Word that the Bengals were releasing linebacker Vontaze Burfict was reported by several sources on Monday and the Bengals made the move
official a few hours later.Burfict spent the last seven seasons in Cincinnati
and had both highs and lows during his time in Cincinnati. He made the Pro Bowl
in 2013 and was a key part of the defense on several playoff teams
Boomer Esiason Jersey White , but the positives were mitigated by penalties and suspensions for dirty play.The Bengals opted to move in a new
direction at head coach this offseason by hiring Zac Taylor after Marvin Lewis’
long run in the job came to an end. Taylor said in a statement that the decision
to part ways with Burfict represented another fresh start.“As we continue to
build our roster for the 2019 season, we felt it best to give both the team and
Vontaze a fresh start,” Taylor said. “Vontaze has been a good player here — the
team appreciates that, and I know a lot of fans appreciate that — but our focus
is on the future. Our goal is to build a successful team for the upcoming
season, and we felt that making this change now was best for everyone.”Burfict’s
feelings on the matter might be related to how quickly he lands with another
team, but it’s clear that the Bengals are happy to start taking things in a
different direction.Dre Kirkpatrick’s highs and lows were all on display against
Baltimore Bengals cornerback Dre Kirkpatrick has taken his fair share of
criticism, but he does some impressive things in coverage when put in the right
situation. Kirkpatrick had a few negative plays early in the team’s Week 2
matchup against the Baltimore Ravens, but as the game went on
Carlos Dunlap Jersey White , he put out some quality tape.On this first play, where Jessie Bates caught his first career interception, the Bengals are
in Cover 1 man (with Bates as the single-high safety) and Kirkpatrick is playing
loose at 7 yards on the bottom of the screen. He lets Ravens wide receiver
Willie Snead IV eat up his cushion too fast. Kirkpatrick struggles with
receivers like Snead who are good at creating separation, and off a free release
that gives him plenty of space to build up speed in the vertical stem, Snead
blazes by Kirkpatrick. He should be faster in his back pedal and transition
faster to turn and run with the receiver. Kirkpatrick is on the top of the
screen on this next play. The wide receiver pushes him vertically and stems to
the outside. Kirkpatrick turns to the outside as the receiver pushes that
direction, but quickly turns back in and stays with him. Kirkpatrick gets his
eyes to the ball and is in position to make the play, but unfortunately drops
the interception. Kirkpatrick is excellent with his feet on this play, but his
hands let him down
Anthony Munoz Jersey , like they usually do. Here, Snead is again lined up against Kirkpatrick on the top of the screen. He is able to stem and get inside
of Kirkpatrick on the vertical route. To his credit, Kirkpatrick fights back and
gets back into good position, but he needlessly grabs Snead’s jersey and draws
the flag. This is a big mistake that gives the Ravens first-and-goal.Kirkpatrick
does an excellent job on this vertical route. He is playing wide receiver John
Brown tight at the top of the screen. His hips are excellent on this play, and
that allows him to transition quickly.Once he turns to the receiver, he closes
the horizontal space between himself and Brown. This pressures Brown to move
closer to the sideline, which narrows the window for Ravens quarterback Joe
Flacco to throw in. Once again, Kirkpatrick is covering Brown in tight man
coverage at the top of the screen. Brown runs a vertical route
Michael Johnson Jersey , but chops his feet after a few yards trying to make Kirkpatrick think that he is going to cut off his route. Brown then quickly
continues his route up the sideline, and Kirkpatrick is unphased. He chops his
feet in his backpedal, then turns and runs with Brown stride for stride. This is
excellent coverage by Kirkpatrick, but an incredible throw by Flacco and some
sideline tow-tapping by Brown makes it a touchdown. Kirkpatrick is best when he
is able to use his strength and length in addition to his speed. On the bottom
of the screen, Kirkpatrick uses his hands to jam wide receiver Michael Crabtree
at the line of scrimmage. Crabtree releases to the outside and Kirkpatrick
quickly gets on his hip. He leans on the route keeping Crabtree on the sideline.
With this excellent coverage, Flacco lofts the ball out of bounds.Kirkpatrick
has had his ups and downs, but has the skillet to be a solid boundary
cornerback. The Bengals could help him by flipping fellow cornerback William
Jackson and him around based on matchups, with Jackson taking on the team’s best
receiver
http://www.thebengalslockerroom.com/authentic-sam-hubbard-jersey , but that doesn’t seem like it’d going to happen based off the first two games.
Kirkpatrick plays best against receivers with some size who have more
straight-line speed than lateral speed, and he also benefits from jamming and
using his length. His strengths are well telegraphed at this point, as are his
weaknesses. With a talented secondary around him, Kirkpatrick has a chance to
turn in an above average year in a new scheme.
