Positives from tonight's game
by Craig Conrad on Aug 14, 2009 11:25 PM EDT
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PrintLet's talk about the good things we saw tonight, shall we?. For me:
1.) Bernard Scott. If he's not the #2 RB by week 1 there's a serious problem. Dude has mad skills.
2.) This receiving corps is stacked. I was even impressed with Simpson tonight. There is no room for Antonio Chatman on this roster.
2a.) Chris Henry is the player he was in 2005 without the off-field stupidity. There is nothing bad that can come of that. He put forth full effort on every play he ran and seems to have been cured of his acute case of alligator arms. He made a big leap up my fantasy board tonight.
2b.) Chad Ochocino. Back to form, baby.
3.) Chris Crocker laying good wood. I am thrilled to have this guy on our team. THRILLED.
4.) Keith Rivers is going to have a monster year. He's just as solid as they come. I can not WAIT to get Maualuga on the field with him.
5.) Michael Johnson is going to give opposing tackles and quarterbacks nightmares. In his first NFL action tonight he was the only one who was causing any kind of "discruption" (h/t Ahmad Brooks) for the offense from the line. As he gets into the season he's going to be a legitimate player that you have to gameplan around. What a friggin' steal.
6.) I love you, Kevin Huber. Thank you for being you.
7.) I actually wasn't disgusted by the offensive line for the most part while the first team was on the field. Randy Jackson has to GO, yes, but it's not his fault we're too cheap to bring Andre Smith in to sign a contract. Most of the time Carson was on the field he had time to go through his progressions which is progress over last year. They've got some work ahead of them, yes...but I think what I saw tonight (read: Carson not running for his life and the Saints not breaking his face again this year) could be a sign that this group could gel more than we originally thought.
I really don't want to focus on negatives, right now. Some come to mind (Carson looked rusty, O-line had its bad points too, we have NOTHING at corner behind J-Joe and Hall which we already knew but tonight confirmed in spades), but I don't want to dwell on that tonight. We some some good things, good things that over the next three weeks can be built upon.
This team has a chance to be special this year, the pieces are in place (or at least in most of the places). It's a long shot, but what I saw tonight showed me that there is potential.
Who wants to take the negatives?
Sincerely,
A Pragmatic Bengals Fan
This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of Cincy Jungle's writers or editors. It does reflect the views of this particular fan though, which is as important as the views of Cincy Jungle's writers or editors.
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Not many negatives
The only thing that seemed worrisome is depth in the secondary. They were lit up in the 2nd half and it directly led to the 10 points.
it is so funny how jazzed fans are about Kevin Huber. I think the Bengals could sell his Jersey.
by mskiles314 on Aug 15, 2009 1:26 AM EDT via mobile reply actions
I would so wear a Huber jersey.
First guy to play high school, college and pro ball in Cincy is pretty awesome. :)
by Craig Conrad on Aug 15, 2009 11:15 AM EDT up reply actions
definitley mskiles. i would wear his jersey
by Braveslax1012 on Aug 15, 2009 7:55 PM EDT up reply actions
J.T.
OK. I know I have been a fan of J.T. Since his UCD days. But still you have to admit that a QB rating of 134.84 is an impressive stat for a bu QB.
Fitzpatrick had a great pre-season last year too!!!
by smoormandiddy on Aug 15, 2009 8:02 AM EDT up reply actions
^^^ That.
Jordan will end up being the backup before it’s all said and done, I think. If not by the start of the season, by midpoint.
by Craig Conrad on Aug 15, 2009 11:16 AM EDT up reply actions
Another 2 negatives
1. What was with the two minute drill at the end of the first half? Way way way too much time taken getting the ball snapped.
2.Very little pressure brought by the D-line. As far as I could tell, there were a total of 0 sacks on the night, and very few genuine pressures. The closest we came to a sack was from a linebacker, when Dhani Jones came unblocked on a blitz early on. Michael Johnson was the best of the lot on passing downs, but I don’t recall that he ever got a hand on the QB.
I hate to be completely negative, though, so I will say that the D-line did a really good job stuffing the run, particularly when their best RB’s were on the field in the first half.
Agreed.
We all know about Marvin’s terrible time management (and so does everyone else). It’s our cross to bear.
Additionally, I’m sure Zimmer is laying into his guys right about now about not bothering the opposing QB’s. (I’m watching Meachem writhing on the ground after Crocker’s hit again now…LOVE IT) Hopefully as the scheme gets less vanilla throughout preseason that will improve. Johnson really impressed me last night, though. He’ll get better as his rookie season progresses also, and that’s a wonderful thought.
by Craig Conrad on Aug 15, 2009 11:20 AM EDT up reply actions
wasnt it great to see our d-fence (crocker) sticking up for our o-fence (coles)...
hopefully that continues through the season, you hit us, well hit you… FINALLY
by 80%OFTHETIMEIMRIGHTEVERYTIME on Aug 15, 2009 1:04 PM EDT up reply actions
Hines Ward is still due a broken jaw for Rivers last year.
