.8 AVG, 2 TD
Wide Left - 51 attempts, 192 yards, 3.8 AVG, 1 TD

Seems like they run a little better to their left side of the offensive line.

Should be a nice early test for the D-Line and Linebackers.

jmt57

The Bengals ranked 4th in the NFL in rushing attempts last year, with 31.6 attempts per game. The Jets were first with 37.9 rushing attempts per game. Nine days from right now we'll have a pretty good idea of how good the Pats' run defense is.

AzPatsFan

I don't frankly know whether our Run Defense is better, the same, or worse. I do know that the coaching staff spent a major part of its attention to it, in the offseason, bringing in two vet starters, drafting a couple of defensive linemen, and ILBs, and developing a Safety.

Hopefully, its better than a small hole opened at the start of last season by Seymour's trade, without any time to do much about it.

patsinthesnow

I don't think we'll find out with a rookie and a 2nd year CB covering Ochocinco and T.O.

D-cleater

It will be better than last year. The loss of Warren hurts, but Whatever dropoff there is between him and Gerard Warren will be balanced out by:

1) The addition of Spikes
2) Ninko having more experience in the system, and the subtraction of Burgess 3) Brace and Pryor being able to provide more depth
4) Wilfork and Mayo is healthy, and Wilfork is healthy AND happy.

Mike Wright can get pushed around a little, but no more than Jarvis IMO.

McCourty looks to be good against the run. TBC, Merriweather, Butler = same as last year.

Finally, I think Chung will be an upgrade over Sanders against the run. Neither of them have exceptional instincts, but Chung's speed will help, and he has a year in the system.

BradyMossWelker

I'm not that worried with it. People talk like if Butler and McCourty are bad corners, and TO and 85 are better than ever. They'll do fine.
I'm more worried with Benson running all over us, than a average quarterback throwing to some old recievers.
Answering the question. Our defense with Ty would be a good run D, but without him, I don't know, our LB are good against the run though.

mgcolby

As JMT pointed out we will definitely have an idea of where they are in 9 days. I think they will be strong up the middle but the perimiter is where the question marks are. Can Warren/Wright/Brace be stout? I think we know what we have in Tully. How about Murrell/Nink/Cunningham can they set the edge?

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Deus Irae

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TheComeback

The run defense is a question mark at this point. I thought it was pretty good last year until the end. I think it will be fine this year once Brace and G. Warren figure things out. I see Spikes, at least, making some plays on early downs.