Bengals vs Chargers After Thoughts

[wpeldios]

We lost on the road, to the hottest team in the nfl, on a last second field goal, after an emotional week that I'm sure disrupted practice. Don't know how so many people could be talking about how we suck and such in the game thread.

As for the game, Honestly I am happy with almost everything. This team proved they can play on the road with anyone. And I don't think anyone on this field wanted the game more than Carson. Seeing him upset on the sidelines may have been the highlight of my day. This team needs more stern vocal leadership. Great game by everyone in the passing game and by most of the defense.

Two negatives need to be mentioned, How do you get 3 presnap penalties and then call a time out before the first play of the drive? Are you kidding me, some serious coaching letdowns today. Also after Floyd fell on top of him in the end zone, Leon Hall seemed to lack the drive on the ball he normally has. I wonder if he wasnt hurt, but bad game by him today.

I'm saying it now, Bengals roll next week.

[Kazkal]

The one thing that continues to piss me off is Palmer's total lack of awareness when it comes to the play clock. The number of delay of game penalties this year has been ridiculous, and how many times has Marvin Lewis had to come sprinting in from the sideline to get the ref's attention and call a timeout to prevent us from getting a delay of game?

You expect crap like that from a rookie, not a veteran QB.

And I was furious at the stupid spiking of the ball with about 25 seconds left in the 1st half when we had 1st and goal. There was absolutely no need for that, and it probably cost us a TD by totally wasting a down. Especially when we still had a timeout.

3TD's vs a AFC team I figure you would be happy Joe.

PS,I wonder how much Hall not having Crocker hurt too since there was times where it looked like Leon thought he had help but didn't.

[ChadJohnson-85]

The one thing that continues to piss me off is Palmer's total lack of awareness when it comes to the play clock. The number of delay of game penalties this year has been ridiculous, and how many times has Marvin Lewis had to come sprinting in from the sideline to get the ref's attention and call a timeout to prevent us from getting a delay of game?

You expect crap like that from a rookie, not a veteran QB.

And I was furious at the stupid spiking of the ball with about 25 seconds left in the 1st half when we had 1st and goal. There was absolutely no need for that, and it probably cost us a TD by totally wasting a down. Especially when we still had a timeout.

3TD's vs a AFC team I figure you would be happy Joe.

PS,I wonder how much Hall not having Crocker hurt too since there was times where it looked like Leon thought he had help but didn't.

Yeah not having Crocker in there definitely didn't help. But I don't know if it would of mattered. I think they had Leon playing man coverage/1 on 1. Not sure.

[BengalPimp]

The one thing that continues to piss me off is Palmer's total lack of awareness when it comes to the play clock. The number of delay of game penalties this year has been ridiculous, and how many times has Marvin Lewis had to come sprinting in from the sideline to get the ref's attention and call a timeout to prevent us from getting a delay of game?

You expect crap like that from a rookie, not a veteran QB.

And I was furious at the stupid spiking of the ball with about 25 seconds left in the 1st half when we had 1st and goal. There was absolutely no need for that, and it probably cost us a TD by totally wasting a down. Especially when we still had a timeout.

3TD's vs a AFC team I figure you would be happy Joe.

PS,I wonder how much Hall not having Crocker hurt too since there was times where it looked like Leon thought he had help but didn't.

I think that was BIG, if Crocker was in there, Hall most likely would have played closer to the line, and more physical, instead of playing so far off when covering Vincent Jackson. Jackson has speed, and they just didnt want to let him get deep, for lack of safety help.

[coupdayta]

I would've liked to have seen them win this one for Slim but oh well. Here's my breakdown.

Positives:

1. Quan Cosby looked clutch.

2. As did Caldwell despite that massive fumble. (In his defense, it was a very well place hit by the SD defense.)

3. Coles didn't entirely disappear.

4. Foschi caught 7 passes? Nice.

5. Palmer throws for 300 yards. He had a good game. Some of us, including myself, were starting to doubt his ability and I think this game shows he still has it.

