Applaud the Bengal Players

When I first went down the schedule picking wins and losses, I came out at 7-9. A 10-6 finish, particularly 6-0 against the division, was a surprise, and I agree that the Bengals should be congratulated.

I’m looking forward to a productive offseason and another great season next year.

http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news?slug=ap-bengalsfadeaway&prov=ap&type=lgns
i think that article highlights a major reason we fell flat in the last few weeks. Lets hope injuries stay awy because getting ben utrecht, reggie kelly, antwan odom, re maluaga will make a difference. And consider that yesterday, Jeanty was injured on the first play, meaning the bengals played with a 3rd-string linebacker pretty much most of the game. Im an optimist, but i’m sticking to my prediction that bengals will get to the super bowl soon, if not next year.

The Bengals overcame unimaginable tragedy and a spate of critical injuries to go as far as they could. They were the comeback team of the year. And they were a TEAM.

The loss of Chris Henry took away the element of speed and the ability to stretch the field, making all the other receivers less productive. If you don’t address the need for a speedy deep threat in the offseason, your offense will remain moribund. Ya gotta be able to go long.

Next year will be a challenge for the Bengals, with a tougher schedule and with the Ravens young offensive line maturing.

I was delighted to see how Baltimore manhandled Belicheat’s boys at the line of scrimmage. Sort of like the way the Jets mandhandled the Bengals. When you have the other team at third-and-two, and you know they’re going to run the ball and you still can’t stop them, that’s demoralizing. The Ravens have outstanding running backs, and can win a playoff game even when their QB completes only four dinky passes and has a QB rating of 10! They’re an all-weather team, and their young offense will only get better.

Offseason moves will be more critical to all four teams in the division this year than ever. Cleveland came on strong at the end of the season, and showed a solid running game that led to four straight wins. Cincy swept the division. Baltimore has a terrific young OL and great running backs to complement Ray Lewis and a nasty defense (that lacks depth and can be weak at secondary). And Pittsburgh, which lost five games by a field goal by blowing fourth quarter leads (after losing Polamalu) could have easily have been 12-and-4 had Polamalu not been injured.

There’s much less separating the four teams in the AFC North than we thought there was even at midseason. I can easily see the Bengals, Ravens, or Steelers winning the division next year, and can see any team other than the Ravens finishing last. You never know who’s going to get hurt, or whether the ball will bounce your way.

Anyway, let’s keep an eye on the slim pickings in the free agent market, the critical moves on draft day, and congrats again to the Bengals and their fans for an exciting and well-played season.

…L. Coles, Jeremi Johnson and Shayne Graham, and make sure to do it with a ticker-tape parade. It’s a celebration! They’re gone!

They are a season or two away from being a consistent and elite squad. I think it is premature to be too harsh on anybody really given all of the obstacles this year. I mean imagine what kind of game plan you can call if you have the right elements in place. Injuries and other issues took this team to the limits.

Add no Chris Perry, no TJ to the mix.

It didn’t end how you would have liked, but this season should give you guys some serious hopes for next year and further into the future. Your team played well through adversity and injury and you have to give them respect for that. The young players showed promise and the veterans showed why they’re still around, to say the very least. Best of luck going into next year, the foundation has been layed. Our division will truly be a battle, and it’s a battle I can’t wait to watch. By the way, great write up VMan.