What changes can/need to be made?

[Spor_tees]

So the Bengals have Tampa Bay then the Bye week coming up. What do you think the Bengals should realistically do in the next 2 weeks to turn this around? With some of the injuries in the secondary, the lack of a pass rush up front, and the piss poor O-line, what moves should they make?

They already brought Hartwig in for a work out but didn't sign him, do they finally give him a call? Aaron Shobel worked out for the Texans this week but is still out there. Are there any safeties or DB's out there that the Bengals can bring in? Does Marvin White come back again? Do they bring in a veteran like Dre Bly?

Firing Brat would be a plus, but that just isn't realistic at this point. Also, do they bring in anyone while Shipley is out with his concussion or do they just activate Simpson?

Is there anyone on the practice squad worth a look? Geno Atkins did see a lot more playing time this week, yet Michael Johnson still isn't getting enough quality playing time.

Here is a short list of Safeties that are free agents: Atari Bigby, Mike Brown, Daniel Bullocks, John Busing, Tyrone Carter, Nick Ferguson, Jarrad Page, Jermaine Phiilips, Hank Poteat, Mark Roman, and Aaron Rouse.

Personally I really liked Aaron Rouse coming our of VaTech, not only was he a good player, but a solid guy on special teams. Maybe worth a look.

[kingwilly]

So the Bengals have Tampa Bay then the Bye week coming up. What do you think the Bengals should realistically do in the next 2 weeks to turn this around? With some of the injuries in the secondary, the lack of a pass rush up front, and the piss poor O-line, what moves should they make?

They already brought Hartwig in for a work out but didn't sign him, do they finally give him a call? Aaron Shobel worked out for the Texans this week but is still out there. Are there any safeties or DB's out there that the Bengals can bring in? Does Marvin White come back again? Do they bring in a veteran like Dre Bly?

Firing Brat would be a plus, but that just isn't realistic at this point. Also, do they bring in anyone while Shipley is out with his concussion or do they just activate Simpson?

Is there anyone on the practice squad worth a look? Geno Atkins did see a lot more playing time this week, yet Michael Johnson still isn't getting enough quality playing time.

Would like to see Dunlap get some looks.

Would like to see Bernard Scott get more touches.

Would like to see Dhani out of coverage.

I am disturbed by the lack of pass rush. Geathers is really pretty worthless. Rather see Fanane or Frostee at this point.

The fumble by Palmer, and the handoff to Benson, should never happen. Palmer holding the ball too long on the one sack was very bad.

For those who say Palmer had a "great" game, he connected with TO but also made about as many bad decisions as he has in the other 3 games.

They stopped throwing to Gresham in the second half.

This team is an enigma.

[cincy9275]

well 1st some one please teach cook to count. then tell the online diving at someones feet is not how you block come on kelly your better than that. twice kelly whiffed that lead to roth's sacks. on defense it's time for atkins to start and time to get dunlap ready to play. no since in sticking with geathers as starter. when you draft a pass rusher that high then not play him. also time for rey to play the middle . i like jones he is just to big a liability on passing downs. just really piss poor play from a team the should be better than this. to lose to the browns is a huge embarrassment directly at marvin and company. when you get out coached and out played by the browns. you have major problems. start looking in the mirror at what the cause is, it's you marvin. marv knows he is gone after this year and is just going thru the motions. i don't think he really cares because marv is sick of the piss poor coaches that mr brown will not let marvin s**t can. that's the true reason why marv has not accepted a extension. because he is sick of his team being put at a disadvantage because the majority of the staff is lame.

[agreen_112]

They need to grow some damn balls on offense! We're too conservative. Winning teams are aggressive. Throw the damn ball up to T.O. and he will come down with it 9 out of 10 times, it's proven. The guy is a monster. To add to his awesomeness, you have the best route runner and one of the fastest guys in Chad Johnson. Why are we not putting points on the board? We have the top 3 TE in the league as well. There's too much talent here on offense to be conservative.

