Will The Bengals take a step back this Year???

[Phatness]

I've been listening to a lot of people (sportscasters) say they think the Bengals will take a step back this season, primarily due to Carson Palmer struggling in his first year starting with the offense and the defense being a bit questionable....

I think I can see a 7-9 season.......if they are going to improve on last year they will need some young guys to step up and Carson to have a solid, not spectacular, season........

Interested in hearing your thoughts on this one........

:player:

[Tiger Stripes]

well ive heard sportscasters say they will take a step forward. i say it all rests on the shoulders of carson and the defense.

[skyline]

I'll steal this from Marvin's standard response.

They are a better team this year on offense and defense.

That being said, they could finish 7-9 without it being considered a step backwards. It just depends on how tough their schedule turns out to be in the end.

[HoosierCat]

I'll steal this from Marvin's standard response.

They are a better team this year on offense and defense.

That being said, they could finish 7-9 without it being considered a step backwards. It just depends on how tough their schedule turns out to be in the end.

What he said.

[Vulture]

I think they will be better this year, but the record will not show the improvement, if thats what you say a backward step is...I see a record between 6-10 and 8-8.

Sometimes you have to take a step backwards to take two steps forward.

Next year 2005-2006 is the year to watch us do very good 10-6 at a minimum

[Barbarian]

I've been listening to a lot of people (sportscasters) say they think the Bengals will take a step back this season, primarily due to Carson Palmer struggling in his first year starting with the offense and the defense being a bit questionable....

I think I can see a 7-9 season.......if they are going to improve on last year they will need some young guys to step up and Carson to have a solid, not spectacular, season........

Interested in hearing your thoughts on this one........

:player:

I agree that the Bungles will take a step back. The Defense is going to stink up the place. Carson Palmer will struggle in his 1st year. I believe firmly that this year will depend on the running game. Whether or not Rudi Johnson is the man will be the key. He better get more than 3.4 yards per carry, if the Bungles wish to win more than 6 games this year.

I also agree that NEXT YEAR will be the year. Carson Palmer will have one whole season (barring injury or getting the hook) under his belt to struggle--and the Bungles need to find that run stopper.

I feel that if the Bungles struggle this year--then so be it. You have to take a couple of steps back to take a few steps forward. I'll predict 6-10 for this year. I'm looking forward to the following year.

[CTBengalsFan]

i dunno

you can't make predictions like that because as they say (and probably the truest saying in sports) "GAMES AREN'T PLAYED ON PAPER". all it takes is an interception or two and it doesn't matter if we just got run on for 150 yards.

how was philly's run d last year? or kc's? what were there records?

oh ok.

[jditty47]

this is why i like barb posting on this site. Gives both sides of the view and makes you think about the other perspective and brings alot of things into light. I dont agree with alot of what he says, but i do understand what hes saying and where hes coming from.

I disagree though, i think we'll lose some games cuz of our defense but i think our offense will more than make up for it. I see alot of high scoring games for us, mb only 2-3 games we'll have under 20 pts scored by us. I am going with a 9-7 record and winning the division and getting a HUGE home game.

[Barbarian]

this is why i like barb posting on this site. Gives both sides of the view and makes you think about the other perspective and brings alot of things into light. I dont agree with alot of what he says, but i do understand what hes saying and where hes coming from.

I disagree though, i think we'll lose some games cuz of our defense but i think our offense will more than make up for it. I see alot of high scoring games for us, mb only 2-3 games we'll have under 20 pts scored by us. I am going with a 9-7 record and winning the division and getting a HUGE home game.

Thanks man. I appreciate it--seriously. Many people on here just see my opinion and totally dismiss it. They dismiss it because they think I'm here to cause commotion. They probably think it's somewhat trollish as well.

Fact is--is that I'm not a troll. I'm not here to cause a riot. I'm a voice of reason.

I'm never one to go with the crowd--and I like it when someone can see through all the negativity for the truth.

We disagree, but at least its a friendly dispute.

[skyline]

I'd say 9-7 is a realistic possibility. It could easily turn into a 6-10 type of year. Anything worse or better than that range, and I'll be shocked one way or the other.

[BengalBax]

Absolutely we take a step backward man. Look how young this team is, we need a LOT of help for a 8-8 season. I think this is the year of the BAD DECISION:

Bad decision #1-Starting (albeit drafting) Carson Palmer

Bad decision #2-Bringing Deltha O'Neal onto this team

Bad decision #3-Not getting Rudi signed long term.

These 3 decisions will haunt us for many years to come.

Case closed.

[Barbarian]

Absolutely we take a step backward man. Look how young this team is, we need a LOT of help for a 8-8 season. I think this is the year of the BAD DECISION:

Bad decision #1-Starting (albeit drafting) Carson Palmer

Bad decision #2-Bringing Deltha O'Neal onto this team

Bad decision #3-Not getting Rudi signed long term.

These 3 decisions will haunt us for many years to come.

Case closed.

Jesus--I think I just read 2 negative posts from this newbie. I think he may be more disgruntled than I am as a fan.

So Skyline, is this guy your "ANTAGONIST" as well???

[skyline]

Absolutely we take a step backward man. Look how young this team is, we need a LOT of help for a 8-8 season. I think this is the year of the BAD DECISION:

Bad decision #1-Starting (albeit drafting) Carson Palmer

Bad decision #2-Bringing Deltha O'Neal onto this team

Bad decision #3-Not getting Rudi signed long term.

These 3 decisions will haunt us for many years to come.

Case closed.

Jesus--I think I just read 2 negative posts from this newbie. I think he may be more disgruntled than I am as a fan.

So Skyline, is this guy your "ANTAGONIST" as well???

Yeah. I had to look twice to make sure you weren't both the same person

Man, I have that wink emoticon...anyway.

I did want to highlight the 3rd point about not getting Rudi signed long-term. Recent reports from the Dayton papers (it was Dayton, right?) say that they offered him a very solid deal, but it was turned down in order to test the market.

[Kirkendall]

If the Bengals improved six games with the massive turnover that season, anything is possible. There's only 17 players on this team from the active 53 since Dick LaBlow's 2002 team.

[wookie]

Absolutely we take a step backward man. Look how young this team is, we need a LOT of help for a 8-8 season. I think this is the year of the BAD DECISION:

Bad decision #1-Starting (albeit drafting) Carson Palmer

Bad decision #2-Bringing Deltha O'Neal onto this team

Bad decision #3-Not getting Rudi signed long term.

These 3 decisions will haunt us for many years to come.

Case closed.

Ok, I can agree on 1/2 of the 1st point. I wouldn't have started Palmer this year, but since he's our guy I'm going to support him.

I think Kitna more than earned the right to give it another shot this year, Palmer's potential and big contract aside, every year should be about giving the team the best chance to win.

I don't know that Marvin really believes that Palmer does that, mainly because he's well aware of the fact that Palmer can struggle early on and the Bengals could lose because of it.

A fast start out of the gate could give the Bengals what they need to pick up momentum and do well all year. I think Kitna could've done that with Palmer getting some playing time and starting next year.

I don't agree that the Bengals never should have drafted Palmer, I think he's got what it takes to be the next great Bengals QB.

Deltha O'Neal...to be determined, not sure what their alternative would have been.

Rudi didn't want to do long term this year, he does want to test FA, so the good decision in all this was to draft Perry in case they can't get Rudi back.

I love how in your last few posts you've signed off, Case closed.

Crackin me up. LOL

[Scottishbengal]

Fact is--is that I'm not a troll. I'm not here to cause a riot. I'm a voice of reason.

As Montgomery Burns would say, you are the sober Yin to other peoples raging Yan!

[ackley1]

I've been listening to a lot of people (sportscasters) say they think the Bengals will take a step back this season, primarily due to Carson Palmer struggling in his first year starting with the offense and the defense being a bit questionable....

I think I can see a 7-9 season.......if they are going to improve on last year they will need some young guys to step up and Carson to have a solid, not spectacular, season........

Interested in hearing your thoughts on this one........

:player:

I agree that the Bungles will take a step back. The Defense is going to stink up the place. Carson Palmer will struggle in his 1st year. I believe firmly that this year will depend on the running game. Whether or not Rudi Johnson is the man will be the key. He better get more than 3.4 yards per carry, if the Bungles wish to win more than 6 games this year.

I also agree that NEXT YEAR will be the year. Carson Palmer will have one whole season (barring injury or getting the hook) under his belt to struggle--and the Bungles need to find that run stopper.

I feel that if the Bungles struggle this year--then so be it. You have to take a couple of steps back to take a few steps forward. I'll predict 6-10 for this year. I'm looking forward to the following year.

You're probably right, but I can't take this "next year will be the year" sh*t anymore! I'm f**king tired of waiting!! :player:

[ackley1]

I love how in your last few posts you've signed off, Case closed.

Crackin me up. LOL

That s**t is funny!!

[Jungle_Fever]

Dudes. One preseason game and your ready to throw in the towel? Player for player this is a better team than last year. There is no reason Palmer cant be successful and an upgrade. You guys are giving Kitna way too much credit. Maybe you missed the wide open TD pass that he jacked up. Dont blame TJ, that pass was typical JK. I'm forever the optimist and a fan as I know you all are. The Bengals are like your kids. You dont lovem cuz their good, you lovem cuz their yours. (stole that from ESPN). Let the preseason play itself out. Let these young guys get their legs underneath them. I say we win the division and become a dominant team in the near future.

[Phatness]

Here's my take on this...

