No action taken, pulse is fading

[combatbengal]

I hope all you guys who wanted to see TJ go, are happy! I guarantee that he’ll light it up this season! So here is where we stand. We need to improve the offensive line. That’s where it starts and Carson needs protection! We haven’t used FA to address any needs there! So, we’ll draft an unproven prospect and hope he can jump in and provide instant protection for our QB. We don’t have a proven RB to run the ball or pass block! We don’t have a proven WR (except for Chad, who really doesn’t want to play for us) to step in and fill TJ’s shoes. We don’t have a proven back up QB! It is going to be a very long season…

Why can’t we learn from other teams? Look what Miami did last year. Parcels went in there and cleaned house, brought in guys who wanted to play and they ended up in the playoffs! Take a look at what KC picked up this year in FA! They have improved that team drastically! What have we done? NOTHING!! I know what some of you are thinking. It's like this year after year. Get used to it. After all, we are saving money for somebodone bank account.

[walzav29]

Someone will get upset with bring this up, so I won't say his name. It's as clear as a windexed window that either they have NO CLUE how to win, or have figured out a formula to make money without truly competing. I mean look at what has happend. They could have offered TJ this same deal at the beginning of last season and he would have taken it. They draft and develop Stacey Andrews and he leaves. They try to low ball everyone. You had better believe that Ced Benson is gone to. Listen to Ward talk about Cincinnati and compare that to the wining and dining that TJ received. I bet they took Ward to Skyline Chili. It's a joke, and when I'm sitting there is Sept. watching the Bengals go down the tubes for another season I have no one to blame but myself. I don't think you can build through FA, but good teams can fill holes. Which the Bengals have plenty.

[vettespd20]

I have never felt this way until now I am finding it very hard to be a fan right now

[Larry]

Amen Brother.....

Ward is gone..

TJ is gone...

Ced is sounding like he is going to a back-up role to texas...

If it wasn't for the $ we pay palmer, I would feel bad for him....

[James_Brooks21]

Amen Brother.....

Ward is gone..

TJ is gone...

Ced is sounding like he is going to a back-up role to texas...

If it wasn't for the $ we pay palmer, I would feel bad for him....

Ha Ha we have a bunch of chicken littles on this site, the sky is falling. Who cares about Ced, if he has the mentality to think about signing a contract knowing that he will be the backup I sure as hell don't want him starting for us. The Bengals should not have put that much money toward T.J., he may have continued to be a probowl receiver but I don't think it woud have improved the team they would have tried to claim that all their money was tied up in widereceiver contracts so they would not be able to balance out their team. I feel the team will come out better with the moves they make from here out, now they know that the production will have to come from somewhere they will look to build up the offense. Have faith and stop trying to have them do sporadic things like throwing money at a decent backup running back. I guarantee you that Ward is not going to be another Michael Turner. Let the free agency period and the draft play out before we throw in the towel, it's still moves out there to make to improve this team.

[Baraka]

i tend to agree with you james, lets see what happens from here and come july/august we can start freaking out. it is a little disconcerting that they seemed to spend so much time and energy messing with tj only to lose out in the end. and something has to happen on the runningback front, but given what's out there right now, i'm not sure what the best case scenario is. it seems like we're going to have a lot of young players in important position this coming year, i hope the draft goes perfectly, because that's the only way we'll be competitive next year.

[DC_Bengals_Fan]

Ha Ha we have a bunch of chicken littles on this site, the sky is falling.

The sky fell when Paul Brown died. 1 winning year in 18 seasons since. It's not pessimism when the numbers back it up.

[cincy9275]

I hope all you guys who wanted to see TJ go, are happy! I guarantee that he’ll light it up this season! So here is where we stand. We need to improve the offensive line. That’s where it starts and Carson needs protection! We haven’t used FA to address any needs there! So, we’ll draft an unproven prospect and hope he can jump in and provide instant protection for our QB. We don’t have a proven RB to run the ball or pass block! We don’t have a proven WR (except for Chad, who really doesn’t want to play for us) to step in and fill TJ’s shoes. We don’t have a proven back up QB! It is going to be a very long season…

Why can’t we learn from other teams? Look what Miami did last year. Parcels went in there and cleaned house, brought in guys who wanted to play and they ended up in the playoffs! Take a look at what KC picked up this year in FA! They have improved that team drastically! What have we done? NOTHING!! I know what some of you are thinking. It's like this year after year. Get used to it. After all, we are saving money for somebodone bank account.

if people wanted tj or not, it was his choice to leave not any of ours. you knew damn well that MB and company would not do a damn thing to help this team improve. we did not get the reputation for being the worst pro team in all of sports by mikey boy making sound decisions. it is what it is, it sucks and most of us are not very happy with it, but it's not worth getting mad as you are about it. like i said the only expectation for the bengals is don't expect anything!!!!

