Player of the game?

[Stripes]

This is what happens when you complement Justin's pass rush with a notable force at DT. He gets my vote all the way.

Geathers... His hit sealed the win. A very intentional dirty hit, but it took the other teams QB out.

No Bengals fan says this garbage. Hell, most Steelers fans (like yourself) would see the replay and admit that there was no wrongdoing. Get a life dude.

[derekshank]

Bengal Billy Bob is, demonstrably, a Squeeler troll. This is one of his better examples of subliminal posting. Here's to you, BBB, a real troll of genius.

I just assumed everyone already knew he was a troll. I didn't even know he was trying to hide it.

All he does here is bash the Bengals and defend the Steelers. Click on his profile, and look at his post history. He praises everything the Steelers do, pimps Roethlisberger as an elite QB, downplays any success the Bengals have, and yells at posters here who post on Steelers forums... (how would he know that, unless he also frequented them?) He's not discreet... so if that was his plan, he's probably about 12. I just ignore him.

[GapControl]

I voted Justin. I have always thought he took far more heat from a bunch of you guys than he deserves, and have been very curious about what he might do with a real live set of defensive tackles beside him and pressure available from the other side.

Turns out, plenty. Nice start to his contract drive.

By the way, Randy Cross? One of the best parts of this win was hearing the aching disappointment in your voice as the Bengals took names all day. Eat me, you putz.

Randy Cross was hating the Bengals, wasn't he? Hehe. Why is he such a basher? I hate hearing these national announcers just waiting to make some Bungles joke because they can't come up with new material.

Eat me, you putz! (couldn't say it better myself)

[derekshank]

So Justin Smith was the player of the game? I guess this means that we're in general agreeing that we'd like to keep him around next year?

I'd love to see this entire D-Line stay in tact for a couple years with the way they played today. Break out the check-book for a Smith re-signing.

[Kazkal]

Aye,bengals have been rewarding their own who earn it and IMO justin alrdy deserved a contract next year to stay with the team...Also it would be a nice change for Defense to get some money spent on it and will have more then enough room after his signing bonus his cap hit can't be much worse then this year . + we have extra 12 million from cap raise and tory leaving.

I expect our Dline have another huge game next week vs the browns whos oline stinks too,Also for those who say some team will offer a contract to justin that won't be worth it I'm sure teams will look at more then his sack total and watch his tapes and see how he plays before offering him a contract they'll be paying him for the way he plays.

[membengal]

So Justin Smith was the player of the game? I guess this means that we're in general agreeing that we'd like to keep him around next year?

I'd love to see this entire D-Line stay in tact for a couple years with the way they played today. Break out the check-book for a Smith re-signing.

I have always wanted him back, but freely acknowledge to being in a decided minority there. I happen to think he's been outstanding for years, turning in rock solid performances with zero help from the rest of his linemates. Now, with help? Now we're seeing some of what he can do.

[The_Next_Big_Thing]

I voted Geathers. He was just as active as Smith, and his hit on Trent wasn't the first time he had pounded Trent either.

However, I think that Sam "My Fat Ass is In Your Way" Adams and Dexter "No Huge Gaping Hole in the Secondary" Jackson should get some credit!

[derekshank]

So Justin Smith was the player of the game? I guess this means that we're in general agreeing that we'd like to keep him around next year?

I'd love to see this entire D-Line stay in tact for a couple years with the way they played today. Break out the check-book for a Smith re-signing.

I have always wanted him back, but freely acknowledge to being in a decided minority there. I happen to think he's been outstanding for years, turning in rock solid performances with zero help from the rest of his linemates. Now, with help? Now we're seeing some of what he can do.

It's nice to be vindicated, huh? People like to dog on him so much... but we finally get some help with Adams and moving B-Rob to the other end, and suddenly he's on a record-breaking pace.

It'll be interesting to see if he continues playing this well... but I've always wanted him back, so I'd love to see some others jump on the bandwagon.

[rwalling]

Surprised Landon's not on the list. It seemed like he was everywhere. Wonder if Brian Simmons gets his job back when Odell returns...

[Edogger]

I had to go with Justin Smith. He was able to perform the way Lewis envisioned. Now he just has to keep it going!

[schweinhart]

Smith played great and he should have. Count me down with our hard hitting Jumpy for player of the game.

[ArmyBengal]

I will say this... It's obvious that putting quality players around J. Smith (something that hasn't been done in the past) makes him the player everyone has hoped he would be. I for one hope to see games like this all season long form him and if so, pay him accordingly... OK, so maybe Steiny will be gone... If it means more of what we saw in the Chiefs game from our defense, I'm ok with that !!!

WHODEY !!!

[Jet23]

I'm voting Big Sam and his all of 1 tackle. Why? Because, he makes everyone better. He makes everyone believe that they can play better than they ever have. Best FA signing in the history of Bengaldom! He set the tone early by just blowing dude off the ball. I said it before and I will say it again, Justin Smith should give half of next year's signing bonus (probably for another team) to Sam Adams.

[HoTbOy]

I voted JSmith also, the last time I saw him play like that was his rookie year, I think he had 11 sacks that year...what a way to start your contract year...SAdams presence was truly felt...he may not have had his named called much but he allowed everyone else to get to the ball...the D as whole looked good...

[Kazkal]

8.5 his rookie

[HoTbOy]

8.5 his rookie

Thank you

[HairOnFire]

By the way, Randy Cross? One of the best parts of this win was hearing the aching disappointment in your voice as the Bengals took names all day. Eat me, you putz.

Randy Cross was hating the Bengals, wasn't he? Hehe. Why is he such a basher? I hate hearing these national announcers just waiting to make some Bungles joke because they can't come up with new material.

Eat me, you putz! (couldn't say it better myself)

[schweinhart]

Count me among those who don't care for Cross announcing Bengals games but I was glad to not hear him bash the Bengals about Henry starting and his offseason arrests, Thurman suspended or character issues about draft picks.

[derekshank]

Justin Smith clearly had a great day. I think it had something to do with Turley's weight being so low... but that's not the only thing. Smith is so used to being double teamed. Almost every play. Now they have Sam Adams, John Thornton and B-Rob at the other end. That is 960 lbs between three guys that must be accounted for. You can't double them all... So Smith isn't getting nearly as much attention. I think it will stay that way... because teams usually have their best O-lineman playing LT, so they will hope that guy can contain Smith, while they try to figure out how to slow down the other 3 guys.

I think our pass rush problems are a thing of the past. We won't get 7 sacks a game... but this was just our D-Line. Our blitzes will only get better as the season goes on. I think we're going to be in the QB's face all year long.

Anyway... while Smith's game was great, and he deserves a lot of votes... he's getting the majority of the votes because of the over-rated sack vote. I think Madieu is the best player on our defense. He was awesome... and it's clear how much he was missed last year.