Bengals got Punched; and then Punched Back
by Jay McDonnell on Sep 30, 2009 7:45 PM EDT
15 comments
Rob Oller of the Columbus Dispatch finished up an article on Friday stating that if the Bengals want to "shed the image of being an organization that botches draft picks and trades is to trade body blows with Pittsburgh and come away bloodied but not bullied. It is decision time -- gulp -- in Cincinnati. Will the Bengals punch back?" After the heart stopping, nerve wrecking finish this past weekend against Pittsburgh, I think we can all say the Bengals Punched Back.
The Steelers threw the first punch jumping out to a 13-0 lead and holding the Bengals offense to -10 total yards for the first quarter. That kind of a blow would have been a knockout punch most teams, including the Bengals of recent past. But the Bengals never quit. Usually when the Bengals fall behind as they did, I have a tendency to toss in the towel. My wife and I have grown accustom to them falling behind early in the game and then falling even further behind by the end of the third quarter, becoming so disgusted that we had to change to another game. But we didn’t. We decided to stick with the game and see if the Bengals can counter punch.
Hope was kept alive with the interception return by Jonathon Joseph that brought the score closer at 13-9. But all hope was nearly dashed when the Steelers drove down and scored again to increase their lead to 20-9, with that,my wife and I felt the knockout punch had finally been delivered and the game was lost. I guess we were glutens for some more punishment to continue watching the Steelers continued domination of the Bengals in Paul Brown Stadium as we stuck with it. Something just felt right that the Bengals were going to do something that usually happens to them.
To start the 4th quarter, Cedric Benson scored on a terrific 23 yard touchdown run around the end bringing the score to 20-15. I think the decision was correct on going for two, but I think a more creative play may have ended in a different result. But no matter, the Bengals had delivered a counter blow that seemed to rock the Steelers as momentum was wrestled away from the visitors and in the hands of the home team.
When the Bengals got the ball back with around 5 minutes to play, I screamed at the TV (I know, like they heard me) "score and don’t give them any time left". As the Bengals drove the field, I noticed that the team felt confident with the belief of something good was going to happen. Carson Palmer never got flustered and looked comfortable and poised, slicing the Steeler defense like he was carving a thanksgiving turkey.
But then they had to convert the first of two 4th down plays. That is when the nerves started to kick in, my wife and I held our breath and we squinted when Carson dropped back to pass only to deliver a strike to Laveranues Coles converting the first down. Then things got really anxious as Carson spiked the ball on the ensuing play and threw two more incomplete passes to force 4th down again, but this time it was 10 yards instead of the 2.
Step in Brian Leonard with a cape on his back and a big "S" on his chest, someone who I felt would not make the team, making the game saving catch and run, leaping across the 5 yard line to make the 1st down conversion. Had the play not been converted, I am sure the play would have been heavily criticized because why throw a pass three yard short of the first down marker when you need 10 yards to convert. Since the conversion was made, anyone have any criticism to convey? Not from this writer.
With the history of the Bengals bungling a play to lose the game, my wife and I were fully expecting something to happen that will crush all of our hearts, as always. I expected the passes to be deflected or dropped, Palmer sacked, or an offensive penalty, making things as difficult as possible to win the game. With as much disappointment we have suffered through over the decades, this kind of expectation is sure to surface.
After Leonard made the catch to save the game, the sight of Andrew Caldwell standing in the end zone spiking the ball after making the catch just sent me and my wife into a delirious joy not felt in some time. When watching the replay from the end zone angle, I noticed Carson eyes were focused only on Caldwell and there was nothing going to stop him from sticking that pass into Andre’s chest.
This game should go down, if not in the Marvin Lewis era, but in team history, as one of best ever. I know Josh conducted a survey recently as to what game we thought was the best ever. But if this game had been played prior to the survey, it would have ranked at or near the top.
The Bengals showed a resilience not seen in some time, taking punch after punch from the Steelers. The confidence gained from this performance could propel this team to a height not experienced in some time. The team that is still learning to play together after only three games as the roster was renovated in the off season. This just maybe what the team needed to believe in itself that they can overcome adversity against anybody. The Bengals may have been bloodied in this slugfest with the defending Super Bowl champions, but they were not bullied. The Bengals had punched back!
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shed the image of being an organization that botches draft picks...
Andre Smith …ouch. Maybe next year.
This team can't keep ...
spotting opponents 45 minutes, and then do a mad-dash, last-quarter Chinese fire drill. They’ve yet to show any signs of first-half life … and that’s hardly a winning formula.