Carson Palmer is going to struggle, but I think if he's going to be the future we need to get him in there and get him experience. I still think the OL is a bit suspect, I can only hope that Levi and Steinbach have solid years....without a solid OL its just going to be that much tougher on Palmer....

Rudi is still a bit of an unknown for me.....My gut tells me he's the guy we want long term, but as someone mentioned above, games are played on the field and he still needs to show me that he can do it for a full year.....I do think he has a bit of a bad taste in his mouth about not being signed up earlier....so if he has a great year we are going to have to cough up the $$$$$$$$$ to keep him here....

The defense is my biggest concern.....we still lack a true run stuffer....I like Tony Williams, but he would be much better next to a big maneater in the middle...I like our linebackers.....but this is basically Websters first year in the middle....for once I think we may have improved our secondary.....Ratliff looks like a star in the making but he's young and will get burned.....Oneal is another ??....In my book he can't be any worse than Hawkins (aka Toast) was.....hopefully he returns to his Pro-Bowl form...but overall the secondary can't cover all day, and if we don't have a pass rush...which we really don't....they will be in trouble....

I'm saying 7-9 at best......and thats not really a bad thing...as long as they are competitive in each game.....

:player:

[ackley1]

You dont lovem cuz their good, you lovem cuz their yours.

Well obviously!! :player: I try to optimistic every year but it's hard to be anymore. I think we do have a good shot at the playoffs this year, but I don't want to get my hopes up and be let down AGAIN. :player:

[Kirkendall]

I still think the OL is a bit suspect, I can only hope that Levi and Steinbach have solid years....without a solid OL its just going to be that much tougher on Palmer....

I think our starting five is solid, but after that, it's very questionable. If one of the big guys gets hurt, we could be in OL trouble.

I do think he has a bit of a bad taste in his mouth about not being signed up earlier....so if he has a great year we are going to have to cough up the $$$$$$$$$ to keep him here....

Maybe this is the Perry drafting justification. This will be interesting to see how it develops throughout the year and into the off-season. Didn't we sign Perry to a five-year deal? Why would we have Perry and Rudi for the next five years? In the end, something's got to give.

The defense is my biggest concern

That's all you had to say brother.

One preseason game and your ready to throw in the towel?

No one's throwing in the towel.. it's just good old fashioned debating.

I do think there is a danger from many of expecting more from this team than they can deliver. But that's not a bad thing. As I've heard many people say, your record could be worse but still be an improved team.

Maybe you missed the wide open TD pass that he jacked up. Dont blame TJ, that pass was typical JK.

TJ is a professional WR.. he has to come down with those catches. No excuses about it.

[Bourgeois_Rage]

Deltha was a bad decision?

What was a good decision? Should we have kept Artrell?

I'd rather take a chance on a guy who might succeed in this system than stick with a guy who we know did poorly in this system.

[ackley1]

I'm saying 7-9 at best......and thats not really a bad thing...as long as they are competitive in each game.....

:player:

I'm really surprised about how much patience a lot of you Bengals fans still have with our team. I know you can't expect Carson to do too much in his first season as a starter, but I will be disappointed if we don't make the playoffs.

I mean the last time we were in the playoffs I was in the 3rd grade. I don't remember much from our "glory days". I just don't know how you can say 7-9 is not a bad thing after 13 years of losing. On the brighter side, I know that the franchise is making a step in the right direction, and we have vastly improved since Marvin has been on the job. I'm just tired of waiting!! I'm sorry if I'm being a negative Nancy. :player:

[wookie]

I'm saying 7-9 at best......and thats not really a bad thing...as long as they are competitive in each game.....

:player:

I'm really surprised about how much patience a lot of you Bengals fans still have with our team. I know you can't expect Carson to do too much in his first season as a starter, but I will be disappointed if we don't make the playoffs.

I mean the last time we were in the playoffs I was in the 3rd grade. I don't remember much from our "glory days". I just don't know how you can say 7-9 is not a bad thing after 13 years of losing. On the brighter side, I know that the franchise is making a step in the right direction, and we have vastly improved since Marvin has been on the job. I'm just tired of waiting!! I'm sorry if I'm being a negative Nancy. :player:

I hear where your coming from, I was in 7th grade when they last played a Super Bowl. Its been a long, long drought that I can't wait to see end.

However, its almost like a routine now. You know that the weather will turn cold, it will start to snow, and the Bengals will lose and not go to the playoffs...happens every year.

But, like every year, the snow eventually melts and the sun comes back out and you start feeling like this is the year that it could happen...gotta happen sometime right? Even up here in the great white North we occasionally have a mild winter...so the Bengals could make the Playoffs this year, but if they don't things won't be any different than the last 13 years and we're still here rooting the team on!! Who Dey gonna finally make dem Playoffs?? :player: