A Quick Recap

[rwalling]

From the top, we have:

1) We have an incompetent owner/GM whose only real gift seems to be lining his pockets with taxpayer money. (He seems fatter, happier and more content with the status quo than his players!)

2) We have an amateur player personnel and scouting department infested with nepotism.

3) We have a head coach who was successful motivation his team who has now been overruled on personnel decisions by the owner and has not been given the additional authority he desired. As a result, his heart isn't in it and his players see that.

4) We have an offensive coordinator who has been left behind by the game. The playbook he showed up with is the most innovative thing he owns. His contemporaries and even some of his proteges continue to evolve with the game. Sadly, he does not evolve at halftime or in the offseason.

5) We have a franchise quarterback who has not been the same since a couple of debilitating injuries. Making matters worse, he does not trust his O-line's ability to protect or his receivers' ability to run the correct route or fight for contended balls.

6) We have two prima donnas at WR whose time is too preoccupied with off the field ventures to get into rhythm with their quarterback. (Does our ILB struggle with some of the same issues when he travels around the world in the offseason or is he just old and bad?)

7) We have a 375 lb millionaire at OT who does not appear to want to play football now that he has been paid. (Have you EVER seen a Raven, Patriot or Steeler with that attitude?)

8) We have 15 players on Injured Reserve (coincidence, strength and conditioning problem or both?)

I'm sorry, what are we surprised about again?

[kingwilly]

Good assessment.

Not surprised at all.

Disappointment is even a stretch. Sadly, even with all this, there were only 4 games this year this team had no chance winning. 2-14 or 3-13 won't be enough to correct what is wrong, as record does not directly correlate to failure, in business terms, in the NFL.

The expiration of this effort, really it is about Marvin and Carson, is near. Marvin won't be back and Carson will be gone. If Brat is gone, they have a chance to re-ignite a new attitude, that is until the current ownership undermines them and guts their desire to win.

[ShulaSteakhouse]

Good assessment.

Not surprised at all.

Disappointment is even a stretch. Sadly, even with all this, there were only 4 games this year this team had no chance winning. 2-14 or 3-13 won't be enough to correct what is wrong, as record does not directly correlate to failure, in business terms, in the NFL.

The expiration of this effort, really it is about Marvin and Carson, is near. Marvin won't be back and Carson will be gone. If Brat is gone, they have a chance to re-ignite a new attitude, that is until the current ownership undermines them and guts their desire to win.

You under-estimate Mike Brown's loyalty and patience young Padawan.

I wouldn't be surprised at all if Carson's back and given a vote of confidence. Marvin will be back if he wants to be, and can shake at least one concession out of Brown, be it more offensive personnel control or a practice bubble over the turf field in their little-used practice facility.

They "may" get some new position coaches at WR/LB/QB, but that'll be about it there.

Brown will count on the fan fare over whatever over-hyped bad pick they make with the top 5 to carry over into the stupified fan base (see Ki-Jana Carter, Akili Smith, David Klingler, Peter Warrick et al...,).

[Sea Ray]

From the top, we have:

7) We have a 375 lb millionaire at OT who does not appear to want to play football now that he has been paid. (Have you EVER seen a Raven, Patriot or Steeler with that attitude?)

Terrence Cody?

[HairOnFire]

I'm sorry, what are we surprised about again?

I'm suprised by how many Bengal fans now claim they aren't suprised.

Seriously, we each have our own "themes" and gripes about the way this team operates, but I don't remember anyone here predicting THIS. In fact, we had a preseason thread that blasted away at any media type who even suggested THIS was possible.

Make no mistake about it....I am suprised. Not by everything because if I bothered keeping score I probably called as many things right as I got wrong. But none of that matters a bit because the scope and totality of this teams failure trumps all individual debate. And the failure is so complete it not only suprises me, but stuns me.

Anyone who claims they aren't suprised that THIS Bengal team ranks as the worst Bengal team of all time is just kidding themselves.

[HoosierCat]

Anyone who claims they aren't suprised that THIS Bengal team ranks as the worst Bengal team of all time is just kidding themselves.

Yup. There was absolutely no reason to expect this team to implode the way it has.

[derekshank]

I'm sorry, what are we surprised about again?

I'm suprised by how many Bengal fans now claim they aren't suprised.

Seriously, we each have our own "themes" and gripes about the way this team operates, but I don't remember anyone here predicting THIS. In fact, we had a preseason thread that blasted away at any media type who even suggested THIS was possible.