I think ...
if the team is for real (and I “think” they are), then they’ll punching bag the Browns Sunday for 60 mins, then brawl it out (win or lose) with the Ravens a week later. But I agree, if they perform on the road in Baltimore like they did at home last week, they’ll get buried.
LOYALTY AND FAIRWEATHER BENGALS FANS
First off, you the editorial guy that wrote this piece, should be ashamed of yourself. Real fans stay tuned, stay with it, and don’t turn to another channel cause things aren’t going our way!
You might have followed the Bengals for however long, but you obviously aren’t a DIE HARD, LOYAL Bengals fan! Whether I’m at the game, or I’m at home watching, I don’t turn away cause things aren’t going our way. I’ve been a true and die hard Bengals fan for over 22 years…..and I’ll be damned if I would turn my channel, turn off the tv, or walk out on a game we are playing. First and foremost, that is what being a fan is all about. Rooting for your team to the bitter end or the sweetest victory. And that’s what a fan base is based on. That’s what you tune in for. Some of the best games are when your team, and I say that loosely since it’s obvious you aren’t a true DIE HARD FAN, comes from behind, within seconds of defeat and pull out a victory. Only true fans know the joy of such a thing. Unfortunately there are too many bandwagon jumpers that come out when Cincy is doing well. Where are all those die hards when they have a 2-14 season? a 3-13 season?? They aren’t the fans walking down the street with Bengals jerseys on, or the ones sporting the Bengals colors on their cars, house, etc.
Those kinds of fans make me sick!
I’ve got tee’s from seasons past that date clear back to 88’…….I proudly wear my colors no matter what the outcome is.
And Sunday was sweet victory for all us true fans……We…… the real fans…… believe! And we have! There is obviously an air of change in Cincinnati, and any real fan that follows the Bengals and not just during the regular season, would know that! This is a better team mentally and most definitely talent wise!
You can only know true victory by sticking through with your teams agonizing defeats!
I agree there are fair weather fans
But this “Real Fan” crap is the dumbest junk ever. How do you measure a real fan vs a partial fan vs a sometimes fan?
Get over yourself, just because you maybe watched a few more minutes of some complete blowouts does not make you more special than anyone else. Against the Steelers at the stadium all I know is when the Bengals scored with 14 seconds left, real fans and fake fans went nuts and it was awesome.
WhoDey
Thanks for partially making my point
The reality is….there are people who follow the Bengals no matter win or lose.
And get over myself??? Please!
I’ve been a DIE HARD BENGALS FAN FOR 22 YEARS!
I’ve earned the right to call myself a real fan and call out the weak ass fans that only show up when the Bengals are beginning to look good.
Real fans stick around regardless!
I’m sick of the people who wouldn’t call themselves fans during a losing season……running out and getting their new Bengals gear when they are winning.
Like I’ve said, I’m a real fan…..and I’m sick of the crap like what went on during the playoff game in 2005. Funny how you would see a Bengals game televised and you wouldn’t see a lot of people in the stands on any given Sunday….but not one person in the public sector could get their hands on a ticket to that game!…..All the fairweather, fake ass fans, bought them up thinking they might get the chance to see something real fans had been waiting almost 20 years for!
by Whodey4life88 on Oct 2, 2009 11:57 AM EDT up reply actions
And by the way moron......
“How do you measure a real fan vs a partial fan vs a sometimes fan?”
Didn’t you just make reference to the differences between real fans and “partial fan vs a sometimes fan?”?
I never said I was “more special” oh grammar god…….but I did say, I can’t stand fair weather fans! Last I checked I’ve been a real loyal fan regardless for 22 years. And I’m not alone in my beliefs….the Bengals fans I know feel the same way. It gets old.
It’s one thing to decide to become a fan….it’s another to act like you’re a die hard fan…only to turn off the tv, or walk out on a game because we’re down points as time is ticking away.
You obviously don’t know the slightest thing about what loyalty is!
by Whodey4life88 on Oct 2, 2009 12:18 PM EDT up reply actions
Would you like a crown and a sash, Princess Bengal?
Who the hell are you to decide what constitutes a real fan? These are guidelines you’ve set yourself…all entirely subjective. You’re obviously in love with the smell of your own excrement, but many people might see you as gullible or a pushover. You’re Charlie Brown trying to kick the football. The “DIE HARD FANS” unable to criticize this franchise are the chief enablers of Mike Brown, allowing him to the run the franchise the way he has. Frankly…you make me sick. Put a sock in it, Charley.
First off numbnuts
You might think your ignorant rant was cute….I just realize you are someone trying to impress yourself with thinking you might have something intelligent to say.
In love with the smell of my own excrement? Do you find it hard to hide in the closet? Seems to me you have a butt fetish!
