OH MY

[Ox]

Where to start...

First off, I am not pushing the panic button quite yet....

But Jesus H was our defense awful on that first series. The Saints ran, passed and did whatever in the hell they wanted. Granted, we did turn the ball over against their second teamers, but holy hell that was the only good part.

Our Offense looked out of sync, Carson was out of timing with Tab and the rest of the receivers. Chad is jumping offsides, our line is not giving the Carson sufficient protection, and we've got 20 guys knicked up or hurt.

Granted, we're missing our two bookend tackles, but this is worrisome. Most of the time it's the D dropping the ball, but the offense looked bad. How can yo claim to have an explosive offense when Shayne is the only guy performing. He's accounted for 75 percent of our scoring this first two games!!! Unacceptable!!!! Oh, and Doug Johnson looks like sh*t.

A few things:

-BB is fast and all, but this dude cannot catch. He dropped a ball in the back of the endzone that hit him in the numbers at the end of the first half, on a ball that Johnson actually delivered correctly.

-Tab Perry is having problems with his timing, but at least he was on the field.

-I'm concerned with Ahmad Brooks. I don't know if the guy is ready to start at MLB. He was out of place more than he was in. He had one decent series.

-Carson is still having fumbling issues.

-We have SERIOUS injury problems. I swear if this keeps up the team will be worse off than last year as far as guys staying healthy. Landon has a rib injury, albeit not too serious, but at this point we can't lose the guy. Jumpy also strained a rib.

-Paging Ed Hartwell, where are you?

-The entire crowd was booing at the inability to score from the 4 yard line at the end of the second half tonight. Scary..

-This team looks tired, and we're only at the second PRESEASON game of the season....

Good news is at least there was a ton of poon at the game tonight. That doesn't help the Bengals situation though....

Bottom line, we've got to get healthy. If not, it's going to be a long season my friends....

[ShulaSteakhouse]

Rib injuries to me = getting hit harder than you're hitting the other team. The Saints looked hungry and polished.

This team is too soft and laid back - much like their head coach and owner - quiet, cliche, pudgy and cavalier. It gets old. At least act like you give a damn some times.

I think Madeiu and Justin Smith are the only two players on defense with a chip on their shoulder.

I am tired of watching Caleb Miller try to play LB at the NFL level.

[kenyon1977]

I was there too. Doug Johnson shouldn't be playing QB and I doubt there is even a High School in the country that he would be qualified to even coach at. Piece of Sh&t.

BB is fast but running by yourself without a ball in your hands doesn't mean crap.

Are the Saints that good or is our Defense really that bad???? Jesus.

[Kazkal]

I think Madeiu and Justin Smith are the only two players on defense with a chip on their shoulder.

Well I think Jjoe will have it once he returns but eh I'm sure it will turn in to madieu and justin smith are just in contract years.

Are the Saints that good or is our Defense really that bad???? Jesus.

1# ranked offense with a offensive master mind as a head coach ya their really that good IMO saints are best team in the NFC.

[delhole]

This team is too soft and laid back - much like their head coach and owner - quiet, cliche, pudgy and cavalier. It gets old. At least act like you give a damn some times.

I couldn't agree more. But hey ya know where i heard Henry gets the good sh** from?

[ArmyBengal]

Has there ever been so much concern during preseason in the past four years ?? Things will be ok if the injuries ever get resolved...

WHODEY !!!

[UK Bengal]

wow talk about hitting the panic button

ITS PRESEASON the only guys that will be playing 100% will be those on the bubble I admit D looked bad but when doesn't it. The saints are a great offensive team against our D that was allways gonna spell trouble, also what people seem to forget is that was the saints 3rd pre season game we had only played 2 including last night.

Dougie should be cut imo the guy stinks the field up jeff rowe is looking more of a great value pick every time he plays if he aint the backup come the season then the coaches know nothing.

last season the colts lost all pre season games and what happened to them in the regular season. Nuff said

[HoosierCat]

Has there ever been so much concern during preseason in the past four years ?? Things will be ok if the injuries ever get resolved...

Easier said than done...and injuries aren't the problem on the d-line or LB or No. 3 wideout. And Irons is gone for the year.

It may just be preseason, but last night our top guys got stuffed on offense, run over effortlessly on defense...and STs coughed up a big return that helped their No. 2 QB to chew up our D as well.

Last night was not a good sign. Fortunately, there are a few weeks left to fix things. But time is running short.

[icehole3]

The first's missed some opportunities to score, Palmer just missed hooking up with Tad Perry for a TD or its 7-7, then the special teams give up a 50 yard return after the FG. On defense it looked like Ahmad Brooks takes the wrong gap a few times and it allows Mc Allister and Reggie Bush to score. Am I alarmed nope. We are going thru a transition with our LBs, if you expect them to come out of chute performing at an all star level then thats not being fair. The Bengals need to just stay in contention until around game 8. Just dont go 0-8... 3-5 or 4-4 is what Im hoping for. This is pre-season and they need to continue to evaluate.

[kenyon1977]

I see this week is the same as last week were folks say everyone is hitting the panic button and that it's only preseason and that the Colts lost their games.

What I haven't seen is anyone worried about losing the game, but criticizing the game play. Isn't that what preseason is for? If someone sucks it should be pointed out now instead of waiting for regular season.

The only time I hit the painc button and start to look away is when Doug J comes onto the field. Wow he sucks.

I am confused on something though. Wasn't Marvin Lewis the D Coordinator for some really really good defenses??? Why hasn't that translated over to the Bengals? I know talent is a big part sure, Ray Lewis is something else, but if our guys just aren't as talented then isn't that were good coaching is supposed to take over and help the D get good?

[kingwilly]

The first's missed some opportunities to score, Palmer just missed hooking up with Tad Perry for a TD or its 7-7, then the special teams give up a 50 yard return after the FG. On defense it looked like Ahmad Brooks takes the wrong gap a few times and it allows Mc Allister and Reggie Bush to score. Am I alarmed nope. We are going thru a transition with our LBs, if you expect them to come out of chute performing at an all star level then thats not being fair. The Bengals need to just stay in contention until around game 8. Just dont go 0-8... 3-5 or 4-4 is what Im hoping for. This is pre-season and they need to continue to evaluate.

woulda...coulda...shoulda...

A fun game played bt Bengals fans for years. i do not play that game.

as for a transition at LB, I say nope. brooks is the wild-card here and he needs to step it up or move aside. He needs to show more and play better because this does not cut it.

what is more important than the pre-season record is the way they are playing, the effort and attitude...right now it is not there. Someone keenly noted they looked tired and slow. I agree.

[Bobcat Bengal]

Rib injuries to me = getting hit harder than you're hitting the other team. The Saints looked hungry and polished.

This team is too soft and laid back - much like their head coach and owner - quiet, cliche, pudgy and cavalier. It gets old. At least act like you give a damn some times.

I think Madeiu and Justin Smith are the only two players on defense with a chip on their shoulder.

I am tired of watching Caleb Miller try to play LB at the NFL level.

cavalier isn't the same as being soft and laid back

Oh and Ox, your analysis was pretty much on, but don't give Carson trouble for the fumble.....if a Lineman hits you, more often you'll be glad to NOT cough it up.

Plus you could see him trying to catch the ball on the way down....give him some credit.

[membengal]

Has there ever been so much concern during preseason in the past four years ?? Things will be ok if the injuries ever get resolved...

WHODEY !!!

Yes. After the Philly beatdown in the pre-season a few years back when Owens burned them on the first play from scrimmage. That whole game was a nightmare, and the board went to full meltdown. Hell, I think I was one of the ones melting down.

Deep breathing exercises and a reminder that it is only pre-season helps with that, in hindsight.

[ShulaSteakhouse]

I am not going to panic until we see how the injuries shake out around the season opener, or at most the 2nd game.

Too many cogs out right now on offense, ecspecially last night - it was a bit ridiculous. Kelly, Levi, Willie, JJohnson - all have a better than 50% chance of being back for the opener or 2nd game technically.

I think they need to limit Watson's touches in the regular season like last year, but that apparently won't happen again, and they also need to start rotating some of the young DE's and DT's (Henderson, Fanene in particular).

Move Hartwell inside already as well - Brooks is junk.

[HoTbOy]

I didn't like last week with 489 in passing yards & after watching the game this morning, I am starting to feel a little uneasy alltogether about this D...Granted you say it's preseason but last years problems seems to be this years problems already...Can't get of the field or stop the pass...

[cincyhokie]

I didn't like last week with 489 in passing yards & after watching the game this morning, I am starting to feel a little uneasy alltogether about this D...Granted you say it's preseason but last years problems seems to be this years problems already...Can't get of the field or stop the pass...

I think you're right. All of their problems come from one primary thing. They cannot get a decent pass russ from their front 4. When they do blitz they get killed with the short pass.

Until they get a stud DT or 2 that can get to the QB on a consistent basis, they will continue to get burnt through the air and give up first downs on 3rd and 5, 3 and 6, etc.

[ArmyBengal]

Ok, injuries are huge here... No Willie, no Levi (HUGE)... JJoe still recovering (HUGE)... Injuries to all others not named "Tab" in the #3 WR hunt (HUGE)... Irons going down (HUGE)... Now don't get me wrong, the play on many fronts needs to improve, but give it some time. The Tab thing is more timing than anything else and Carson will find a way to fix that. When the players get back to healthy, things will improve. The only issue is that the beginning of the season is the hardest part of the schedule. That fast start Marvin likes might have to be changed to a great finish, something we haven't seen from the Bengals in at least 3 seasons. Not to mention pass rush has been an issue for how long now ?? That is nothing new and it needs to be fixed...

WHODEY !!!

[Sandwedge]

The first's missed some opportunities to score, Palmer just missed hooking up with Tad Perry for a TD or its 7-7, then the special teams give up a 50 yard return after the FG. On defense it looked like Ahmad Brooks takes the wrong gap a few times and it allows Mc Allister and Reggie Bush to score. Am I alarmed nope. We are going thru a transition with our LBs, if you expect them to come out of chute performing at an all star level then thats not being fair. The Bengals need to just stay in contention until around game 8. Just dont go 0-8... 3-5 or 4-4 is what Im hoping for. This is pre-season and they need to continue to evaluate.

woulda...coulda...shoulda...

A fun game played bt Bengals fans for years. i do not play that game.

as for a transition at LB, I say nope. brooks is the wild-card here and he needs to step it up or move aside. He needs to show more and play better because this does not cut it.

what is more important than the pre-season record is the way they are playing, the effort and attitude...right now it is not there. Someone keenly noted they looked tired and slow. I agree.

I couldn't agree more that the performance hasn't been there yet no matter if it is the preseason..

Btw do you live anywhere near the French Valley Airport?? I used to..

[HairOnFire]

Do any of you guys have an extra panic button?

What's that you say?

They're all currently being used?

Sheesh, none to spare.

Well, I guess that's that.

For what it's worth, when attempting to judge team performance I consider the first, second, and last preseason games to be almost entirely worthless, and only slightly less so for the 3rd tilt.

At best you can determine some things about a players individual play.

For example, it would be wise to ignore any and all of Jeff Rowe's quarterbacking stats, but regardless of the level of competition faced it's fair to say that scouting reports about his impressive accuaracy are dead on. He routinely hits receivers in stride, throws the ball were a defender can't make a play on it, and has a gifted touch when attempting tough throws. (He's impressed.)

Or maybe you offer that Reggie McNeal catches the football like a quarterback. Or if you prefer, drops it. (He's a mess.)

Bottom Line: Beyond those types of observations I'm not sure we're learning anything from these games.