Bill Belichick raves about ‘disruptive’ Geno Atkins, ‘elite’ A.J. Green
The 2-3 Bengals have talent, and are in need of a win given their tough division.
The Patriots play host to Cincinnati this weekend, and as usual, Bill Belichick isn’t taking his opponent lightly.
But unlike the Browns, the Bengals are not on their fourth quarterback of the season, and they have All-Pro talent on both sides of the ball. Belichick spoke about, in particular, defensive tackle Geno Atkins and wide receiver A.J. Green as being game-changing talents.
Belichick calls Geno Atkins “one of the most disruptive players in the league.”
— Zack Cox (@zm_cox) October 12, 2016
In his seven seasons, Atkins has notched nearly 50 sacks, with 2.5 already through just five games. Atkins has two double-digit sack seasons at the defensive tackle position, an enormous accomplishment given that the prototypical player at the position is built to take up space and push lineman back, rather than slip past blocks.
“He has great explosion and quickness,” Belichick said.
The fact that Atkins is no slouch in the run-game, and occasionally the best at his position in that regard, while being the victim of frequent double teams, and still manages to post gaudy pass rushing statistics makes him one of the best defenders in the league.
“He’s hard to block in the running game,” he added. “He’s a dynamic player, great motor, quickness, balance, playing strength, instincts, really good.”
BB: What separates AJ Green from others is his quickness, ability on intermediate routes.
— Kevin Duffy (@KevinRDuffy) October 12, 2016
On the other side of the ball for the Bengals is A.J. Green, a player selected to the Pro-Bowl in each of his five seasons thus far, and yet he is on pace to match or exceed his career best numbers in every category as the true focal point of the offense for the first time in years.
Belichick on A.J. Green: “He’s an elite player, just an elite player. There are no weak points in his game.”
— Jeff Howe (@jeffphowe) October 12, 2016
After losing Marvin Jones and Mohamed Sanu in free agency, Green is the lone receiver standing in a revamped receiving corps that has been without tight end Tyler Eifert all season. Green was the fourth overall pick in the 2011 draft, and the 6’4″, 210 lb. receiver has met those lofty expectations with his athleticism and excellent catching ability.
“He has great quickness at the top of his route and excellent hands so he’s able to extend and create separation with his length and his catching skills,” Belichick said. “He makes some incredible one-handed catches or catches where the defender is just draped all over him and he’s able to just get his hands a few inches out further than the defenders and make the play.”
Alongside former Patriot Brandon LaFell, rookie Tyler Boyd, and running backs Jeremy Hill and Gio Bernard, Green is hoping to lead the Bengals offense back to the postseason.
Belichick on A.J. Green: “He’s an elite player, just an elite player. There are no weak points in his game.”
— Jeff Howe (@jeffphowe) October 12, 2016
Quarterback Andy Dalton should be looking his way early and often Sunday, and Logan Ryan, who will likely be tasked with covering him will have his work cut out for him. It will be interesting to see if the defense opts to lend Devin McCourty’s coverage ability on Green’s side of the field as well, and entrust Malcolm Butler in one-on-one coverage.
New England takes on Cincinnati Sunday at 1 p.m. in Foxborough.
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