Bengals - Panthers Pregame/Game Thread.

[walzav29]

It's a preseason game, but if you are a guy that crucified him for having 2 bad preseason games then you have to give him props for doing well in the only preseason game that kind of means something. It's early, but you guys who think Dalton will suck are just wrong. Accept that you were wrong and get on the train. It's going to the playoffs!

[AGrizzlyBaer]

The one thing that really stood out to me was early in the game on the Benson TD drive. I think they ran the same play multiple times. I think it was nice to see the OC calling plays that keep working. How many times would the bengals be running the ball well, and then brat would call something silly like a wr screen.

[Sea Ray]

Lap said Dunlap does not have a leg injury, but he has a quad injury

This made me laugh.

Marvin said in the postgame that he expects Sims and Dunlap back for Indy next week. Of course, that's Marvin...

[COB]

I didn't see Jason Shirley out there tonight. Did I miss him? Any reason why he wasn't out there? He looked great vs the Jets and I'd like to see him build on that

On the tube they showed Shirley on the sidelines in a t-shirt. I don't think he dressed for the game, but they never explained why, they never even commented that Shirley wasn't dressed.

[HoosierCat]

Good to get the "first win" monkey off their backs, even if it was only preseason.

[ArmyBengal]

Pimp, I know you don't like Dalton, but c'mon dude, you have to give him at least a little credit.

He did make improvements in his game. Still needs to make more, but he's putting in his time working on it.

I think he needs to show better touch and stop staring the WR's down as well.

Here's another thing to consider.

If you want to not give credit to Dalton for his efforts against the lowly Panthers, then who cares what Scott was able to do ??

Further, who cares what any of them did in the game ?? It was just the Panthers.

That being said, I knew some would be calling us AFCN champs after this win.

NOT HAPPENING.

Nothing is ever as good or bad as it seems, but I like what we saw in the first half of that game.

Add Dunlap back in the mix on that d-line and it should be fun to watch.

[derekshank]

Add Dunlap back in the mix on that d-line and it should be fun to watch.

Yep. The D-Line looks strong (when is the last time we've said that?).

I'm surprised I'm not hearing more love for Geno Atkins. That dude was a terror last night. He was bullrushing interior linemen into the backfield regularly, and he made Cam Newton very uncomfortable several times (one time in particular, used his high motor and kept pursuing, hitting Cam from behind while he was throwing).

MJ and Geno both seem to be coming along quite well. If Dunlap continues to progress, Cincy will have a front-4 that won't require elaborate blitzes to put pressure on the QB.

[volcom69]

Pimp, I know you don't like Dalton, but c'mon dude, you have to give him at least a little credit.

He did make improvements in his game. Still needs to make more, but he's putting in his time working on it.

I think he needs to show better touch and stop staring the WR's down as well.

Here's another thing to consider.

If you want to not give credit to Dalton for his efforts against the lowly Panthers, then who cares what Scott was able to do ??

Further, who cares what any of them did in the game ?? It was just the Panthers.

That being said, I knew some would be calling us AFCN champs after this win.

NOT HAPPENING.

Nothing is ever as good or bad as it seems, but I like what we saw in the first half of that game.

Add Dunlap back in the mix on that d-line and it should be fun to watch.

Really who is saying AFCN champs??? They are far from that are far from the playoffs, but it gave us a glimpse of what this team can do when they start playing like a team.

Dalton really improved in this game, and i dont care if it was the panthers or not, if Dalton was really bad he would have sucked agaisnt the panthers as well. Look at Newton he struggled against the horribel bengals right??? So i was super happy what i saw from Dalton, just think he just missed a couple other long bombs, he could have had two/three touchdowns. So he still has alot of work to do, but you can tell he wants to win, he wants to get better and is putting in the time. One thing i do like is the way he will change the play, and get guys lined up right and protection. Did nice with pressure in his face.

Also just shows what a running game can really do, and i was very impressed with the o-line. They kept there pad level down, and they were knocking people over, playing very physical. Even Livings looked pretty good. So if the o-line can build off this game they might turn out to be pretty good.

[derekshank]

Even Livings looked pretty good.

You could probably go as far as to say "especially" Livings looked good. He played very well last night.

7 days ago there was a full blown lynch mob asking for his head. Now... crickets. Kind of funny actually.

[cincy9275]

my veiws on the game.

dalton played well, but should have had 3 td's. he still has a lot to work on. like not throwing the ball so high, not starring down the w/r. on his deep passes he throws it of his back foot. all things he can get better at in time.

gruden called a hell of a game tonight. who would have ever thought you can run the ball. make the defense load the box and throw over them!!! what a concept! but really props to him he had the panthers d scrambling in the first half.

ced and scott wow! scott looked scary good.

aj team are going to have to double him up with a safety. i know he's a rookie but he can't be covered 1 on 1.

as a whole our offense looked good in the first half, props to the o-line and t/e's they all played well tonight.

our defense played well, they really made cam look like a rookie. the d-line looks like it's going to be damn good. the best part is our best pass rusher has not even played yet. so many played well it's hard to point them all out. our db's are playing better,but reggie nelson looks damn good.