[Stripes]

They need to grow some damn balls on offense! We're too conservative. Winning teams are aggressive. Throw the damn ball up to T.O. and he will come down with it 9 out of 10 times, it's proven. The guy is a monster. To add to his awesomeness, you have the best route runner and one of the fastest guys in Chad Johnson. Why are we not putting points on the board? We have the top 3 TE in the league as well. There's too much talent here on offense to be conservative.

offensive line

[walzav29]

I'd like to see Andre Smith earn a starting spot. If you think about it, that would be key. Roland doesn't have the physical tools. Smith does. That would help with the running game and give him more time to pass. Figure out the return game as well. They are getting nothing.

[DC_Bengals_Fan]

What changes need to be made? First thing is they need to actually recognize what the problems are. They continue to make the same mistakes week in and week out.

Offense: The line is still taking too many penalties. Carson is still double-pumping too many times and throwing that out route into coverage. They're also still going away from the run too much, too soon.

Defense: I think Zim needs to end his love affair with Dhani, I had a feeling this would end badly. Also, you have to get pressure on mediocre QBs - if you slow the game down for them by giving them time, they can pick you apart. The Flacco game plan should be the blueprint for all young, fast, but mediocre QBs.

Since we're mourning a loss, I'll end with a positive - I absolutely loved that Carson got in that dirtbag's face after he cheap-shotted Shipley. And the NFL better lighten that guy's paycheck.

[Wraith]

I'd like to see Andre Smith earn a starting spot. If you think about it, that would be key. Roland doesn't have the physical tools. Smith does. That would help with the running game and give him more time to pass. Figure out the return game as well. They are getting nothing.

Andre played most if not all the game and he wasn't the answer, hopefully he can put it together.

As for the Palmer haters....the man had 11 incompletions, I went back yesterday and watched the tape, 2 were batted down at the LOS, 2 were dropped, 2 were thrown away due to pressure that leaves 5 incompletions for the game so give it a rest. The fumbles were both on the O-Line period. He played magnificently given the amount of pressure so stop trying to blame a team loss on the QB. The game game came down to this, the Browns defensive line beat our offensive line all game long, the blocked FG was on the OLine, the two fumbles were on the OLine, that is 9 points boys and girls not even calculating that without the blocked FG the Browns wouldn't have had the time to drive down the field and score their FG to close the half or the fact that the Offense was driving in Browns territory when the first fumble happened. OLine improves we win that game going away, something like 30-17. Don't blame the coach, don't blame the QB, don't blame the refs (though that Defensive Holding call was REEEEEEEEEdiculous) we were outmanned in the trenches plain and simple.

[TJJackson]

Throw the damn ball up to T.O. and he will come down with it 9 out of 10 times, it's proven.

*points/laughs*

the best route runner and one of the fastest guys in Chad Johnson.

*points/laughs again*

We have the top 3 TE in the league as well.

*points/laughs yet again*

[cincy9275]

I'd like to see Andre Smith earn a starting spot. If you think about it, that would be key. Roland doesn't have the physical tools. Smith does. That would help with the running game and give him more time to pass. Figure out the return game as well. They are getting nothing.

Andre played most if not all the game and he wasn't the answer, hopefully he can put it together.

As for the Palmer haters....the man had 11 incompletions, I went back yesterday and watched the tape, 2 were batted down at the LOS, 2 were dropped, 2 were thrown away due to pressure that leaves 5 incompletions for the game so give it a rest. The fumbles were both on the O-Line period. He played magnificently given the amount of pressure so stop trying to blame a team loss on the QB. The game game came down to this, the Browns defensive line beat our offensive line all game long, the blocked FG was on the OLine, the two fumbles were on the OLine, that is 9 points boys and girls not even calculating that without the blocked FG the Browns wouldn't have had the time to drive down the field and score their FG to close the half or the fact that the Offense was driving in Browns territory when the first fumble happened. OLine improves we win that game going away, something like 30-17. Don't blame the coach, don't blame the QB, don't blame the refs (though that Defensive Holding call was REEEEEEEEEdiculous) we were outmanned in the trenches plain and simple.

