Bengals vs Ravens After Thoughts 2#

[COB]

Bengals vs. Ravens afterthoughts?

3 words: Same old Ravens.

[BengalszoneBilly]

Bengals vs. Ravens afterthoughts?

3 words: Same old Ravens.

[Sea Ray]

The friggin injuries were horrible... The only one that looked like a long term loss was Henry, but who knows at this point. With Simpson waiting for a chance I think we can manage that loss without much of a problem. Rivers, Geathers, and/or Mathis would be big blows though.

My game ball goes to Whitworth, with honorable mention to Hall and Joseph.

Carson was asked after the game if Simpson was ready to step in for Henry and Carson said that Maurice Purify was "more ready". He said Purify was big, strong and fast and Carson seemed to drool at the thought of using Purify. As I recall Purify was also a factor on special teams and blocked like a madman. Look for Purify to get promoted from the practice squad this week. I'd say this doesn't speak well for Jerome Simpson though.

[Sea Ray]

Im really only worried about the injuries this week. All around good team win, would have liked to have seen more points on the board, but the Ravens defense played good the second half. Great game!

Bengals.com is reporting Rivers injury is not serious.

[SupaBran]

Huge win! 4-0 in the division is huge, especially with the Gayvens and Squeelers having to play twice. Its official, Carson and Chad own the Gayvens. Wasn't that queer Ray Lewis talking s**t about CedBen, and the fact he couldn't run on them again...

TJ is getting a little Joe Pong-ish with his hatred for Chad isn't he? Its getting a little redikulus. He wasn't showboating whatsoever, just fighting for extra yardage and Ed Reed made a good play just like in the first matchup. I will agree with you TJ that I don't like him sending s**t to the other team just to piss them off but that's who he is and I guarantee he will send something to the Squeelers as well.

JJoe and Leon are easily the top tandem in the league, IMO. They should be Pro Bowl but they won't...

[SupaBran]

The friggin injuries were horrible... The only one that looked like a long term loss was Henry, but who knows at this point. With Simpson waiting for a chance I think we can manage that loss without much of a problem. Rivers, Geathers, and/or Mathis would be big blows though.

My game ball goes to Whitworth, with honorable mention to Hall and Joseph.

Carson was asked after the game if Simpson was ready to step in for Henry and Carson said that Maurice Purify was "more ready". He said Purify was big, strong and fast and Carson seemed to drool at the thought of using Purify. As I recall Purify was also a factor on special teams and blocked like a madman. Look for Purify to get promoted from the practice squad this week. I'd say this doesn't speak well for Jerome Simpson though.

I don't want to, but if this is true we need to just cut our losses and just release him. Why keep him on the roster if, even after injury you still bench him and promote off the P-Squad? If Purify is better than Simpson, why didn't they cut Jerome and keep Purify in the first place? I say give Jerome a chance and if it doesn't work out then just cut him and promote Purify later.

[Pidge]

Bengals vs. Ravens afterthoughts?

3 words: Same old Ravens.

You know what else - they realise, and hopefully some hesitant Bengals fans too, that this isn't a blip. This is a genuine shift in the balance of power. We didn't beat them, we sexually molested them in the trenches in both games. The scores in these two games don't adequately reflect how badly they were violated by our O-line and D-line this yr.

That's not a blip or luck. That's the Bengals being a better football team than the Cravens. No amount of strutting or ridiculously bad dancing and screaming like an autistic child having an episode will change that. Real work in the draft, FA and practice fields will be the only remedy and that must be a really sucky thought. So wipe as much axle grease as you like under your bug eyes Ray because next yr, this Bengals team is even better and you'll most likely be out of the league.

[Pidge]

The friggin injuries were horrible... The only one that looked like a long term loss was Henry, but who knows at this point. With Simpson waiting for a chance I think we can manage that loss without much of a problem. Rivers, Geathers, and/or Mathis would be big blows though.

My game ball goes to Whitworth, with honorable mention to Hall and Joseph.

Carson was asked after the game if Simpson was ready to step in for Henry and Carson said that Maurice Purify was "more ready". He said Purify was big, strong and fast and Carson seemed to drool at the thought of using Purify. As I recall Purify was also a factor on special teams and blocked like a madman. Look for Purify to get promoted from the practice squad this week. I'd say this doesn't speak well for Jerome Simpson though.