[membengal]

Passing on the Bengals they have passed on is defensible, particularly when they made a good faith run at TJ. What is not defensible is doing nothing to fill some holes with some legit players during the FA period. I guess there is still time to get some of these mythical legit players, but I won't be holding my breath.

[TecmoFever]

I'm a numbers guy, and looking solely at numbers we're in big trouble. As has been documented in various posts, we have glaring holes at WR, RB, and two OL spots, if not 3 When Bobbie Williams, Andrew Whitworth, and Anthony Collins are your staples on the offensive line, and you have nobody to fill the two other spots at this point, you have a serious problem. And none of this is taking the Ocho Cinco problems into consideration.

For those who say to wait until after free agency and the draft settle, I'm looking at what's out there and what the Bengals have at their disposal draft-wise, and I'm not seeing how all the holes can be filled. I'm a firm believer in building through the draft and not overspending in FA, but unless we secure Benson and L. Coles, we will have too many glaring holes to fill through the draft, and this year will be another lost cause. Carson's not getting any younger.

And for those of you who think that Carson's return will solve everything, I would like you to think back to last year's preseason and the four games that he played in. They were not impressive.

[DC_Bengals_Fan]

For those who say to wait until after free agency and the draft settle, I'm looking at what's out there and what the Bengals have at their disposal draft-wise, and I'm not seeing how all the holes can be filled.

Exactly. The math just doesn't work. They need a starting RB, a starting WR, two starting OL, and probably a starting DL. That's 5 starters, not to mention needing near-starting quality depth at LB, RB, and both lines.

Just too many holes to fill. Some will undoubtedly get plugged in with scrubs, which will be extra fun to watch. They got lucky with their pickups on D last year, but I don't think it's wise to expect that waiver-level quality will always do so well.

[Baraka]

alright, i'm not going to post this in every thread but WE DON'T NEED A WIDE RECEIVER! or a DL starter, we need depth at linebacker, two starters on the oline, and someone, anyone that can take a handoff. i see our most immediate needs number exactly 3- easily obtained in the first three rounds of the draft.

[Clackwoods]

I'm a numbers guy, and looking solely at numbers we're in big trouble. As has been documented in various posts, we have glaring holes at WR, RB, and two OL spots, if not 3 When Bobbie Williams, Andrew Whitworth, and Anthony Collins are your staples on the offensive line, and you have nobody to fill the two other spots at this point, you have a serious problem. And none of this is taking the Ocho Cinco problems into consideration.

For those who say to wait until after free agency and the draft settle, I'm looking at what's out there and what the Bengals have at their disposal draft-wise, and I'm not seeing how all the holes can be filled. I'm a firm believer in building through the draft and not overspending in FA, but unless we secure Benson and L. Coles, we will have too many glaring holes to fill through the draft, and this year will be another lost cause. Carson's not getting any younger.

And for those of you who think that Carson's return will solve everything, I would like you to think back to last year's preseason and the four games that he played in. They were not impressive.

You want to know how they can still fix the team? I do and here it goes.

Step 1-

Sign Laverneus Coles to a deal less than what TJ got

Step 2-

Trade Chad Johnson for a mid 1st round pick

Step 3-

Draft Michael Crabtree with the sixth pick

Step 4-

Draft Knowshawn Moreno with the mid first

Step 5-

Get whichever center is left in the second

Step 6-

Draft an OT that would usually be a 2nd round prospect, but slips due the depth at the position (Much like Collins last year) with our first third rounder

Step 7-

Draft a backup MLB with our third rounder that could eventually take over for Jones

Step 8-

Draft a backup QB in round 4 (This would be after signing a FA vet who can come in and compete with J Palmer and the new draft pick for our two backup spots)

This is a pretty simple plan and it doesn't involve spending a lot of money and it would fill all our major needs.

