BengalByTheBay Posted April 1, 2009 Report Share Posted April 1, 2009 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.The Bengals only won 4 games last season. There's no disputing they didn't beat anybody who was good, none at all. It's more a question of your vision of why last year happened. What do you take away from it? I think it's fair to say that the defense got decent just at the end of the year. Yes, the schedule was easier there, but they were still losing games by a wide margin and playing far worse earlier in the season. The offense may not be better, but it has to be different. The offense is the main question mark. But if the offense still sputters, I think we are seeing a maturing defense that won't roll over and give away points as readily. Presumably, Rivers being back won't hurt that process, but you never know. As for beating the big boys, well there are simply fewer big boys on the schedule this year. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HAPPYJAQ Posted April 1, 2009 Report Share Posted April 1, 2009 One thing that gives me optimism is the fact that the Bengals were at least competive in the vast majority of games last season with a very average (at best) backup QB in an injury-marred season. Factor in the fact we played a very tough schedule in Year 1 of the Zimmer defense and it looks even better...or as good as a 4-win team can ever look on paper. With Palmer healthy for the entire season, an upgraded starter at RB for a full season and an improving defense, I'll predict a 9-7 season and a shot at a Wild Card in '09. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ArmyBengal Posted April 2, 2009 Report Share Posted April 2, 2009 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.As for beating the big boys, well there are simply fewer big boys on the schedule this year.Agree there are fewer this year, but the Steelers and Ravens are no joke accounting for 4 games between the two.Add in the Chargers and Broncos who finished tied in their division at 8-8 for the top spot. Also the playoff Vikings.With the others not appearing as ferocious at this point in time, it will still be a rough go of things... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HAPPYJAQ Posted April 2, 2009 Report Share Posted April 2, 2009 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.As for beating the big boys, well there are simply fewer big boys on the schedule this year.Agree there are fewer this year, but the Steelers and Ravens are no joke accounting for 4 games between the two.Add in the Chargers and Broncos who finished tied in their division at 8-8 for the top spot. Also the playoff Vikings.With the others not appearing as ferocious at this point in time, it will still be a rough go of things...We MUST finish .500 or better in the AFC North to even have a chance at a Wild Card. That means running the football and stopping the run. Forcing Big Ben and Flacco into some tunovers would go a long way, as well. As long as we can add some players along the offensive line and in the front 7, I think we have a shot. I think we lost at least 3 games last season where our depth was exposed, which let to teams running us all over the field in the 4th quarter, when our starters on defense were exhausted. Some of that was the lack of moving the chains on offense, too. I'm pretty pumped to see what a healthy Carson can do, playing with Benson for a full season and how much better that makes the defense. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Esiason#7 Posted April 2, 2009 Report Share Posted April 2, 2009 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.As for beating the big boys, well there are simply fewer big boys on the schedule this year.Agree there are fewer this year, but the Steelers and Ravens are no joke accounting for 4 games between the two.Add in the Chargers and Broncos who finished tied in their division at 8-8 for the top spot. Also the playoff Vikings.With the others not appearing as ferocious at this point in time, it will still be a rough go of things...Believe it or not I'm not to worried about the Ravens. They are waaaay to inconsistant to have me worried. They went 6-10 (05) 13-3 (06) 5-11 (07) and 11-5 (08). The Steelers are the only team in the division I dread playing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kazkal Posted April 2, 2009 Report Share Posted April 2, 2009 I hope Carson is 100%I hope the O-line gets fixedI hope the running game returnsI hope our young WR's produceI PRAY we find a pass rushI hope our secondary can stay healthy (JJoe)I hope we don't have to find out what happens if Dhani goes downI hope we find a return game that actually helps the teamI hope Utetch can be the TE we thought we were gettingI hope we don't SUCK !!!SOunds about right Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HAPPYJAQ Posted April 2, 2009 Report Share Posted April 2, 2009 I hope Carson is 100%I hope the O-line gets fixedI hope the running game returnsI hope our young WR's produceI PRAY we find a pass rushI hope our secondary can stay healthy (JJoe)I hope we don't have to find out what happens if Dhani goes downI hope we find a return game that actually helps the teamI hope Utetch can be the TE we thought we were gettingI hope we don't SUCK !!!SOunds about rightA lot of that goes back to the fact that we are without depth at more than a few positions. We need a homerun with this draft, across the board. I still think that trading down is the best option to acquire depth at this point and taking the best player available with every pick after that. In this draft, it appears there is no one player that will take this team from being an average team to a much better than average team. Draft the best players available with each pick and let them duke it out at camp, with the best man winning. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whizzo Posted April 2, 2009 Report Share Posted April 2, 2009 the first part of what you just listed hinges on the OLine. if the OLine is good, carson will stay healthy, which will make the WRs more productive. utecht will also profit, since he won't have to help with blocking as much, but can catch more well-thrown passes. in turn, the running game will also profit from a dominant OLine (although a fullback could help as well).the second part is very much draft-dependent. we'll need to find a situational pass rusher in the draft, as well as a decent MLB. return game, i think caldwell showed some potential last year.overall, that puts our draft needs at OL, DE, LB and FB. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BengalByTheBay Posted April 2, 2009 Report Share Posted April 2, 2009 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.As for beating the big boys, well there are simply fewer big boys on the schedule this year.Agree there are fewer this year, but the Steelers and Ravens are no joke accounting for 4 games between the two.Add in the Chargers and Broncos who finished tied in their division at 8-8 for the top spot. Also the playoff Vikings.With the others not appearing as ferocious at this point in time, it will still be a rough go of things...Okay, but last year it was Tennessee (best record in the NFL), Giants (previous SB champs), Dallas (at that point a contender), Philly (playoff team), and Indy (playoff team). In a relative sense the Chargers, Broncos and Vikings appear to be a far softer schedule. Steelers and Ravens don't count because we have to play them twice every year -- that's a wash. I completely believe the schedule will be easier - sort of like ... 2005. I wouldn't guarantee playoffs or anything, but the schedule is as big a part of the equation as anything else. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redsbengalsbucks Posted April 2, 2009 Report Share Posted April 2, 2009 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.Well they played Philly to a tie and took the Giants, Dallas and Titans to the very end. I have to think that with CP at least one of the three between the Boys, Titans and Philly becomes a W. Defense is a wonderful thing and most Bengals fans have never seen a defense help win games like Zimmers' D seems capable of. If the D just plays as good as last season and the O with CP back can improve to middle of the pack, 8-8 seems very likely. If 8-8 is likely, than a couple of good breaks in close games makes them 10-6 with a good shot at a wildcard berth. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
derekshank Posted April 2, 2009 Report Share Posted April 2, 2009 Well they played Philly to a tie and took the Giants, Dallas and Titans to the very end. I have to think that with CP at least one of the three between the Boys, Titans and Philly becomes a W.They had Palmer for the Giants, Dallas, and Titans. And the Titans game wasn't close.But that was my argument that the Bengals were not as bad as their record. People point out that the Bengals were 0-4 with Palmer, but they played four of their toughest teams with him (Baltimore, Dallas, NYG, and Tenn) and the games were close in all but one. They proceeded to get beat by Cle, NYJ, and Hou with a still learning Fitzpatrick. Had Palmer been healthy, I have very little doubt they would have posted a 6 win season at worst. Unspectacular, but still one of the toughest schedules in the NFL. With Palmer this year, and a much easier schedule, it is not insane to expect a good season.That said, they will still be the 3rd best team in their division... but they will improve just enough to keep us interested this season. I guess that's something, right? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ArmyBengal Posted April 2, 2009 Report Share Posted April 2, 2009 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.As for beating the big boys, well there are simply fewer big boys on the schedule this year.Agree there are fewer this year, but the Steelers and Ravens are no joke accounting for 4 games between the two.Add in the Chargers and Broncos who finished tied in their division at 8-8 for the top spot. Also the playoff Vikings.With the others not appearing as ferocious at this point in time, it will still be a rough go of things...Okay, but last year it was Tennessee (best record in the NFL), Giants (previous SB champs), Dallas (at that point a contender), Philly (playoff team), and Indy (playoff team). In a relative sense the Chargers, Broncos and Vikings appear to be a far softer schedule. Steelers and Ravens don't count because we have to play them twice every year -- that's a wash. I completely believe the schedule will be easier - sort of like ... 2005. I wouldn't guarantee playoffs or anything, but the schedule is as big a part of the equation as anything else.Hence my comment about agreeing their are fewer...I'm not sure how the Steelers and Ravens don't count as playing the big boys as they were to two teams from the AFC playing to go to the Superbowl... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BengalByTheBay Posted April 2, 2009 Report Share Posted April 2, 2009 I'm not sure how the Steelers and Ravens don't count as playing the big boys as they were to two teams from the AFC playing to go to the Superbowl...We play them every year. How can they count into the equation -- it's the same every year. If anything, unless they both go to the playoffs again and one of them wins the SuperBowl in 2009, then the Bengals 2009 schedule is just that much easier. I'm not sure of your point. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ArmyBengal Posted April 2, 2009 Report Share Posted April 2, 2009 I'm not sure how the Steelers and Ravens don't count as playing the big boys as they were to two teams from the AFC playing to go to the Superbowl...We play them every year. How can they count into the equation -- it's the same every year. If anything, unless they both go to the playoffs again and one of them wins the SuperBowl in 2009, then the Bengals 2009 schedule is just that much easier. I'm not sure of your point.I think I'm trying to understand your point as well, so I will make it simple...Having the Steelers and Ravens on our schedule increases the difficulty of our schedule. I'm merely pointing out that they are and should be considered "big boys" on our schedule.I wasn't saying or attempting to say anything else... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BengalByTheBay Posted April 2, 2009 Report Share Posted April 2, 2009 I'm not sure how the Steelers and Ravens don't count as playing the big boys as they were to two teams from the AFC playing to go to the Superbowl...We play them every year. How can they count into the equation -- it's the same every year. If anything, unless they both go to the playoffs again and one of them wins the SuperBowl in 2009, then the Bengals 2009 schedule is just that much easier. I'm not sure of your point.I think I'm trying to understand your point as well, so I will make it simple...Having the Steelers and Ravens on our schedule increases the difficulty of our schedule. I'm merely pointing out that they are and should be considered "big boys" on our schedule.I wasn't saying or attempting to say anything else...It's cool. I suppose it's always fair to say in the current NFL that teams change so much from one year to the next that it's hard to figure how hard anybody will be until after the season starts. Miami last year seems like a good example. Not to mention that the Ravens were treading water and had a rookie QB starting last season that looked like a potential trainwreck -- Flacco just ended up being way better than anybody expected. Same with Atl. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ArmyBengal Posted April 2, 2009 Report Share Posted April 2, 2009 I'm not sure how the Steelers and Ravens don't count as playing the big boys as they were to two teams from the AFC playing to go to the Superbowl...We play them every year. How can they count into the equation -- it's the same every year. If anything, unless they both go to the playoffs again and one of them wins the SuperBowl in 2009, then the Bengals 2009 schedule is just that much easier. I'm not sure of your point.I think I'm trying to understand your point as well, so I will make it simple...Having the Steelers and Ravens on our schedule increases the difficulty of our schedule. I'm merely pointing out that they are and should be considered "big boys" on our schedule.I wasn't saying or attempting to say anything else...It's cool. I suppose it's always fair to say in the current NFL that teams change so much from one year to the next that it's hard to figure how hard anybody will be until after the season starts. Miami last year seems like a good example. Not to mention that the Ravens were treading water and had a rookie QB starting last season that looked like a potential trainwreck -- Flacco just ended up being way better than anybody expected. Same with Atl.Yep, that's one of the reason's I don't like saying that this upcoming schedule is going to be easy. Should it be based on last year ?? Yes, but as you said about Miami improving, all the teams will have the same chance to make improvements to their respective team.I really am hopeful about the upcoming season and DO have reason to look forward to us being better. I just dont want to lose total sight of the fact that we sucked balls last year and still have many holes to fill. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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