Bengals optimistic

[jjakq27]

Wednesday, July 27, 2005

http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/art...SPT02/507270383

Bengals brimming with optimism

But Lewis knows there's work to do if 14-season playoff drought is to end

By Mark Curnutte

Enquirer staff writer

The Bengals are quickly becoming the NFL's national media darlings and, coming off a pair of 8-8 seasons under coach Marvin Lewis, are expected to challenge for a playoff berth in 2005.

Some analysts even are predicting the Bengals will win the AFC North, which is among the league's toughest and most competitive divisions.

Team president Mike Brown and coaches tried to temper some of the excitement Tuesday at the team's annual pre-training camp media luncheon at Paul Brown Stadium.

Much work remains - starting with signing the team's top four draft picks before Thursday's opening of training camp.

"The team is in a good position. Coaches have done a fine job," Brown said in a rare interview Tuesday.

"We feel good that we have a veteran offensive team coming back, one that showed it can move the ball. We can do a little better on defense with the players we've added.

"There are no guarantees in this league."

In a league built on the principle of parity, the Bengals have not made the playoffs since 1990 - the NFL's longest such dry spell.

But at a time of year when optimism already runs high, the Bengals seem to be holding their collective head up a little higher.

"Going in, we feel that we're ahead of where we've been," Brown said. "We feel we have a chance to be a competitive team, and I am very anxious to see how it unfolds."

Lewis also tried to douse the optimism Tuesday with a cold reality splash.

"Getting back to mediocrity has not gone to our heads," he said. "We're ready to push to get over that hump."

Lewis laid out his goals for training camp and the season: defend the run better, gain an advantage in turnover differential, limit big plays defensively and make more offensively.

Much of the optimism centers on the offense, which returns all 11 starters from 2004.

"We have a lot of work to do," fifth-year offensive coordinator Bob Bratkowski said. "We weren't good enough on offense last year to make the playoffs. Right there, that tells us we have to make improvements.

"That's the thing we talked to them about this spring. We can talk about potential and all this, but we have to improve our game."

The Bengals have surrounded budding star quarterback Carson Palmer with high-priced skilled players in tailback Rudi Johnson and wide receivers Chad Johnson and T.J. Houshmandzadeh.

So how does an offense improve, after becoming the first in franchise history to gain 450 yards in three consecutive games?

"We elevate our attention to detail," Bratkowski said. "Every little thing we do, we (have to) study and try to do it better. We have to perform our techniques better, and if we improve our techniques, the play will be better at the end of the year.

"As we head into training camp, (the motto) is, 'Teach and analyze.' "

Palmer, especially, needs to eliminate drive-killing turnovers and bad decisions with the ball.

Lewis adjusted the training camp schedule, more than doubling the number of night practices to seven, to allow more time for classroom instruction after morning workouts.

Lewis is ready to get going.

"I know Mike's expectations and my expectations have not changed; we really believe we should have an opportunity to win the AFC North," Lewis said. "The best way to get into the playoffs is to win your division."

[schweinhart]

Palmer, especially, needs to eliminate drive-killing turnovers and bad decisions with the ball.

I'd say that's part true. There were bad decisions by CP but there was also bad playcalling that contributed to drive killing TOs and worse.

Palmer does have to improve , but Brat has to adjust faster at gamespeed. All in all, the playcalling was vastly better than it ended up being at the end of 2003 and some tweaking on the fly should go a long way to change the outcome of some of those losses when Palmer was asked to lead game-tying drives at the end of games.

All in all this article seems geared toward the general public in Cincinnati who will ride the wave when the wave comes but haven't been much in the water yet this year.

[HairOnFire]

"Getting back to mediocrity has not gone to our heads."

Best Marvin-ism ever?

[MacD BengalFan]

"Going in, we feel that we're ahead of where we've been," Brown said. "We feel we have a chance to be a competitive team, and I am very anxious to see how it unfolds."

I am surprised he didn't make his usual dopey comment about being only one or two players away from the playoffs. Has someone been coaching him on what to say to the media?

[The Big Orange]

"Getting back to mediocrity has not gone to our heads."

Best Marvin-ism ever?

I thought this was a great, great quote. It's what sets Marvin apart...I don't think Marvin is ever fooled into thinking he's done great working by turning one of the corners. This team has several corners to turn and you're not going to hear him saying anything remotely self-congratulatory until he gets to wher he wants to be...and maybe not even then.

[Bobcat Bengal]

"Going in, we feel that we're ahead of where we've been," Brown said. "We feel we have a chance to be a competitive team, and I am very anxious to see how it unfolds."

I am surprised he didn't make his usual dopey comment about being only one or two players away from the playoffs. Has someone been coaching him on what to say to the media?

Uhm, I think Coach Lewis made that comment.....

[MacD BengalFan]

"Going in, we feel that we're ahead of where we've been," Brown said. "We feel we have a chance to be a competitive team, and I am very anxious to see how it unfolds."

I am surprised he didn't make his usual dopey comment about being only one or two players away from the playoffs. Has someone been coaching him on what to say to the media?

Uhm, I think Coach Lewis made that comment.....

If you read the statement, you will see that Brown made the comment. If Marvin had said it, I am sure the reporter would have quoted Lewis.