FIRE BRATKOWSKI

[bengalspride1219]

this guy is horrible. i don't care if we have a high third down conversion rate if we put ourselves in third and longs on the regular. stop running the ball on 2nd and long. stop running the ball on the most predictable plays.

We led the league in third down attempts in 2008 with 238, we're third this season with 203 (not including today). Anyone else have a problem with him running on 2nd and longs all the time?

[kingwilly]

Fire him.

I cannot disagree.

Let's get the keys in Zampese's hands for a season or two before we break Carson for good.

Brat does not understand he needs to develop a scheme around the strengths of the talent he has.

[truthteller]

2nd and long is not a predictable run play. You are contradicting yourself. Chill out, and enjoy being division champs.

[kingwilly]

2nd and long is not a predictable run play. You are contradicting yourself. Chill out, and enjoy being division champs.

No one is enjoying winning the division more than the guys on this forum, unless they play for the team.

So, Here are the 2nd and long (more than 8) plays from today's game:

2-12-CIN 48 (7:47) 32-C.Benson left tackle to CIN 49 for 1 yard (91-T.Hali).

2-9-CIN 46 (3:57) 32-C.Benson right tackle to CIN 46 for no gain (50-M.Vrabel; 30-M.Brown).

2-14-CIN 10 (12:23) 27-L.Johnson up the middle to CIN 12 for 2 yards (94-T.Jackson).

2-11-KC 11 (1:51) (Shotgun) 9-C.Palmer pass incomplete short middle to 88-J.Foschi

2-10-KC 23 (11:16) 9-C.Palmer pass short left to 85-C.Ochocinco to KC 18 for 5 yards (24-B.Flowers).

2-10-KC 10 (9:16) (Shotgun) 9-C.Palmer pass short middle to 11-L.Coles for 10 yards, TOUCHDOWN.

2-9-CIN 22 (3:10) 32-C.Benson left tackle to CIN 28 for 6 yards (30-M.Brown; 53-D.Williams).

2-9-CIN 45 (12:57) 32-C.Benson right guard to CIN 45 for no gain (53-D.Williams).

2-11-CIN 1 (8:45) 32-C.Benson right guard to CIN 5 for 4 yards (53-D.Williams; 30-M.Brown).

2-10-CIN 13 (7:18) 9-C.Palmer pass short left to 87-A.Caldwell to CIN 20 for 7 yards (24-B.Flowers).

2-9-KC 24 (4:18) 32-C.Benson right tackle to KC 21 for 3 yards (91-T.Hali; 94-T.Jackson).

2-8-KC 8 (2:14) 32-C.Benson left guard to KC 6 for 2 yards (50-M.Vrabel).

Ok, done reading that? Take a minute and review. Apart from the passes deep in KC territory, of which 1 was a TD, all the rest were runs except 1. And apart from the TD, none of the plays got a 1st down. Did you watch the game?

Brat consistently runs the ball on 2nd and long. It is highly, highly predictable and does NOT work. Brat sucks. Fire Brat.

[JoePong]

If Palmer was playing better, maybe he would call more passes.

But the stats say Carson Palmer has been an extremely medicore QB this year, in the bottom half of the NFL.

[BengalsMan3203]

Bengals aren't going to do anything right now. Hopefully there will be some change in the off season.

[kingwilly]

Bengals aren't going to do anything right now. Hopefully there will be some change in the off season.

I did not mean to imply "fire him now/tonight/tomorrow". That would not work, nor will it happen. They should consider letting him go once the season comes to a close.

@Pong. I am more inclined to believe that there is something physically wrong still with his elbow. He may be on some sort of pitch count, for all we know. I DO hold Brat accountable for the abyssmal calls. As a leader of this team, I think Carson could do more to take control of the playcalling, as was the case in the past.

Considering the erratic play from the WR's and TE's (hot and cold), I have felt they could do more to avoid running so much on 2nd and 7-12, unless buried in their end zone. There are several routes, as we've seen, that Coles and Caldwell can run quite well. Other routes, not so much.

Also, if I never see another player in stripes run the end-around, that would also be just fine.

[cincyhokie]

When Carson is allowed to pass the ball vertically down the field he has been successful this year. He proved it again last week against SD. Today was ALL Brat and his painfully conservative playcalling.

It was apparent that when the Bengals began to balance the playcalling they moved the ball much better.

In fact, I am still a believer that this is still a "pass to open the run" type team. We simply cannot just run the ball at will against most teams, not even KC.

[jjakq27]

Does anyone think that maybe he is getting his directions from the head coach as far as overall game plan? someone else is a genius when the plays work and he's an idiot when they don't. Still not sure he deserves all the blame.

I don't think the O-line is built to pass protect like in years past. Plus I don't know if he or Carson has the confidence in anyone other than Chad and Leonard.

[BengalszoneBilly]

Does anyone think that maybe he is getting his directions from the head coach as far as overall game plan? someone else is a genius when the plays work and he's an idiot when they don't. Still not sure he deserves all the blame.

I don't think the O-line is built to pass protect like in years past. Plus I don't know if he or Carson has the confidence in anyone other than Chad and Leonard.

I think he's beginning to find it with Coles. He had some big plays today.

[Kazkal]

I did not mean to imply "fire him now/tonight/tomorrow". That would not work, nor will it happen. They should consider letting him go once the season comes to a close.

Doesn't his contract expire this season I dont remember hearing him get a contract extension for 2-3 years now

[Stripes]

I still don't think Bratkowski is the problem or even *a* problem. The Bengals are 10-5 because they run the ball and control the clock. Brat called the plays that would achieve that if executed well.

I hated the double-reverse in the first quarter though.

[semiotter]

If Palmer was playing better, maybe he would call more passes.

But the stats say Carson Palmer has been an extremely medicore QB this year, in the bottom half of the NFL.

You knew this was coming. The post is about Bratkowski and running the ball and Joe has to bring up how he Hates uuuuuh! Carson....what is it with you Dude? Carson owe you money or something. I know you are out in SoCal and you aren't a SC fan you must be a UCLA fan. That explains why you dislike CP so much.

[Dimster28]

If Palmer was playing better, maybe he would call more passes.

But the stats say Carson Palmer has been an extremely medicore QB this year, in the bottom half of the NFL.

QB rating account for everything QB do and carson palmer ranked 15th so he is in top half not bottom half. nice try lol

[semiotter]

Yes fire Brat!! Let's see they went from 4 wins to maybe 11 wins. A 1000+ runner. A playoff birth. Let's just fire all the coaches while they are at it!!

[Kazkal]

I still don't think Bratkowski is the problem or even *a* problem. The Bengals are 10-5 because they run the ball and control the clock. Brat called the plays that would achieve that if executed well.

Still could be a whole lot better I don't think guy should be fired before season is over but it's time to move on...were running the ball effectively but predictable play Calling is still a major problem...How many times does he have to run it on 2nd and 15 to realize the other team knows that's his plan?

[Stripes]

I still don't think Bratkowski is the problem or even *a* problem. The Bengals are 10-5 because they run the ball and control the clock. Brat called the plays that would achieve that if executed well.

Still could be a whole lot better I don't think guy should be fired before season is over but it's time to move on...were running the ball effectively but predictable play Calling is still a major problem...How many times does he have to run it on 2nd and 15 to realize the other team knows that's his plan?

When the team is so often facing a scenario like "2nd and 15", that's where my concern lies. Bratkowski did call for the run often on second and long Sunday. Season-long? I can't say I know that holds true. I feel obligated to separate exaggerated fan hysteria from fact, but it's quite cloudy without the statistics laid to bare.

[Ickey44]

Not only has the play calling been predictable from him for countless years, but this season's pre-snap penalties are at Brats feet, too. It is ultimately up to him to coach these guys up and get rid of the penalties. False starts and alignment penalties are just inexcusable. They are second in the league in false starts. Brat should be all over Alexander's ass to get this problem fixed. It seems to be getting worse, not better.