6. On the heels of a thread about whether Keith Rivers impresses anybody, he shows up and gets a sack and an interception. Nice effort.

Negatives:

1. The running game. The passing game great this time and it was the running game that was off. The previous 13 games it was the opposite. The key is to have a balanced offense that does BOTH.

2. Leon Hall had a very bad day.

3. Penalties. That one drive where we ended up 1st and 25 was unreal. Inexcusable for a professional team.

[semiotter]

The one thing that continues to piss me off is Palmer's total lack of awareness when it comes to the play clock. The number of delay of game penalties this year has been ridiculous, and how many times has Marvin Lewis had to come sprinting in from the sideline to get the ref's attention and call a timeout to prevent us from getting a delay of game?

You expect crap like that from a rookie, not a veteran QB.

And I was furious at the stupid spiking of the ball with about 25 seconds left in the 1st half when we had 1st and goal. There was absolutely no need for that, and it probably cost us a TD by totally wasting a down. Especially when we still had a timeout.

IF Carson threw 10 TDs had 600+ yds. No ints. You would have something negative to say about Carson. So anything you got to say about him don't mean squat to me. So you just keep on being Joe Wrong Prong. You make me laugh

[Clackwoods]

The one thing that continues to piss me off is Palmer's total lack of awareness when it comes to the play clock. The number of delay of game penalties this year has been ridiculous, and how many times has Marvin Lewis had to come sprinting in from the sideline to get the ref's attention and call a timeout to prevent us from getting a delay of game?

You expect crap like that from a rookie, not a veteran QB.

And I was furious at the stupid spiking of the ball with about 25 seconds left in the 1st half when we had 1st and goal. There was absolutely no need for that, and it probably cost us a TD by totally wasting a down. Especially when we still had a timeout.

3TD's vs a AFC team I figure you would be happy Joe.

I didn't spend the whole game watching Leon on Vincent, but the times I saw Leon on him, he was playin very close to him, and he was bumping him

PS,I wonder how much Hall not having Crocker hurt too since there was times where it looked like Leon thought he had help but didn't.

I think that was BIG, if Crocker was in there, Hall most likely would have played closer to the line, and more physical, instead of playing so far off when covering Vincent Jackson. Jackson has speed, and they just didnt want to let him get deep, for lack of safety help.

[Kazkal]

The one thing that continues to piss me off is Palmer's total lack of awareness when it comes to the play clock. The number of delay of game penalties this year has been ridiculous, and how many times has Marvin Lewis had to come sprinting in from the sideline to get the ref's attention and call a timeout to prevent us from getting a delay of game?

You expect crap like that from a rookie, not a veteran QB.

And I was furious at the stupid spiking of the ball with about 25 seconds left in the 1st half when we had 1st and goal. There was absolutely no need for that, and it probably cost us a TD by totally wasting a down. Especially when we still had a timeout.

Carson played a great game. You are tilting at windmills. Think about that fumble recovery on our last drive. That was a hell of a football play. He threw the ball great. He just had a great game, and any player who has a great game is subject to his detractors cherry-picking a few plays from said game and claiming those plays illustrate some imagined deficiency. Your point about the play clock is just such a claim.

Plus gotta give him props for running down field and well kinda blocking / detouring defensive players

[wpeldios]

Also, just a random side note, I have now watched 3 games this year with my family. Denver, lost in the final 15 seconds on the deflection. Oakland, lost on the last play on a field goal. And San Diego, lost with 3 seconds remaining on a field goal. Needless to say for the rest of the season, my family is not to be in the same county as me during games.

[ChadJohnson-85]

Also, just a random side note, I have now watched 3 games this year with my family. Denver, lost in the final 15 seconds on the deflection. Oakland, lost on the last play on a field goal. And San Diego, lost with 3 seconds remaining on a field goal. Needless to say for the rest of the season, my family is not to be in the same county as me during games.

Hahaha.

