Bengals and Fans were set up

by Rexx on Sep 8, 2008 9:46 AM EDT Comment 4 comments

Don't be so surprised by the results of yesterday's resounding loss to the Ravens. Cincinnati was on the road, where they had been terrible last year, even though Baltimore was one place they enjoyed success in the past few. However, as most Ravens fans knew, last year was an aberration, as the entire secondary was injured and QB's Steve McNair and Kyle Boller were just god-awful. As we approached the last few days prior to this week's game, it appreared that the defense would pretty much return intact and Joe Flacco, while a raw rookie, was not making the mistakes in the preseason that plagued the team all year in 2007.

I kept blogging that if the defense was healthy and the pass rush returned, and Flacco didn't try to go out there and become Johnny Unitas all over again, we could definitely beat the Bungals and perhaps even return to look a lot more like the 2006 13-3 team as opposed to the 2007 5-11 embarrassment.

At the same time, nothing had changed in Cincinnati. The off the field issues overwhelmed the on the field ones and there were just too much focus on individuals rather than team goals. Cincy's o-line looked horrible in the preseason and Palmer was probably gun shy and favoring his broken nose as the Ravens hit him early and often. I though the combination of the off season return to health of the Ravens and the Bengals continuing soap opera, along with the anger of being a home underdog on opening day, set up the Bengals and their fans for early season disappointment that probably will extend throughout the season.

Sorry to break it to you, but while I don't exactly expect the Ravens to tear up the league, they do look to improve over 2007 which will be a breath of fresh air, while you guys have a lot less to look forward to. Good luck next week and us Baltimore fans always cheer for Marvin Lewis, as he coached our defense to the Super Bowl title in 2001. Hang in there, Bengal fans.

Check out my Ravens blog over at Baltimore Beatdown.

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Your post is factually incorrect

You stated that, “At the same time, nothing had changed in Cincinnati.” This is not true.

1. We got rid of several talented players on the O line.
2. Almost nobody was arrested. Did you notice that?
3. Mike Brown got one year older.

I am sure many other things changed, too numerous to mention.

And how arrogant of you to think you are breaking anything to Bengals fans. We are the first ones to know this season is going to be a reversion to the mean after 2005.

by HeyMikey! on Sep 8, 2008 2:09 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

You might have known...

…but the national media still predicted better things for them, and made them a road favorite over the so-called “hapless” Ravens, which to me was a joke from the moment I heard it. The funny thing was that my nephew actually took the Bengals in his ‘Suicide Pool," and he’s now SOL!

Rexx

by Rexx on Sep 8, 2008 4:07 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Enjoy your only win of 2008

The Bengals were terrible yesterday. To be serious, however, Cincinnati will still have a better record than the Rat Birds in 2008. If history serves, the Bengals offense will score points and the defense, though not spectacular, will be effective enough to steal a few games.

For the Ravens, however, Joe Flacco will make mistakes. The aging Ravens defense will get injured. PK Sams will drive drunk. (oh wait, he’s no longer on your team…that’s too bad) Maybe the Ravens will win one more against Houston (who looked awful) and another at home against Cleveland (because Cleveland sucks), but I don’t see any more than that.

It’s a travesty that the Bengals lost to the Ravens yesterday, but I chalk it down to a poor gameplan and horrible execution more than the Ravens’ bright prospects in ’08.

I’ll give you credit; your post is just about the most intelligent thing I’ve ever seen from a Ravens fan. You have basic noun-verb agreement, several adjectives used correctly, and do not have expletives embellishing your points. One point of contention, however, sentences should not end in prepositions. Bravo, young sir!

Seriously, however, good luck this season – but not too much luck.

"Ryan, Things in here don't react too well to bullets." - Marko Ramius

by TarZander on Sep 8, 2008 8:44 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Loyalty is good...

…but blind loyalty is well,…blind. The Bengals should be honored to have a fan like you. You can see the bright lights in the ditance, but when you get there, you will be severely disappointed. The Ravens defense will keep them in games and even steal a win or two. The Bengals defense will never win a game for them, much less keep them in one. They will need to outscore their opponents and if Sunday was any indication, start looking at the college game to see who you’ll be drafting with that top five pick!

Rexx

by Rexx on Sep 9, 2008 10:12 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs