Fixing the Bengals

[kingwilly]

What needs to be done to fix this team?

Ok, yes, sending a russian hitman to Cincy for some "work" near PBS could quickly address the root of many problems but unless one of you is named Dmitri or Viatcheslav, let's be realistic.

What is it? Coaching, Players, Schemes?

Coaches:

I think ML has just about used up his chance. Should this team not get to the post-season, I see him going away. Alexander needs to retire, or be arrested for conspiracy & accessory in the 16 game assault of Carson Palmer and Brat must be expelled.

Players:

Thornton, goner. Ghiucuch (sic), goner. Djax, goner. Andrews, walks.

Need a center or two, a G, RT, CB depth, DE who can get it done and another WR & RB.

Schemes:

The D played better, save 2 terrible break-downs...against a very bad offense..big whoop. Zimmer needs more talent, his choices.

Game 1 and that's all I got...game 1 and '09 is being planned, pathetic.

[HoTbOy]

What you said just about sums it up, but also throw in new owner and maybe a better scouting staff, and maybe even a GM as the cherry on top, or maybe a new owner is the cherry on top but anyway, I am very much on the same page...D did not play bad but still can't get to QB, DPeko needs help...

[Munchkin]

Build from the Lines out.

Its that simple...

You got an elite QB who can get it done if you have a line that can hold a pocket for 3secs.

Just build two strong lines and then build the fancy stuff around these lines...

[membengal]

The team is being castrated?

Good. They definitely don't need to reproduce.

[HoosierCat]

Plenty of time to talk about 2009 later. As for 2008, the best answer I can give is: Open. Up. The. F**king. Playbook.

The Bengals seem to run about three plays over and over. It's time to do what Denver did in its opening drive against the Raiders last night: use every gadget play in the book. Get the opposing D on its heels first, make them read and react instead of just charging the line at the snap.

Then you can mix in those conventional plays.

[GregCook]

Plenty of time to talk about 2009 later. As for 2008, the best answer I can give is: Open. Up. The. F**king. Playbook.

The Bengals seem to run about three plays over and over. It's time to do what Denver did in its opening drive against the Raiders last night: use every gadget play in the book. Get the opposing D on its heels first, make them read and react instead of just charging the line at the snap.

Then you can mix in those conventional plays.

You mean be creative? Unpredictable?

Never happen with a Marvin Lewis coached team.

[ShulaSteakhouse]

Remember Paul Alexander just likes to "line em up and play smash mouth, our guys vs your guys."

[CJBestInAFC]

Plenty of time to talk about 2009 later. As for 2008, the best answer I can give is: Open. Up. The. F**king. Playbook.

The Bengals seem to run about three plays over and over. It's time to do what Denver did in its opening drive against the Raiders last night: use every gadget play in the book. Get the opposing D on its heels first, make them read and react instead of just charging the line at the snap.

Then you can mix in those conventional plays.

Last time I checked Jay Cutler had all night and today to throw last night. The Raiders looked like our defense never getting any pressure. If Carson had the time Cutler had last night we would have beat the Ravens easily. I think they need to just release Thornton. What does he do well? From watching this past game and throughout the preseason it is like John Thornton is playing for the other team. Just watch him. He gets blown off the ball and has Justin Smith disease where he makes tackles 5-10 yards down field but that is usually do to him being blocked 10 yards down the field. I am so tired of his crap, he sucks, and needs to go. Why do the coaches not see this? They have more angles than we do at home so why? Are they blind or did John Thornton make the same deal that Bratkowski made with Mike Brown? So when Pat Sims gets healthy are they going to not dress him so John Thornton can suck all game. It really makes me mad that Shirley wasn't dressed for this past game. Could have used him in the 4th quarter when John Thornton was getting it up the you know what by the Ravens.

[volcom69]

To be honest to me Chad Johnson needs to go they should have traded him when they had the chance and they didnt. His me only attitiude brings everyone down, and i think he even has TJ acting like him now to. I dont mind alittle trash talk, but when your team is losing and losing bad, playing soft and not physical then just shut up and play and dont talk trash. I think after the 2005 season everyone saw how mad Chad got and threw punches or whatever he did and never got a game off or any time off so that meant anyone can walk all over Marvin and this coaching staff, and they have. We can either lose with Chad or we can lose without Chad and right now ill take my chances and lose without him and his me why cant i wear Ocho Cinco on the back of my jersey attitude. Right now this is truley where i think they need to look this team has to many players like Chads on here and its time to get rid of the main person and thats Chad. I cant wait till the end of season if this team is really this bad to hear what he has to say then i just cant wait. I hate it, but i really wish they would have got rid of him sooner i think hes been alot of the problem around here and its just trickling down to other players. This is not a team thats on the field its alot of players playin for themselves, and until they look at eachother and realize this is whats going on they are going to lose year in and year out.

[GregCook]

How about:

1. Don't give up explosive plays

2. How about run the ball well

3. How about pressure the QB

All the things ML harped about from last January that the 2008 Bengals were going to do. We did 0.0 of them last week.

[7/11]

if mike brown does finally a g.m., it will probably be matt millen

[DC_Bengals_Fan]

WRs need to get open, and the line needs to block longer. From what I could see of the game (sports bar, small TV, beer goggles), Carson couldn't get to the end of a 7-step drop before having to dodge a DE. No pocket passer could be any good like that. From what I could see, TJ wasn't getting open, Chad wasn't getting open. They were letting Utecht get open underneath, and all he did was butterfinger the ball. What the hell could Carson do?

You have a fundamental problem when the opposition is basically run blitzing and you STILL can't get receivers open, either because the receivers aren't getting it done or the line isn't blocking.

It's the oldest truism in football, but like Hoosier said, you build a football team from the lines out. Neither of ours is any good and you see the results.

[volcom69]

Carson said he wants to be more athletic now instead of waiting all the time hes going to move out of the pocket more if he has to instead of being a sitting duck.

[cincy9275]

the only true way to fix this team is , mikey boy must sell the team to someone who wants to win period!!!!!!!

i mean really he is the root of all the problems. every since ( the greatest football coach the world has ever seen passed) and mikey boy took over, this team has been crap since. it does not matter who we bring in , who they might hire. as long as mikey boy has his hands on this team they will continue to fail. ONE QUESTION: HAS ANYBODY EVER HEARD THE WORD CHAMPIONSHIP EVER COME OUT OF MIKEY'S MOUTH. NOPE YOU HAVE NOT !!!!!! ALL HE WANT IS TO BE COMPETITTIVE. SO HE CAN FILL THE STANDS AND PUT MORE CASH IS HIS POCKETS. that is the bottom line mikey does not care about winning, just profits. i don't care what anybody says. the past 20 years is all the proof you need!!!!!!

[BengalszoneBilly]

the only true way to fix this team is , mikey boy must sell the team to someone who wants to win period!!

We're more likely to see the return of Christ than Mikey selling the team, and I'm not a person who you would consider religious.