Friday, September 10, 1999SEASON PREVIEW: LINEBACKERS
Speed, depth at heart of defense
BY GEOFF HOBSON
The Cincinnati EnquirerThe gag around Bengals camp has been too bad they can't play a 1-6 defense.
Linebacker is the deepest and most talented spot on the team as well as the youngest. It's centered around the club's two first-round picks in the 1998 draft with inside backers Takeo Spikes and Brian Simmons. At the left outside backer, Steve Foley, a fourth-round pick from that draft, beat out 10-year incu mbent James Francis. At right outside backer, Adrian Ross, who didn't make that draft but hung on as a college free agent, has been good enough to beat out 1997 first-round pick Reinard Wilson.
But you'll see a lot of Wilson, particularly on third down. They've moved him to his natural position — in a three-point stance at the end of the line — as they try to take advantage of the pass-rushing scheme he used at Florida State to become the 14th pick in the draft.
The main reason the Bengals' defensive line went to a one-gap scheme is because they have oodles of confidence in their speedy linebackers to chase down runners once the line flushes them into the open field. Simmons has looked particularly impressive, putting on about 15 pounds to play at 250 without losing the speed that allows him to run one of the five fastest 40-yard dashes on the team.
Spikes, one of the more prolific tacklers in recent memory, is going to be called on to blitz more up the middle. He had just two sacks as a rookie, but he was still busy. He led the team in tackles with the biggest margin since nose tackle Tim Krumrie on the 1988 Super Bowl team.
Francis wasn't convinced Foley beat him out, but the coaches couldn't turn their backs on a 6-foot-3, 260-pounder who has speed to burn. They are concerned about his grasp of the system, but they believe the kid who led the nation in sacks with 18.5 in 1997 at Northeast Louisiana can help the Bengals ring up more than their league-low 28 sacks from last season.
Backup Canute Curtis, a third-year player, had a superb camp and more than anything led to Francis' dismissal. The Bengals like his versatility at playing both outside and inside backer, as well as special teams. That's why they also like Billy Granville, a backup at both inside and outside. They like reserve Jimmy Sprotte's stoutness against the run, which they need with inside backer Tom Tumulty missing the first six games while he rehabs his knee on the PUP list.
One thing the Bengals want to see more from the backers is the ability to create turnovers. The defense had just three in the exhibition season with two fumble recoveries and an interception from a cornerback.
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Speed, depth at heart of defense