I would have no problem whatsoever with them moving on this offseason.

[redsbengalsbucks]

It is time to move on from Brat, he is not a good OC. He is barely an average OC in the NFL. This offense could be much better if the OC was smart enough to use the talent he has. Why do the Bengals hardly ever run short slant routes? Why do we have to suffer through at least one if not more reverses every week? The Offense is stale and predictable, again.

Hopefully this is the offseason that the Bengals go out and get someone else to run this talented offense, look at what Zimmer has done with a below average D when he showed up.

[Sea Ray]

Not only has the play calling been predictable from him for countless years, but this season's pre-snap penalties are at Brats feet, too. It is ultimately up to him to coach these guys up and get rid of the penalties. False starts and alignment penalties are just inexcusable. They are second in the league in false starts. Brat should be all over Alexander's ass to get this problem fixed. It seems to be getting worse, not better.

I would have no problem whatsoever with them moving on this offseason.

Ron, you saved me a lot of typing. There are a lot of reasons to fire Brat and it's important to remember that these problems are not new. This offense has struggled for three years now. Just look at their points scored. He has a $100mill QB to work with, a Pro Bowl WR, high picks like Caldwell, Simpson and Smith. He has a big money FA in Coles and nice RBs. Folks he has underachieved in getting production given the talent he has. How can the Cleveland Browns (given their offemsive talent), run up the scoreboard against the Chiefs , KO return TDs notwithstanding, and our O struggles to score 17?

He doesn't "coach" well enough. This O is undisciplined not only in the penalties but in the routes run by WRs and the broken plays we still are seeing.

Anyone who thinks he deserves to come back next year has low standards and has something in common with Mike Brown.

That's great they're going to the playoffs but that doesn't mean you should stop trying to improve your team. Look at the points our O has scored this year and then decide whether you think Brat has gotten the most out of the talent he has to work with.

[gregstephens]

Here's my take. With the team getting its defense in order and returning to the playoffs, we should be more marketable for good OCs. I say shop for one. Brat is stale and the line penalties are a problem. A new OC can't do worse for us, because we still have the cogs in place. I don't see the harm is seeing if the same cogs, with some decent off-season additions on the line and maybe WR/TE, can be coached up.

I'm not bellyaching a 10-6 (?) turnaround Brat's expense. I'm just saying he has no track record of improving our offense, even when new pieces are added. The plays are the same, the issues are the same. He's the common denominator here.

[Sea Ray]

I could be wrong but I'm guessing Carson will be an advocate of canning Brat after this year. I think he's frustrated and tired of people questioning his arm. I don't think this is the vertical offense he signed onto. I think if Carson wants a change that Mike Brown will weigh that heavily

[UK Bengal]

as long as brat is under contract he goes nowhere if its up then it will be goodbye

[jjakq27]

Not only has the play calling been predictable from him for countless years, but this season's pre-snap penalties are at Brats feet, too. It is ultimately up to him to coach these guys up and get rid of the penalties. False starts and alignment penalties are just inexcusable. They are second in the league in false starts. Brat should be all over Alexander's ass to get this problem fixed. It seems to be getting worse, not better.

I would have no problem whatsoever with them moving on this offseason.

Better throw Shepard in there every time Chad false starts too.

[101Airborne]

I'm all for us taking a look at who's out there and seeing if we can't find an upgrade to Brat. We do not have as high a caliber offense as '05, so I don't expect '05 levels of production, but I do expect us to do more offensively. From my perspective, the two things that have killed the Bengals on offense more than anything else is penalties galore and a total lack of imagination in the red zone. I could be wrong as I don't have stats to back this up, but it seems like every first and goal starts with a pair of unproductive runs (due to obvious playcalling or getting called for holding, etc.) followed by an obvious pass play. Also, if I see one more uber-double-super-fake-out gimmick play that nets -7 yards, I'm going to want Brat run out of town on a rail.