if the o-line is not doing it's job. who is responsible to get them ready? the o-line coach ? if the o-line coach is not doing his job. who's job is it to make sure his coaches are getting through to the players? it's marvin's job!! as i said earlier the sad truth is marvin knows that brat and alexander are a disadvantage to this team. that is the main reason marvin will not extend his deal because he is tired of these 2 idiots.

just think back to 2 years ago when marvin blew up at the end of the season. marvin said then, that the Bengal's were throwing out their playbook and starting new. who do think that was directed at? carson? no that was a shot at the piss poor coaches we have on this staff. the fact is this team is still making the same mistakes that cost them a playoff birth back in 06. i said then, that if we don't change this staff we will keep repeating the same dumb s**t and never win s**t! it's 2010 and we are still doing the same dumb s**t and still have not ever reached the potential this team has.

the point is mr. brown needs to let marvin do his job and not handcuff the man by surrounding him with retards!!!! marvin and zimmer need to clean out this staff and let them 2 pick the coaches not a man who has no clue. just go down the line of idiots that mr. brown has let coach here. that is the very reason why this team has always been a joke under his watch.

[ct_bengal]

no reason to freak out just yet, the browns will hit others as well with a spoiler win, hell they beat the steelers last year with roethlisberger, and this years browns team is alot better. I honestly dont think the steelers are going to be that much better once they get ben back. just need to play clean football, one game at a time.

the bengals defense is overagressive sometimes and it bit them in the ass. they played to stuff the iso play and peyton hillis just ran counters and converted at least 4 times. too big for a corner to tackle. they beat the bengals with last years recipe. mangini smiling at the end really pissed me off. but the bengals offense is at least getting better each week, and after the bye should be in full effect. at least they face the steelers after these bumps in the road. bengals started off 4-2 last year and dropeed one to a crappy denver team and still made the playoffs, so lets see what happens. plus i got tickets to the bengals vs jets so i dont want to believe the season is down the crapper...

[HairOnFire]

So the Bengals have Tampa Bay then the Bye week coming up. What do you think the Bengals should realistically do in the next 2 weeks to turn this around?

Hair walks into Bengals offensive meeting room Monday morning. Kicks Bratkowski in the nuts.

Hair walks up to chalkboard. Writes angrily........Tampa Gameplan: 35 Rush Attempts/No Excuses

Hair walks back to Bratkowski. Kicks him in the nuts again.

Hair walks out of meeting.

[HairOnFire]

I'd like to see Andre Smith earn a starting spot. If you think about it, that would be key. Roland doesn't have the physical tools. Smith does. That would help with the running game and give him more time to pass.

IMHO Smith isn't ready to start, but he may have to anyways. Because as uneven as Smith has been he doesn't get blown up in pass blocking as often as Roland does. And passing the ball seems to be the primary goal this season.

[Kazkal]

-Livings needs to be benched and Mathis started

-Roland has looked bad Bigdre has looked bad but I still think andre's Upside outweigh rolands best days

-Play calling or Carsons decisions but they need spread the ball out make em respect the other weapons more. because shipley & gresham have done good things when given the chance.

-Lure Braham out of retirement to back up Cook and if he doesn't clean up his Play go with Good ol Richie.(or offer Browns two 1st round selections for Alex Mack )

-Would like more passrushThey used geno more but not MJ and they keep deactivating Dunlap who has showed more then most of our starters when comes to passrush.

ir walks into Bengals offensive meeting room Monday morning. Kicks Bratkowski in the nuts.

I think we should start Donations to bail Hair out of jail after he does this...because I'd donate every dime I have to see it lol.

if the o-line is not doing it's job. who is responsible to get them ready? the o-line coach ? if the o-line coach is not doing his job.

But Alexander is a Genius and has 3 undrafted players starting his Oline and I'm sure were trying to trade to get Stacey Andrews back in stripes...

We have the top 3 TE in the league as well.

*points/laughs yet again*

Top 3 is ridiculously early,But I still have to say I'm impressed by the man he has good moves for a big man,When he made that first catch sunday I thought he was a WR.

I know people say the same thing about gates but to me he doesn't look nearly as fast.

Defense: I think Zim needs to end his love affair with Dhani, I had a feeling this would end badly. Also, you have to get pressure on mediocre QBs - if you slow the game down for them by giving them time, they can pick you apart. The Flacco game plan should be the blueprint for all young, fast, but mediocre QBs.

I wish they would I love Dhanni,But I think reyrey's time is now and you also get one of your best young players on field more with MJ this way and even Brandon Johnson.

[volcom69]

Im sorry but this defense is just too overrated for what they are. Unless they play great team defense they are not that great. No pass rush what so ever. Geathers is horrible, Odom is not any better. Let Dunlap play see how he is, let Frostee play more, and Fanene when he comes back. I still dont get how you let Hillis get the first down when you know they are going to run the ball? Brandon Johnson needs to find his way in the starting lineup he is the best LB on the team. Horrible defense yesterday!!

I think the coaches on this team need to start looking at themselves. Year in and year out this team plays down to the teams they play, you figure Marvin would finally figure something out. Marvin needs to learn to make in game changes when its needed and halftime adjustments. Game management is still horrible, and for once i would love Marvin to get fired up, and go over to the offense on the sideline, or defense and give them he** when needed....fire your team up Marvin nobody else seems to.

Offense needs to figure out what kind of a team they are, each week they change there mind. Brat needs to figure out how use the talents on this team to there best abilities. How do you just stop throwing to Gresham, they should look at SD tape and see how that team uses there TE. O-Line sucks and changes need to be made there, just not sure we will see any.

My problem is this team brought back almost all there starters plus a couple extra guys who were supossed to help, but so far i have seen nothing that tells me this team is better. So i blame coaching, if they are not any better from one year to the next, well coaching is not good enough then.

[ArmyBengal]

Wasn't there an article heading into this season about how Zimmer was picking the brains of some of his buddies and former coaches about things he could consider in order to place a bigger focus on what can be done for the pass rush ??

Well, to answer the question of "what changes need to be made", might I suggest someone making sure Zimmer doesn't talk to any of those f*cking idiots anymore because they obviously fed him some bullsh*t and then talked to each other about watching what happens now. They all probably watch the Bengals games together while drinking beers and laughing their asses off.

I can hear them now:

"He actually believed that sh*t we told him" !!!!

BWAAAAAHAAAAAAAHAAAAAAHAAAAAAAA !!!

[cincyhokie]

Wasn't there an article heading into this season about how Zimmer was picking the brains of some of his buddies and former coaches about things he could consider in order to place a bigger focus on what can be done for the pass rush ??

Well, to answer the question of "what changes need to be made", might I suggest someone making sure Zimmer doesn't talk to any of those f*cking idiots anymore because they obviously fed him some bullsh*t and then talked to each other about watching what happens now. They all probably watch the Bengals games together while drinking beers and laughing their asses off.

I can hear them now:

"He actually believed that sh*t we told him" !!!!

BWAAAAAHAAAAAAAHAAAAAAHAAAAAAAA !!!

Thanks. I needed that. First time I laughed all day. Monday's aren't my thing.

Question: Has Robert Geathers morphed into the new John Thornton? When was the last time this guy made a play? 2006?

More Atkins, would like to see some Dunlap and more Rucker. Need Fanene back.

[volcom69]

Wasn't there an article heading into this season about how Zimmer was picking the brains of some of his buddies and former coaches about things he could consider in order to place a bigger focus on what can be done for the pass rush ??

Well, to answer the question of "what changes need to be made", might I suggest someone making sure Zimmer doesn't talk to any of those f*cking idiots anymore because they obviously fed him some bullsh*t and then talked to each other about watching what happens now. They all probably watch the Bengals games together while drinking beers and laughing their asses off.

I can hear them now:

"He actually believed that sh*t we told him" !!!!

BWAAAAAHAAAAAAAHAAAAAAHAAAAAAAA !!!

He said this year they were going to work on pass rush more then anything. Well what ever he was teaching didnt work very well! This team has 3 sacks in 4 games, that is horrible. Instead of getting better they got worse. Even when Zimmer blitzes they cant even get sacks. If he dosnt fix it soon we are going to be playing very good QBs, not Seneca Wallace, and those QBs are going to kill this defense. My question is how do you fix something when you probably dont have the pieces to fix it. I would start putting in the young guys and letting them play.

MJ i was looking forward to him playing, so far has done nothing. I dont get it either last year he was playing great...what changed.

Atkins needs to start i want to see him play alot more

Dunlap quite benching the guy put him in and lets see what hes got he was a 2nd round pick..come on Marvin

Brandon Johnson seems to be the best LB on the team but dosnt get on the field much.

If you ask me so far the defense has underachived big time, i had big expectations for this defense. Hope something happens soon they need defense to help carry them.

[HoosierCat]

What changes to make? None, really. But IMHO there are two things to emphasize this week:

1. Ball security. Complain all you want about Brat, the passing game, the o-line, the refs, the run game, the ugly cheerleaders, how Cleveland smells, whatever. But even with all that, if they don't turn over the ball 3 times, they win the game.

2. Be aware on defense. The downside of playing an aggressive, physical form of defense is that the NFL has spent 20 years cocooning QBs and wideouts in rules to protect them and encourage high-octane, high-scoring offenses. What was great play by the Steel Curtain or the 85 Bears or the 2000 Ravens is just as likely to draw a flag as a highlight moment today. And it's all hopelessly arbitrary. Go watch that 9th sack Cutler took last night, the one he got concussed on: Umenyora picks him up, spins him around and slams him into the ground (off of which his head bounces). Textbook example of what's supposed to be a roughing the passer call today...no flag. All you can do toay is be extra careful in critical situations and find ways to "cuddle them to the ground."

[James_Brooks21]

Thanks. I needed that. First time I laughed all day. Monday's aren't my thing.

Question: Has Robert Geathers morphed into the new John Thornton? When was the last time this guy made a play? 2006?

More Atkins, would like to see some Dunlap and more Rucker. Need Fanene back.

[kingwilly]

Wasn't there an article heading into this season about how Zimmer was picking the brains of some of his buddies and former coaches about things he could consider in order to place a bigger focus on what can be done for the pass rush ??

Well, to answer the question of "what changes need to be made", might I suggest someone making sure Zimmer doesn't talk to any of those f*cking idiots anymore because they obviously fed him some bullsh*t and then talked to each other about watching what happens now. They all probably watch the Bengals games together while drinking beers and laughing their asses off.

I can hear them now:

"He actually believed that sh*t we told him" !!!!

BWAAAAAHAAAAAAAHAAAAAAHAAAAAAAA !!!

He said this year they were going to work on pass rush more then anything. Well what ever he was teaching didnt work very well! This team has 3 sacks in 4 games, that is horrible. Instead of getting better they got worse. Even when Zimmer blitzes they cant even get sacks. If he dosnt fix it soon we are going to be playing very good QBs, not Seneca Wallace, and those QBs are going to kill this defense. My question is how do you fix something when you probably dont have the pieces to fix it. I would start putting in the young guys and letting them play.

MJ i was looking forward to him playing, so far has done nothing. I dont get it either last year he was playing great...what changed.

Atkins needs to start i want to see him play alot more

Dunlap quite benching the guy put him in and lets see what hes got he was a 2nd round pick..come on Marvin

Brandon Johnson seems to be the best LB on the team but dosnt get on the field much.

If you ask me so far the defense has underachived big time, i had big expectations for this defense. Hope something happens soon they need defense to help carry them.

This is what amazes me.

You have two of the best CB's in the NFL and you can't get sacks?

Mean your DE's are not NFL quality (True) or your scheme is too conservative (True)

Ask yourself this: When was the last time you saw a corner or safety blitz?

We saw Rivers come from the edge and get to Wallace....once?

Why is this so hard?

NADS

[ArmyBengal]

Wasn't there an article heading into this season about how Zimmer was picking the brains of some of his buddies and former coaches about things he could consider in order to place a bigger focus on what can be done for the pass rush ??

Well, to answer the question of "what changes need to be made", might I suggest someone making sure Zimmer doesn't talk to any of those f*cking idiots anymore because they obviously fed him some bullsh*t and then talked to each other about watching what happens now. They all probably watch the Bengals games together while drinking beers and laughing their asses off.

I can hear them now:

"He actually believed that sh*t we told him" !!!!

BWAAAAAHAAAAAAAHAAAAAAHAAAAAAAA !!!

Thanks. I needed that. First time I laughed all day.

Glad I could help and I was making the attempt at humor there, but wasn't Zimmer really suppose to be working that issue ??

We saw all that pass rush out of MJ, Atkins, and Dunlap during the preseason and now there is nothing.

Hmmmmmm, can it really hurt to get those guys some playing time ??

[Trevor]

Kinda wish we got incognito,.. He's lookin pretty good on MNF.

[volcom69]

Wasn't there an article heading into this season about how Zimmer was picking the brains of some of his buddies and former coaches about things he could consider in order to place a bigger focus on what can be done for the pass rush ??

Well, to answer the question of "what changes need to be made", might I suggest someone making sure Zimmer doesn't talk to any of those f*cking idiots anymore because they obviously fed him some bullsh*t and then talked to each other about watching what happens now. They all probably watch the Bengals games together while drinking beers and laughing their asses off.

I can hear them now:

"He actually believed that sh*t we told him" !!!!

BWAAAAAHAAAAAAAHAAAAAAHAAAAAAAA !!!

He said this year they were going to work on pass rush more then anything. Well what ever he was teaching didnt work very well! This team has 3 sacks in 4 games, that is horrible. Instead of getting better they got worse. Even when Zimmer blitzes they cant even get sacks. If he dosnt fix it soon we are going to be playing very good QBs, not Seneca Wallace, and those QBs are going to kill this defense. My question is how do you fix something when you probably dont have the pieces to fix it. I would start putting in the young guys and letting them play.

MJ i was looking forward to him playing, so far has done nothing. I dont get it either last year he was playing great...what changed.

Atkins needs to start i want to see him play alot more

Dunlap quite benching the guy put him in and lets see what hes got he was a 2nd round pick..come on Marvin

Brandon Johnson seems to be the best LB on the team but dosnt get on the field much.

If you ask me so far the defense has underachived big time, i had big expectations for this defense. Hope something happens soon they need defense to help carry them.

This is what amazes me.

You have two of the best CB's in the NFL and you can't get sacks?

Mean your DE's are not NFL quality (True) or your scheme is too conservative (True)

Ask yourself this: When was the last time you saw a corner or safety blitz?

We saw Rivers come from the edge and get to Wallace....once?

Why is this so hard?

NADS

Yep i dont get it, its like other teams know where the Bengals are blitzin from and pick it up. Zim has to do a better job of hiding where he is going to blitz from. He needs to get back to the drawing board, and figure out ways to confuss the other team. The front 4 is not getting it done, so its time to come up with something new.