Bengals @ Falcons Game Thread

[HoosierCat]

All the top rookies got high marks for their play from NFP.

/>http://www.nationalfootballpost.com/NFP-preseason-rookie-report-Bengals.html

And here's PFF on the game.

/>https://www.profootballfocus.com/blog/2013/08/10/refo-bengals-falcons-preseason-week-1/

[Earendil]

Let the QB competition begin.

Dalton = Mark Sanchez

Jesus. Are you drunk? Trolling? Or just trying to drive more people away from the board?

Parody account? Scorned fan who can see nothing good? I can't decide which.

[HoosierCat]

I for one would like to see a real QB competition because I want nothing to do with Josh Johnson. One Akili Smith was enough, thank you.

[ArmyBengal]

Mentioned it before, while I loved what he could do with his legs, his arm was anything but impressive.

There's a reason he's been cut from so many rosters.

If anyone really thinks he's the future starter of this team minus an injury to Dalton, go back and watch everything else besides him running.

There's a lot to be desired.

How many teams has Josh led to the playoffs ??

[jjakq27]

Don't know much about JJohnson. I was impressed with the tempo and energy when he was in there. He reminds me more of Blake than Akili but thats besides the point. I can see everyone's concerns. Lets hope AD takes another step or two forward this year and we won't have to worry about next year.

[ShulaSteakhouse]

Let the QB competition begin.

Dalton = Mark Sanchez

Jesus. Are you drunk? Trolling? Or just trying to drive more people away from the board?

Because my opinion doesn't agree with yours? Grow up.

[ShulaSteakhouse]

Let the QB competition begin.

Dalton = Mark Sanchez

How is he Mark Sanchez? Look at his numbers in his first couple years compared to some of the best QBs in the league, and Dalton is right there. While I admit there is a lot to work on, when the line gives him time he can make any throw he wants, he just needs more pocket presence. Last year he had 23 TDs in his first 11 games, then he started taking sacks and wasn't the same. Lets see what happens this year before we start comparing him to anybody.

Ignoring the "get them there and then flounder" comparison to Sanchez, the situation the Bengals' are in forces them to start him, until he starts losing regular season games too often.

His ratios and percentages and general stats are fine, which is what bothers me...they don't reflect the severe drop-off against upper tier teams/defenses. Palmer had the ability to overcome that, even with his flaws, and he gave you a real shot at winning playoff games, before his career took a steady dive of late. He owned the Ravens much of the time when it counted for instance, and beat Pitt on the road when he had to.

Just don't see that in Dalton...his playoff #'s are some of the worst in NFL history, just miserable stuff. Make or break year for him I hope. Do I have to state that I want him to be successful and overcome his flaws?

I'm always fine with being pleasantly surprised, it's a forum, this is my opinion of him, take it or leave it, makes no difference to me folks.

[Stripes]

Just don't see that in Dalton...his playoff #'s are some of the worst in NFL history, just miserable stuff.

They're definitely poor. I think we should remember though that both games were played on the road against one of the best defenses in the NFL. Obviously he needs to perform better against the best defenses, but overall I think his performance has still clearly outclassed the likes of Mark Sanchez. I don't think that's a close comparison in any manner whatsoever. I don't mean to be critical of you, you do have a right to your opinion and I know you're only calling it like you see it. I see it very differently though and expect Dalton to take a step forward this season (both because of his own growth and the additional talent available to him).

I also think there is a zero chance of a QB competition developing. Dalton's job as the starter couldn't be much safer.

[Stripes]

I for one would like to see a real QB competition because I want nothing to do with Josh Johnson. One Akili Smith was enough, thank you.

I want nothing to do with John Skelton.

I look forward to arguing about this all year.

[membengal]

Let the QB competition begin.

Dalton = Mark Sanchez

Jesus. Are you drunk? Trolling? Or just trying to drive more people away from the board?

Because my opinion doesn't agree with yours? Grow up.

Grow up yourself. Now we get to read you hop on every incompletion this year and moan about dalton. Tremendous. That is going to be a blast.

Edited August 11, 2013 by HoosierCat
Edited to remove personal attacks

[jjakq27]

According to this, the coaches were disappointed in the play of the first team offense and specifically Tyler Eifert. Anybody re-watch the game? I'd like to know what he did wrong. The only thing I noticed was that he was in the neighborhood on one of Gresham's catches. I thought Whalen had a crap game but didn't see anything else that was obvious on Eifert's part.

Per the article, "Perhaps the biggest surprise in the disappointment category was the play of rookie Tyler Eifert. After two weeks of stellar showings in practice he struggled at times. In an odd twist, he played well in his weaker area of run blocking, but the falloff came in the passing game, his strength.

“Finally I get something to yell at him about,” Gruden said with a laugh."

Personally I felt the interior line play was mediocre. The penalties kept killing any flow for the offense. But overall I felt the held their own against one of the favorites in the NFC.

Maybe it's just motivational coach-speak to keep everyone grounded.

http://news.cincinna...SPT02/308090145

[HoosierCat]

Yah, I'm not sure what Gruden is kvetching about. Maybe Eifert wasn't running routes crisp enough or something.

[skyline]

Whatever it is, it's not concerning at this point and it'll be good for Tyler's growth.

It's funny how my mentality has changed over the years. When the Falcons got the huge gain from Douglas on the bubble screen, my first thought was, "Good. Now they've got something tangible on tape to learn from".

In the past my reaction would have been slightly more colorful

[ArmyBengal]

Went back and watched a good portion of the game.

The only thing I saw was Eifert get caught up at the line one time and then some routes that looked a little off.

I don't know if it was that they weren't sharp or maybe not deep enough, but I only saw 2-3 times where that was the case.

The other times, he was a blocking machine. I mean, just really holding his own.

That long run by Johnson ?? Yeah, Eifert had a great block to make that happen.

His only catch of the night was wiped out by Cook.

Some other things noted the 2nd time around.

Josh Johnson is nothing more than a backup. Minus 3 passes that I thought were really good, the rest were average to HORRIBLE.

It was the same thing other teams have bounced him from the roster for.

He won't be the back up due to his throwing ability that's for sure.

Devon Still couldn't get off a block or get pressure to save his life against the 2nd and 3rd stringers from Atlanta.

Cook couldn't get off his ass unless making a penalty.

Burkhead was more impressive the 2nd time around, but so was Peerman.

Again, I would hate to be the one having to make cuts on this roster.

[jjakq27]

Thanks for the review. Hopefully Eifert shows better next week.

Your comments about Still are interesting and concerning. But if he has not progressed at all in one year, it makes him an obvious cut. The bad part is he was a second round / top 50 draft pick.

[ArmyBengal]

I thought Eifert showed well in his blocking, but was only targeted once and made the reception.

Thanks to Cook, that reception was wiped out.

I think he just needs to run some sharper routes, but that isn't all that surprising in his first game.

He will look at the film with the coaches and figure that out.

No concerns.

I just happened to catch a play with Still and it had me wondering. I hit the rewind until he came in and watched from there.

It was a predominant occurrence to see him get stacked up and be relatively ineffective.

The only time I saw him in the backfield was when the play went the other way and the Falcons were unconcerned about where he was.

I have high hopes for Still, but Thompson is actually the guy I think will have the opportunity to make a bigger impact with Sims being gone.

Sims came off of the PUP and was promptly put back on it with his 2nd injury of camp/preseason.

Go figure huh ??

[COB]

That game just confirmed in my mind what I believe. The Bengals have killed the draft the last few years, and are loaded with talent. Other than mediocrity at o-line coaching and tight end coaching, we have bright and capable coaches.

We've got one of the best teams in the NFL. Fortunately, the organization has built a Ferrari. Unfortunately, they hired Dick Trickle to drive it. Dalton can get the car around the track. But when the big boys are really racing hard on the last five laps, he's getting shuffled to the outside and finishing 15th.

I fear our quarterback just isn't good enough. He can prove me wrong this year, and I'm really hoping he does because this team should win the division, could win the conference, and truly has a legitimate shot to win the whole league. Dalton has to play a lot better for it to happen.

It's not just arm strength and being a little shaky on the long ball. He needs to be better on the shorter routes as well. He overthrew a lot of open guys on short and medium routes last year. Does anyone else remember that?

Everything else is in place, it all comes down to Dalton.

(That stock car reference was for our incarcerated homie, never forgotten Billie!)

[ArmyBengal]

I won't pretend that Dalton doesn't have things to improve upon.

I also won't say he's incapable of doing just that.

Sure I remember him missing on throws, but you know what else I remember from last season when he was overthrowing WR's ??

No pocket to step into, little time to get through his reads, and constant pressure coming right in his face from the middle.

It was the biggest reason I wanted to see them draft a Center earlier in the draft.

If Cook can figure out how to stay off his backside and Boling can improve next to him, things should improve for Dalton in the long ball dept.

If not, I still expect the additions of Eifert and Bernard to aid in what you are talking about COB.

Then again, Dalton could really just suck balls this season.

If that's the case, then you have your answer and the team moves on when it's time to.

I simply don't think 2013 is the year to try that and somehow think Josh "inconsistency" Johnson is the answer.

If i'm a betting man, i'm placing my money on Dalton having a stellar season.

That's simply my thoughts on what I saw from last year.

[volcom69]

Went back and watched a good portion of the game.

The only thing I saw was Eifert get caught up at the line one time and then some routes that looked a little off.

I don't know if it was that they weren't sharp or maybe not deep enough, but I only saw 2-3 times where that was the case.

The other times, he was a blocking machine. I mean, just really holding his own.

That long run by Johnson ?? Yeah, Eifert had a great block to make that happen.

His only catch of the night was wiped out by Cook.

Some other things noted the 2nd time around.

Josh Johnson is nothing more than a backup. Minus 3 passes that I thought were really good, the rest were average to HORRIBLE.

It was the same thing other teams have bounced him from the roster for.

He won't be the back up due to his throwing ability that's for sure.

Devon Still couldn't get off a block or get pressure to save his life against the 2nd and 3rd stringers from Atlanta.

Cook couldn't get off his ass unless making a penalty.

Burkhead was more impressive the 2nd time around, but so was Peerman.

Again, I would hate to be the one having to make cuts on this roster.

Did you watch Boiling at all, the couldn't stay on his feet. He would go down to make a block, but instead of blocking he was throwing his body out there just trying to hit something. Sometimes I wonder if that's why the screen game never works for this team, because they don't know how to block down field. I think they want to run the screen a lot this year, but they better learn how to block down field first, or they will continue to struggle to do so.

[jjakq27]

Coach Zimmer seems pretty satisfied with the defense so far. Good perspective on the battles at safety and LB and some comments about James Harrison, his role and personality.

“One thing we’re doing really good, I don’t recall a team that has made as few errors as we’ve made in practices or the game, even with the younger guys,” Zimmer said. “We’ve had some alignment issues, but the assignment errors have been very few. If we keep doing that we’ve got a good chance.”

[/i]http://news.cincinnati.com/article/20130812/SPT02/308120068/Veterans-are-helping-Mike-Zimmer-mold-defense