I like to vent like any Bengal fan, but now is the time for positivity

[walzav29]

Maybe this is our year, but maybe it's not. I look forward to this time of year to have pure hope and optimism with the Bengals. History has shown us that we can bash, after the season begins but now should be the time where we believe. No Mike Brown has done nothing for us as fans. I guess we just love those uniforms. Now is the time to believe that every free agent move was perfect and that all 11 of their draft picks will be in the hall of fame. WHO DEY!

[Clackwoods]

Maybe this is our year, but maybe it's not. I look forward to this time of year to have pure hope and optimism with the Bengals. History has shown us that we can bash, after the season begins but now should be the time where we believe. No Mike Brown has done nothing for us as fans. I guess we just love those uniforms. Now is the time to believe that every free agent move was perfect and that all 11 of their draft picks will be in the hall of fame. WHO DEY!

See my name.........

You could legitimize our under achievements since 2005 with a couple valid excuses. With our easy schedule I could defiantly see a return to the playoffs this year. While I don't think we will be elite this season, I do see us pulling what the Dolphins did last year especially considering we have much more talent than they do. We need to hit on our first two and hopefully three picks this year. If we could get a stout center and one more defensive play maker we would be in business. If we are going to move on from Levi then we need to do so soon.

[BengalByTheBay]

Maybe this is our year, but maybe it's not. I look forward to this time of year to have pure hope and optimism with the Bengals. History has shown us that we can bash, after the season begins but now should be the time where we believe. No Mike Brown has done nothing for us as fans. I guess we just love those uniforms. Now is the time to believe that every free agent move was perfect and that all 11 of their draft picks will be in the hall of fame. WHO DEY!

See my name.........

You could legitimize our under achievements since 2005 with a couple valid excuses. With our easy schedule I could defiantly see a return to the playoffs this year. While I don't think we will be elite this season, I do see us pulling what the Dolphins did last year especially considering we have much more talent than they do. We need to hit on our first two and hopefully three picks this year. If we could get a stout center and one more defensive play maker we would be in business. If we are going to move on from Levi then we need to do so soon.

Say amen!

The optimist in me says this team has far more positives than last year going for it (defense, less Ocho overexposure, easier schedule, RB situation). I too am always the spring training optimist. Why not us? Why not now?

[walzav29]

Just look back to the 1980 and 1987 Seasons! The schedule is easier, but I think the running game and the o-line is whats been missing the last 2 seasons, and hopefully with 11 picks they can fill those holes. The schedule is easier on Pitt and Balt. Pitt will have to play with that bullseye and Flacco won't sneak up on anyone this year. Plus losing Rex was a big blow.

[Clackwoods]

Just look back to the 1980 and 1987 Seasons! The schedule is easier, but I think the running game and the o-line is whats been missing the last 2 seasons, and hopefully with 11 picks they can fill those holes. The schedule is easier on Pitt and Balt. Pitt will have to play with that bullseye and Flacco won't sneak up on anyone this year. Plus losing Rex was a big blow.

Not only did they lose their coordinator they lost a lot of defensive playmakers. You have to look at what happened to Chicago when they lost Rivera. They went from having a dominant defense to having an OK defense. Same with San Diego. When he got their he turned them into a powerhouse defense. You could already see Zimmer's effect on our defense. I think Baltimore is going to have a down year. I think it will be a dog fight between us and Pittsburgh for the division crown!

[ArmyBengal]

I like optimism as much as the next guy and am really hoping to see a drastic turn around with the defense doing better and Carson being healthy. That being said, all the teams that are being labeled as "easy" may make the same turnaround or moreso by the time we face them. With the question marks along the o-line as well as other places on the team, it's really to hard to predict much more than 8-8 at this point in time.

If Carson is back to normal, the tackles can provide pass protection, the rookie Center produces, our running game returns, our WR's behind Doucho and Coles produce, and the defense shows it's worthy of top 10 consideration outside of the crappy teams we closed against last season, then HELL YEAH we are headed to the playoffs.

I'm just not there yet. Sorry...

[Bearcat1975]

If Carson is back to normal, the tackles can provide pass protection, the rookie Center produces, our running game returns, our WR's behind Doucho and Coles produce, and the defense shows it's worthy of top 10 consideration outside of the crappy teams we closed against last season, then HELL YEAH we are headed to the playoffs.

I'm just not there yet. Sorry...

X2

Optimism is one thing. Blind optimism is another.

[BengalByTheBay]

If Carson is back to normal, the tackles can provide pass protection, the rookie Center produces, our running game returns, our WR's behind Doucho and Coles produce, and the defense shows it's worthy of top 10 consideration outside of the crappy teams we closed against last season, then HELL YEAH we are headed to the playoffs.

I'm just not there yet. Sorry...

X2

Optimism is one thing. Blind optimism is another.

Blind optimism is thinking things will get better for no reason. It that's where you're at, that's cool. I just don't think at this point that optimism is completely blind because we are simply in a better spot this year than last (IMO). I'm not saying we go 10-6 and make the playoffs or anything, I just think the team will be much improved.

[ArmyBengal]

Outside of Carson coming back, how can anyone say, with anything resembling certainty, that we are in a better spot ??

That's assuming Carson is 100% and produces as most are accustomed to. Assuming nonetheless.

Everything at this point is still very much in question and I wouldn't rule out another sub .500 season at this point in time.

Do I think that's going to happen ?? No, but I never think that's going to happen and it still does.

Once again, I'm thinking we are going to improve, but it's more based on faith as opposed to anything else...

[DC_Bengals_Fan]

Awwright, I'm as cynical as anyone and more than most, but I'm actually more hopeful heading into this season than last. Here's why:

1) Receivers will be good. Most new WRs step up the 2nd year; I think one of those n00bs will make a real contribution. Chad will be pissed to show that last year was a fluke. Coles will be OK. More importantly, I'm going out on a limb and saying that Cheech Henry will emerge as one of the top-10 receivers in the NFL. He hasn't been arrested in nearly a year (no jinx!), and I've always said if he got his head straight, he'd be a stud. I think it might be time. The only problem will be the lack of a solid possession guy. Can't have everything.

2) Defense will step up. 2nd year in the system of a new coordinator should be even better, and I think Zimmer's the real deal. Add a full season from Rivers and possibly either a LB or DL from the first 2 rounds, and things are looking real interesting. Could this D be legit top 10? Actually, I think it can. Possibly a tad better.

3) O line can't be as bad is it was early last year. Short of hiring matadors at all 5 spots, some degree of improvement is guaranteed. Hopefully one of the first two rounds, and if they grabbed OT in the first and C in the second, I'd do a happy dance.

4) Carson's back, baby. Nuff said.

5) DL should still be improving. Odom was hurt, the fatso twins were rookies, and John Thornton was still contributing his unique services to the detriment of the team. Things should look up, dramatically so if they grab Raji.

6) Benson's still playing for his next contract at RB since he only got 2 years, so he should still be motivated.

7) Secondary is pretty good with solid, mostly young players. We're stacked at S, and the CBs should be at least passable with two 1st rounders.

There's still holes, to be sure. Anyone with half a functioning brain knows it all comes down to how the OL plays. And we're thin at RB and TE/possession receiver, but whatever. The really interesting thing is there are so many things up in the air, even at this point I wouldn't be much surprised with anything between 4-12 and 12-4. In other words, it'll at least be interesting.

As for predicting a record? I'm putting the over/under of wins at 8.5.

[walzav29]

The number 1 reason is the schedule strength.

#2. Carson

#3. Running game should be better with Cedric than it was with Rudi n Perry the last 2 years.

[Clackwoods]

Awwright, I'm as cynical as anyone and more than most, but I'm actually more hopeful heading into this season than last. Here's why:

1) Receivers will be good. Most new WRs step up the 2nd year; I think one of those n00bs will make a real contribution. Chad will be pissed to show that last year was a fluke. Coles will be OK. More importantly, I'm going out on a limb and saying that Cheech Henry will emerge as one of the top-10 receivers in the NFL. He hasn't been arrested in nearly a year (no jinx!), and I've always said if he got his head straight, he'd be a stud. I think it might be time. The only problem will be the lack of a solid possession guy. Can't have everything.

2) Defense will step up. 2nd year in the system of a new coordinator should be even better, and I think Zimmer's the real deal. Add a full season from Rivers and possibly either a LB or DL from the first 2 rounds, and things are looking real interesting. Could this D be legit top 10? Actually, I think it can. Possibly a tad better.

3) O line can't be as bad is it was early last year. Short of hiring matadors at all 5 spots, some degree of improvement is guaranteed. Hopefully one of the first two rounds, and if they grabbed OT in the first and C in the second, I'd do a happy dance.

4) Carson's back, baby. Nuff said.

5) DL should still be improving. Odom was hurt, the fatso twins were rookies, and John Thornton was still contributing his unique services to the detriment of the team. Things should look up, dramatically so if they grab Raji.

6) Benson's still playing for his next contract at RB since he only got 2 years, so he should still be motivated.

7) Secondary is pretty good with solid, mostly young players. We're stacked at S, and the CBs should be at least passable with two 1st rounders.

There's still holes, to be sure. Anyone with half a functioning brain knows it all comes down to how the OL plays. And we're thin at RB and TE/possession receiver, but whatever. The really interesting thing is there are so many things up in the air, even at this point I wouldn't be much surprised with anything between 4-12 and 12-4. In other words, it'll at least be interesting.

As for predicting a record? I'm putting the over/under of wins at 8.5.

We have a possession WR, his name is Laverneus Coles. Remember he played with Pennington so he is used to going and doing Hitch and Comeback routes!

[DC_Bengals_Fan]

The number 1 reason is the schedule strength.

I've given up basing anything at all on schedule strength off of previous season's results. Too much churn in the NFL to make anything meaningful out of it.

Though I will say, we seem to have a fair number of teams that have serious QB issues - Broncos, Jets, Lions, Bears, Vikings, Raiders, Browns (x2) - so maybe it will end up playing out like it looks on paper.

[BengalByTheBay]

The number 1 reason is the schedule strength.

I've given up basing anything at all on schedule strength off of previous season's results. Too much churn in the NFL to make anything meaningful out of it.

Though I will say, we seem to have a fair number of teams that have serious QB issues - Broncos, Jets, Lions, Bears, Vikings, Raiders, Browns (x2) - so maybe it will end up playing out like it looks on paper.

Well, preseason last year had us with one of the most difficult schedules and it was fairly well borne out through the season. I do agree that it is more difficult to predict how good teams will be from year to year now than it used to be. That said, if anything last year's schedule ended up being even harder than it was predicted to be. The Bengals are predicted to have one of the easiest schedules in the league this year and I certainly think that means something. It may not end up being the easiest overall, but it sure isn't going to look like last year.

Additionally, my main reason for being optimistic is that I see an improvement of the defense. No, I don't think we're the '95 bears or anything, but we are clearly better. At the beginning of last year, my biggest concern wasn't chad, but how crappy the defense was shaping up to be. Last year there was no reasonable basis for being optimistic the defense would be decent. This year there is reason to be optimistic about the defense IMO. I'd hardly consider that blind optimism, but I suppose it depends on your perspective.

[cincyhokie]

If we can't figure out how to stop consistently being one of the most injured teams in the NFL year in and year out, none of this matters.

So, has the team addressed this at all?

[ArmyBengal]

Don't get me wrong, I can point to a bunch of reasons "I THINK" the team "MAY" be better than last year, but I have no certainties whatsoever.

You can run up list after list, but it's all in hope that things work out.

#1. Carson's back, but is it really enough said ?? There is no reason at this point to think he's going to resume his prior production and if the o-line doesn't get fixed, I will make the prediction he has another subpar year and the conversation of who is replacement will be will move into full swing.

