Lewis, You Don’t Live In Pittsburgh, Baltimore

by Timzilla on Sep 16, 2009 5:58 AM EDT Comment 17 comments

If there was one repeating theme in the off season it was, "we’re committed to running the ball" this year. Lewis & Co. said it in a variety of ways, but it was the same old repetitive, predictable (sorta like Brat’s play calling) message—the Bengals plan to run the ball this year.

(Funny, I don’t recall the great passing teams ‘committing’ to the run. Any similar quotes from Don Coryell in the ‘80s? ... Don Shula in the ‘90s? ... or Dungy in the ‘00s? Or even Sam Wyche. Man, I drool at the idea of Wyche coaching Palmer. But I digress).

Okay, I understand the benefits of running the ball, especially in the AFC North. I get it. I even understand the demoralizing effect on a defense to get run on. I get it. And ‘Boss Man’ (as ChadTard calls you), as a former coach at Pittsburgh and Baltimore, I encourage you (even beg you) to create our defense in their images; but NOT for crying out loud our offense, too. Jeez-o-pete and willy wonka, Boss Man, don’t you and Brat’run’ski realize Palmer is a once in a lifetime QB, and ten times better than any QB you had in Pittsburgh and Baltimore.

I mean, is it a ‘buy the Pittsburgh defense and get their offense free’ thing?

Look, Boss Man, you don’t HAVE to wait to 3rd and 9 to pass (yes, it is legal to fling it on first down). Oh, and about those rumors it being illegal to pass on consecutive downs ... well, they’re not true. Just rumors. Also, I checked the rule book—teams are permitted to go deep more than once a year. I’m just saying ...

Yes, I realize your beloved 2000 Ravens would never have thrown caution to wind and flung it around on first and second downs. But Palmer can. And your Steelers loved ball control—run, eat clock ... run, eat clock ... run, eat clock. Jeez-o-pete and willy wonka, don’t make Palmer into Neil O’Donnell. Shesh.

Boss Man, would you please get your mind (and play calling) out of Pittsburgh and Baltimore. If you and Brat’run’ski intend to waste Palmer’s talent handing off to your twisted memories of the 2000 Ravens season, then do the humane thing—trade him.

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look back at 05 & 06

great blog !!!! when you throw the ball like they did in the no huddle they seem to run the ball better. (see last drive of 1st game). this is ridiculous that every team we play knows exactly what we are doing. I’m just wondering if it is Marvin or brat doing this. maybe its somebody that shouldn’t be sticking his nose in the teams preparations (MB). NO IT COULDN’T BE. he doesn’t demand control of HIS team. from what i understand MB wanted to protect Carson more with the more conventional offense. MAYBE THATS THE PROBLEM !!!!!! as long as MB is around he will do it HIS way.

by WHYUS!! on Sep 16, 2009 9:52 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Good question

I guess there’s no way to know for sure if Brown is behind the ‘taming down’ of Palmer and the Bengals passing game. What we do know is, Lewis was raised by NFL franchises that had moocho success running the ball and playing defense … so I assume that’s his philosophy. Brown grew up watching his offensive genius father … so I would assume he shares that philosophy (not skill). I think the blame for what will probably turn out to be Palmer’s pedestrian career stats falls on Lewis.

by Timzilla on Sep 16, 2009 11:01 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I think you are forgetting a lot of thigns about the ’05 Bengals.

Rudi Johnson had 337 carries for 1,485 yards and the Bengals had a sweet offensive line.

Really the peak of the Palmer-Lewis Bengals coincided with a strong offensive line and a good running game. Since the running game and o-line disappeared they have been far more medicore on offense.

Also Cedric had that big 20 yard run on that last drive, which ppl seem to be forgetting.

watchkalibrun.com

by Zak Woods on Sep 16, 2009 11:14 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I think Lewis has ...

forgotten ’05. I would take ’05 over where I think the team is now. But even in ’05, with a more innovative OC and head coach, Palmer could have gone 5,000 – 5,200 yards … 45 TDs … and saved some wear ’n tear on Rudi.

by Timzilla on Sep 16, 2009 11:30 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

To further you point,

Hey I am all for balance on offense. We lack the talent to run on 1st and 2nd so why not throw, but I don’t want to throw on these downs to see the dink and dunk passing game that is becoming a hallmark of this team. I think anyone who runs a 3 or 4 yard passing routes might as well be blocking.

As for Cedric Benson’s 20 yarder it was against a three deep zone.

SardiniaKid

by SardiniaKid on Sep 16, 2009 11:16 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

doesnt that show that the play selection was smart there?

watchkalibrun.com

by Zak Woods on Sep 16, 2009 9:22 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Pass first

I agree that we ought to play to our strengths here, which is obviously the passing game. The other stat though that people are leaving out is that Palmer in ‘05 actually had less pass attempts (509) than any other year (excluding 2004 when he played 13 games). He also threw more TD’s that year, than any other year. In the Bengals worst year in the Carson era (2007), not including last year, He actually had most pass attempts in his career (575).

Without some balance in the offense you become a little predictable. That said though, with such a talented WR corps, there’s no reason for us to be a “run first” team.

This is our year!

by Carsonorbust on Sep 16, 2009 12:34 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Agreed.

