Offense? What Offense!

[bengalskyspy]

We all love to complain and moan about this team's perennial lack of defense, and its true that the Bengals D is among the worst in the NFL. But, the real problem with this team is the offense. This team is built on the offense, much like the Colts, but our offense in no where near as consistent as Indy. Dare I say the sainted Carson Palmer is no where near Peyton or Brady or even Rothlisberger. Yes he makes the frequent laser pass, but in between those plays, he is planted like a tree in the pocket, but goes down with just a touch. Peyton is much faster finding the open receiver. Brady does as well, plus he can allude the rush to find the open man. Rothlisberger just cant be tackled and makes plays with his feet. Carson's game is limited, and as such I think he may be the most overrated QB in the NFL.

No running game either. Rudy thinks he is a scat back now. He needs to get his head out of his arse.

Levi needs to get over his case of the arse.

Chad needs to get his head on straight and run the right routes.

Chris Henry needs to grow the frik up.

Brat needs to stop drinking and stick with the strengths of this team. Keny Watson as the focal point of your game plan? Did you think that would catch the Patriots by surprise?

TJ will go to to the Pro Bowl this year and not Chad. He's our only consistent playmaker.

The Bengals D played well enough last night for this team to win. They played well enough to win in Seattle.

The offense needs to get it together now or this season is over!

[ShulaSteakhouse]

I don't know, giving up 34 points and with the offense only turning it over once doesn't seem like such a good performance to me.

Back-up Pats RB's averaging over 5+ YPC doesn't seem like good defense to me.

I think the problem with the offense is that they don't have enough weapons, depth, and their 0-line is below average.

A chunk of this is coaching philosophy as well.

It's not just one thing or another - it's a # of issues.

The offense had a bad game and are more banged up than the defense - and gave them the lead last week with just a few minutes to play and the defense blew it again.

They scored 45 points a week before that.

If they are going to be "built around offense" then they need to do more in the off-season to add depth and talent on the o-line and/or TE specifically.

And everyone bitched at me in the off-season for complaining about Alexander and the 0-line.

Well that's your biggest problem next to the Lb'er situation as predicted. Re-signing two OT's who can't stay healthy and eating up all your cap room while the rest of the team suffers, and your QB can't get a pass off for more than 23 yards cause he has no time to throw, and your Rb's can barely get back to the LOS most of the time.

3 and out - punt - the defense is worn out by half time and can't get any stops after the 1st quarter any ways.

[mgilgris]

Agreed this team really has no strong points. I would say our WR's are one, but they cant seem to keep from pouting on the side line. I love Chad, but I think we are best trade his value while it is high for defense. I am not a doomsdayer but things have to change, and while he is explosive on the field, he is also explosive in the locker room. Time for Marvin to kick some A$$ and make this into a real team instead of a bunch of individuals who all think they are good. Think is a relative term.

[Whur CHad At?]

Chad needs to start catching the ball, he had 4 droped passes yesterday. They were 4 tough passes but easily capable of being caught. If you are going to say your the best, you better back it up every play. Stop Blaming Carson for your mistakes.

I cant completley blame the offense for this loss. The defense has given up 109 points in the last 3 games. The Blame starts at the top with Marvin. Maybe he will look into switching defensive cordinators during the bye week...but knowing him he wont. Maybe we will get new defensive studs like Al Wilson or someone else...But no def. wont happen. WOuldnt want to improve this defensive at all.

[bengalskyspy]

I don't know, giving up 34 points and with the offense only turning it over once doesn't seem like such a good performance to me.

Back-up Pats RB's averaging over 5+ YPC doesn't seem like good defense to me.

I think the problem with the offense is that they don't have enough weapons, depth, and their 0-line is below average.

A chunk of this is coaching philosophy as well.

It's not just one thing or another - it's a # of issues.

The offense had a bad game and are more banged up than the defense - and gave them the lead last week with just a few minutes to play and the defense blew it again.

They scored 45 points a week before that.

If they are going to be "built around offense" then they need to do more in the off-season to add depth and talent on the o-line and/or TE specifically.