#2. The defense could step up, but there are still questions. Is JJoe ever going to stay healthy for a whole season ?? Is Crocker going to produce like last year ?? Who's our nickel corner ?? Are we going to have a pass rush ?? Is Odom going to make a difference this year ?? Where's the depth behind Dhani ?? Are people really overinflating the defense's final ranking even though they played a bunch of losers to end the season ??

#3. The o-line is a complete clusterf*ck at this point. We are less than a month from the draft and they have no idea what this o-line is going to look like and are looking more and more like a line that starts 2 rookies. Who's the left or right tackle ?? Who's the Center ?? Is Carson going to have time to stay in the pocket or will he be running for his life ??

#4. If they don't fix the o-line as stated above, how much can we really expect from Benson or any other back ?? How is the running game going to take pressure off of Carson if Benson is the one making everything happen game after game ?? I could see Benson taking a HUGE beating week in and week out. Maybe that's why they gave him a short term contract. He's not going to be worth sh*t if there's little to no run blocking.

#5. WR's ?? Can anyone say they are happy with the WR corps as a whole ?? One big distraction, a bunch of 2nd year players that people suddenly want to say should produce in their second year as opposed to the third as most agree is the standard, a new veteran who may be the best WR on the team, a guy that has had more problems than a majority of the NFL WR's combined, and a bunch of extras. Hardly what I would say gives me comfort.

All that aside, I really think the team can improve. Why, after all that, you ask ?? Because I'm a fan and that's what happens, but I'm just trying to be realistic and not go through the process of kicking myself in the balls when the team goes 6-10 this year after I could have sworn they were going to the playoffs.

I really am hoping everything comes together for the team this year though, I just don't expect more than 8-8...

[redsbengalsbucks]

The number 1 reason is the schedule strength.

I've given up basing anything at all on schedule strength off of previous season's results. Too much churn in the NFL to make anything meaningful out of it.

Though I will say, we seem to have a fair number of teams that have serious QB issues - Broncos, Jets, Lions, Bears, Vikings, Raiders, Browns (x2) - so maybe it will end up playing out like it looks on paper.

Well, preseason last year had us with one of the most difficult schedules and it was fairly well borne out through the season. I do agree that it is more difficult to predict how good teams will be from year to year now than it used to be. That said, if anything last year's schedule ended up being even harder than it was predicted to be. The Bengals are predicted to have one of the easiest schedules in the league this year and I certainly think that means something. It may not end up being the easiest overall, but it sure isn't going to look like last year.

Additionally, my main reason for being optimistic is that I see an improvement of the defense. No, I don't think we're the '95 bears or anything, but we are clearly better. At the beginning of last year, my biggest concern wasn't chad, but how crappy the defense was shaping up to be. Last year there was no reasonable basis for being optimistic the defense would be decent. This year there is reason to be optimistic about the defense IMO. I'd hardly consider that blind optimism, but I suppose it depends on your perspective.

I hope you meant to say the "85 Bears", they are widely known as one of the best defenses ever. '95 Bears, even as a fan were not memorable, but I would probably still take the Bengals being as good as any Bears defense for the last 25 years.

[walzav29]

Back to the beginning boys. OPTIMISM! The schedule is cake, Palmer is 100%, TJ the cancer is gone!, the draft will fill any holes, the 12th ranked defense gets stronger! SUPERBOWL! SUPERBOWL!

[ArmyBengal]

OPTIMISM INDEED...

Teams have the same chance to improve, we hope Carson is 100%, Chad the bigger cancer is still here, we hope the draft fills holes and teams don't leapfrog us or we take 3 more WR's, the 12 ranked defense plays better offensive teams than the ones they closed against to boost the final rankings.

Honestly, I wish I could put on the goggles and look past the problems this team faces, but I can't. I do hope for good things though and want to see a winning team this year. From my list of hopes, if only a handful of them come true, things could turn out better than expected. O-line and pass rush could help many of those other things fix themselves...

