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Mr. Brightside

Bengals fans are eternal optimists... every year looks better than the last (how could it not?) and almost every year, like the poor kid at Christmas wishing for a new bicycle, we wind up feeling a little bit disappointed when we end up with a used car tire and a dead possum. (but hey, we make the best of it right?)  With that said, I am a die-hard Bengals fan, and perhaps because its the offseason... I can be optimistic once again! I've decided to look backwards when things started to go bad and try to shine a light of optimism on some of our bad luck the last few years.

2006

Offense: 8th

Defense: 30th

Important Draftees: Jonathon Joseph, Andrew Witworth, Domata Peko

The Bright Side: 2006 was a painful year as we started out 8-5, and then proceeded to lose our last three games, driving us out of the playoffs.  But we learned something about ourselves that will prove critical, Our defense was a train wreck... except train wrecks hit hard.   We would never have been legit contenders without a legit "d."  We needed to rebuild.  Enter Jonathon Joseph and Domata Peko.  Witworth should now sound familiar as well.

 

2007

Offense: 10th

Defense: 27th

Important Draftees:  Leon Hall

The Bright Side:  Correct me if I'm wrong, but this season was the one where every single linebacker we had on the team got hurt and we were picking up guys on the street.  (I even heard rumors that we made a move for John Madden to linebacker for us... though it went unsubstantiated).  This is also the year that caused OchoCinco to whine, complain, and demand to be traded so that he can further pursue his career as a Diva.  The brightside?  A soft and pudgy 08 Ocho has apparently led to a determined turnaround in 09.... also led to the drafting of Keith Rivers.  Nice.

 

2008

Offense: 32nd

Defense: 12th

Important Draftees: Keith Rivers, Jerome Simpson, Andre Caldwell,

The Bright Side:  This is the year that seemingly everything fell apart.  But I want you to notice something about last season.  Teams we played last year: Pittsburgh, Baltimore, Washington, Philadelphia, New York Giants, Tennessee, Dallas, and Indianapolis.  Not only is a list of teams we played, but its also a list of the top 1,2,3,4,5, 7, 8, and 11 defenses in the league.  That accounts for 10 of our games played last year.  Its no wonder our offense was ranked 32nd in the league with no Carson. 

Also, don't make the conclusion that our poor "O" made our D look better than it really was because teams got up huge and then slowed down the game.  Take a look at KC (O-24, D-31), Detroit (O-30 D-32), Oakland (O-29, D-27) Cleveland (O-31, D-26) St. Louis (O-27, D-28) and others. All of their offenses were bad last year, yet none of their defenses excelled by any standard.  May I also keep in mind we played the giants into OT, tied the eagles, beat the redskins with a beat up Carson Palmer.  Granted we looked pitiful at times against the likes of Houston, The Jets, Indy, and so on, but there were some bright spots even through all of that.  Cedric emerged as a reliable back, the D carried us to three wins at the end of the season.  Now this year, with a healthy Carson Palmer, and emergent back, a host of new defense aces added to last years cure (hopefully... ) I think we're looking again at a bright Bengals future.

 

2009

Offense: ? Where do you think the O will be at the end of next season

1-10, 11-20, or 21-32

Defense? Where do you tink the D will be at the end of next season

1-10, 11-20, or 21-32

Important Draftees/pickups:  Rey Mauluga, Bernard Scott, Andre Smith, Tank Johnson, A revived OchoCinco, Michael Johnson, & Roy Williams,

Bright Side:  My question for you guys is, whats your bright side?

 

Who Dey Baby!?

Poll
What do you think our offensive and defensive ratings will be this year?
Both 1-10
17 votes
Both In the Middle
12 votes
Only D=Top Ten
11 votes
Only O=Top Ten
4 votes
They're both going to suck this year, why not just give up?
2 votes

46 votes | Poll has closed

0 recs  |  Comment 13 comments

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Comments

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Excellent post

I always love playing “Possum-go-round” with that tire…
and if the Killers were Bengals fans, they would say “How did it end up like this? How did it end up like this?…Destiny is calling me…open up my eager eyes…cause I’m Mr. Brightside”

Go Bengals,

To answer your question
Offense – #1
Defense – #1

Who Dey!

This is our year!

by Carsonorbust on Jun 24, 2009 2:09 AM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Agreed

Hmm… yes, I for one and firmly agreed. Also I’m thinking about organizing a match of possum go round later… you in?

by The Dealio on Jun 24, 2009 4:26 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

I'm in

Whoooo-weeeeee! I haven’t had this much fun since that skunk got caught in cousin billy’s turbine!

This is our year!

by Carsonorbust on Jun 24, 2009 8:10 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

"Soft and Pudgy 08 Ocho"

This should be commented on his blog/twitter/website every day to Chad until the start of this year’s season. Get him riled up for his daily workouts.

The Bengals have the potential to make top ten on both sides of the ball this year. Soft and Pudgy schedule, much better team no matter how you look at it.

I’m not with out about Caldwell as being that important for us right now. He still has to prove it to me on the field. Also, you forgot about L. Coles? He’s going to give Carson a whole new kind of weapon that will force every D to choose between doubling up on Chad or going into single coverage.

Big scare for this year is how well the O line will perform. As much as I like the news about Cook, I can’t help but feel nervous that a soft and pudgy Andre the Giant is going to hold out and not train and get stronger or learn his blocks and Carson has to release the ball quicker than he wants to. IF that happens, then it is going to kill the long ball.

by UpStateMike on Jun 24, 2009 8:21 AM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Andre Smith

You know, even if he doesn’t work out at the start, we still have Anthony Collins. The Bengals have plenty good depth at tackle and fortunately, they can ease Smith into the starting lineup. Or, Collins could say “to hell with you all” and keep the job himself.

Blogger at CincyJungle.com -- SB Nation Cincinnati Bengals blog.

by Kirkendall on Jun 24, 2009 9:55 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Razin Chad

I agree we should raz him every day on twitter… Nothing like a little fire under you loins eh fellas? I really think that Chad will have a great year. I think he’ll be the same guy he was a couple of years ago. Also, you’re right, I forgot Coles (must have been too busy with possum go round again…) he’s a good replacement for Hoosh. I think Caldwell is important in the long run, and if one of the big three goes down, and in the return game, so I’m going to stick with it and say he’s important.

by The Dealio on Jun 26, 2009 3:57 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Good Post

I like all those thoughts.

I agree with UpStateMike. A LOT hinges on the O-Line this year. If the line can keep CP upright and allow our backs to consistently get to the 2nd level, then I could forsee this offense getting back into the top-10 again. If the line ends up “reeking worse than my nuts do,” then well…who knows?

As far as the defense is concerned, it’s pretty hard not to be optimistic. I tend to not “drink the kool-aid” yet even I’m excited. Zimmer did a great job last year and for the first time in probably my entire life, the Bengals really don’t appear to have any weaknesses on the defensive side of the ball. I could see a top-10 there too.

by JohnCockToastin on Jun 24, 2009 9:02 AM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Agreed. Good Post.

It’s almost like you could give quick phrases for each season.

2006 – The Choke
2007 – The Limping Linebacker
2008 – The Aberrationist’s Hell
2009 – The Death Dealers

Blogger at CincyJungle.com -- SB Nation Cincinnati Bengals blog.

by Kirkendall on Jun 24, 2009 9:54 AM EDT reply actions   0 recs

OK.

I’ve openly admitted that I’m optimistic. Can you tell? :-)

Blogger at CincyJungle.com -- SB Nation Cincinnati Bengals blog.

by Kirkendall on Jun 24, 2009 9:54 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

What's the fine for leaving the ace of spades on a sacked QB?

They better walk the walk before they talk the talk (early 70’s old school jargon).

The teams that worry me this year are (listed in schedule order):
Week 2 Green Bay.
Week 3 Steelers
Week 4 Ravens
Week 6 Texans
Week 9 Ravens
Week 10 Steelers
Week 14 Vikings
Week 15 Chargers

Stop their offenses, we should win the game though.

That’s 6 teams that can beat us if we don’t play balls out football.

by UpStateMike on Jun 24, 2009 10:39 AM EDT reply actions   0 recs

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