[Clackwoods]

alright, i'm not going to post this in every thread but WE DON'T NEED A WIDE RECEIVER! or a DL starter, we need depth at linebacker, two starters on the oline, and someone, anyone that can take a handoff. i see our most immediate needs number exactly 3- easily obtained in the first three rounds of the draft.

I do agree with you that WR isn't a glaring need.....We have enough depth on the Dline to be ok this year. We also need a third corner because Jones is a bum!

[ArmyBengal]

Chicken Little...

Like I said yesterday, mention Mike Brown all you want. It seems he's the only thing some know how to discuss.

Go ahead, feel free. I'm not saying anything else.

Chicken Little...

[Baraka]

alright, i'm not going to post this in every thread but WE DON'T NEED A WIDE RECEIVER! or a DL starter, we need depth at linebacker, two starters on the oline, and someone, anyone that can take a handoff. i see our most immediate needs number exactly 3- easily obtained in the first three rounds of the draft.

I do agree with you that WR isn't a glaring need.....We have enough depth on the Dline to be ok this year. We also need a third corner because Jones is a bum!

i agree an upgrade at nickle may be in order, but jones played better as the season progressed

[Larry]

Amen Brother.....

Ward is gone..

TJ is gone...

Ced is sounding like he is going to a back-up role to texas...

If it wasn't for the $ we pay palmer, I would feel bad for him....

Ha Ha we have a bunch of chicken littles on this site, the sky is falling. Who cares about Ced, if he has the mentality to think about signing a contract knowing that he will be the backup I sure as hell don't want him starting for us. The Bengals should not have put that much money toward T.J., he may have continued to be a probowl receiver but I don't think it woud have improved the team they would have tried to claim that all their money was tied up in widereceiver contracts so they would not be able to balance out their team. I feel the team will come out better with the moves they make from here out, now they know that the production will have to come from somewhere they will look to build up the offense. Have faith and stop trying to have them do sporadic things like throwing money at a decent backup running back. I guarantee you that Ward is not going to be another Michael Turner. Let the free agency period and the draft play out before we throw in the towel, it's still moves out there to make to improve this team.

Well excuse me for being a little down about the same old same old. As a season ticket holder for many years, it is tough when you see your bill come in on time, but yet the same old stuff happens. I admit that TJ was too pricey, but we always hear that 'lets not overpay for guys', because that never works.... Well what does work....

As always, I paid my ticket bill, but I agree with many others out there. A lot of holes to fill. Trading Chad is not going to happen, so just get over that. I do also agree, I do not think WR is as glaring of need as RB or O line... The draft cannot get all the holes...

Just curious, how many season tickets do you have? I just assume when you call people chicken littles that you support the team.... Easy to be tough if you sit at home and watch the games on tv...

[DC_Bengals_Fan]

alright, i'm not going to post this in every thread but WE DON'T NEED A WIDE RECEIVER!

Really? You feel totally comfortable going into the season with Chad Johnson (who may or may not pout his way through the season), Chris Henry (who may or may not be incarcerated), and two second year players (who may or may not be worth anything)? I don't. We need a decent veteran receiver badly.

Or a DL starter

Did you see the complete lack of pass rush last year? You're good with watching that again? Also totally cool absolutely relying on Pat Sims as being the only DT worth a damn besides Peko?

we need depth at linebacker, two starters on the oline, and someone, anyone that can take a handoff. i see our most immediate needs number exactly 3- easily obtained in the first three rounds of the draft.

Even if you're right about not needing a vet receiver or DL, the absolute best case scenario requires the Bengals absolutely nailing the first 3 rounds of the draft and coming away with 3 starters. Of which two would be rookies starting on the offensive line, which you'd rather not have.

So yeah, I'm not real enthused right now.

[Baraka]

alright, i'm not going to post this in every thread but WE DON'T NEED A WIDE RECEIVER!

Really? You feel totally comfortable going into the season with Chad Johnson (who may or may not pout his way through the season), Chris Henry (who may or may not be incarcerated), and two second year players (who may or may not be worth anything)? I don't. We need a decent veteran receiver badly.

Or a DL starter

Did you see the complete lack of pass rush last year? You're good with watching that again? Also totally cool absolutely relying on Pat Sims as being the only DT worth a damn besides Peko?

we need depth at linebacker, two starters on the oline, and someone, anyone that can take a handoff. i see our most immediate needs number exactly 3- easily obtained in the first three rounds of the draft.

Even if you're right about not needing a vet receiver or DL, the absolute best case scenario requires the Bengals absolutely nailing the first 3 rounds of the draft and coming away with 3 starters. Of which two would be rookies starting on the offensive line, which you'd rather not have.

So yeah, I'm not real enthused right now.

yeah i wouldn't say i'm enthused by any stretch, and the probability of the bengals nailing the first three picks (hell any three picks in a given draft) are remote.

i, for one, do feel comfortable with what we have at wr, and a healthy odom (i mean the guy went down in the first practice of training camp) and a more aggressive scheme by zimmer may improve the pass rush.

on the DL harris played pretty well in his limited role, shirley has to be better than last year (did he play a down?) rucker and fanene provide reasonable depth. I'm not saying we're set but a guy like sidbury in the fourth or goff (i know o-line)in FA, would allow those first three picks to be used reasonably on BPA.

i think the more aggressive blitzing scheme thing i mentioned earlier, will have a huge effect on the pass rush. zimmer has come out and said he kept it conservative last year because guys had to first learn the fundamentals, staying home being responsible for their gaps etc. but this year he'll be able to allow them to pin their ears back a bit more.

[ShulaSteakhouse]

Passing on the Bengals they have passed on is defensible, particularly when they made a good faith run at TJ. What is not defensible is doing nothing to fill some holes with some legit players during the FA period. I guess there is still time to get some of these mythical legit players, but I won't be holding my breath.

It's defensible if you have a plan with a couple of targets to fill vacancies, with legitimately good/comparable players. Otherwise it's just the same old, same old - wait until the draft, see who's cut later in the off-season, and maybe pick up some junk on the waiver wire, and put all the pressure on your one or two star players to carry the team and hope they don't get hurt again.

Should've signed Benson (assuming he would've) last year for cheap, to a 2-3 year deal when he obviously proved he could run behind this atrocious line.

Losing him will be a bigger mistake than TJ. Just another example of personnel incompetence I just can't defend in any way, they have no foresight or ability to predict things at all here, and no real plan or blueprint for succeeding.

[DC_Bengals_Fan]

i think the more aggressive blitzing scheme thing i mentioned earlier, will have a huge effect on the pass rush. zimmer has come out and said he kept it conservative last year because guys had to first learn the fundamentals, staying home being responsible for their gaps etc. but this year he'll be able to allow them to pin their ears back a bit more.

We'll see. I read he kept the blitzing down last year to stop the run - meaning that if they start pass-rushing aggressively, we'll see our mediocre DTs get exposed. I'm also not a fan of Odom, as I think he looked good by playing next to Haynesworth in Tennessee.

Hey, I hope I'm wrong. And I expect that, all things being equal, the pass rush will be better this year to some degree without being addressed. But I wouldn't expect greatness from them. In the end, it's a position that very well may not get addressed, simply because of all the other roster holes.

Speaking of roster holes, right now, what would be the over/under on our running game? Average 3.2 YPC?

[Baraka]

i'd say as of right now, way under 3.2. we don't have a center or a g/t and dede would be getting all the carries, that being the fact i'd say 2-2.5 ypc.

[DC_Bengals_Fan]

i'd say as of right now, way under 3.2. we don't have a center or a g/t and dede would be getting all the carries, that being the fact i'd say 2-2.5 ypc.

Yikes. Yeah, you're probably right.

[Larry]

De De would probably get hurt if he got all the carries... Is there any other vets out there worth a look?

[bengalboomer7]

This must be everybody's first year as Bengals fans Like what's happened in the offseason is suprising

I hate to see TJ go, but I don't mind as much for what he got. And now it's out he;s getting an MRI beofre the deal gets finalized

Cedric Benson is more important and the fact he'd consider a backup job tells something(unless his agent is really dumb enough to try to use a backup job for leverage, I doubt that) In fact, theirs a Benson quote floating on the internet goin something like this "The business side here might be better than the business side in Cincinnati,” And you guys are suprised