The Sky Is Falling

[Benzoo]

Nextbigthing:

Pragmatism: The meaning of an idea or a proposition lies in it's observable or practical consequences.

Idealism: The art of envisioning things in ideal form.

See, you're an idealistic type of guy. That's okay with me, so I'm not gonna knee jerk and bash at away at you because you think this team will win a Super Bowl this year.

Unbridled optimism is fun, but don't drop it on my head like a lead weight just because I can see the team taking baby steps before they make the leap.

Will they go to the playoffs?

I think they will.

Could they beat a San Diego, or New England, or Denver or Kansas City if they played them in the first round?

I think they've got the talent to do that.

I just don't think they're at the maturity level do much more yet.

I'm fine with that, and I'm not going anywhere. I've stuck it out with them for twenty eight years, good and bad, and from what I've seen in my life as a Bengals fan, this year's addition is far superior to most.

I'm a patient man. I can wait a year or two while they become optimized, and they will. I think it's fun watching a team grow.

I think you're just going to have to either put me on ignore, or learn to deal with me, because this is how I talk about football, and I refuse to get into some kinda silly flame war with you.

The way I see it, we both believe the Bengals will play in a Super Bowl.

We just disagree on the time frame is all.

I can live with that.

Can you?

You misunderstand me. I'm not saying we ARE going to the Super Bowl this year. What I am saying is that to say that because we lost ONE close game, on the road, under the lights, with several key injuries, is NO REASON TO SAY WE WONT go to the playoffs, which is what you did. You had a knee jerk reaction that you call "pragmatic", based on incomplete observations. I'm saying that we can still go to the playoffs. You can jump off the bandwagon for this year if you want. I'm not going to put you on ignore, I know how to deal with you. I'll just quote you each game we win as saying we can't go to the playoffs this year.

Nice Red Herring there.

I never said once that this team wouldn't go to the playoffs.

At the onset of the season I predicted a 10-6 record and wildcard birth.

Find one quote from me that says they won't make the playoffs.

I defy you.

Find one sentence in which I mentioned the team not making the PLAYOFFS. Quote me.

[The_Next_Big_Thing]

Nextbigthing:

Pragmatism: The meaning of an idea or a proposition lies in it's observable or practical consequences.

Idealism: The art of envisioning things in ideal form.

See, you're an idealistic type of guy. That's okay with me, so I'm not gonna knee jerk and bash at away at you because you think this team will win a Super Bowl this year.

Unbridled optimism is fun, but don't drop it on my head like a lead weight just because I can see the team taking baby steps before they make the leap.

Will they go to the playoffs?

I think they will.

Could they beat a San Diego, or New England, or Denver or Kansas City if they played them in the first round?

I think they've got the talent to do that.

I just don't think they're at the maturity level do much more yet.

I'm fine with that, and I'm not going anywhere. I've stuck it out with them for twenty eight years, good and bad, and from what I've seen in my life as a Bengals fan, this year's addition is far superior to most.

I'm a patient man. I can wait a year or two while they become optimized, and they will. I think it's fun watching a team grow.

I think you're just going to have to either put me on ignore, or learn to deal with me, because this is how I talk about football, and I refuse to get into some kinda silly flame war with you.

The way I see it, we both believe the Bengals will play in a Super Bowl.

We just disagree on the time frame is all.

I can live with that.

Can you?

You misunderstand me. I'm not saying we ARE going to the Super Bowl this year. What I am saying is that to say that because we lost ONE close game, on the road, under the lights, with several key injuries, is NO REASON TO SAY WE WONT go to the playoffs, which is what you did. You had a knee jerk reaction that you call "pragmatic", based on incomplete observations. I'm saying that we can still go to the playoffs. You can jump off the bandwagon for this year if you want. I'm not going to put you on ignore, I know how to deal with you. I'll just quote you each game we win as saying we can't go to the playoffs this year.

Nice Red Herring there.

I never said once that this team wouldn't go to the playoffs.

At the onset of the season I predicted a 10-6 record and wildcard birth.

Find one quote from me that says they won't make the playoffs.

I defy you.

Find one sentence in which I mentioned the team not making the PLAYOFFS. Quote me.

My bad, you just said they couldn't possible go to the Super Bowl. Going to the playoffs means you CAN go to the Super Bowl. Anything else is like showing up to a dance with a rubber in your wallet and saying you aren't going to ever be able to use it.

[Benzoo]

Anything is POSSIBLE.

Probable is the real question.

Do you really think that given the way this team has played against the run that it's ready for the ultimate stage in professional sport?

Seriously.

Give it some real, objective thought.

I think that, eventually, they will. They'll mature. Odell will surface as one of the premiere LB's in the league, and I think eventually they will accquire that monster DT that they've been in dire need of. But that's in years to come. Maybe even next year.

I think that it's next to impossible for this team to miss the playoffs, and they could get hot, and possibly make a run at the big game, but I just don't have confidence in the probability of it.

[BengalByTheBay]

I'm a little worried about the Titans.

I have a feeling tonight will begin a little bit of a skid for the Bengals.

Of course, they'll rebound at home against the Steelers, but it's more than tough to win road games in the NFL.

[The_Next_Big_Thing]

Anything is POSSIBLE.

Probable is the real question.

Do you really think that given the way this team has played against the run that it's ready for the ultimate stage in professional sport?

Seriously.

Give it some real, objective thought.

I think that, eventually, they will. They'll mature. Odell will surface as one of the premiere LB's in the league, and I think eventually they will accquire that monster DT that they've been in dire need of. But that's in years to come. Maybe even next year.

I think that it's next to impossible for this team to miss the playoffs, and they could get hot, and possibly make a run at the big game, but I just don't have confidence in the probability of it.

Can they get to the ultimage stage in professional sports with the way this defense is playing? Hell yes. They are STILL leading the league in takeaways and points off turnovers. Carson Palmer is STILL avoiding giving up points off turnovers. The defense is STILL bending, but not breaking. (Ok, so they broke this game without Madieu).

If they NEEDED a monster DT, Marvin would have signed one or drafted one over the last 3 drafts. Instead, he chose to go with monster linebackers. Hrmn... maybe he knows a bit more about football than you? It's not our tackles. The big runs were not, and have not been, up the middle. They are from the outside or bouncing out from inside. The interior lanes were clogged last night. Guess what, I've got $50 that says we don't draft a defensive tackle in the first two rounds next year either, and that we don't sign a big named defensive tackle in free agency either. Why? Because Marvin is smarter than you, and he's said it's not the tackles.

By the time we end up in the playoffs, our two rookie linebackers will be better schooled, and more prepared and mature. They can handle the pressure.

Like I said, you aren't being pragmatic, you are being pessimistic. Life is a lot more fun whne you can see the good instead of pick out the bad. Try it some time.

[Benzoo]

Anything is POSSIBLE.

Probable is the real question.

Do you really think that given the way this team has played against the run that it's ready for the ultimate stage in professional sport?

Seriously.

Give it some real, objective thought.

I think that, eventually, they will. They'll mature. Odell will surface as one of the premiere LB's in the league, and I think eventually they will accquire that monster DT that they've been in dire need of. But that's in years to come. Maybe even next year.

I think that it's next to impossible for this team to miss the playoffs, and they could get hot, and possibly make a run at the big game, but I just don't have confidence in the probability of it.

[/quote

Can they get to the ultimage stage in professional sports with the way this defense is playing? Hell yes. They are STILL leading the league in takeaways and points off turnovers. Carson Palmer is STILL avoiding giving up points off turnovers. The defense is STILL bending, but not breaking. (Ok, so they broke this game without Madieu).

If they NEEDED a monster DT, Marvin would have signed one or drafted one over the last 3 drafts. Instead, he chose to go with monster linebackers. Hrmn... maybe he knows a bit more about football than you? It's not our tackles. The big runs were not, and have not been, up the middle. They are from the outside or bouncing out from inside. The interior lanes were clogged last night. Guess what, I've got $50 that says we don't draft a defensive tackle in the first two rounds next year either, and that we don't sign a big named defensive tackle in free agency either. Why? Because Marvin is smarter than you, and he's said it's not the tackles.

By the time we end up in the playoffs, our two rookie linebackers will be better schooled, and more prepared and mature. They can handle the pressure.

Like I said, you aren't being pragmatic, you are being pessimistic. Life is a lot more fun whne you can see the good instead of pick out the bad. Try it some time.

You ignore evey positive thing that I say, don't you?

Please read my posts, read and comprehend, and stop with the insults.

I've already given you enough time and explaination than you are worth.

[Columbusbengal]

Nextbigthing:

Will they go to the playoffs?

I think they will.

Could they beat a San Diego, or New England, or Denver or Kansas City if they played them in the first round?

I think they've got the talent to do that.

I just don't think they're at the maturity level do much more yet.

I'm fine with that, and I'm not going anywhere. I've stuck it out with them for twenty eight years, good and bad, and from what I've seen in my life as a Bengals fan, this year's addition is far superior to most.

I'm a patient man. I can wait a year or two while they become optimized, and they will. I think it's fun watching a team grow.

This expresses exactly how I feel, too. In fact, I'm afraid if we went to the Super Bowl this year, we would be losing half the fun. I actually love experiencing the excitement of watching the improvement and the feeling that we will finally be in the playoffs this year. The Super Bowl can wait till next year

[Benzoo]

It's like saying we knew 'em when.

[Jet23]