You hearing this, Rey Rey? :)
by Craig Conrad on Aug 15, 2009 1:31 PM EDT up reply actions
1. actually, i thought that two-minute drill was run very well, minus the weird timeout that O’Sullivan called (the second weird timeout he called once he came in), considering that they scored a touchdown and left the other team with no time to respond.
2. i don’t know how much the lack of pressure had to do with vanilla scheme, but I did notice guys getting in there, just not finishing (Geathers and MJ are the only two off the top of my head, other than Dhani’s terrible whiff).
I agree with all the positives
Backups on O-line and corner is a big scary issue. I think the pass rush will improve when the rotations are set-MJ is going to have people kicking themselves for not taking him.
the not-so-good news
1. Jeremi Johnson wiffed on the block after block in the 1st 3 series… he is only in Cincy b/c Mike Brown ordered the coaches to bring him back
2. The tackling in the secondary is porous at best, save for Chris Crocker
3. Brian Leonard got something like 10 yds on 6 carries against a blend of 2nd and 3rd stringers… ugh
4. Carson Palmer still throws from his back foot. Ever since he got Kimo’d. Seriously people, he’s not the same, he stunk last year, and its going to be hilarious when all you jokers finally acknowledge it when we go 2-4 to start the season
by Yaccub Fleishcman on Aug 15, 2009 10:08 AM EDT reply actions
1. I really don’t know what to think about Jeremi right now. They’re claiming he’s back to form, but I don’t see it. Hopefully Fui won’t be out for long.
2. I’m not worried about tackling for the first time in eons with this team. The first-teamers are fine. Don’t forget what an explosive offense they were playing against last night.
3. Bernard Scott will be the #2 by the season opener anyway. Plus, Leonard’s lack of production is on the 2nd and 3rd string O-line. I’m still concerned about our line. Not as much after last night, but still am.
4. Palmer will be fine. If you have the game recorded, watch when he loses the ball (what did the do, put butter on the ball when the Bengals were on O?) with 6:08 left in the first quarter, his back foot wasn’t even on the ground as he went to throw the ball and changed his mind. Off. The. Ground. Pretty hard to throw from your back foot when it’s not even touching the turf, don’t you think?
by Craig Conrad on Aug 15, 2009 11:27 AM EDT up reply actions
1. don’t care enough about this right now, as the blocking schemes in general didn’t leave our fullback exposed.
2. tackling in the secondary? the first team secondary didn’t miss a tackle or a play from what i saw; the only concern would be the backups, but that’s common knowledge anyway.
3. bernard scott got 30 yards on 6 carries against mostly 2nd stringers and looked like a man among boys, so no worries about leonard’s performance.
4. i won’t dignify this with a response.
Whit
Whitworth was MOVIN! on that fumble recovery. I would not want to be in front of that dude.
He was only about 5 steps behind Caldwell.
That’s pretty damn fast considering he’s about 330lbs.
by smoormandiddy on Aug 15, 2009 12:10 PM EDT up reply actions
Jesus….I wonder what kind of orgy would be going on in here had we legitimately looked good and won the game. 1st team does not score, O-line doesn’t look any better than last year, no pressure on the QB, we lose 17-7. A chance to be special? Is this secretly Geoff Hobson?
Anyone notice how Palmer has zero lateral movement? If he’s getting any heat whatsoever he’s either going to force it in somewhere or take the sack. Not good, considering the state of the O-line and the fact that we play the Steelers and Ravens twice a year.
If I'm secretly Hobson, you must secretly be one of the WDR guys.
The 1st team offense only took the ball over 160 yards in the first quarter, that’s all. So they didn’t score. It’ll come. O-line looks leagues better than last year. That’s still not good enough as I’ve seen middle school offensive lines that were better than last year’s line, but it’s progress.
The team lost 17-7 because ten points were scored while folk who are going to be washing cars in three weeks were on the field.
I understand we’ve been beaten up by 19 years of the worst owner in football providing us with the worst team record in sports, but open your eyes and realize when you’re seeing good things.
by Craig Conrad on Aug 15, 2009 12:36 PM EDT up reply actions
Detroit just beat the falcons
Does that mean Detroit is better? No it means it’s pre season. Shut up bro.
If you don't live like you wanna, you live like you shouldn't
Before you guys congratulate your own optimism with a reach-around party, realize where you fall in line in terms of pre-maturely blowing your load, and at the end of the year, looking like a fool.
Cut to last year: Marv says we’re going to run the ball…Perry looking sharp….We’re talking trash on Steelers fans….then 4-11-1 happens(0-4 with Palmer, so don’t use that excuse). I guess I just don’t see the valor in being a “real Bengals fan” and overestimating the team year after year. At what point do you admit to yourself: “I’m a homer. I’m unable to evaluate anything I support in an objective manner. I maybe enthusiastic about football, but I really don’t understand it that well.” Good things? Pardon me for my unfounded pessimism, but maybe I’ll wait until I see regular season wins before I buy Super Bowl tickets. Or maybe even a preseason win would do.
PS: We did not hold the lead at any point in the game, so to say it was entirely decided by scrubs is pretty much inaccurate. Depth might also be called into question.
Funny
When are you pessimistic a-holes gonna understand that winning or losing doesn’t mean shit in pre-season? The only negative I can see is that we may lack quality depth, which may or not bite us on the ass at the end of the year depending on injuries. Either way you have to analyze only the first quarter and maybe even the entire first half, so the score at the end doesn’t mean shit.
I think guys like you are the people that can’t view things objectively on this team beause you’re too fucking scared of getting your hopes up.
If you don't live like you wanna, you live like you shouldn't
by trotanoy on Aug 16, 2009 10:09 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions
funny indeed
Good grief, dude…you think my pessimism or anyone else’s is based on one pre-season quarter? Let’s try the last 20 years. And, no, the game of football doesn’t scare me. I’ll get my hopes up when I see fit. Again, if my assessment of the team is pretty accurate year after year(they’re not very good), and jokers like you are calling playoffs any time you give yourself an excuse to(Marvin says the boys are trying hard!), who comes out looking like the a-hole? You’re nothing more than enthusiastically wrong, which is more pathetic than just plain wrong. Pat yourself on the back if you want. We can revisit this at the end of the year.
we'll see who revisits what at the end of the year loser
If you don't live like you wanna, you live like you shouldn't
Me? Loser?
No, that would be the Bengals and Bengal fans who take it hook, line, sinker every year. I’ll go ahead and be embarrassed for the lot of you if you refuse to do so yourself.
Don’t worry. I’ll take it easy on you after 7-9.
Don't think anyone's calling playoffs here.
I know I certainly didn’t. I’ve been writing about this team for a year or two now and following them my whole life, so I know what to and what not to expect.
There were positives to take away from the game before we got down to criticism, and that’s what I outlined.
by Craig Conrad on Aug 17, 2009 6:50 AM EDT up reply actions
I have to admit
I very much enjoyed the Packers-Browns game
Does anyone else think
That Purify is going to be the Number 6 receiver over Brown?
Two things I worry about after the first preseason game:
1) Benson looks exactly as bad as last year
He did have back to back 8 yard runs late in the first quarter, other than that it was typically bad. no gain, 1 yard, 4 yards, 2 yard loss, 2 yard loss, and an 11 yard punt. If you take out the 11 yarder (which you damn well should when he fumbles it away at the end) his average is just below 2.5ypc, which is typical Cedric Benson.
2) Still no pass rush. At all. Not even once.
No matter how good your defense is otherwise, you can’t be successful without a pass rush.
There were other areas where they obviously need improvement, but hopefully they’ll correct it in preseason. I say that with full memory of last years preseason, where the zone defense obviously needed work, when people were constantly completing 19-21 yard passes against the zone, over and over, and they never fixed it and they continued to get burned throughout the season, because I’m stupid and hopeful.
Bodacio
I really don’t claim to be the football guru and prognosticator and overall incredible foot ball genius that you are but I do know this. I don’t like anything about anything you post. I do not enjoy reading anything you post, I do not learn anything from what you post and spend most of my time after reading anything you post wondering why you even bother to live. I am certainly glad I do not know you as it is one of my goals to keep people like you out of my life. Go away boy – you bother me. You are kInd of like that jock rash that just won’t stop itching.
" My enemy said "Love your enemy". I obeyed and loved myself." Gibran
I think you both should go the the browns blog and blow off some steam..
by 80%OFTHETIMEIMRIGHTEVERYTIME on Aug 17, 2009 4:21 PM EDT up reply actions
C average
That is what an 80% indicates and I don’t take instructions from anyone who is wrong 20% of the time. 80% if I want your opinion I will give it to you.
" My enemy said "Love your enemy". I obeyed and loved myself." Gibran
By "back to form" they mean...
That JJ is pushing around 3 bills and is eating everything in sight.(bad joke)
Seriously why did we resign JJ? And the way we handled the 3rd FB on our roster was pretty classless.
On another note, there’s something seriously wrong with the Bengals if these things don’t happen by the start of the regular season.
1. Bernard Scott is the no 2 HB.(possibly even no 1 if he has the durability to be an every down back)
2. Jerome Simpson is released.
3. Andre Smith signs a deal(which I’m highly doubting at this point)
@jim0ijk
After the way Purify leveled Roy Williams during the Oklahoma drill and his performance, I think he has a good shot of pushing Brown off of the roster.
by Danimal, Destroyer of Worlds on Aug 19, 2009 1:08 PM EDT reply actions
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