Sporting News' Shallow Analysis Yields Prediction of Last Place

by Mike Boyd on Jun 29, 2009 7:56 AM EDT in Analysis

The Sporting News Today ran a "Camp Countdown" story today on the Bengals that had multiple themes:

There is no such thing as a short leash with the Bengals; Marvin Lewis is safe.
Without Carson Palmer, opponents don't fear the passing game.
According to an opponent, Marvin Lewis prefers the 4-3 defense but keeps drafting linebackers better suited to the 3-4. The defense can't stop the run, can't rush the passer and has no identity.
Unless Carson can "energize" the offense, the Bengals will again finish last in the division.
There is not enough stability on defense to ensure success.

I am actually surprised by the shallow analysis by authors Gerry Dulac, Vinnie Iyer, and Chick Ludwig. Putting it all on Carson's back or a lack of stability on defense is so easy, but the article fails to cite any off-season upgrades or probe the implications of the lack of an established running back, the inexperience on the offensive line, etc.

On a positive note, the article includes a boxed quote from CBS analyst Phil Simms, who said, "I would be leery of this team. They stayed competitive last year, even though they didn't have a healthy Carson Palmer and their offense was dreadful. You look at how hard they played - and with passion. It's possible they surprise some people this season." I think that aside from Lapham, Phil may have just became my favorite analyst.

Unfortunately, I think Bengals fans see a last place finish in the cards. I see that the team is now running ads for ticket packages. I recently donated two season tickets to a charity for auction and the selling price was less than the price of one ticket alone. I guess I could blame the economy but it is so much more fun to blame Mike Brown.

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Last place

I can understand why analysts would be leery of the Bengals winning the North after the Ravens and Steelers played to see who would represent the AFC in the Superbowl, but how can anyone have higher expectations for the Browns than the Bengals. The Bengals would have beaten the Browns twice last year if not for the anti-heroics of Chris Perry. That issue is gone. The Browns have no starting QB. No identity on either side of the ball and Mangini was not a great coach with the Jets despite 2 winning seasons in 3 years. SInce Lewis arrived, the Bengals have 13 more wins than the Browns, an average of 2 wins more a yeran, and have finished behind the Browns only once. I do agree that if Palmer does not stay healthy, the Bengals will have problems. The same can be said of most teams with legitamite startingQB.

I also think that the Sporting News’ coverage has gone down hill a lot recently as they try to become ESPN the magazine, rather than advertise their former stregnths, and I recently allowed my 17 year subscription lapse.

by jim0ijk on Jun 29, 2009 12:51 PM EDT reply actions

Passion

Simms is right on with this. I was ready to give up on this team, but despite the results on the scoreboard, they were playing damn hard,especially on defense. It would have been so easy for them to just quit, but every week, even after countless consecutive 3 and outs by the O, they were out there flying around.

I hated that they finished 4-11-1, but I don’t recall ever being more proud of a lousy team than I was this one. Maybe this year I can be proud of something more than a lousy team lol. The optimism of June is nice, but they’ve got a lot to prove. Coming in under the radar isn’t always a bad thing though…

by Galaxy CDS on Jun 29, 2009 3:22 PM EDT reply actions

Agreed

After we played so close in what we thought would be tough games at the begining of the season against Dallas and NYG but after those misserable few weeks against Pittsburgh, Indy and, Houston, most teams would have checked out for the season. (I know I’ve tried to errase those games from my memory). But instead of imploding, these guys played their asses off at the end of the season when they knew that there was nothing to play for at that point but pride. this is a much more mature team than 2005.

by smoormandiddy on Jun 29, 2009 3:42 PM EDT up reply actions

I agree with you. I never stopped watching last year as they always played hard. Wonder if they can keep that up if the Ws don’t follow. That will be true test of whether Lewis should go or stay. First sign of of the team quitting on him, he will have to be fired or we will be back in the David Shula era.

by Mike Boyd on Jun 30, 2009 2:58 AM EDT up reply actions

Get in on a future wager....

CINCY is like 40-1 to win the super bowl

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

by trotanoy on Jun 29, 2009 5:17 PM EDT reply actions

I think the analysis is weak because it pins everything on Palmer. Those analyst who don’t follow the Bengals see Palmer out and see a bad record and don’t seem to recognize that we didn’t really have a lot of wins when he was in there…..

I think the defense finishing as well as it did (even w/o an offense that could stay on the field), and with the huge # of injuries that they had last year, the (supposedly) strong draft, should be signs for a much better 2009.

by ephram on Jun 29, 2009 7:55 PM EDT reply actions

Last place

quick did you know for the bad analyst. Did you know that the Bengals have finished last in the AFC just once? Further, the Browns have never won the AFC North.

by jim0ijk on Jun 29, 2009 11:09 PM EDT reply actions

This week I said to my wife, “Well the Reds killed the Indians last night?” She said, “Why do you care – it is just another game?” I looked at her and said, “The hell you say. Beating Cleveland teams is like getting hot fudge on your ice cream. It is always better.”

by Mike Boyd on Jun 30, 2009 3:03 AM EDT up reply actions

++1 hahahahaha beating Cleveless teams

Can i use that back on my own site?? Or better yet come on over and type it in someplace. We really like to laugh @BTSC.

On the serious side IMO looks like a new team attitude is taking place. First sprouted by the D and now voiced by Chad ‘58’ cause he’s reversed himself.

by steelerstyle on Jul 1, 2009 8:31 PM EDT up reply actions