[ArmyBengal]

Yes Derek, Livings looked especially good last night and i'm happy to have to sit here and shut up about it.

I can only hope Livings feels especially good about his performance as well and continues in that way.

I will be more than happy to have to shut the f*ck up about him !!!

In regards to this team overall, there are certainly things to look at and be very happy about, but also keep things in perspective.

I have stated many times that this team isn't going to do the best this season and being happy about it due to their direction.

When they lose some games, I will try to figure out why and deal with it hoping they improve the following week, without the sky falling.

When they win games, I won't go flying off the handle about how they are going to the playoffs.

In other words, give credit where credit is due and blame where blame is due, knowing this is a young team rebuilding itself with players i'm going to enjoy watching play for a while. I'm still in the camp that says they will be lucky to win 6.

[BengalByTheBay]

my veiws on the game.

dalton played well, but should have had 3 td's. he still has a lot to work on. like not throwing the ball so high, not starring down the w/r. on his deep passes he throws it of his back foot. all things he can get better at in time.

You're talking about Dalton right? For a second there I thought I was having a flashback to Carson Palmer's 2010.

[BengalByTheBay]

I'm still in the camp that says they will be lucky to win 6.

You want me to break out the marshmallows for roasting. I'm in the same camp.

[volcom69]

Even Livings looked pretty good.

You could probably go as far as to say "especially" Livings looked good. He played very well last night.

7 days ago there was a full blown lynch mob asking for his head. Now... crickets. Kind of funny actually.

Wasnt Andre Smith on Ed Johnson the richest DE in the league because of all those sacks. Well Johnson didnt even get close, Andre Smith has played great out there so far this preseason.

I also thought Boling did a pretty good job out there, finishing blocks to the end.

Jerome Simpson is one heck of a blocker on the outside.

[volcom69]

Yes Derek, Livings looked especially good last night and i'm happy to have to sit here and shut up about it.

I can only hope Livings feels especially good about his performance as well and continues in that way.

I will be more than happy to have to shut the f*ck up about him !!!

In regards to this team overall, there are certainly things to look at and be very happy about, but also keep things in perspective.

I have stated many times that this team isn't going to do the best this season and being happy about it due to their direction.

When they lose some games, I will try to figure out why and deal with it hoping they improve the following week, without the sky falling.

When they win games, I won't go flying off the handle about how they are going to the playoffs.

In other words, give credit where credit is due and blame where blame is due, knowing this is a young team rebuilding itself with players i'm going to enjoy watching play for a while. I'm still in the camp that says they will be lucky to win 6.

What i liked is guys went out and just did there job last night. Nobody was complaining because they had to make blocks down the field because they were running the ball so much. The team actully came toghter and played as a team. Guys were laughing and joking on the sidelines, and just having fun playing football. Thats what its all about, now its time to learn from the mistakes in this game, and continue to grow as a team, and off the good things they did.

[ArmyBengal]

Yeah, I forgot to mention Simpson's blocking in the game last night. Just stellar. The one he got called for was BS.

He has been doing that all preseason and it's nice to see him out there looking to hit someone when not involved in the play.

To bad Chad could never figure that one out.

Win or lose, I really can't wait to see the first team guys on the field for a whole game and see what happens.

Week one against the Browns should, if nothing else, be interesting.

[Bengals44]

my veiws on the game.

dalton played well, but should have had 3 td's. he still has a lot to work on. like not throwing the ball so high, not starring down the w/r. on his deep passes he throws it of his back foot. all things he can get better at in time.

You're talking about Dalton right? For a second there I thought I was having a flashback to Carson Palmer's 2010.

I think Dalton will be fine, in fact I am encouraged. He is a rookie QB and both he and his teammates are ALL in a new system. If you watch where misses, he is usually too high or too far out in front of the route. It seems to be pretty damn consistant and I think we all know that timing is more than crucial. Time helps timing when everything is new for all.

At first glance, he looks the part too me - quick decision making, confident commanding and absolutley zero "deer in the headlight" moments, which most of us have seen before with Akili. I just see a confident "it" factor that cannot be taught and maybe not explained. Hopefully, we do not have a season that gives him no chance and tears down his confidence as both a leader and in his abilities.

The only negatives I see thus far are the fact that he has not read much through his progressions (from option 1 through 4) and the fact that he is not a monster arm-strength wise. With that, I would guess he is told to hit option one right now virtually everytime if it is available and therefore will develop when allowed.

As far as arm-strength, I'll take accuracy over that factor any day of the week. I do not know of too many "accurate" QB's that failed (maybe zero), but I can name plenty of the others. I guess the question is whether he will be as accurate as advertised (most of the pundits said he was #1 there in this year's draft), if so, then the future looks pretty damn nice.

Consider the below and whether or not you see a man who looks like he already knows it can happen - I see the "leader/it" factor.....maybe I'm wrong, but I sure as hell hope not.

