E S P N power ratings

[semiotter]

Well the Bengals are 24th, no surprise after last year. They have got a lot to prove and with TJ gone its not gonna be easy

The Squeelers were number one But what the **** does E S Pew know anyway.

[Kazkal]

PFT had us at 20..... funny how 2months quite a few "experts" talking about us possible top 12 guess they all jumped off the bandwagon.

Troll post in 3...2...1... Go

[volcom69]

CBS has them ranked at 13th says with Palmer back, and defense getting better Pete Prisco ranked them at 13th. Its strange where these guys place them, but who cares lets just see what they can do on Sunday.

[semiotter]

CBS has them ranked at 13th says with Palmer back, and defense getting better Pete Prisco ranked them at 13th. Its strange where these guys place them, but who cares lets just see what they can do on Sunday.

Your right Bro on the field is were it counts : )

[ArmyBengal]

I can see this being an up and down ride this year, with winning a few games and then losing a few games.

Can't say as I'm that concerned anyway around, because it's just something to discuss...

[skyline]

And if you need any more reason to believe ESPN analysts know nothing: anyone see how the ESPN predictions yesterday, where their panel of experts chimed in on each team? They picked us to finish 3rd in the division, which isn't entirely unreasonable, but a few highlights:

One guy said this may be the year we finally leapfrog the Browns. Huh?

Another said our weak running group is a big concern. Hmmm.

Another guy said our team never changes. He may have a point if he means Mike Brown, but he's ignoring the massive amount of roster turnover we've had over the past few seasons.

Pasquarelli says our offense is good, but we can't stop anyone with our defense. Did he watch any of our games last year?

And these are the so-called experts!?

Anyway, here it is if you're up for a laugh: http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/preview09/team?team=cin

[Pidge]

Well, details aside, 3rd in the division is about right no? Maybe the Ravens have a 'mare and Flacco is hit with the second yr blues but about 3rd, with an 8-8 record, give or a tke a game either side, is pretty reasonable. To me at least.

[kingwilly]

Well, details aside, 3rd in the division is about right no? Maybe the Ravens have a 'mare and Flacco is hit with the second yr blues but about 3rd, with an 8-8 record, give or a tke a game either side, is pretty reasonable. To me at least.

Just as Cincy can rise up, one of either Balt or Pitt could slide. To me, I think it will be Balt.

With virtually no quality depth at WR, an aging defense, and issues on the O-line, they could become one dimensional on offense. They do have good RB's but lets recall how many Corey Dillon won while a Bengal in a one-dimensional offense.

The WR's are as follows: Starters Mason (solid/consistent) and Mark Clayton (average at best) are backed up by Kelley "Squirrel" Washington and Demetrius "Stone hands" Williams. Not exactly going to give Flacco the targets he needs, if the O-line forces him to hurry often.

Adam Terry is gone with injury, so the O-line will be relying on someone very unproven, probably Oher.

The defensive starters include Foxworth an Washington at CB. These are not exactly 1st rate CB's. Guys like Pryce, Gregg, Lewis and Reed are all at the point where it could be expected for a decline, as they average 32.5 beteen them, with Reed youngest at 30.

I see a whole lot of risk that the Ravens slide and go 7-9 or worse.

[Pidge]

Well, details aside, 3rd in the division is about right no? Maybe the Ravens have a 'mare and Flacco is hit with the second yr blues but about 3rd, with an 8-8 record, give or a tke a game either side, is pretty reasonable. To me at least.

Just as Cincy can rise up, one of either Balt or Pitt could slide. To me, I think it will be Balt.

With virtually no quality depth at WR, an aging defense, and issues on the O-line, they could become one dimensional on offense. They do have good RB's but lets recall how many Corey Dillon won while a Bengal in a one-dimensional offense.

The WR's are as follows: Starters Mason (solid/consistent) and Mark Clayton (average at best) are backed up by Kelley "Squirrel" Washington and Demetrius "Stone hands" Williams. Not exactly going to give Flacco the targets he needs, if the O-line forces him to hurry often.

Adam Terry is gone with injury, so the O-line will be relying on someone very unproven, probably Oher.

The defensive starters include Foxworth an Washington at CB. These are not exactly 1st rate CB's. Guys like Pryce, Gregg, Lewis and Reed are all at the point where it could be expected for a decline, as they average 32.5 beteen them, with Reed youngest at 30.

I see a whole lot of risk that the Ravens slide and go 7-9 or worse.

Wow, no idea their D had taken such a hit. Those WRs - painful. They give SF a run for their money. Who knows, if we end up on the high side of my prediction and go 9-7. Could be enough to get 2nd. I'd take that right now. Good solid foundation to build on for a run at the division next yr.

