Turning it around

[Bengal_Smoov]

I was on another message board telling fans the same thing, this year is going to be a difficult one but next year we should be real contenders. I got all kinds of flack for that, but the truth must be heard. I'm disappointed in the defense, though. Injuries have kicked our butt, but these guys are pros and need to get the job done.

[kybengalsfan]

I cannot understand the mindset of our defensive line; it seems like there is no pride or determination to stop runners. You would think that any group of grown men would get angry at being the worst in the NFL. When we see no improvement, you must look at Frazier and his low key approach to motivation. I think they need a butt kicker who holds them responsible. I cringe on every defensive play because I have no confidence in them.

[jditty47]

tell me about that s**t. i dont even get excited really if we stop them on 2nd down cuz im so worried about what will happen on 3rd.

[Jonboat]

I don't know that you can blame Brat. hind site is 20/20 & stats can be misleading, I saw one the other day that we lead the league in pass att. & rush att. You call plays based on the situation, for an example how many times we run on 1rst/2nd down & lose yards then we've been 2nd/ 3rd. & long it puts you in a situation where we have to pass. We also seem to be having quite a few illegal motion / procedure penalties on 1rst / 2nd downs which again limits the play calling . My point is the players have to execute ! Our O-line hasn't played well, I believe due to injuries, but they should improve. Defense is the biggest concern I have esp after the Jets game since we heard them say we wasn't lined up right, that had a familiar ring to it , however, since then we've have been in position to make the plays but didn'nt because of tackling ( esp.Balt. game ) Now I wonder if that's coaching or just heart. I think that's on the players to want to make the play, in Baltimore we had JL behind the line quite a few times but they acted like they was scared to hit him so he just ran through the tackles. I agree our D-line needs upgraded , but it's not like they didn't try to do that, they drafted MA & RG, offered Sapp a contract, & didn't get Gardener ( back) so I have to believe that will be a priority in the off season esp since we're supposed to have a little more money available. I just believe we'll see more on where this team is the healthier we get but to sum it up the players have to execute the plays called! GO BENGALS!!! Jonboat

[Kirkendall]

Good points JB, but as stated before this has been a problem going back to last season. He, himself, on a Bengals.com interview admitted to going to the air more than he should. Hindsight is definitely 20/20, but when you fail to learn from previous errors, or fail to work on admissions, it proves everything said here.

Sure injuries happen, and players don't perform, but the OCs job is to work with that and modify the play-calling as such. Play to the strengths of the team based on what is provided weekly. And I don't like the excuse of penalties, because EVERY team deals with them and the good ones surpass them. And when we are situated with a 1st and 15 or 20, a majority of the time, we throw three times to makes up 5 yards. How many draws have we seen or screen passes? Very few misdirection plays too. Pretty much five step drop, 10-yard slant or 15-yard out -- mostly for incompletions -- or sacks.

As for the D-line, it took until the fourth round before picking up a single D-lineman; it was the Bengals sixth pick. Sure, we draft based on players and not on need, that's obvious by now and for now, we have to accept our d-line will be a patch job of backup linemen.. so sad, so true. The offer given to Sapp was low enough the Bengals probably knew he wouldn't sign; rather it seems as if it was a PR stunt to have people believe they tried. Perhaps there was nothing else available; perhaps they don't see this as big a problem as we are making it to be, but this team clearly needs help on the defensive front.

But I absolutely agree, players have to execute. But the plays have to use the strengths of the team.

[BengalszoneBilly]

Sure, we draft based on players and not on need, that's obvious by now and for now, we have to accept our d-line will be a patch job of backup linemen.. so sad, so true.

This practice is sheer idiocy IMHO!! The Bengals have been doing this for how long now? I'd venture to say at least as long as it's been since we've been to the playoffs!

[Jonboat]

Good points JB, but as stated before this has been a problem going back to last season.  He, himself, on a Bengals.com interview admitted to going to the air more than he should.  Hindsight is definitely 20/20, but when you fail to learn from previous errors, or fail to work on admissions, it proves everything said here.

Sure injuries happen, and players don't perform, but the OCs job is to work with that and modify the play-calling as such.  Play to the strengths of the team based on what is provided weekly.  And I don't like the excuse of penalties, because EVERY team deals with them and the good ones surpass them.  And when we are situated with a 1st and 15 or 20, a majority of the time, we throw three times to makes up 5 yards.  How many draws have we seen or screen passes?  Very few misdirection plays too.  Pretty much five step drop, 10-yard slant or 15-yard out -- mostly for incompletions -- or sacks.

As for the D-line, it took until the fourth round before picking up a single D-lineman; it was the Bengals sixth pick.  Sure, we draft based on players and not on need, that's obvious by now and for now, we have to accept our d-line will be a patch job of backup linemen.. so sad, so true.  The offer given to Sapp was low enough the Bengals probably knew he wouldn't sign; rather it seems as if it was a PR stunt to have people believe they tried.  Perhaps there was nothing else available; perhaps they don't see this as big a problem as we are making it to be, but this team clearly needs help on the defensive front.

But I absolutely agree, players have to execute.  But the plays have to use the strengths of the team.

Please don't get me wrong the way this team is playing I don't think anyone is beyond critizism, however I don't think Brat should be fired as others was suggesting! I agree that good teams surpass penalties. I wasn't using that as an excuse but just as an example of how situations can change the play calling from being in a situation where you can run to where you have to pass. I think we have seen quite a few misdirection plays, what about the fake reverse we ran so much everyone was asking why we ran it so much, it seemed to be very effective. I believe we'll see more screens the more Perry plays. I don't know but maybe we haven't seen many screens, draws because we've gone against some of the best & fastest Defense's in the league particularly the LB's also the way the O-line has played ,they probably don't think that is one of our strengths right now! To me, the thing we've got to do is avoid getting in that situation (3rd. & long ) to begin with by getting yrds on 1rst/2nd. down & don't make stupid penalties , good teams dont put themself's in those situations! As far as Sapp I disagree we offered what 2-3 mill., everyone was saying that was more than a fair offer, nobody even tried to match/ beat it for what like 2 wks., then along comes the Raiders & offer 2x's the amount we did ! I couldn't agree more that the most glaring need we've got is the D-line but we have'nt seen what MA / RG have to bring hopefully they will help! Gotta go the game is on!! GO BENGALS!!! Jonboat