Make no mistake about it....I am suprised. Not by everything because if I bothered keeping score I probably called as many things right as I got wrong. But none of that matters a bit because the scope and totality of this teams failure trumps all individual debate. And the failure is so complete it not only suprises me, but stuns me.

Anyone who claims they aren't suprised that THIS Bengal team ranks as the worst Bengal team of all time is just kidding themselves.

Yeah... I won't say I'm not surprised, because as you said, no one predicted THIS.

That said, I made mention multiple times prior to the season that I was concerned that the offseason moves would cause Brat to go pass-happy again... and that the defense was only in the top 5 last year because of the run-first offense that resulted in winnin the TOP in nearly every game last year.

I was concerned the Bengals would try to go back to what they were previous to '09, even though the team wasn't built for it, but at no point did I forsee 2-14 being a possibility. I thought they would slump... not suck.

[HairOnFire]

That said, I made mention multiple times prior to the season that I was concerned that the offseason moves would cause Brat to go pass-happy again... and that the defense was only in the top 5 last year because of the run-first offense that resulted in winnin the TOP in nearly every game last year.

Yeah, and I've been pounding the keyboard for years about Bratkowski's Clockwork Orange passing scheme, a Bastard Sons of Paul Brown mantra based upon throwing the ball around the yard at all costs, and the seemingly endless Churn & Burn draft strategy rooted in a requirement for top shelf offensive skill position players at every conceivable position....including 3rd down role players. So you'd think someone who for years has written about this type of stuff might have seen THIS coming. I should be the least suprised, right?

Instead, I'm stunned to the point I'm almost speechless. Because I still can't fathom how a team like this could so carelessly toss away a successful core strategy that in retrospect they were forced to adopt precisely because years and years of failure had left them with no other options.

IMHO this season has been a death of a thousand cuts...all self-inflicted. Ritual suicide. And yeah, I thought they were past that sort of crap.

Hell yes I'm suprised.

[Sea Ray]

Instead, I'm stunned to the point I'm almost speechless. Because I still can't fathom how a team like this could so carelessly toss away a successful core strategy that in retrospect they were forced to adopt precisely because years and years of failure had left them with no other options.

IMHO this season has been a death of a thousand cuts...all self-inflicted. Ritual suicide. And yeah, I thought they were past that sort of crap.

Hell yes I'm suprised.

If they'd changed nothing this year, the season still would have crashed and burned. Last year they won by the slimmest of margins and we saw in December and January that they were pretenders. The only way last season was going to be successful was if they ran the table on the AFC North. That ain't happenin' very often. That team still couldn't beat Oakland and just barely beat KC.

Fast forward to this year as the defense takes a step backward and the run first offense would have been a failure.

Mind you I do think Brat needs to go. This team's offensive numbers have been putrid for several years now and that's on the OC.

[HairOnFire]

If they'd changed nothing this year, the season still would have crashed and burned.

Sorry, I spent all of last season listening to Bengal fans demand an apology after each of the 10 wins, as well as after qualifying for the playoffs. And if that seemed stupid then, and it did, it seems even more so today.

Last year they won by the slimmest of margins and we saw in December and January that they were pretenders.

Fast forward to this season and most of us would kill to have a team worthy of being called a pretender.

The only way last season was going to be successful was if they ran the table on the AFC North. That ain't happenin' very often.

Here's what isn't happening very often this year. Winning through the air. In fact, the Bengals fresh committment to the passing game hasn't produced a single victory this season. Zero, zip, nada. They beat Baltimore in week 2 using the same Smashball strategy from a year prior, and one week later managed to beat a 1-13 Carolina team in spite of their own inept passing game. Point blank, the next team Cincy beats through the air this season will be the first team Cincy beats through the air this season. So ask yourself, which scheme has been exposed? Which strategy was more successful? Which of us is pretending?

That team still couldn't beat Oakland and just barely beat KC.

Those are power running teams, right? And FWIW so were the Jets....who whipped this team just as easily this year as they did last season.

Fast forward to this year as the defense takes a step backward and the run first offense would have been a failure.

Well, since you're doing little more than speculate without facts why not ask yourself what steps were taken to improve those units? In case you've forgotten they actually mocked the idea of taking a safety, refused to play their highest and most important defensive pick for the first two months of the season, and ignored the offensive line until it was too late to land anyone who might help this year. Meanwhile, their 1st round pick has now played extensively enough to make the argument AGAINST using a 1st round pick on any TE, and their 3rd round pick manages to impress while doing nothing noteworthy. Finally, they actually used a draft pick on a WR who from day one was targeted for the practice squad, yet never actually made it there.

[Sea Ray]

Hair, I think you're putting too much blame for this woeful season on the passing attack. The main problems this year were that the defense took a step back and special teams fell off the cliff. As for the offense, they've failed to execute time and time again. Not that I expect them to be NE or Indy but those teams show you what execution is all about. I bet they're practicing routes while the Bengals are in the clubhouse playing video games. I could be wrong but I think they spend much more time and effort working on their timing and execution than this Marvin Lewis coached team. Our offense can't decide when or who's to call a timeout, they jump off sides, line up incorrectly, you name it.

In 2005 when they did have a high flying passing attack they were disciplined and dedicated. I'm starting to think Hue Jackson might have had something to do with that.

Simply put, I think the power running game took this team as far as it could last year. I enjoyed it like all of us did. But I'm not bummed that they drafted Gresham and Shipley and brought in TO.

[walzav29]

I sincerely thought the Bengals would go 12-4 and make a Super Bowl run. I am as big a Bengal fan as you're going to find. I'm dejected, de-moralized, and just throwing in the towel. I've abandoned all hope and optimism. I now know that there is no chance, and Mike Brown is a bad person. I'm just a sucker. This putrid franchise ruined a once promising coach and qb. The hope I acquired in 2003 is gone. Remember that offseason? They actually had Carson signed before the draft. You see how pathetic that is? The good news is they didn't have a holdout. My inner Bengal has died.

[HairOnFire]

Hair, I think you're putting too much blame for this woeful season on the passing attack.

How ironic, because I think you're putting too little blame on it. But more to the point, I think far too many Bengal fans didn't respect what last years team accomplished and how it was done. Instead, they focused soley on what it couldn't do and bemoaned their tragic fate as playoff pretenders. (sniff)

As for the offense, they've failed to execute time and time again. Not that I expect them to be NE or Indy but those teams show you what execution is all about.

Check that. Indy's precision passing game is a shell of it's former self due to injuries robbing Manning of experienced receivers. As a result the so-called best QB in the entire history of feetball has been forced to rely on newbie passcatchers, and the lack of timing and precision that has resulted should look very familiar to Bengal fans...including the pick six we've grown so fond of. Furthermore, the Colts substandard offensive line can no longer count on the ball being delivered as quickly and must hold their blocks longer. As a result they've been exposed in much the same way that the Bengals O-line has.

As for New England, it's a checkdown offense built almost entirely around the TE and slot WR positions yet their deep passing game actually improved when they traded Randy Moss, thereby making a mockery of the familiar refrain that a deep threat, even an unproductive one, is the key to a passing game. As it turns out the real key is constantly dictating to a defense, forcing it into making mistakes, instead of simply reacting to its coverage.

I bet they're practicing routes while the Bengals are in the clubhouse playing video games. I could be wrong but I think they spend much more time and effort working on their timing and execution than this Marvin Lewis coached team.

I blame Lewis for plenty of stuff, but ultimately I blame the players who consistently refuse to act as professionals. Simply put, Chad's career has become an unfunny joke and Owens is nothing more than a mercenary. Of the two I prefer the latter, but both are unworthy of being considered building blocks for this teams passing game.

Simply put, I think the power running game took this team as far as it could last year. I enjoyed it like all of us did. But I'm not bummed that they drafted Gresham and Shipley and brought in TO.

I accept them because I have no choice. But having said that, those of you who so easily dismiss what happened last year as a fluke that couldn't be replicated need to acknowledge that the alternative is dramatically inferior. Worse, by building their new passing game around the talents of TOcho and Builder Bob the Bengals aren't building anything worth having.

[kingwilly]

Hair, I think you're putting too much blame for this woeful season on the passing attack. The main problems this year were that the defense took a step back and special teams fell off the cliff. As for the offense, they've failed to execute time and time again. Not that I expect them to be NE or Indy but those teams show you what execution is all about. I bet they're practicing routes while the Bengals are in the clubhouse playing video games. I could be wrong but I think they spend much more time and effort working on their timing and execution than this Marvin Lewis coached team. Our offense can't decide when or who's to call a timeout, they jump off sides, line up incorrectly, you name it.

In 2005 when they did have a high flying passing attack they were disciplined and dedicated. I'm starting to think Hue Jackson might have had something to do with that.

Simply put, I think the power running game took this team as far as it could last year. I enjoyed it like all of us did. But I'm not bummed that they drafted Gresham and Shipley and brought in TO.

Please recall the issue that held this team back lat year: converting on passing plays when players like Coles and Cahd simply could not either get open/run the proper route, or catch the ball.

It was not the line. It was not the running backs. It was a couple of pass catchers.

Drafting Gresham and Shipley EASILY addressed that, if they maintained the status quo. Drafting a bigger WR who can run, maybe a guy like TB's Williams, could have locked up the WR spot for years.

All of this would have upgraded the necessary players and the success would have been more assured if they'd simply STUCK with the formula they had last year. GRIND THE BALL, catch teams off guard with mis-match driven pass plays. NOT pass in a predictable and decodable way and only run when you think they are expecting a pass (and even then sometimes don't run).

Imagine last year with Gresham and Ship in place of Foschi and Coles. There you go.

Seems to me, the failings of this season can be attributed to the allowance of Brat to overdose on passing and simply ignoring what running the ball provides.

[HoosierCat]

Seems to me, the failings of this season can be attributed to the allowance of Brat to overdose on passing and simply ignoring what running the ball provides.

The trouble with that is that many of the failings of this season were also problems last year.

Stupid pre-snap penalties? Check.

Problems scoring in the red zone & having to settle for Shayne 3-pointers? Check.

Lousy special teams play costing us games? Check.

No pass rush? Check.

Too many injuries? Check.

Poor in-game coaching (wasted challenges/timeouts)? Check.

Poor pass protection? Check.

&etc.

I certainly wont argue that the passing game has been anything like a success this season, but all the stuff we complain about was there last year too. The bigger differences are that the D has fallen off and, in one of the most underreported stories of the season, special teams have become one of the worst units in the league.

The bottom line is that this year has been a complete team effort.

Yay team.

[kingwilly]

Seems to me, the failings of this season can be attributed to the allowance of Brat to overdose on passing and simply ignoring what running the ball provides.

The trouble with that is that many of the failings of this season were also problems last year.

Stupid pre-snap penalties? Check.

Problems scoring in the red zone & having to settle for Shayne 3-pointers? Check.

Lousy special teams play costing us games? Check.

No pass rush? Check.

Too many injuries? Check.

Poor in-game coaching (wasted challenges/timeouts)? Check.

Poor pass protection? Check.

&etc.

I certainly wont argue that the passing game has been anything like a success this season, but all the stuff we complain about was there last year too. The bigger differences are that the D has fallen off and, in one of the most underreported stories of the season, special teams have become one of the worst units in the league.

The bottom line is that this year has been a complete team effort.

Yay team.

Yes, those were constants last year as well, however they generally overcame those issues to ultimately make the playoffs.

I see the number of injuries as a serious contributor for bad results, too.

The big difference is the offensive scheme, on a whole.

The good running game last year meant a general advantage in time of possession, and often playing with a lead (even a small one) meant opponents were forced to resort to passing first.

So much of winning is running and stopping the run. Not one of those things happened this year.

[Kazkal]

he main problems this year were that the defense took a step back

I wouldn't say it took a step back more Like

-We have had Massive Injurys

-Our Pass Rush was terrible last year and it's still terrible this year.

[mb376905]

The fact that we lead the league in Defensive/ST touchdowns allowed is part of the reason as well.

[HoosierCat]

The big difference is the offensive scheme, on a whole.

The good running game last year meant a general advantage in time of possession, and often playing with a lead (even a small one) meant opponents were forced to resort to passing first.

So much of winning is running and stopping the run. Not one of those things happened this year.

Well, I am reliably informed that TOP is a "crap stat," but for those keeping track of it anyhow, the last I saw the D was only averaging about 80 seconds a game more on the field this year, so it doesn't appear to be a huge issue. And we have had leads several times, but been unable to hold them or build on them. Last season, we struggled to build on leads too, we were just better at holding them.

IMHO, the offense has not been any good since 2007. That got masked in 2008 when we lost Palmer early and so gave them a mulligan, then masked again by a great defensive effort last season, but there are no excuses left this year. Whether you're looking at personnel, scheme or execution, it's all bad.

[HairOnFire]

All of this would have upgraded the necessary players and the success would have been more assured if they'd simply STUCK with the formula they had last year.

Exactly. But not only stick with the formula that worked, but compliment it with the better players added. Allow the team to keep and build upon it's newfound tough guy persona while working newcomers into positions. Allow the passing game to develope at it's own pace rather than featuring it from the start due to the vast potential it has on paper, but isn't actually capable of producing.