[skyline]

Well, details aside, 3rd in the division is about right no? Maybe the Ravens have a 'mare and Flacco is hit with the second yr blues but about 3rd, with an 8-8 record, give or a tke a game either side, is pretty reasonable. To me at least.

No, it's not unreasonable, as I stated in my previous post.

[rishipatel]

And if you need any more reason to believe ESPN analysts know nothing: anyone see how the ESPN predictions yesterday, where their panel of experts chimed in on each team? They picked us to finish 3rd in the division, which isn't entirely unreasonable, but a few highlights:

One guy said this may be the year we finally leapfrog the Browns. Huh?

Another said our weak running group is a big concern. Hmmm.

Another guy said our team never changes. He may have a point if he means Mike Brown, but he's ignoring the massive amount of roster turnover we've had over the past few seasons.

Pasquarelli says our offense is good, but we can't stop anyone with our defense. Did he watch any of our games last year?

And these are the so-called experts!?

Anyway, here it is if you're up for a laugh: http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/preview09/team?team=cin

I saw this yesterday too. Ranking them 3rd is fair given last season, but these "experts" should at least make informed critiques, not just rely on general perception from the past few yrs.

Yeah, the defense was awful for many yrs, but now it's at least in the top half of the league based on the way they played last yr and in the preseason.

There are still some question marks that justify the ranking for now, but give me a break..."leap frog the Browns"?!? That's just a pathetic "analysis" for a sportswriter.

[derekshank]

Wow... that's a really disappointing quote from Pasquarelli. Perhaps when doing his analysis he accidentally watched the '06 team. Seems like the kind of stuff you hear from a random Cowboys fan who has had no reason to pay attention to the Bengals for the past few years. Very sad from someone who gets paid to do this.

[volcom69]

All they have to do is come out and play great and win some games, and everybody will change there mind then just like in 2005. So if this team is real...then show it.

[Kazkal]

Tim

Graham

DIVISION FINISH: 3 If you were to tell me Bruce Coslet was the coach and Darnay Scott was catching passes, I'd believe you, because this team never seems to change. The most monotonous team in sports must be thankful it's in Cleveland's division.

Douchecanoe

Jeremy

Green

Scouts Inc.

DIVISION FINISH: 3 The key here is a healthy Carson Palmer. Defensively the Bengals are much improved with the addition of Rey Maualuga and return of Keith Rivers.

Thank you for realistic point of view.

Matt

Mosley

ESPN.com

DIVISION FINISH: 3 This is the year the Bengals leapfrog the Browns. Chad Ochocinco's poised to have a big season, and I think Carson Palmer will do the same. This team could surprise some folks.

One season in last 6 they have finished higher then us? yet we're sudden leap frogging them?

Seth

Wickersham

ESPN The Magazine

DIVISION FINISH: 2 With Chad Ochocinco and Carson Palmer healthy, the Bengals can move the ball again. Mike Zimmer's improved defense will save Marvin Lewis' job.

Can you feel the love that is in the air.

Like I don't get how some of these guys get paid....like 75% of em just simply mentioned Carson palmers health and nothing else....

[jonahdsage]

All they have to do is come out and play great and win some games, and everybody will change there mind then just like in 2005. So if this team is real...then show it.

These ESPN guys are nuts. Two days ago on sports center Jaws and the old coach from tampa bay (can't remember his name) said "don't be surprised to see the Bengals this post season." So some commentators, who clearly don't even know who's on the team, see us finishing 3rd in the division while others see us going to the playoffs . . . It would be interesting to see what would happen if pitt, baltimore and us all go 10-6.

The only real question, for me, is o-line. If our o-line can play the sky is the limit for this team. There just aren't other season-changing concerns in my opinion. 3rd CB is another big concern, but I don't see that being big enough to lose games for us (I know, one play can lose a game). If the o-line is there, this could be a great year.

[volcom69]

All they have to do is come out and play great and win some games, and everybody will change there mind then just like in 2005. So if this team is real...then show it.

These ESPN guys are nuts. Two days ago on sports center Jaws and the old coach from tampa bay (can't remember his name) said "don't be surprised to see the Bengals this post season." So some commentators, who clearly don't even know who's on the team, see us finishing 3rd in the division while others see us going to the playoffs . . . It would be interesting to see what would happen if pitt, baltimore and us all go 10-6.

The only real question, for me, is o-line. If our o-line can play the sky is the limit for this team. There just aren't other season-changing concerns in my opinion. 3rd CB is another big concern, but I don't see that being big enough to lose games for us (I know, one play can lose a game). If the o-line is there, this could be a great year.

No whats crazy is i just read on CBS that Pete Prisco has us beating the Steelers in the first playoff game, and then the Bengals losing to the Pats. Um yea ok what is this guy nuts, maybe he is seeing something im not seeing.

Oh and he has Marvin as coach of the year. So many different people say so many things, but until they get out and play a game we wont know.