Factors to keep in mind:

* rookie QB (obviously)

* new system for all offensively

* young at all skill positions other than Ced

* lockout that took away MAJOR time from all young skilled-positioned offensive players (really hits us - Dalton, Green, Simpson and Gresham)

Timing issues seem to relate to all of the above to me........Go Bengals!

[justinsage]

Here are a few little things that I liked from last night that indicate to me there is a very different culture in the locker room this year.

#1 Not a single time out was used to avoid a delay of game, and we didn't get a single delay of game penalty. How many freakin' times did Carson have to burn a time out to avoid a penalty because he couldn't get the play off in time? For our rookie QB, that has had so little time to prepare, to be able to come in with poise, call plays, and be a leader are very positive signs of things to come. Yes, the boy has got room to improve, but with no OTAs and no chance to work with the coaches or playbook during the offseason, I like what I'm seeing.

#2 It's not a myth, WRs can actually block! There were several plays last night where the WRs were blocking down field, which is something we never saw in the T.O. Ocho era. Very encouraged to see our offensive team playing like a team.

#3 The Best 35 seconds ever. To watch Dalton storm down the field, rifle off quick and accurate passes as the clock was ticking was awesome. The boy made great decisions, great passes, and gave us a chance to score to end the half. To top it all off, the 55 yrd bomb from Nuggent was ridiculous. To make a kick from that distance is crazy, but factor in his ACL injury from last season and to still have that leg power is huge.

I'm not predicting playoffs, Super Bowl, or evening a winning record. This is a young team with a lot of growing and learning to do. I will say this, we have a lot of the right pieces in place to build a very bright future.

Steelers Suck, Brows Suck, Ravens Suck. WhoDey!

[redsbengalsbucks]

The defense has been impressive for the last two games, hopefully Zim has it all figured out.

The O looked like it finally found a groove, now refine it and run the ball!

Penalties were better but still a problem at times.

Losing Scaife does not help, but Coffman should be OK.

Nugent looks ready to go, hope he can finally stay healthy.

AJ Green is fun to watch.

Dalton looked in command of the playbook.

Benson looked good, Scott looked better, Leonard looked solid other than the fumble, and Peerman looks like a player going to another team from our PS.

Shipley is the new TJ, what great hands and route running.

The D-line played great, keep the pressure on the QB.

Overall, that was a good game against a really bad team.

Cam Newton looks lost, he is not ready for the NFL.

[cincy9275]

also i am extremely pleased that dalton out preformed newton. for what ever reason i can't stand cam and all the bs hype surrounding him. like i said in another post dalton will be a better nfl qb than cam or pryor.

[BengalszoneBilly]

Cam Newton looks lost, he is not ready for the NFL.

Yeah, he's so lost that he happened to wander into the endzone for a TD. Gimme a break.

[redsbengalsbucks]

Cam Newton looks lost, he is not ready for the NFL.

Yeah, he's so lost that he happened to wander into the endzone for a TD. Gimme a break.

You really think he looked good?

Everybody knows he can run, but he looks lost running a complex NFL passing offense. He might be ready later in the year, but he is not ready to start in the NFL right now. I'm glad the Bengals didnt try to trade up to get him, he is a project at best.

[derekshank]

Cam Newton looks lost, he is not ready for the NFL.

Yeah, he's so lost that he happened to wander into the endzone for a TD. Gimme a break.

Billy, I know you're a Cam Newton fan... but did you watch the game?

We all know he's a great athlete. No one has ever questioned that. And 3 or 4 times when he decided to tun the ball, he looked like the Auburn Cam Newton. But as a QB, he was awful. Godawful. He did look lost. And terribly inaccurate. 6 completions on 19 attempts flat out sucks.

[BengalszoneBilly]

Cam Newton looks lost, he is not ready for the NFL.

Yeah, he's so lost that he happened to wander into the endzone for a TD. Gimme a break.

Billy, I know you're a Cam Newton fan... but did you watch the game?

We all know he's a great athlete. No one has ever questioned that. And 3 or 4 times when he decided to tun the ball, he looked like the Auburn Cam Newton. But as a QB, he was awful. Godawful. He did look lost. And terribly inaccurate. 6 completions on 19 attempts flat out sucks.

The game wasn't televised here in Arizona, so I couldn't watch, but I recognize he plays on probably the worst team in the league. Just not a lot to work with for him.

[derekshank]

Cam Newton looks lost, he is not ready for the NFL.

Yeah, he's so lost that he happened to wander into the endzone for a TD. Gimme a break.

Billy, I know you're a Cam Newton fan... but did you watch the game?

We all know he's a great athlete. No one has ever questioned that. And 3 or 4 times when he decided to tun the ball, he looked like the Auburn Cam Newton. But as a QB, he was awful. Godawful. He did look lost. And terribly inaccurate. 6 completions on 19 attempts flat out sucks.

The game wasn't televised here in Arizona, so I couldn't watch, but I recognize he plays on probably the worst team in the league. Just not a lot to work with for him.

I wouldn't disagree, if the problem was that his receivers were dropping passes. But he was not even close most of the time. Maybe he's just nervous, but that was one of the most inaccurate QBs I've ever seen. Not exaggerating.