Bengals have a loyal fan base

[indybengalsfan72]

After our loss last week, there were people disappointed and ticked, and a couple calling for Marvin's ouster, but for the most part we were very appreciative that they had a good season, and made the postseason for the first time in 15 years. I went to the Colts board today..www.indystar.com, and there are many fans calling for Dungy's ouster, Vanderjagt's neck, Peyton's job, and everything else under the sun. On the News, people were saying that they are not going to pay for season tickets or go to anymore games or even support the Colts. These guys should be proud that they have made the postseason every year. Sure, it hurts not to make to the next level, but look at the teams that haven't made the playoffs in many years or on a consistent basis...They would love to have the talent and the ability to make the postseason, even if it meant not winning the prize. I can understand the Colts fans frustrations, but lose the pessimism..

[AGrizzlyBaer]

i think after losing for 15 years we realize what a pleasure it is to go to the playoffs. hopefully its a nice perk we can keep for many years to come.

[NJ29]

It's ridiculous to me how people can want Peyton Manning or Dungy to leave.

[Bgal]

It would have to be frustrating to keep losing key games every year. I'm not really sure what the problem is with Indy. I used to think that it was having to play in the cold, but I guess not. I read a few of the threads and a lot of fans seem to think that Manning isn't a team player. Apparently he didn't even ride with the rest of the team to the Dungy funeral. I'm not sure if that's true, but I wouldn't have a hard time believing it. Manning is very talented, but without any heart that will never get him to the SB. The coaching in this game was also very questionable. I don't understand why teams don't run more when it's working (Bengals come to mind). I'm not sure who exactly calls the plays, Manning or whoever.. but it appears Manning always does whatever he wants regardless (including waving off the Punt team-while successful-also not his job). Having said all that, the loss wasn't completely Manning's fault... but he should have taken some credit for it. Maybe i'm just too used to Carson and his habit of never taking credit for wins and always taking the credit for loses.

I suppose the real question is: What is more annoying... never making the playoffs? or Always making the playoffs with real hope of making the SB and never getting there?

As Bengal fans we are still thankful to even smell the playoffs. Give us 5 or 6 years of playoff loses and maybe we won't be so thankful just to make it. I don't know...

[PMThor]

I don't buy into the idea that Manning has no heart. He was the one who kicked the punt team off on the 4th and 2 (or so) in the fourth quarter. That shows heart and a trust in your teammates. That play led to a touchdown that brought the game back into striking distance for them.

Manning is a great QB. I am not sure why they are unable to win the big game, but to blame him singly is unfair. You could see how frustrated he was throughout the Pitt game. I think that had more to do with Cowhers gameplan (see the San Diego game) over anything Indy did or did not do.

Ha. I said Doo.

[Stripes]

Manning is a great QB. I am not sure why they are unable to win the big game, but to blame him singly is unfair. You could see how frustrated he was throughout the Pitt game. I think that had more to do with Cowhers gameplan (see the San Diego game) over anything Indy did or did not do.

I agree. Peyton didn't look like he'd suddenly changed into Kyle Boller or anything, he was his normal self. There seemed to be all sorts of miscommunication on offense between him and his receivers, or that could have just truly been some excellent defensive gameplanning by the Steelers. The Patriots always did it to the Colts somehow, it appears the Steelers did their homework as well.

Palmer certainly didn't look primed for that type of failure while he was out there.

[indybengalsfan72]

Manning is a great QB. I am not sure why they are unable to win the big game, but to blame him singly is unfair. You could see how frustrated he was throughout the Pitt game. I think that had more to do with Cowhers gameplan (see the San Diego game) over anything Indy did or did not do.

I agree. Peyton didn't look like he'd suddenly changed into Kyle Boller or anything, he was his normal self. There seemed to be all sorts of miscommunication on offense between him and his receivers, or that could have just truly been some excellent defensive gameplanning by the Steelers. The Patriots always did it to the Colts somehow, it appears the Steelers did their homework as well.

Palmer certainly didn't look primed for that type of fialure while he was out there.

As they all say, Peyton has never been able to win the big game. Whether its in high school, college, or pro, he has always come up short, but what gets me about the guy is that he never takes responsibility. In the post game press conference yesterday, he blamed the OL for the lack of protection, and the 5 sacks he sustained. Yes, they dropped the ball, but was it necessary for him to call them out like this in front of the world? He didn't help things by throwing the ball deep on 3rd and 2 on the last drive, before Vanderjagt missed it. As someone else stated, Carson has always taken responsibility, whether its his fault or not. Plus, he won the big game in college, whether it were the bowls or rivalries. I hate to quote movies here, but Dennis Quaid said it best in "Any Given Sunday".. A season is 16 games, and its how you live through the bad ones that make you a quarterback, not a punk. Peyton isn't a punk, but he can't seem to live through the bad games without pointing fingers. I know its early in Palmer's career, but I wonder if thats the difference between the 2 qbs..Carson is able to learn and feed off the bad games, and Peyton seems to always duplicate the bad games that contain the same amount of pressure.

[Jet23]

I am not even close to a Peyton fan, but their OL lost that game. Manning does have a weakness and that is he is not mobile and does not throw well under pressure.

[bengalboomer7]

You said it Jet, that O line should be ashamed of themselves, they played horrible.

BUT

Peyton has never and I don't think will ever step up in a big game. He never has. Go all the way back to college and the one thing I remember about Peyton the Vol is that he was 0 for 4 against Florida.

[derekshank]

Peyton and Dungy are both chokes. I hate to say that... because they both seem like genuinely nice guys... but the Vols win the title the year after Manning left, and the Bucs won the superbowl the year after Dungy left.

The funny thing was that 4th quarter was a game to see who could choke the most. Cowher is famous for choking in the playoffs too... and did his darndest to let the Colts back in the game... but alas... no one out-chokes the Colts.

In that respect, I understand why Colts fans are pissed. They were talking about an undefeated season a few weeks ago, and got their butts handed to them 3 out of their last 4 games. It sucks to choke year after year. But face it.... Indy is a baskeball state. Ohio is football, and we are by nature going to be more loyal to our football franchise than most any other state in the US.

[indybengalsfan72]

I am not even close to a Peyton fan, but their OL lost that game. Manning does have a weakness and that is he is not mobile and does not throw well under pressure.

I agree..The O-Line screwed up big time, but Peyton shouldn't be calling these guys out during Press Conferences, especially at the end of the season, since that O-Line or what's left of it will not look at him in the same manner as they did before. I like the guy and I respect him, but I'm wondering if he is really a TEAM GUY. He tends to open his mouth quite a bit and disclose problems within the team, rather than keeping it behind closed doors. And to be honest, I didn't care for the stunt that Eli and his father pulled in the draft a year ago, by refusing to go to San Diego, while you have Carson Palmer who comes here, and didn't have a problem with our lack of success over the last 14 years. I look at the Montanas, the Staubachs, the Steve Youngs, and even Kenny Anderson and Boomer Esiason and all of those guys lived by the team and died by the team. Peyton needs to mature, learn, and work on the mistakes as a team, rather than blaming the next person and coming up with excuses.

[BengalByTheBay]

I, for one, can totally understand the Indy fans being pissed after this game. They looked horrible in the first half and couldn't even get out of their own way on offense. There was plenty of blame to go around, Manning, O-line, receivers, everybody. This is after finally securing home field advantage and a bye week. I gotta lay this one at Dungy's feet because, IMO, the coaching staff has to keep that team sharp and get them ready. It looked like Pitt. was the fresher team out there. And I was definitely rooting for Pitt. to get whacked, but there didn't look to even be a glimmer of hope at halftime based on what I was seeing. I guess they should have some credit for coming back as much as they did.

I haven't seen the Manning statements myself -- just too full of football to watch press conferences after the games. But he definitely shouldn't point the finger at anyone else. I wonder how much worse the Vanderjakt/Manning thing could possibly get.

[bengalindian]

Manning said something like "I don't want to point any fingers, but we had trouble with protection." He made it sound as though it wasn't his fault. I know the O-Line really let them down, but for as much credit he gets for reading defenses, he's gotta know to go to hot routes and realize that he needs to get rid of the ball.

[walzav29]

It's interesting how teams like the Colts and Bengals get a lot of press, but in the end. The meat and potatoe teams are the final 2 in the AFC. They both run, and stop the run.

[Stripes]

It's interesting how teams like the Colts and Bengals get a lot of press, but in the end. The meat and potatoe teams are the final 2 in the AFC. They both run, and stop the run.

If there is such an obvious trend that one type of team goes deep into the postseason year in and year out, then game itself must be flawed.

[BayouBengal]

If Indy missed the playoffs for 15 years, they wouldnt have a fan base.

[NJ29]

If Indy missed the playoffs for 15 years, they wouldnt have a fan base.

Yeah, I'd agree.

[indybengalsfan72]

If Indy missed the playoffs for 15 years, they wouldnt have a fan base.

Thats one thing about our fans...Cinergy Field was selling out, even during the Shula,Coslet, and LeBeau years..The attendance went down during the last 2-3 years since most fans were fed up with Mike Brown, and it obvious gave results. Two years ago, the dome had a hard time selling out. Channel 8 in Indianapolis(the CBS affiliate), was actually buying tickets and giving them away, so that they were able to air the games.

[ArmyBengal]

If Indy missed the playoffs for 15 years, they wouldnt have a fan base.

Pencil Pittsburgh in that camp as well... Hell, if they lose two in a row, their fans stop coming to the games at the bars. When they start winning again, they come back. I love being a Bengal fan and have for my entire life, 36 years in March...

WHODEY !!!

[NJ29]

If Indy missed the playoffs for 15 years, they wouldnt have a fan base.

Pencil Pittsburgh in that camp as well... Hell, if they lose two in a row, their fans stop coming to the games at the bars. When they start winning again, they come back. I love being a Bengal fan and have for my entire life, 36 years in March...

WHODEY !!!

No kidding, ArmyBengal, right after we beat them they started talking about how they sucked and that \we deserved it. Six weeks later, they were talking about how they were the best team in the league.

[Dan2330]

I was at the RCA Dome yesterday and I was at PBS last week and what a difference in the crowds. Even when down by 14 late in the game at least our fans were standing even in the upper decks. INDY fans were quiet and sitting most of the game- lots heading for the exits with 5 minutes left. The Steelers came in with a great plan, the wide outs were open all over the field and it showed when they were up 14-0 half way through the first half. What hurt INDY:

1- The off weeks- yea you hear the arguments both ways, but I got to say after watching the Eagles run out of gas last year in the SB I believe having something to play for each week at the end of the year carries over into the playoffs. Manning and the receivers were not in sync until almost halftime

2- Nick 'Ive been knifed' Harper. Bad idea to argue with a wife you had a history of domestic dispute before with that is holding two knifes the night before a playoff game. Anyone think he could of made that move to the right side on the Buttis fumble and easily scored- but no go up the middle so Rottenburger could get a lucky tackle on you.

3- Crowd- bad, INDY fans are too soft. These people rarely make noise when the other teams offense is on the field- its like they are trying to be nice to the other team. I have never seen so many Pitt fans in the crowd, at least last week at PBS they got barked at a bit, the INDY fans treated them like family. One sign that a Pitt fan brought said it all "I got my tickets from a Colts fan". Could actually hear chants of "Defense" when Manning and the Colts had the ball

[indybengalsfan72]

I got into a heated debate with a co-worker, over the Steelers-Colts game, in which I blamed everything from the pass-protection, the playcalling, the inability to use Edgerrin, and the fact that they came out flat, and he could only come back and say that it was Vanderjagt's fault. After I told him that you cannot blame the kicker when there were many opportunities to win, and the fact that Peyton shouldn't be throwing long bombs on 3rd and 2, the only thing he can say is "At least Peyton's better than Palmer." He was speechless after I said this isn't about Palmer, and I asked "why are you comparing a two year starter to a QB who has had several opportunities to win a ring? Some of these Colts fans are homers!' I think we can beat these guys in their house next year. Maybe the Bengals need to follow San Diego and Pittsburgh's lead and blitz the heck out of Peyton(barring we can improve our line and pass coverage) And as far as the crowd, the last time I went to a game here, I noticed many people on their cellphones. It would be impossible to talk on a cellphone in PBS.

[ShulaSteakhouse]

Yeah on TV it seemed awful noisy when the Colts were on offense. I was embarrassed for them. The stoned glazed over look on the Bengals' fan's faces in the 1st quarter of their playoff game was understandable.

Maybe Manning has the Marino curse?

Big Ben took it to Manning in his own house - he was impressive...again. You could say with their running game, Ben should have a field day - but some of the throws, and moves to avoid sacks - were really sharp.

Hate to say it, but the Squealers are just a tough, hard nosed, focused team. The Bengals and Colts are soft still and not enough players on that team (as Marvin eluded to recently) want it as bad as some others.

Pitt's gonna beat up Denver too. Again, hate to admit it.

[indybengalsfan72]

Yeah on TV it seemed awful noisy when the Colts were on offense. I was embarrassed for them. The stoned glazed over look on the Bengals' fan's faces in the 1st quarter of their playoff game was understandable.

Maybe Manning has the Marino curse?

Big Ben took it to Manning in his own house - he was impressive...again. You could say with their running game, Ben should have a field day - but some of the throws, and moves to avoid sacks - were really sharp.

Hate to say it, but the Squealers are just a tough, hard nosed, focused team. The Bengals and Colts are soft still and not enough players on that team (as Marvin eluded to recently) want it as bad as some others.

Pitt's gonna beat up Denver too. Again, hate to admit it.

I was looking at the schedule for the next 4 years, and we could very well be playing the Colts each year, since we play the AFC South winner next season, AFC South winner at home in 2007, at Indy in 2008, and home vs the AFC South winner in 2009. That is unless Jacksonville snakes away the divisional crown from the Colts in either of those years. I will admit that I would love to see Peyton give his patented frustrated expression after we knock them off.

[BengalsOwn]

I hope to one day be pissed off because the Bengals failed to win a super bowl...

3- Crowd- bad, INDY fans are too soft. These people rarely make noise when the other teams offense is on the field- its like they are trying to be nice to the other team. I have never seen so many Pitt fans in the crowd, at least last week at PBS they got barked at a bit, the INDY fans treated them like family. One sign that a Pitt fan brought said it all "I got my tickets from a Colts fan". Could actually hear chants of "Defense" when Manning and the Colts had the ball

Yeah, they're way to quiet.

That's why they've even been accused of adding crowd noise though some speakers