Deshaun Davis’ film reveals promise and concerns."The linebacker position was a serious issue for the Bengals defense in
2018
Drew Sample Jersey 2019 , so it wasn’t surprising when they double down at the linebacker position in the 2019 NFL draft. The second linebacker they selected
was Auburn’s Deshaun Davis. Davis is considered a very intelligent play and even
a coach on the field. He does however have some limitations, which is why he was
a Day 3 pick. Athletic AbilityDavis’ testing results left a lot to be desired,
but he does show athleticism on the field. Watch as he changes direction and
closes in on the quarterback in this clip. This demonstrates that he has enough
functional athletic ability to play the position.Davis once again shows off his
athletic ability against this jet sweep here. The ball carrier presses all the
way to the numbers. Davis is not quite there in time to make a play in the
backfield, but is able to adjust and make the tackle from behind for a short
gain. Davis is not an extraordinary athlete, but appears to meet the minimum
threshold to be at least serviceable on a defense. Block DestructionDavis
generally does a good job of getting off of blocks. Here he takes on the puller
who is leading up the hole with good leverage and brings his hips through which
gives him power. As a result, he is able to disengage from the block and make
the tackle in the gap.In this clip, the center is quick to get off of the double
team block and up to Davis. Davis engages on the center aggressively and is able
to shed the block with ease. He then tracks down the ball carrier on the edge,
knocking another blocker out of the way in order to get involved in the tackle.
Davis is a bit slow to make his reads, which may be a function of his role in
the Auburn defense. This frequently leads him to get blocked, but he engages the
blockers before they engage him and this helps him get off these block more
often than not. TacklingDavis has a lot of issues with his tackling. Far too
often he dives at the legs of the ball carrier. Even when he does not, he is
inconsistent bring his hips and keeping his legs moving. This clip is a great
example of him diving to make a tackle. He is able to make the play this time,
but when a player dives he takes his eyes off of the ball carrier and leaves his
feet. Both of these things can lead to missed tackles. Look at the size of the
gap the ball carrier is running through. If he planted his outside foot and cut
to the inside just as Davis left his feet, he would be running for a long time.
This is a much better tackle. It is an inside zone play to the offense’s right
and Davis is the outside linebacker to their left. Davis is the cut back player
and patiently waits
Color Rush Drew Sample Jersey , reading the backfield action. When the running back looks to bend back to the left, Davis steps forward. This time, he stays on his
feet and brings his hips on contact with the running back. Davis keeps his feet
moving and drives him back into the backfield. Davis is inconsistent as a
tackler. He has shown that he can be a good tackler, but dives wildly too often
and even when he keeps his feet he does not always follow through on his
tackles. These issues are fixable with good coaching.CoverageDavis was not asked
to do too much in coverage. He mostly drops into the hole and reads the
quarterback. In this clip he does just that. After showing blitz, he bails out
keeping his eyes on the quarterback. The quarterback sets up quickly to throw to
the left, and Davis breaks on it quickly. He gets there shortly after the ball
and is able to get involved in the tackle.Deshaun Davis is not going to blow you
away with his athletic ability, but he shows some flashes of ability that
indicate that he could make an NFL roster. He is a physical player, with a nose
for the ball. His athleticism is a limiting factor, but many of his issues can
be fixed.Bengals Bytes (9/11): Joe Mixon becomes the focus of the offense
Bengals Looking For All Hands On Deck To Cool Off RavensShawn Williams thinks
he’ll play after the first ejection of his life. Preston Brown wants to play
after he didn’t finish a game for the first time in his life. And Sam Hubbard
just found out he’s going to play more defense after he played fullback for the
first time in his life.Marvin Lewis News Conference Transcript - 9/10“We have a
lot of improvement to make, and we have to make it in a hurry. We did a good job
in the running game for the most part, offensively. We have to shore some things
up protection-wise. We got bulled (bull-rushed) a little bit. We need to keep
understanding that and fix it in the right spots. That will be helpful. Special
teams-wise, we didn’t really have a lot of opportunity, but there are some
things we have to be conscience of. We need to make sure we’re always paying
attention to the details and shore things up. Defensively
Cheap Drew Sample Jersey , we have some things we have to do a little bit better. With Shawn Williams’ ejection, Clayton Fejedelem was in the game and Jessie
Bates became the experienced guy back there very quickly, (in regard) to the guy
that’s got all the work (leading up to the regular season). We have to continue
to get better there. (Bates) played a good first football game. We just have to
have everybody on the same page throughout the defensive football team.”Quick
Hits: Bengals Mull MLB Status; Austin Salutes BatesMiddle linebacker Preston
Brown has never missed one of his 65 NFL games, but the Bengals may not know
until Thursday night’s game against the Ravens (8:20 p.m.-Cincinnati’s Channel
12) if he’s available as they check out the ankle he injured in the first half
in Sunday’s win in Indianapolis.Bengals' Shawn Williams: 'I don't know what else
I'm supposed to do'He was the first player ejected under the umbrella of the new
point of emphasis for illegal use of helmet. Williams will likely receive a fine
and any potential suspension for Thursday’s game against Baltimore would be
expected to be assessed at some point Monday. As of 5 p.m., the Bengals had not
received word of any suspension for their starting safety.Cincinnati Bengals:
Grading the victory over the ColtsThe Bengals lost their 2017 opener at home and
then couldn’t bounce back for Game 2 during a short week. This time with a
similar quick turnaround to Thursday’s home opener against the Baltimore Ravens,
they are riding momentum of a strong second half Sunday.Could the Cincinnati
Bengals have a repeat of the 1988 season?You knew Mike Brown had gravely erred
when he brought back Marvin Lewis as head coach for 2018. You knew that Lewis’
third straight season without a playoff berth – and more importantly, his
NFL-record 16th straight without a playoff win – was well underway.Bengals: No
time to revel in Week 1 victory with Ravens loomingCincinnati Bengals head coach
Marvin Lewis came into his weekly press conference Monday afternoon, exchanged
pleasantries with the media and commented that he was tired. With a quick
turnaround to Thursday’s home opener against Baltimore, there wasn’t much time
to rest Sunday night as he reviewed film of the team’s 34-23 win at Indianapolis
and began preparations for the Ravens.Mixon it up: Bengals 2nd-year RB is focus
of new offenseThe second-year running back was the focus of Cincinnati’s
redesigned offense on Sunday, getting all but one of the carries and finishing
second in receiving. A 34-23 win at Indianapolis showed a different focus in
coordinator Bill Lazor’s redesigned playbook.Preston: After laugher of an
opener, Ravens prepare for real prime-time test in short weekThe Ravens travel
to Cincinnati on Thursday night for the Bengals’ home opener at Paul Brown
Stadium. As impressive as the Ravens were and as much excitement as they created
against Buffalo, the game had the flavor of a preseason contest.Random BytesNFL
Team Grades for Week 1 of 2018It's hard to imagine a wilder opening to the 2018
NFL season. The Philadelphia Eagles began their title defense at home with a
Week 1 victory over the Atlanta Falcons. Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers
mounted a thrilling fourth-quarter comeback. And the Cleveland Browns ended
their 17-game losing streak—with a tie.Report: Rams Offered 2 Picks for Khalil
Mack, Would Have Traded LB in OffseasonAccording to Adam Schefter of
ESPN
Drew Sample Jersey Womens , the Rams offered first- and third-round draft picks to the Oakland Raiders for Mack during the offseason. Oakland ultimately
rejected the offer and traded the pass-rusher to the Chicago Bears.Raiders HC
Jon Gruden Says Khalil Mack 'Didn't Want to Play Here'The defensive end held out
the entire preseason seeking an extension beyond the final year of his rookie
deal in 2018. He was eventually traded to the Chicago Bears, where he was able
to quickly agree to a six-year, $141 million contract extension.Jon Gruden loss
gives debuting NFL coaches 0-7 startThe Raiders, in a complete rebuild under
Gruden with 31 players on the team's 53-man roster having never spent a day on
the team's 53-man roster last season, fell to the Los Angeles Rams 33-13 on
Monday night before an announced crowd of 53,857 at the Oakland Coliseum.Todd
Gurley, Rams Spoil Jon Gruden's Debut with Win over RaidersLos Angeles opened
its 2018 season with a 33-13 road victory over the Oakland Raiders on Monday in
Oakland Alameda Coliseum. Jared Goff (17-of-32 for 229 yards and two touchdowns)
and Todd Gurley (108 rushing yards, 39 receiving yards and one touchdown)
combined to spoil Jon Gruden's first game as a head coach since 2008.What we
learned from Rams, Jets victories on MondayAfter a humbling low-wattage
first-half performance, Sean McVay and the Rams rebounded in the second half to
steal time of possession, momentum and a win from the Raiders in Jon Gruden's
homecoming. The league's leading offense from a season ago didn't look it in the
first two frames. Reigning Offensive Player of the Year Todd Gurley had just
five touches; offseason acquisition Brandin Cooks was nowhere to be found; and
Jared Goff looked off.
