Bengals Needed That And...

by bengal fan from new york on Oct 26, 2009 10:26 AM EDT Comment 12 comments

Brat deserves his due. I love to hate on Bratkowski but its hard to slight him on this one. He made all the right calls yesterday, all the right "new" calls. The Bengals offensive playcalling was entirely different this week. A few Carson rollouts, some play action, quick screens and slants. Everything we've been talking about for weeks. Glad to finally see it. It didn't hurt that Benson ran like a beast. The O-Line push was tremendous, but Benson did it all. When the middle was clogged he was outside, when he ran inside he punished the defense. Plus, the O-Line has been very underrated when it comes to the pass protection. They have done a solid job all year so far against some very good defenses.

The offense collectively deserved the game ball for this one (SEVEN STRAIGHT POINT SCORING DRIVES - WHO DEY), with one of their best performances since 2006, but the defense was no second fiddle. I don't know where Frostee Rucker came from all of a sudden, but not only was he effective on the outside, but he was a dominating pass rushing force in the middle yesterday. With the way Frostee played, Zimmer hardly blitzed, and there was still pressure all day long. Glad to see that, especially since it allowed Peko to heal on the sidelines during this one for the most part. Geathers was there and MIchael Johnson was mediocre (although the announcers confused him with Brandon Johnson who had a very respectable game). Dhani Jones might have played his best game yet in the orange and black as he snuffed out every screen pass. The secondary was on point with the Crocker and Leon picks (J-Joe should have had another one too).

The Bears looked entirely outmatched yesterday which sure was refreshing. This is the way it COULD be on most weeks. Two more division games before we reach a winnable stretch. Please Brat keep this momentum going. Keep the playcalling exciting and NEW. Keep the defense off the field. Keep on winning.

Who dey.

0 recs | Comment 12 comments

Story-email Email Printer Print

Comments

Michael Johnson... medicore?

I was keeping an eye on him a lot yesterday and even though he never got a sack, he was putting pressure on Cutler. And when he couldn’t get there, he was doing a great job attempting to clog passing lanes by jumping with his hands up. He was damn close to getting a sack on one play in particular… so I don’t know if I’d describe him as mediocre. But maybe I missed something? After all, I did doze off in the 4th quarter.

by WhoDeyDerek on Oct 26, 2009 11:03 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Yeah to call the man mediocre doesn't suite well with the mood right now

He’ll be a beast for the future to come

If you don't live like you wanna, you live like you shouldn't

by trotanoy on Oct 26, 2009 11:30 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yeah, and I believe that he even dropped into coverage once or twice. How many DE’s can do that?

This is our year!

by Carsonorbust on Oct 26, 2009 1:02 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Not many

Jason Taylor in his prime, and Jevon Kearse in his prime are the only ones I can think of outside of Michael Johnson

by Danimal, Destroyer of Worlds on Oct 28, 2009 10:51 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

This game reminded me a lot of the Packers game

If it weren’t for the two picks by Palmer in that game we would have rolled to about a 40 to 10 win there as well. So I think a trend could be starting with Palmer appearing to be in Pro Bowl form once again and the O-line playing so well anyone could rush for 100 yards let alone Benson who appears to be running with purpose and as hard as any back I’ve ever seen.

And Johnson looked good in his first start, I’m sure he’ll starting getting to the quarterback the more he plays. Maybe it will be a blessing in disguise that Odom gave way so Johnson could get the playing time and develop even faster. So next year when Odom is back Johnson will be that much better.

by St. Esiason on Oct 26, 2009 11:15 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I say Mediocre because

Chicago hardly ran the ball all game which allowed Johnson to get after Cutler basically the entire game. Johnson did come close once or twice but he did not put any hits on Cutler and while he does a great job of batting down passes at the line he did not have any this game.

He did not play like Rucker did and he did not play like Fanene did last week. He played mediocre, not bad, not great. He’ll be a solid player and he did nothing wrong yesterday to make me second guess that.

For a first start it was respectable but nothing great, but he’s got plenty of time.

by bengal fan from new york on Oct 26, 2009 11:21 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

the bears are not that god of a football team so don't get too excited

though you guys look like a 10-6 playoff team

Soccer is for people to small and wussy for real football
Yankees and Red Sox ...buying your way into playoffs every year

by angryandy on Oct 26, 2009 11:59 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I think we have a good shot at going 11-5 but thanks

Although don’t get too down on your Bears. Anybody can have a bad game. You guys can’t be all that bad. You did knock off the Steelers and we thank you for that!

by WhoDeyDerek on Oct 26, 2009 12:56 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Oh, and I agree with NewYork

Michael Johnson definitely wasn’t great yesterday but didn’t make any mistakes that I could see. The important thing is that he was getting some pressure on Cutler with only 3 other rushers… that’s encouraging after the loss of Odom even though the Chicago line is far from perfect.

by WhoDeyDerek on Oct 26, 2009 12:58 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Just watched the highlights...

On Cutler’s first 2nd half interception:

This is the play where Michael Johnson was very close to sacking Cutler and applied some serious pressure. He was right by Cutler as he was throwing the ball up. He jumped and threw his hands up at the last second, probably barely missing the deflection. The pass would go on to be picked off by Leon Hall who caught the ball and returned it for about 30 yards.

Obviously, this play wasn’t all Michael Johnson but he did contribute by applying some serious pressure and forcing an errant Jay Cutler throw. Rucker, Fanene, and Johnson should fill in for Odom nicely I think.

by WhoDeyDerek on Oct 26, 2009 3:31 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Yes that was his play

Michael Johnson definitely will be a hell of a player. I don’t want to slight him too much, I mean he’s only started one game, but hes paid to get to the quarterback, and I think he can get there more often than not.

I have to agree that he is extremely athletic and it is very impressive that he can drop back into coverage.

by bengal fan from new york on Oct 26, 2009 6:13 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

MJ needs work...

MJ is a freak athlete but he really needs to do what Odom did and put on about 20 lbs. of upper body muscle. He is young and will get a bit heavier as he matures but IMO he is not anywhere near the player he will be in a couple of years. The Kearse comparisons are quite apt yet but in a year or so they just might be.

" My enemy said "Love your enemy". I obeyed and loved myself." Gibran

by JUNGLEJOHN on Oct 27, 2009 9:31 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs