Does anyone think the season isn't over?

[walzav29]

No. Historically we have no reason for optimism, but is that it? We're already going into our fire Marvin, impeach the owner, cut Palmer, Brat sucks mode? Shouldn't we wait until at least week 3? Yes every year I'm a Bengal optimist, and I have been routinely proven wrong. This just seems a little early. If the Bills didn't fumble the kickoff yesterday don't you think you would be hearing about Brady's rust? That was an ugly of a win that the Bengals would have had if the BS play didn't happen. I know good teams find a way, but isn't it early? So are we in or out?

[agreen_112]

It isn't over, far from it.. If we go 0-4, then it's probably over. We won that game.

[bwillycuse]

It was a bad loss at home to an AFC team. It really does put us behind the eight ball, but it doesnt mean the season is done. The next two weeks are big for this team now. The hill is just a bit steeper than before.

Ill be interested to see how they bounce back. GB isnt that great.

I do know one thing. If we happen to go 0-3. There will be no more televised home games.(assuming the same NFL rules)

Still think Brat isnt very good.

Still think its about time Carson starts doing good things. He is quickly becoming mediocre. (Maybe due to scheme IDK)

[Pidge]

Well Brat does suck. Same s**t every yr, same old pointless 4 yd routes on 3&10 or 2 yd runs up the gut on 2&9 or even more soul destroying - a screen pass whenever he can't think of anything else, we run them so well after all. His play calling isn't the reason we lost yesterday but he doesn't help all that much.

Anyhoo, pay no mind to gnashing of teeth and wailing about other issues. Win and they all go away. 15 games to go yet and I think even GHD will concede that nobody here predicted a 16-0 season.

[walzav29]

0-3 and we have NO CHANCE. That was like last year, when they dropped the 1st 2 and then the Giants game. They lost of course and that was that. I hate this. A must win at week 2. Great.

[ArmyBengal]

If you want to be technical about it, there were very few people that seriously expected this team to make the playoffs this year. Even with the 9-7 that I truly think/thought is/was a possibility, I didn't think the 9-7 was going to be enough in our division with the Steelers and Ravens having such easy schedules. With that being the case, was it over before it started if the playoffs were the consideration ??

Not that I'm happy about it, but I was fully expecting a middle of the road year and from where I stand, that is still very possible for this team. Hell, even if we end the first 5 games 1-4 I won't be concerned about a 4-12 record coming to fruition. This team lost a game it probably shouldn't have, but it will probably win a couple they shouldn't either. Happens every year...

[Pidge]

Well I never really thought we were serious contenders for a PO spot - too many unknowns going in. If our D holds up this form and the O gets back on track then a 9-7 season is still more than possible. Essentially it all depends on how quickly the O-line comes together, if it does at all, this season. So, looking at like that, not sure next week is a must win game. I'm sure the players feel differently though.

Listening to Carson and Chad in the post game interviews, I think many of might be surprised at the extent of the turnaround. There was genuine disappointment in letting that defensive performance go for nought. They know that this D isn't going to put all the work on their shoulders and if the offense play even reasonably well we'll win our fair share of games.

[skyline]

I think it all depends on how legit this defense really is. If they're a top 5 defense, then I think our offense will come around enough to win some decent games. If they're around the #12 or so ranking we saw last season, then I'm more than a little worried.

[Ickey44]

Well, to be quit honest, I think a few people overreacted to the loss, but I've been calling for Brat to be fired long before this game ended. He should've been gone a couple of years ago. People figured out his offense a long time ago and he hasn't done anything to adjust to that.

[walzav29]

The only reason this team is not considered for the playoffs is because they are the Bengals. Thats it. Palmer is returning, they signed good free agents, the defense is very much improved with a good draft. The playoffs should be expected.

[Pidge]

The only reason this team is not considered for the playoffs is because they are the Bengals. Thats it. Palmer is returning, they signed good free agents, the defense is very much improved with a good draft. The playoffs should be expected.

Our lines are, at this point, nowhere near strong enough to be considered strong contenders for the playoffs. Sure, we have nice flashy skill players but they are ultimately useless without the fat guys doing the dirty work up front first.

Without good pass protection, especially with a pocket passer like Carson taking the snaps, and a consistent pass rush that hurries the opposing QBs on the majority of snaps then we'll fall short. Maybe you can get away with having one iffy/unproven line but we have issues on both. Signs of improvement for sure but then, regression would have been hard to achieve.

[kingwilly]

Reasons why this season is over:

1. Offense has not eveolved to fit current strengths, meaning, they still try to go with one horse at RB when our talent is high enough to be rotational. Brat calls plays that place the expcation on the player to not only execute the play but also do more than the play is designed to allow, ie, passing on 3rd down for 6 when we need 8, an not calling player based plays, ie, plays for Chad, plays for Henry, plays for Scott...In 05 playoff game, that 66yrd pass to Henry was built for him and called for him. I think they are vanilla right now.

2. Playing in the AFC North - With 3 Pro Bowl level QB's (Flacco is/will be there this year) in this division, there is little room for error in games you have to win. Losing on a fluke is a fluke, and we may win one we shouldn't (@ GB comes to mind) but you need to be better than .500 in the division, picking up at least one sweep over BAL or PIT to get the tie-breaker.

3. Marvin - Coach Lewis is a very bad game manager. Seeing how the Patriots won that game last night and never burned a TO was more than luck. Belichick is an elite game manager and Lewis is not. When it comes down to equal talent, equal ability, equal score, those details win the game.

Reasons why the season is not over:

1. Defense is as talented/good as any year I've seen since 88. Up front with Sims and Peko, with Rey and Keith, and Leon and Joseph, there is enough young talent to keep the team in many games and go from an OK D to a very good D. Bolster this with veteranss like Tank, Dhani, Roy, and Crocker, I see enough leadership and grit from guys who are at a career point where you need to win now and bring that urgency.

2. Special Teams - I think Huber could be a Pro Bowl punter. He is extremely good. His punts make the Defense better and take pressure off Carson and the offense. Simply, Huber makes this team that little bit better. Graham and the snapping give me the willie's but those are discipline items, not talent, and are fixable (perhaps with a new long snapper?).

3. Carson - Here is a guy who has shown he can lead the team, call the shots and manage a game as good as a Manning or Brady. He can do it. We've all seen it. A little confidence and some positive plays and I think Carson gets some swagger that will be infectious. Having, again, as good of offesneive weapons as I can remember should let Carson realize consistent success if the schemes allow for him to manage the game form the field, not from Brat calling a bunch of tired, predictable plays.

[ShulaSteakhouse]

O-line sucks ass, no one here willing to admit it....again.

Not having Carson last year was a good excuse for a 4-11-1 record, what will it be this year? Reggie Kelly's loss?

Not enough of an effort made to improve o-line in the off season. Paul Alexander continues to suck, but keeps job forever like Lippinfart and Drunkowski.

People blaming Carson don't know football. Last year it's because they didn't have Palmer, this year it's because they do?

[walzav29]

They did attempt to fix the O-line. They drafted Andre. If he can lose some pounds get healthy (big ifs) he can help. The O-line maye take a few games but they will get better. They're new Look at how many games this offense has played together.

[Kazkal]

Still alive and kicking

[kingwilly]

O-line sucks ass, no one here willing to admit it....again.

Not having Carson last year was a good excuse for a 4-11-1 record, what will it be this year? Reggie Kelly's loss?

Not enough of an effort made to improve o-line in the off season. Paul Alexander continues to suck, but keeps job forever like Lippinfart and Drunkowski.

People blaming Carson don't know football. Last year it's because they didn't have Palmer, this year it's because they do?

The isue I saw with the line was some dumb penalties. Some could argue that they hold because they are being beat but I only saw WIlliams really get beat on a play. Some could argue that the coaching is poor so they play without discipline (hold/false start). I think they are better than last year.

Whit now is superior to Levi was this time last year at LT. Cook is superior to Girlcheck. Collins is a wash wrt Andrews but I think Roland is actually a better option at RT until Andre is ready (December?)

I am not getting down on this line yet. If they force Smith in there, just to play their prized r1 pick to teach him a lesson about holding out and embarrassing him, then this team will be done, as Carson will be hit and hit and hit.

[Bearcat1975]

15 games to go yet and I think even GHD will concede that nobody here predicted a 16-0 season.

No, but the majority of those who voted here, predicted 9-7 or better.

Many here also assured us that the oline was "solid."

And in all fairness, the oline starters seemed to do pretty well I thought, with Collins as the weakest link. But every time one of the backups were subbed in, that was usually the guy getting burned on the slow-mo replay.

I called 6-10 and I stand by that. But it is curious how many people here are over-reacting to bad luck on one play for one game. The same ones that 2 weeks ago were like "don't be so negative," are now certain that "the sky is falling."

The sky is not falling. This is the same franchise it was 2 weeks ago. The sky fell long ago.

[walzav29]

If the offense stops the penalties, drops, and turnovers we'll be fine. Thats alot different from just not moving the ball. The question is. The fans have bailed on the Bengals. Will the players bail on the Bengals?

[Pidge]

15 games to go yet and I think even GHD will concede that nobody here predicted a 16-0 season.

No, but the majority of those who voted here, predicted 9-7 or better.

Many here also assured us that the oline was "solid."

And in all fairness, the oline starters seemed to do pretty well I thought, with Collins as the weakest link. But every time one of the backups were subbed in, that was usually the guy getting burned on the slow-mo replay.

I called 6-10 and I stand by that. But it is curious how many people here are over-reacting to bad luck on one play for one game. The same ones that 2 weeks ago were like "don't be so negative," are now certain that "the sky is falling."

The sky is not falling. This is the same franchise it was 2 weeks ago. The sky fell long ago.

Well Billy and I always bang on about drafting linemen every draft, even if the line was thuper thmart, which ours hasn't been since Rich retired and our two tackles went all old and broken. You can never have enough good linemen. It's been neglected for a few yrs now and one decent mid round pick last yr and a top 10 pick this season isn't going to turn the O-line around. As for the D-line, I'm fairly happy with the DTs, the DE are huffers and puffers and have shown flashes but that's not enough. We need at least one of the DTs to be double teamed in order to help create opportunities. A few decent linemen isn't going to cut it. You need an elite force somewhere on the line. Hopefully one of the DTs steps up and MJ (cha mon!) can become that DE in yrs to come.

So, after the debacle of last season, improvements are evident but after yrs of drafting projects and flat out sucky players in the mid-late rounds, it's going to take a couple of yrs yet (assuming good drafting and FA pick ups) to rebuild the lines.

[Pidge]

The fans have bailed on the Bengals. Will the players bail on the Bengals?

Have they?

[ShulaSteakhouse]

Cmon guys saying Cook is superior to Guy-chick is like being the 2nd to last guy picked for the intermural team.

I don't even know who the LG is now - Roland? Andre WILL make them better when he's ready - will give them that, but that's minimal effort (drafting someone who falls to you and then not signing him? that's it?)

THREE sacks given up Sunday for 26 yards!! Numerous pressures and an INT into a caving screen play

3.6 YPC for Benson with 21 carries, 76 yards total - blech - almost HALF of those coming on ONE CARRY!! Not even a 100 yards rushing total! Terrible.

Someone explain to me how this o-line is going to win games over a season's time? Trust me, just watch, you saw what happened last year, this is the same line except for one slight upgrade at center. Better hope Andre is the real deal and can start by week 3!

[Ickey44]

Cmon guys saying Cook is superior to Guy-chick is like being the 2nd to last guy picked for the intermural team.

I don't even know who the LG is now - Roland? Andre WILL make them better when he's ready - will give them that, but that's minimal effort (drafting someone who falls to you and then not signing him? that's it?)

THREE sacks given up Sunday for 26 yards!! Numerous pressures and an INT into a caving screen play

3.6 YPC for Benson with 21 carries, 76 yards total - blech - almost HALF of those coming on ONE CARRY!! Not even a 100 yards rushing total! Terrible.

Someone explain to me how this o-line is going to win games over a season's time? Trust me, just watch, you saw what happened last year, this is the same line except for one slight upgrade at center. Better hope Andre is the real deal and can start by week 3!

Are you done yet? You're going to every thread and saying the same damn stuff. We get it. You think the line sucks. We all know it. Calm down and think about something else.

[Pidge]

Expecting a line to be rebuilt in a single offseason is rank optimism. You don't strike me, and with good reason I'm sure, as one of the most optimistic Bengals fans.

[ct_bengal]

I stil have a boatload of hope, i defintely think we can beat greenbay. hell if zim shut down marshall/royal he can sure as hell shut down jennings/driver. ryan grant isnt all that special either. People are seriously sweeping us under the rug after one upset. And personally nobody in this division looked all that good. Pitt has no run game and kerry collins looked like joe montana throwing on them. it took the ravens halfway thru the 4th quarter to beat the dam chiefs (with brodie croyle starting!!) who were pretty much crash dummies on d last year. hell at least last year the broncos were a game away from making the playoffs and winning the division. as for greenbay this weekend, the bengals have a better shot than most ppl give them credit. I for one can't freakin wait..

[TJJackson]

Neither Pittsburgh nor Green Bay looked particularly good in their wins

Both games are winnable.

Not saying we will win them, just saying I will not be surprised with either a L or a W from either game.