I hope Carson is 100%

I hope the O-line gets fixed

I hope the running game returns

I hope our young WR's produce

I PRAY we find a pass rush

I hope our secondary can stay healthy (JJoe)

I hope we don't have to find out what happens if Dhani goes down

I hope we find a return game that actually helps the team

I hope Utetch can be the TE we thought we were getting

I hope we don't SUCK !!!

[HairOnFire]

Back to the beginning boys. OPTIMISM! The schedule is cake, Palmer is 100%, TJ the cancer is gone!, the draft will fill any holes, the 12th ranked defense gets stronger! SUPERBOWL! SUPERBOWL!

Yes, there's cake. But as a Bengal fan I'm reminded my Bengal cake always has nuts baked into it, and regardless of if we're talking about a cookie, brownie, or cake product, well.....I hate 'em like that. And Palmer probably isn't at 100% so much as he's declared himself to be 100% of whatever is left of what he used to be. In reality he'll never be 100% ever again, not with mended tendons and spare cadaver ligaments. As for TJ, I never considered him to be a cancer and still don't. Finally, the draft won't fill all of this teams holes and many of the upgrades it does make won't pay dividends immediately.

That said, I've just checked the calendar and noted todays date. So yeah, Superbowl. Dynasty. Our birthright restored.

Who-Dey.

[cincy9275]

If we can't figure out how to stop consistently being one of the most injured teams in the NFL year in and year out, none of this matters.

So, has the team addressed this at all?

yes they have, go watch this video and you will see the bengals have.

http://www.bengals.com/media-lounge/videos...d5-8970ee850a9a

[BengalByTheBay]

The number 1 reason is the schedule strength.

I've given up basing anything at all on schedule strength off of previous season's results. Too much churn in the NFL to make anything meaningful out of it.

Though I will say, we seem to have a fair number of teams that have serious QB issues - Broncos, Jets, Lions, Bears, Vikings, Raiders, Browns (x2) - so maybe it will end up playing out like it looks on paper.

Well, preseason last year had us with one of the most difficult schedules and it was fairly well borne out through the season. I do agree that it is more difficult to predict how good teams will be from year to year now than it used to be. That said, if anything last year's schedule ended up being even harder than it was predicted to be. The Bengals are predicted to have one of the easiest schedules in the league this year and I certainly think that means something. It may not end up being the easiest overall, but it sure isn't going to look like last year.

Additionally, my main reason for being optimistic is that I see an improvement of the defense. No, I don't think we're the '95 bears or anything, but we are clearly better. At the beginning of last year, my biggest concern wasn't chad, but how crappy the defense was shaping up to be. Last year there was no reasonable basis for being optimistic the defense would be decent. This year there is reason to be optimistic about the defense IMO. I'd hardly consider that blind optimism, but I suppose it depends on your perspective.

I hope you meant to say the "85 Bears", they are widely known as one of the best defenses ever. '95 Bears, even as a fan were not memorable, but I would probably still take the Bengals being as good as any Bears defense for the last 25 years.

Guilty -- brain fart.

[Jet23]

The optimism will only last until the next time the Princess opens his mouth. I can see a slight shift in attitude, but they need to dump CJ before the draft.

[ArmyBengal]

There is talk about the Bengals being the sleeper team over on ESPN, but I'm still not buying that one yet.

Sure having Carson back appears to be a wonderful thing and yes the defense finished #12. Here's my thing...

They finished the season on a 3-0 run and I really like how they finished it off, but those 3 teams (Washington, Cleveland, and KC) were a combined 14-34 on the season. The combined scores of those games was 50-19. Now take the 3 teams they played before the last 3 of the season (Pittsburgh, Baltimore, and Indianapolis) and they were a combined 35-13 and the combined score in those 3 games we lost was 96-16.

Go ahead and argue how you hate when people say they closed out against a weak schedule, but it's the fact. They didn't beat anyone that was considered worth anything in the league last year and they are going to have to beat the big boys before they are given any serious thought to being a contender in our own division, let alone the league.

[walzav29]

Pat Bowlen is getting rid of a Pro-Bowl QB because he is a baby, and we just keep giving our baby a pacifier.