Seems to me, the failings of this season can be attributed to the allowance of Brat to overdose on passing and simply ignoring what running the ball provides.

IMHO it goes deeper than that. Because despite the fact this team added weapons everywhere the passing game is still best described as both predictable and forced. And by allowing defenses to dictate it's playcalling this offense manages to waste more talent than it uses. In fact, despite the upgrades at every skill position the Bengals offensive passing attack still manages to be a one-weapon affair in most games. We see none of the balance most of us expected. Defenses are allowed to pick their choice of poison and as a result the dose is never fatal. Rather, those defenses pick the player least likely to beat them regardless of individual stats. Or if you prefer, they pick the player most likely to make a critical mistake when it matters most. The guy most likely to run a bad route or drop a pass.

Seems to me, the failings of this season can be attributed to the allowance of Brat to overdose on passing and simply ignoring what running the ball provides.

What it provides most is the ability to define your team as a tough and physical group of brutes who aren't afraid to punch the other guy in the mouth all day long. And I believe with every fiber of my being that doing this translates to everything else you do. Conversely, this team now finds itself accurately and properly defined as a group of undisciplined mistake-prone individuals who despite their talent can't function as a unit. Instead, all it can produce is crap stats and a seemingly endless parade of failure.

[HairOnFire]

Well, I am reliably informed that TOP is a "crap stat," but for those keeping track of it anyhow, the last I saw the D was only averaging about 80 seconds a game more on the field this year, so it doesn't appear to be a huge issue.

Seems to me you just confirmed it's a crap stat. But that's hardly suprising since most stats are of the crap variety due to their lack of proper context. For just one example, most offensive stats seem to imply this seasons offense is more productive than last seasons. But when the simple matter of winning games is included this years offense quickly looks like the bad joke it really is.

Whether you're looking at personnel, scheme or execution, it's all bad.

"Nobody exits the clown car with their dignity intact." --- Paul Brown

[HoosierCat]

For just one example, most offensive stats seem to imply this seasons offense is more productive than last seasons.

No, they don't. At least none I've been looking at all year. What they do say is that the offensive output isn't much, if any, worse. Yards, points, TOP, it's all about the same as '09.

But when the simple matter of winning games is included this years offense quickly looks like the bad joke it really is.

Well, I suspect that's because winning involves more than just offense. And when you look at the defensive and teams outputs this year versus last, the drop is quite noticeable.

That doesn't exonerate the offense by any means. Its failure to improve, and to even in some respects worsen, after all the resources poured into it in the offseason ought to have punched Sideshow Bob's ticket weeks ago. But IMHO the W/L record is drastically different because of the simultaneous decline of the defense and special teams.

[Sea Ray]

I accept them because I have no choice. But having said that, those of you who so easily dismiss what happened last year as a fluke that couldn't be replicated need to acknowledge that the alternative is dramatically inferior. Worse, by building their new passing game around the talents of TOcho and Builder Bob the Bengals aren't building anything worth having.

I think TO is a hard worker as I think Chad once was. I don't think we're very far apart on a lot of this but let's get down to specifics.

I liked Gresham as their #1 pick but I take it you'd have preferred Pouncey. I also liked the value of picking up Shipley when they did. I think these picks will pay dividends down the road. Gresham is the most talented TE we've had here in a generation.

The 6th rd pick of Briscoe is unexplainable. They've already got a 2nd rd talent at WR that they refuse to play. I don't see any scenario where the Briscoe pick was going to help this team short of losing a carload of WRs in a traffic accident in training camp.

[HairOnFire]

For just one example, most offensive stats seem to imply this seasons offense is more productive than last seasons.

No, they don't. At least none I've been looking at all year.

All year? Aren't you the same guy who earlier in the season tossed about crap stats like candy while attempting to show how nothing had changed from last year to this...prompting me to bestow Alcoholic Amnesty upon your besotted head?

Sure.

[HoosierCat]

For just one example, most offensive stats seem to imply this seasons offense is more productive than last seasons.

No, they don't. At least none I've been looking at all year.

All year? Aren't you the same guy who earlier in the season tossed about crap stats like candy while attempting to show how nothing had changed from last year to this...prompting me to bestow Alcoholic Amnesty upon your besotted head?

Sure.

Which only suggests that you should be wary of what brand you pick up at the local dispensary yourself. I'm not saying anything different now than I did then. Nowhere did I claim stats that said the O was more productive, just that it was SSDY.

Unfortunately, the same can't be said for the D and teams.