Gullible or pushover? Anyone who knows me, knows I’m neither, and I don’t really care what you think because I would venture to say you’re probably one of the fans I’m talking about…..obviously you were offended.
I know many Bengals fans, and know that all of them feel the way I do about fake ass fans. There is a reason why teams like the Steelers have the success they have. Because they have real fans…..something we’re missing in Cincinnati.
Hell I’ve driven through town during the season and stopped places and heard people dogging the Bengals left and right……but I’d bank money the day the Bengals win a Championship…….they’ll be the one’s dancing in the streets claiming they’ve been die hard loyal fans all the time!
And as far as enabling Mike Brown….what the hell would you want me….a real fan…to do exactly???? Mike Brown is a moron and anyone knows that fact. And his daughter who is all but set to take the throne when Mike retires, steps down, etc…..isn’t any better.
Real fans see it through and stick around. Morons like you make ME sick…….no doubt yer one of the fans I was referring to.
by Whodey4life88 on Oct 2, 2009 12:08 PM EDT up reply actions
And as far as your "These are guidlines you've set yourself"
Take a look around…..look at franchises like the Yankees, the Patriots, the Steelers, the Red Sox………..
There is obviously a difference between fairweather fans and true loyal fans……I’d venture to say, and these are just a few fan bases, that those fan bases would understand and could say the same thing……you either are, or you’re not!
I didn’t set the standard….but I definitely believe in being loyal and supporting your team, through thick and thin…..and being die hard no matter what!
I wouldn’t expect you to comprehend what I’m talking about, because it’s obvious you wouldn’t know the slightest thing about it!
by Whodey4life88 on Oct 2, 2009 12:32 PM EDT up reply actions
uber-lame comment.
you’re like those guys who try to tell everyone they’re not allowed to like a band because they heard of it after you did. pretty douche-y on your part… douche…
I never said anything about not being able to like the Bengals......
Maybe you need to learn to read better HumpLeg!
Maybe if you weren’t dizzy in a cloud of bong residue…….you would have seen exactly what I said…..
And did you just learn the word “douche”…you seem to be infatuated with it!
If you want to criticize my post….maybe you should read the whole thing dumbass.
by Whodey4life88 on Oct 2, 2009 12:10 PM EDT up reply actions
Appreciate your comments, but...
One thing you cannot accuse me of being is a fair weather fan. You mention you have been a die hard for 22 years; I have been a die hard fan since 1978, probably well before you knew what football was. Just as you, I wear my stripes, win or lose, and not just in Ohio. I have been ridiculed and laughed at by other fans for supporting a “loser”, but never walked away in disgust for my loyalty. I have suffered along with you through some of the worst years any franchise has ever endured. You may watch every minute of every game, and I applaud you for it, but I don’t like watching the train wrecks, which happens often to the Bengals and this game looking to become one. I cherish the sweet victories, especially one such as this past one, but how often does that happen? I do root for the Bengals, through thick or thin and have never jumped off the bandwagon as you seem to think I may have done. While I may not meet the lofty guidelines you have set for being a “true” fan, I will never waiver in my loyalty to a franchise that has been characterized by many as the worst franchise in pro sports.
by Jay McDonnell on Oct 1, 2009 2:06 PM EDT up reply actions
I think you missed the point of what I was saying.........
Quite frankly……
If you are DIE HARD…..you don’t turn off the tv and walk away. Yeah it’s disgusting to see the losses we’ve endured over the years. So would you have the team turn away and walk off the field because we’re down points? There is something to be said about being a “loyal fan”….
And like I said above, that’s part of what we are missing in Cincinnati. True, Loyal, Die Hard fans…….people who don’t jump off the wagon when things are going bad!
I’ve read your posts and other writers in Cincinnati and read the crappy comments made about our team. It’s one thing to post a story stating the facts of the game won or lost. It’s another when you make reference to turning off the tv and walking away because they are the same old Bengals, etc……..I’ve heard it a thousand times and then some……it gets old.
They’re our team in Cincinnati……they deserve our loyalty…..And basically what I was saying……was that only real fans, fans who stick around through the good and the bad, watch through the good and the bad, and support through the good and the bad times…..could ever truly enjoy the day we win a Superbowl Championship….
I can tell you regardless of what you or anyone else would like to say….I’ve been a die hard fan….been laughed at about being a Bengals fan and still worn my colors proudly…and I know the day we get that Superbowl win…..I’ll be one of the few that can truly enjoy it the way it was meant to be….because I AM a loyal, die hard, Bengals fan! Regardless of the score, or standings.
by Whodey4life88 on Oct 2, 2009 12:28 PM EDT up reply actions
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