[Ickey44]

Just a few random thoughts:

-Andre Caldwell should never again have the ball in his hands with the game on the line. That's the third time this year he's blown a chance for us.

-Where the hell was Leon Hall today? There was some dude out there in his jersey, but it wasn't him....

-Red zone offense is still s**tty. You should never have to kick a field goal from inside your own ten, but we did it twice today.

-All in all, they mostly played well today. Should clinch the north this week.

[Ickey44]

The one thing that continues to piss me off is Palmer's total lack of awareness when it comes to the play clock. The number of delay of game penalties this year has been ridiculous, and how many times has Marvin Lewis had to come sprinting in from the sideline to get the ref's attention and call a timeout to prevent us from getting a delay of game?

You expect crap like that from a rookie, not a veteran QB.

And I was furious at the stupid spiking of the ball with about 25 seconds left in the 1st half when we had 1st and goal. There was absolutely no need for that, and it probably cost us a TD by totally wasting a down. Especially when we still had a timeout.

Agreed. However, the offense scored more than 17 points today, Joe, and they still lost. So much for THAT theory....

[cincy9275]

The one thing that continues to piss me off is Palmer's total lack of awareness when it comes to the play clock. The number of delay of game penalties this year has been ridiculous, and how many times has Marvin Lewis had to come sprinting in from the sideline to get the ref's attention and call a timeout to prevent us from getting a delay of game?

You expect crap like that from a rookie, not a veteran QB.

And I was furious at the stupid spiking of the ball with about 25 seconds left in the 1st half when we had 1st and goal. There was absolutely no need for that, and it probably cost us a TD by totally wasting a down. Especially when we still had a timeout.

Carson played a great game. You are tilting at windmills. Think about that fumble recovery on our last drive. That was a hell of a football play. He threw the ball great. He just had a great game, and any player who has a great game is subject to his detractors cherry-picking a few plays from said game and claiming those plays illustrate some imagined deficiency. Your point about the play clock is just such a claim.

Three delay of games in a row is unheard of and rediculous, but you have no idea HOW LOUD that stadium was. I couldn't hear myself talk

even on tv you could tell that the fans in the stadium was as loud as i have ever seen. even with that carson has a clock to look at no reason for 3 straight delay of game penalties. the fact is we have way to many player making huge mistakes in crucial parts of the game. that to me is the main reason we lost.

[ct_bengal]

this game was ours for the taking, not too upset with this loss however. If we run into them again im pretty sure we can beat em. Leon is a shutdown corner but i noticed he has trouble with big receivers like jackson, andre johnson. but they better win the next one dammit. as it stands now we would wind up playing baltimore or denver and im totally fine with those matchups. i must say im not really afraid of any team in the afc. this team has a real oppurtunity to be something special if they stay motivated long enough.

[jjakq27]

The good

Quan Cosby and JP Foschi are emerging as go-to targets for Carson

Chad had a great game overall

They should feel confident that they can beat San Diego if they see them again in the post-season

Three of five loses by field goal or fluky play (Denver)

Despite the poor play on the middle of the game they came back to tie it-props to Carson for rallying the team

Kevin Huber had a couple of good kicks that flipped field position

Keith Rivers' INT

The teams ability to compete in a difficult venue, against a top tier foe and after the events of the week

The bad

The absence of Chad through the middle of the game was troubling

Carson continues to disappear or is below-average during long stretches of the game

The defense allowing key completions on that last drive

Leon Hall just a step slow or behind on both TDs

The sequence of three consecutive penalties was insane

They needed to change their cleats at halftime....guys were still slipping around on that field late in the game

6 and 0 versus division and 3-5 against rest of league

The future

They are playing KC at home this week. They have the worst record in the AFC.

Despite the slide of late, they are still in a good spot to win their division next week at home.

I will certainly take that. Whatever happens from there if they make the playoffs is icing on the cake....anything can happen once you get there

[JoePong]

The one thing that continues to piss me off is Palmer's total lack of awareness when it comes to the play clock. The number of delay of game penalties this year has been ridiculous, and how many times has Marvin Lewis had to come sprinting in from the sideline to get the ref's attention and call a timeout to prevent us from getting a delay of game?

You expect crap like that from a rookie, not a veteran QB.

And I was furious at the stupid spiking of the ball with about 25 seconds left in the 1st half when we had 1st and goal. There was absolutely no need for that, and it probably cost us a TD by totally wasting a down. Especially when we still had a timeout.

3TD's vs a AFC team I figure you would be happy Joe.

PS,I wonder how much Hall not having Crocker hurt too since there was times where it looked like Leon thought he had help but didn't.

3 touchdowns??? Really? You must have been watching a different game than me, because I was at the game and I could have sworn we only scored 2 touchdowns. You must be so used to our offense not being able to score more than one TD per game that you lost count If it wasn't for carson wasting downs by unnecessarily spiking the ball, we likely would have scored another TD. I thought at the time that would end up costing us the game, and it did.

As for the poor clock management, if this was the only game where it has been a problem I would overlook it, but this has been going on ALL season at home and on the road. Totally inexcusable for a veteran QB. Things like tht are the difference between winning and losing games when yoo play against higher caliber competition and when you get into the playoffs. It separates winners and losers.

[PalmerforPresident]

The one thing that continues to piss me off is Palmer's total lack of awareness when it comes to the play clock. The number of delay of game penalties this year has been ridiculous, and how many times has Marvin Lewis had to come sprinting in from the sideline to get the ref's attention and call a timeout to prevent us from getting a delay of game?

You expect crap like that from a rookie, not a veteran QB.

And I was furious at the stupid spiking of the ball with about 25 seconds left in the 1st half when we had 1st and goal. There was absolutely no need for that, and it probably cost us a TD by totally wasting a down. Especially when we still had a timeout.

3TD's vs a AFC team I figure you would be happy Joe.

PS,I wonder how much Hall not having Crocker hurt too since there was times where it looked like Leon thought he had help but didn't.

3 touchdowns??? Really? You must have been watching a different game than me, because I was at the game and I could have sworn we only scored 2 touchdowns. You must be so used to our offense not being able to score more than one TD per game that you lost count If it wasn't for carson wasting downs by unnecessarily spiking the ball, we likely would have scored another TD. I thought at the time that would end up costing us the game, and it did.

As for the poor clock management, if this was the only game where it has been a problem I would overlook it, but this has been going on ALL season at home and on the road. Totally inexcusable for a veteran QB. Things like tht are the difference between winning and losing games when yoo play against higher caliber competition and when you get into the playoffs. It separates winners and losers.

That drive was not Carson's fault. LJ should have ran out of bounds on his long run instead of gaining 0 extra yds by staying in bounds. That cost us a ton of time, and would have given us an extra shot at the endzone before the half.

[jjakq27]

That drive was not Carson's fault. LJ should have ran out of bounds on his long run instead of gaining 0 extra yds by staying in bounds. That cost us a ton of time, and would have given us an extra shot at the endzone before the half.

I was complaining all day about the number of slips the Bengals had on that field. LJ looked like he was trying to make a little juke move before heading out and slipped. He should have just headed out after a very nice gainer. But did somebody on the team notice or complain about the footing during the game? Gotta be prepared for that. Extra long cleats at halftime anyone? Ughhh.

[HAPPYJAQ]

I don't mind this loss, really. It may hurt from a playoff standpoint, but it has to be tough as hell to play a football game, when all you can think about is one of your players or teammates has just passed away. Also consider the fact that it's tough West Coast road game in one of the most hostile stadiums in the league, against what might be the most balanced and talented team in the AFC.

I think the Bengals played about as well as you can ask for, considering the circumstances, and the fact that this game went down to the wire after the way it began shows you the mental toughness this team has.

[PS33]

The one thing that continues to piss me off is Palmer's total lack of awareness when it comes to the play clock. The number of delay of game penalties this year has been ridiculous, and how many times has Marvin Lewis had to come sprinting in from the sideline to get the ref's attention and call a timeout to prevent us from getting a delay of game?

You expect crap like that from a rookie, not a veteran QB.

And I was furious at the stupid spiking of the ball with about 25 seconds left in the 1st half when we had 1st and goal. There was absolutely no need for that, and it probably cost us a TD by totally wasting a down. Especially when we still had a timeout.

IF Carson threw 10 TDs had 600+ yds. No ints. You would have something negative to say about Carson. So anything you got to say about him don't mean squat to me. So you just keep on being Joe Wrong Prong. You make me laugh

[PS33]

I agree this is becoming a normal thing with Carson. We expect him to be one of the greats and I do not see Payton Manning making mistake like that.

[Stripes]

I agree this is becoming a normal thing with Carson. We expect him to be one of the greats and I do not see Payton Manning making mistake like that.

Then you're wrong. Carson is clearly not as good as Peyton Manning, but even Manning makes bad throws sometimes into tight coverage or just misses his spot. Hell, Manning has more interceptions this season than Palmer.

[Pidge]

I agree this is becoming a normal thing with Carson. We expect him to be one of the greats and I do not see Payton Manning making mistake like that.

Then you're wrong. Carson is clearly not as good as Peyton Manning, but even Manning makes bad throws sometimes into tight coverage or just misses his spot. Hell, Manning has more interceptions this season than Palmer.

Well yeah. Hardly a like for like comparison though. Manning is the Colts O. They chuck it a lot so you're going to get some INTS. I'd also wager manning has more yds, more TD and a higher completion %. probably a better average too.

I really like Carson and for a while there, if he had got rid of the tendency to throw stupid picks, he looked like he could really be up there with Manning and Brady. The injury put the kibosh on that. However, he still has all the natural talent to put himself back into the top tier. Never a Manning but still damn good SB winning QB.

His attitude is fantastic also. A real leader.

His virtues far outweigh his vices but still - a little pist off about that spike.

/and yes I do everything in life perfectly.

[walzav29]

Just got done watching the game again -beer, and alot of the obvious things everyone said.

#1. The penalties. When the game was 14-13 the Bengals were driving and after the pass to Coles, they got a penalty and the drive went down the tubes.

#2. PENALTIES The game winning drive was 1st and 10 and the 19, and then 1st and 15 because of a false start. Then that play from Caldwell.

#3. Has Marvin explained what happend at the end of the 1st half with the time-out? Unreal.

#4. Leon. He'll bounce back, but when he has off days teams sure go off on him.

All in all we can easily hang with the All-Mighty Chargers, but somehow the team needs to stop the mistakes, and I would sure like to see Quan Cosby get thrown in the mix more often. Andre Smith played alot and did not seem to give up a sack.

[volcom69]

Just got done watching the game again -beer, and alot of the obvious things everyone said.

#1. The penalties. When the game was 14-13 the Bengals were driving and after the pass to Coles, they got a penalty and the drive went down the tubes.

#2. PENALTIES The game winning drive was 1st and 10 and the 19, and then 1st and 15 because of a false start. Then that play from Caldwell.

#3. Has Marvin explained what happend at the end of the 1st half with the time-out? Unreal.

#4. Leon. He'll bounce back, but when he has off days teams sure go off on him.

All in all we can easily hang with the All-Mighty Chargers, but somehow the team needs to stop the mistakes, and I would sure like to see Quan Cosby get thrown in the mix more often. Andre Smith played alot and did not seem to give up a sack.

The Bengals always find a way to hurt themselves in the end. Way to many penalties, FGs instead of TDS in the redzone, stupid turnovers, take away all of those and maybe this team can beat an all-mighty team. Thats what gets me, its great to see them "hang" with the great teams, but they need to learn to get past there mistakes and beat the great teams. They need to stop being afraid to be a good team.