I wondered about him in the game thread. Glad to see he's still on the PS. He nailed TRRW in the Oklahoma drill.

[Sea Ray]

I don't remotely think the offense "let up" on the Ravens in the second half. I think that up 17-0 the Bengals were quite rightfully trying to minimize mistakes and not do something stupid to let the Ravens back into it quickly.

Field position also dictated a very conservative gameplan. I loved how they came out throwing against the Ravens and that's how they jumped out in front. Throwing the ball is how you beat the Ravens and the Steelers. It's nice to run Cedric 30 some times and get 100 yards but throwing is how you put 7 pts on the board.

Am I the only one who does NOT see the improvement of Joe Flacco this year? Te media has been singing his praises all year, many even calling him a franchise QB who's come into his own this year. I saw him chuck up a bunch of balls and hope his receiver comes down with it. The rest of the time he was dumping it off to his Rice and Heap.

One criticism of the Bengals: When you see them coming at you with all all out blitz, do not send your receivers on a fly pattern down the sideline. For example Chad was doing exactly that while Carson had Mount Rushmore coming at him. They need to work on blitz adjustments before Pittsburgh

[Kazkal]

So another thought should Caldwell be replaced as a kick returner & if yes with who? I just don't see reason to risk injury he's ripped for few big ones but seems like he plays it safe for most part anyways.

Carson was asked after the game if Simpson was ready to step in for Henry and Carson said that Maurice Purify was "more ready". He said Purify was big, strong and fast and Carson seemed to drool at the thought of using Purify

Ya I found it interesting he mentioned Purify right away then Simpson after...But I think it's Carson just wants a big target because without Henry all of our WR's are under 6'1

[BengalszoneBilly]

Wasn't that queer Ray Lewis talking s**t about CedBen, and the fact he couldn't run on them again...

I'm still laughing about that!

[redsbengalsbucks]

My afterthoughts are very simple

HELLLLL Yes!!!

Who-Dey!!!

[BlainThePain]

There were a lot of Ravens fans there today, and I noticed quite a few Bengals fans in handcuffs after the game, and they all had big smiles on their faces.

[walzav29]

My reaction? Yaaaaaaaawn. I expected them to beat the Ravens. Ray dances. OOO Scarey. Fact is. I sweat 2 teams.

NE

Colts

Everyone else. I know the Bengals can beat. It's awesome though! Palmer is now 8-3 against Balt. Brace yourself people for the analyst bandwagon jump starting tomorrow. WHO DEY!!!

[HoosierCat]

Brace yourself people for the analyst bandwagon jump starting tomorrow.

Tomorrow? Please. It's begun.

[walzav29]

Brace yourself people for the analyst bandwagon jump starting tomorrow.

Tomorrow? Please. It's begun.

To me this will be the biggest thing this team has to deal with this year. How will these young guys handle the spotlight? The good thing now I think is Palmer isn't a young guy being led like in 2005. He is a veteran leading in 2009. He's the man!

[BengalszoneBilly]

Brace yourself people for the analyst bandwagon jump starting tomorrow.

Tomorrow? Please. It's begun.

We all here need to scoot over a bit to make room.

[TJJackson]

TJ is getting a little Joe Pong-ish with his hatred for Chad isn't he? Its getting a little redikulus.

Not as much as your apparent inability to spell a fairly simple word

I don't like him sending s**t to the other team just to piss them off but that's who he is and I guarantee he will send something to the Squeelers as well.

He was ignorant enough to do it this week, so why not next as well?

Hopefully, a few of his teammates and/or coaches, the ones who also act like professionals rather than merely being paid like one, will address this with him in no uncertain terms. You know, like babysitters.

[TJJackson]

But he wasn't showboating on that play. Not even close.

Hmm.

Well, to be fair, I was following the radio broadcast rather than the TV -- and when it happened, Lapham made a point that when you are ahead late, you put two hands on the ball and secure it, not hold it out like a loaf of bread.

This comment then was what I was reacting to....I wonder if this play is caught on youtube or the like for review?

It sounds like Lapham's description did not match what actually happened...and if so, my reaction to it was also wrong.

Did he have it tucked in against his body, or was the arm he held it in extended away from his body?

[membengal]

Tucked.

Reed pulled him forward on the tackle and got his hands inside Chad's tuck.

Again, Johnson has to not let that fumble occur under any circumstances, but it didn't occur because he was carrying it loose or showboating.

[skyline]

But he wasn't showboating on that play. Not even close.

Hmm.

Well, to be fair, I was following the radio broadcast rather than the TV -- and when it happened, Lapham made a point that when you are ahead late, you put two hands on the ball and secure it, not hold it out like a loaf of bread.

This comment then was what I was reacting to....I wonder if this play is caught on youtube or the like for review?

It sounds like Lapham's description did not match what actually happened...and if so, my reaction to it was also wrong.

Did he have it tucked in against his body, or was the arm he held it in extended away from his body?

/>http://www.nfl.com/gamecenter/2009110802/2009/REG9/ravens@bengals/watch#watch

One hand trying to stiff arm, the other on the ball.

[TJJackson]

we need to just cut our losses and just release him {Simpson}. Why keep him on the roster if, even after injury you still bench him and promote off the P-Squad? If Purify is better than Simpson, why didn't they cut Jerome and keep Purify in the first place? I say give Jerome a chance and if it doesn't work out then just cut him and promote Purify later.

It figures you would not understand this

He is being kept because of money and potential

Money - he was a 2nd round pick, with a sizable signing bonus. Cutting him means having already pre-paid for performance and not getting it. Son of a Genius generally does not let people go when he still has money invested

Potential - he was drafted as a project on pure athletic talent and build. For example, he had the largest hands at the combine. As a project, he is being given time to develop. That time is apparently not yet over.

Do I agree with any of this? No, not really.

But you asked why, so there you are.

Purify should be promoted first because he is more ready to play than Simpson, AND he gives them more speed and toughness on special teams. Simpson gives you zero on special teams

[kingwilly]

But he wasn't showboating on that play. Not even close.

Hmm.

Well, to be fair, I was following the radio broadcast rather than the TV -- and when it happened, Lapham made a point that when you are ahead late, you put two hands on the ball and secure it, not hold it out like a loaf of bread.

This comment then was what I was reacting to....I wonder if this play is caught on youtube or the like for review?

It sounds like Lapham's description did not match what actually happened...and if so, my reaction to it was also wrong.

Did he have it tucked in against his body, or was the arm he held it in extended away from his body?

He did not have two hands on the ball but it was not a grossly careless play either.

It looked like it slipped out as he was falling forward. Just a bad play. I do think he does not need to take risks, like taking Ed Reed head-on, and simply twist for the extra yard and get down.

Here are the things that jumped out to me.

1. 40 - 20 minute ToP. This points to the ability of our offense to convert on 3rd down and the ability of the Defense to stuff the Ravens.

2. Ravens 1 for 10 on 3rd Down COnversions. I cannot recall a better conversion rate by the Bengals Defense....ever....

3. Holding 3 very good RB's to 55 total yards...again...been a long time.

4. Three straight sacks by the Bengals...seeing the Raven O-line, which has as much talent as any in the league, get schooled tells us a lot about the Bengals D-line.

5. Benson can handle the grindr games. Adrian Peterson may be the "sexier" back but Benson is NAILS.

6. The Bengals did a very good job keeping Heap in check. Apart from neutralizing the Ravens WR's, there were tow jobs for the defense: slow down Rice and get a helmet on Heap. Heap was in hand most of the game, which leaves Rice as the only guy who can beat you. And he couldn't...

Game ball to the Bengals D. and also one for Brat. Except for the end-around, it was an impeccablly called game. Tip 'o the hat to both.

[gregstephens]

Brace yourself people for the analyst bandwagon jump starting tomorrow.

Tomorrow? Please. It's begun.

We all here need to scoot over a bit to make room.

Bull----. I've been in my cheap little corner of the wagon since 1978. I ain't scooting over for anybody.

[TJJackson]

Tucked.

Reed pulled him forward on the tackle and got his hands inside Chad's tuck.

Again, Johnson has to not let that fumble occur under any circumstances, but it didn't occur because he was carrying it loose or showboating.

Fair enough....I apologize for and retract the showboating comment

Lapham does not usually lead me astray :-)

I hope the coaches explain to him that in a game when you are ahead 2 scores late, and you've already secured the first down, job number one is killing the clock and retaining control of the ball, not stiff arming a pro bowl safety in an attempt to tack on an extra yard or two.