And everyone bitched at me in the off-season for complaining about Alexander and the 0-line.

Well that's your biggest problem next to the Lb'er situation as predicted. Re-signing two OT's who can't stay healthy and eating up all your cap room while the rest of the team suffers, and your QB can't get a pass off for more than 23 yards cause he has no time to throw, and your Rb's can barely get back to the LOS most of the time.

3 and out - punt - the defense is worn out by half time and can't get any stops after the 1st quarter any ways.

I did not say they played good, I said they played well enough. But I agree with you on the Oline and coaching thereof. They are the foundation of the O's inconsistency.

[711chad]

those drops were not drops...when the ball that much behind...chad and tj and carson will be in the pro bowl

[The PatternMaster]

Carson needs to step it up, he forces the ball way to often which result int's when there are open receivers. On the play were he threw the int before the half he had TJ wide open but he threw into double coverage and it got intercepted. Then he goes after Chad and now Chad's the bad guy, Carson actually took responsibility and said it was his fault, so we don't have to blame Chad for that one.

But Carson should look to see how Peyton manages a game and doesn't go for the homerun everytime he gets the ball, he takes what the defense gives him and extends drives to keep his defense off the field. Carson has to manage this offense better because he is the leader of the group.

I don't see why nobody criticizes Carson like he's incapable of making mistakes, he has alot of room for improvement, imo. People have no problem calling out any other player when they make mistakes, but Carson is like a god who can do no wrong it seems.

[JoePong]

It seems like Carson hit a plateau. He improved a lot between his first and second seasons as a starter, but really hasn't gotten any better since then. In fact, his play may have dropped off. He doesn't seem nearly as sharp as he was in 2005. Now, that may be due to the people around him, but it's time for him to step up.

The offense has played well in only one out of 4 games this year (Cleveland). The defense ws great against Baltimore. Played relatively well against Settle- a very good offense in a tough place to play-up until the last drive. But they played well enough to win if our offense had done anything at all. And the defense hung in there pretty tough against New England for a while. But the lack of help they received from our inept offense and all the injuries finally caught up with them. The only TD our offense scored was as a result of a short field they were given by our defense after the INT.

[SkinneymulleT]

It seems like Carson hit a plateau. He improved a lot between his first and second seasons as a starter, but really hasn't gotten any better since then. In fact, his play may have dropped off. He doesn't seem nearly as sharp as he was in 2005. Now, that may be due to the people around him, but it's time for him to step up.

The offense has played well in only one out of 4 games this year (Cleveland). The defense ws great against Baltimore. Played relatively well against Settle- a very good offense in a tough place to play-up until the last drive. But they played well enough to win if our offense had done anything at all. And the defense hung in there pretty tough against New England for a while. But the lack of help they received from our inept offense and all the injuries finally caught up with them. The only TD our offense scored was as a result of a short field they were given by our defense after the INT.

Carson's passer rating was over 100 each game but the last. Hardly a fall off. And when your d is in the bottom 2 in every catagory, cant be said to be his fault. Maybe he presses to much to make up for our s**tty d. And he has no weapons but tj and cj.

[tmartin22]

did anyone else want to see the bengals come out throwing like the pats did monday night? first drive pats throw it 8 out of 10 times and it only results in a field goal, but still. bengals come out, run-run-run-incomplete-sack-punt. think that set the pace of the game at all? i think one of the only ways they would have won was to get into a shoot out. put some confidence in your quarterback and let him go over the top.

and i cant believe no one has said anything about the special teams coverage... the defense, in my opinion, played well enough to win at seattle, except that last drive. but they had absolutely no help. when graham kicks it out of bounds on that last drive, i think everyone was thinking the same thing.... i would have to say they played decently against a very good return man in ellis hobbs and a good punt returner with wes welker. but before that, they have given 50+ yard returns in 3 of their 4 games. obviously thats not helping the defense at all...

[fattyjay]

I think its fairly obvious from at least the middle of last year until now that the running game is suffering big time. Of course like seemingly every other area of the team, the run game is hurting partially because of injury. The other part of the argument is that they have been playing from behind and therefore have to abandon the run to play catch-up. I have also read in different threads that the play-calling in general is to blame because Brat is just pass happy. In my opinion these and other explanations all could be viewed as to why they are not able to be effective running the ball. I know I am not scooping anyone when I say that the running game is a problem, but I think it is a bigger problem than most realize. Having success running the ball has such a profound affect on the game as a whole. I know that most here are football savvy enough to know how it relates to time of possession, keeping the defense fresh, not having the quarterback shoulder all of the offensive load, improving the morale of the offensive line, demoralizing the opposing defense, and play-action passing. I think in this time off that they have they should focus on what's important in winning games...running the ball and stopping the run. These are and will remain to be the basics of this game.

[icehole3]

I was stunned when they came out with all the running, I was going Rudi's gotta be pissed because they never come out like that. I was thinking a night game Brat mustve hit happy hour or something. The defense, when 2 of the LBs went down I lost all hope, I know their hands are tied because of the injured reserve situation but geez, we're the only team in the NFL this type of stuff happens to.

[SkinneymulleT]

I think its fairly obvious from at least the middle of last year until now that the running game is suffering big time. Of course like seemingly every other area of the team, the run game is hurting partially because of injury. The other part of the argument is that they have been playing from behind and therefore have to abandon the run to play catch-up. I have also read in different threads that the play-calling in general is to blame because Brat is just pass happy. In my opinion these and other explanations all could be viewed as to why they are not able to be effective running the ball. I know I am not scooping anyone when I say that the running game is a problem, but I think it is a bigger problem than most realize. Having success running the ball has such a profound affect on the game as a whole. I know that most here are football savvy enough to know how it relates to time of possession, keeping the defense fresh, not having the quarterback shoulder all of the offensive load, improving the morale of the offensive line, demoralizing the opposing defense, and play-action passing. I think in this time off that they have they should focus on what's important in winning games...running the ball and stopping the run. These are and will remain to be the basics of this game.

Rudy has been ridden hard for 4 years now. Historically, when backs get as many carries as he has their production falls off significantly. He is broken or nearly so. Our change of pace backs break with 1 play. Willie is a fatburger. Guychech is MIA and we have a cast off from the cardinals as his replacement. Levi MIA. Whitworth is large but has not impressed. What choice do we have but to air it out?

[volcom69]

How can u blame just one phase of this team every phase got out coached and out played so i think u need to just blame everyone for the things going on the football field and in the locker room.

[fattyjay]

I wasn't blaming. I was simply saying that they need to refocus their attention to their lack of ability to run the football. Unlike most on this board I'm not calling for anyone's head or getting ready to jump off any bridge. I'm a believer in you go through the season as a unit, good or bad. The offseason is the time to make personnel moves.

[tmartin22]

in hindsight, steinbach shoulda been signed? thoughts?

[kingwilly]

I think its fairly obvious from at least the middle of last year until now that the running game is suffering big time. Of course like seemingly every other area of the team, the run game is hurting partially because of injury. The other part of the argument is that they have been playing from behind and therefore have to abandon the run to play catch-up. I have also read in different threads that the play-calling in general is to blame because Brat is just pass happy. In my opinion these and other explanations all could be viewed as to why they are not able to be effective running the ball. I know I am not scooping anyone when I say that the running game is a problem, but I think it is a bigger problem than most realize. Having success running the ball has such a profound affect on the game as a whole. I know that most here are football savvy enough to know how it relates to time of possession, keeping the defense fresh, not having the quarterback shoulder all of the offensive load, improving the morale of the offensive line, demoralizing the opposing defense, and play-action passing. I think in this time off that they have they should focus on what's important in winning games...running the ball and stopping the run. These are and will remain to be the basics of this game.

This is why we saw them take Perry and then take Irons. The run game is a known issue that needs bolstering and Rudi is bound to get hurt/slow down eventually.

The thing that is saddest about this is knowing that a freak injury to Pollack and some bad decisions by Odell is part of what would be making a huge differnce right now. Turn the page.