Any surprises in store for the Bengals?
 

I have to believe that the Bengals are having a hard time preparing for the Patriots and that BB is going to surprise them. In particular the Bengals will have very little tape on Hernandez Cunningham and Brace. If they are healthy they could be surprise the Bengals especially Hernandez.

Re: Any surprises in store for the Bengals?
 

I'm going to be watching how Gronkowski does against them. He may be able to put up some big numbers there.

Re: Any surprises in store for the Bengals?
 

He, Hernandez/Edelman, and Welker may be able to do huge amounts of damage against the Bengals. In order to deal with our speedy outside receivers, I see them going into a Cover-2 most of the game, leaving two deep safeties back to help their corners over the top. If that happens, our TE's should have a field day down the middle of the field.

Re: Any surprises in store for the Bengals?
 

This has been my hope since they added Moss/the '07 crew. I expect that with Gronk/Hernandez it becomes a reality.

Re: Any surprises in store for the Bengals?
 

I'm hoping Belichick has surprises for them on the defensive side of the ball. I know we played pretty vanilla defense in the preseason and it's time to start scheming and attempting to confuse them as much as possible. Bill has always been known for for great defensive game plans and hopefully, especially with him taking a bigger role, Sunday will show he can still game plan with the best of them!

Re: Any surprises in store for the Bengals?
 

Belichick is the best prepared coach in the league. It's been years since Belichick and Brady have lost a home opener or a any home regular season game.

Of course, there will be surprises.

Finally, if Cinci is suprised by seeing Grankowski being a dependable receiver and blocker, he probably should fire his scouts. Grankowski is hardly a surprise.

Re: Any surprises in store for the Bengals?
 

Clearly Moss will get doubled and the other WR will get single coverage. Hopefully one of the other WRs steps up big time and delivers another surprise to Cincy. Tate? Again there is not much game film on him; the Bengals must be having a devil of a time preparing...at least their defense. I don't think they are too concerned with the Patriots defense and are expecting to have their way with them; hopefully BB has something planned.

Re: Any surprises in store for the Bengals?
 

I actually dont see them playing much man at all, so there wont be a double, but we should be able to exploit that with Brady spreading the ball among all the weapons

Re: Any surprises in store for the Bengals?
 

That other receiver that you have with single coverage has led the league in pass receptions for a couple of years.
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I am not sure that I see the concern. Our top three wide receivers 2009 are back, all except for Aiken, Galloway and Stanback. These three totaled 29 receptions in 2009. We have Tate, Price and Hernandez this year, likely a strong improvement. I know that Hernadez is not technically a wideout, but he should get more receptions than any 6th receiver has in the past.

Watson and Baker totaled 43 catches and were not the reliable options that Brady needed. This year we have Crumpler and Grankowski, likely a strong improvement.

[QUOTE=FredFromDartmouth;2169317]Clearly Moss will get doubled and the other WR will get single coverage.

Re: Any surprises in store for the Bengals?
 

The TE's and the run game will be difference. With Moss, Tate and Welker out there it's going to leave a lot of room for the TE's to make big plays and the run game to get going early this season. If Cincy moves the safeties up into the box you KNOW your going to see some playaction deep balls.