All things equal, I’d prefer the ball in the hands of the WRs rather than RBs. I think the Bengals are better built as a ‘pass sets up the run’ team.

by Timzilla on Sep 16, 2009 12:52 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

it was MB

You always have success running the ball when you have the D on their heels. the no huddle does this. we always had balance on O with the no huddle. Of course, all of our running backs had success in the no huddle (CB 20 yard-er & TD). Rudi J. and others. As for Marvin, when he first got here we ran the more conventional O. Then it changed at the end of 04’. The 05’ and part of the 06’ season is where we had most success. Until we went back to the more conventional O , (see before Marvin) then it started going down hill. The conventional O is MB liking & the coaches will do what ever MB says. (SEE CHRIS HENRY !!!!) If you notice they even controlled the clock in games in 05 &06.

by WHYUS!! on Sep 16, 2009 12:47 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

another statistic for timzilla (also see) it was MB

If you look at the stats. We lost to GB every time we played them during MB’s tenure, except one. In the 05’ season. I know GB stunk that year but we ran the conv O the years we lost. Before Marvin was here. The year we won it was no huddle when Marvin was here.

by WHYUS!! on Sep 16, 2009 1:07 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Rhythm

Bratkowski’s rhythm is stale. It doesn’t matter what formula you use. Pass pass run, Run Run Pass, Run Pass Run, Pass Run Pass. The problem is that the opposing team always knows what formula we’re using. To establish the run you must establish the pass, and to establish the pass you must establish the run. It’s a catch 22, and the only way you get into rhythm is by doing the unexpected.

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

by trotanoy on Sep 16, 2009 6:01 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

yeah

u have 3 wr that can get open on most plays a pretty good qb get c henry the ball more othen

okay i have cereal palsy arhrtis and chronic fatiue as well i have a grea life loveing folks some days are better that other days i got a make a wish in 2001 saw my favorive team the broncos was the trip of the lifetime i wish everyone couild gotten to enjoy that with me i know some of u hate the broncos and that ok but i bleed organ and bule

by j-man on Sep 16, 2009 10:11 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

new post

Chris was hurt during the week. (quadricep) he was better for the game but they actually used him as a decoy. didn’t work!!! hopefully he will be full tilt for Sunday.

by WHYUS!! on Sep 16, 2009 11:58 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

O-Line

Everyone keeps mentioning that this is not the same offensive line, but the nfl is filled with a number of talented offensive linemen and the bengals are no different. Not every team is loaded with 1st round talent. In fact, most teams have NFL journeymen and undrafted free agents playing the line and playing it well. For instance, the offensive line of the new orleans saints are playing without one of their best linemen (Jamaal Brown) and yet Brees threw 6 touchdowns last week. The Bengals have “talent” up front. Even if you consider the line to be marginal at best, the offensive coordinator has to adapt to his situation. That means getting the ball out of the Quarterback’s hands quickly. Quick reads, dump offs, shovel passes. I cannot blame the offensive line for the offense’s troubles. They were absolutely fine last game. Our first and second down playcalling was predictable and pathetic. No excuses for Bratkowski. The fact that Henry was hurt should have no effect on the playcalling or the passing game. Get out there and pass the ball. The Bengals CAN get to the playoffs with this defense, if only the offense would help them out.

by bengal fan from new york on Sep 17, 2009 3:24 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Yeah I pointed that out earlier too. Our problem isn’t so much that our O-Line stinks. It doesn’t… not really. And even though the NO line didn’t give up a lot of sacks it wasn’t because they are the greatest thing since sliced cheese.

But you have to use the right people for the right job at the right time. AC is out of place at RT, he’s a very good (or better) LT but only an average RT (so far at least).

And then you have to have the line “gel”, which the NO line has had time to do (despite the occasional player swapping in and out… heck they still have a second-year man starting at LG because he did such a good job when Nesbitt was suspended last year that Jamaal can’t earn his job back) and ours has not.

And most important is that you need a confident QB back there who knows the tendencies of the line, knows who’s likely to break down first and has a plan in advance for how he’s going to escape from the occasional line breakdowns while continuing to look downfield for a play and/or his dump-off option. And I do believe Carson is still capable of being that kind of QB… but right now he isn’t actually doing it. I ascribe most of that to rust and part of that to Brat being an idiot and a third part to some of his receivers dropping balls. Hopefully they can fix all three of those in the near future.

by FriarBob on Sep 18, 2009 8:31 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Sorry Jamar Nesbit… too similar a first name to Brown’s…

by FriarBob on Sep 18, 2009 8:32 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Oh and furthermore… Evans and Bushrod are both former 4th rounders, Nicks and Goodwin are both former 5th rounders, Stinchcomb is a former 2nd rounder… and the backups, Streif is a 7th rounder, Leckley was a 6th rounder, Nesbit was a former UDFA. The only first rounder on that entire line is Jamaal Brown.

What is the point of all this? We didn’t have to draft Smith. I was practically screaming that before the draft and I still am. There are other options later that CAN work out, and we should have been looking for those options instead. In the 08 draft everybody and their brother was screaming for a DT and we didn’t draft one and it worked out pretty good. They should have had the balls to refuse to be stampeded along this year as well.

by FriarBob on Sep 18, 2009 8:40 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs