Question Of The Day: Are You Abandoning The Bengals Season Already?
by Josh Kirkendall on Oct 12, 2010 1:06 PM EDT
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Personally, I can't write off the season. I just can't. Not only would I feel like I'm shortchanging you, the reader, it's just not within me to give up on this team. Not now. Not ever. I've spent all of my youth cheering on a team that sported quarterbacks like David Klingler and Akili Smith, with guys like Harold Green being our star player for a time. It would be foolish for me to stick with the team during the Age Of Helplessism only to abandon ship now. No, it's not in my DNA to do it. As much frustration that mounts, I'm totally expecting this team to rebound after a 2-3 start.
I feel like we're seeing glimpses of this team's potential. What we're not seeing is a complete team effort bringing their best game to the table; rather one game we see a decent offensive performance and in another game, we see a good defensive performance. And no, they don't have 11 games to get it right; it has to be now. But jumping off ship because this team is 2-3 with losses to the Browns and Buccaneers? Nah. That's just not who we are.
There's more than enough reasons not to abandon the Bengals right now.
- They are the highest scoring offense in the AFC North.
- Save for the loss to New England, the Bengals recent two losses were lost by a combined six points.
- They've beaten Baltimore already once this year, adding to the theory that they play up to better opponents and play down to worse opponents. Save, of course, for New England.
- Carson Palmer is on pace for 4,118 yards, 13 yards below a career high.
- The Bengals having a winning record all-time in Atlanta and Marvin Lewis is 2-0 against the Miami Dolphins. Both teams are the Bengals' next opponents.
- The Bengals haven't lost to the New Orleans Saints since 1993.
- Jordan Shipley and Jermaine Gresham are really exciting to watch grow.
This is to get all of us back on track. Your job is to add to the list. What are the reasons why you won't abandon the Bengals this year -- save for being a fan, of course.
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Because
I’m not a deuschbag fairweather fan.
Because we wait all year for 18 weeks. Win, Lose, or get blown out, we can’t let go.
Because it would only cement our position as “fluke team/year” to the rest of the AFC North and beyond.
Because our core is very young and very good, and continually devoloping.
Because it’s only week 6 and ANYTHING can happen
I didn't give up on any season from 1989 on
So why start now?
This team has issues and they may be frustrating to watch, but this is our team and im gonna stand by them if they’re 0-16 or 19-0. I’ll defend them to the death and talk about how they are on the verge of turning the corner even if I don’t necessarily believe it.
RIP Slim.
by brandone on Oct 12, 2010 1:20 PM EDT via mobile reply actions 1 recs
I'm not giving up on the team
However, I don’t think we’ll make the playoffs this year. We have too many issues that can’t be resolved without a coaching change and that won’t happen. So while I expect us to win some games people don’t expect us to win, I don’t think we’ll do nearly enough to get into the playoffs as that basically means we have to go 8-3 the rest of the way and our schedule is far too tough for that.
Coaching change
Marvin could walk at the end of this year. There’s a reason (or multiple reasons) he hasn’t signed his contract yet, and if the Bengals don’t make the playoffs this year, he’s not going to have much leverage to demand things like a new practice facility.
This is our year!
I wonder who we'll bring in though.
I’d love Zimmer as a head coach, he deserves it. Getting the most out of his players and how often do you see our defensive guys getting called for presnap penalties?
Problem is, I don’t see Bratkowski going if that does happen…
The Bengals still have their destiny in their hands......BUT THE OFFENSIVE LINE NEEDS TO GET THEIR HEADS OUT OF THEIR ***
Palmer is making some stupid mistakes and I still can’t figure why he threw that pick 6 when the DB was right there. This team was suppose to be a run first offense with Ced Benson and company. I love the fact that we have T.O. and Gresham but this team needs to get back to how they swept the division last year. The Bengals losing to the Browns makes me want to vomit.
It’s time for this team to man up and stop talking about how good they “should” be and go out there and hit teams in the mouth and get off the field on 3rd down.
Kenneth Lewis Moore
i cant give up. its not even a choice
The Bengals are like a screwed up brother that can’t get right. Even on their worst days, i love them no matter what. And you wait and hope they get it together before its too late
www.fantasydaddy.com
+1
You know they could get it together if only the could get rid of that one friend who’s such a bad influence……mike brown. The only reason I mention his name alone is because without his influence, bob brat is gone too. Here’s to hoping that Marvin gets his wish for more control in a new contract. As much as I love Zimmer, if we let Marvin go and move Zimm to HC, the statement that’s being made is that mikey boy will not relinquish his stranglehold, and thus Zimm is gonna be handcuffed into mediocrity as well.
by Phil Francis on Oct 12, 2010 2:40 PM EDT up reply actions
For all the Marvin haters out there
if we let Marvin go and move Zimm to HC, the statement that’s being made is that mikey boy will not relinquish his stranglehold, and thus Zimm is gonna be handcuffed into mediocrity as well.
I couldn’t agree more.
This is our year!
Being a true fan means...
that even if you hate your team because they suck, you can’t change teams or stop cheering for them in any way, shape, or form. Being a true fan is like having a child: you might be pissed off at them but you’ll never stop loving them.
I’ll be honest, this is the 1st year in my life that I’ve actually wished I was a fan of some other franchise (Patriots for example). It’s suicidal to be a fan of a franchise with an owner like this one. But then again, a true fan stays true to his team till death. Once a Bengals fan, always a Bengals fan. I’ll be cheering for wins, but if wins don’t come, then I’ll be demanding like a rabid dog for a change in regime (coaches, qb, etc.)
Well, glad to know you're in it for the long run...
I guess….
But seriously, glad you stick with this team, bitching and moaning the entire way, but still faithful nonetheless.
Its not that I'm giving up because technically anything could happen, but
after the debacle on sunday its hard to believe they are going to do anything the rest of the way. They continue to just shoot themselves in the foot. The offensive play calling is getting so bad its hard to watch. Carson is not playing well at all and they get absolutely zero pressure on the QB. Its going to be a long and painful season and I will not be purchasing any more tickets. Its hard to justify spending another $100 dollars on crap like I did Sunday. The freaking beers are $7.25. This reason alone is why they don’t sell out. $7.25 for a beer is f-ing insane. thats like a 700% profit for them.
Amen on not attending the stadium anymore
I wish nobody went to the stadium so Brown starts to lose money. That’s the only way he’ll realize there’s change needed: like hiring more scouts and a general manager for starters. The man needs to start losing money!
I could
but that’s ‘cuz I’m living in NW Indiana :)
by Rocket_Man_G on Oct 13, 2010 10:07 PM EDT up reply actions
No true fan should give up on their team
Should Saints fans abandon them already? How about San Diego, Indy, Green Bay. It not like we are the only team struggling right now.
Those teams have been successful for quite some time. There’s a legit reason to think they’ll turn it around. We’ve been to the playoffs twice since 1991. We’ve assembled a roster of miscreants and play some of the most unprofessional, undisciplined football your going to see this side of Pop Warner. Maybe if someone lost their job or someone was held accountable for this circus, but the Bengals are famous for plodding along, going about business the exact same way and expecting different results. In other words, everyone from the top down is batshit insane, and if you have any hope left for the year you might be batshit insane as well.
batshit insane......
for thinking 2-3 is not over? You might have that backwards. It’s not probable that they make a run, but at 2-3 to state w/ 100% certainty they are dead is kind of dumb.
How will Chris Carpenter explain this to his children?
cough, cough. Baltimore is 4-1 and Pittsburgh is 3-1 with Ben coming back
I’ve seen this story way too many times….
But I’ll continue to watch just to see what happens.
Moisture is the essense of wetness, and wetness is the essense of beauty.
And the broncos went 6-0 last year
And missed the playoffs. Tennessee went from 0-6 to 8-6. What if polamalu gets hurt or Timmons or Harrison? Flacco? Boldin? Ngata? Lewis?
Anything can happen.
RIP Slim.
by brandone on Oct 13, 2010 1:31 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Positives?
Like you said, Shipley and Gresham for sure. Atkins is looking like a steal. I still want to see how the MJ experiment comes through.
Palmer and TO/OC have been hit-and-miss. I still think that this team can put it all together and beat any given team on any given day. The most glaring weak spot is a biggie, though… the O-line.
A. Jones hasn’t brought one to the house yet, and I think that’s coming up soon.
Overall, a 3-2 start is not something that cannot be overcome. I’d like to see them fire Brat and get a new OC in here stat. That one move could be a wake-up call to the whole team.
Have to support the team...
…but supporting Mike Brown financially does not feel like a legitimate option either.
I cant give up but...
My expectations are very diminished. At the beginning of the season I truly believed this team had the talent, chemistry, and attitude to contend for a Super Bowl. Now I think this team might have trouble reaching a .500 record.
There are glimmers of hope. Benson ran with power and speed. TO has shown the ability to have a dominant game. Shipley has been a steal and Gresham looks like the Bengals finally have a play maker in the tight-end spot.
However the defense has not looked like a top 5 unit. The offensive line has not improved. Palmer makes too many mistakes, at the coaching staff has been a joke this season.
I will keep cheering and will be going to a game, but this year looks to be a disappointment considering where I thought the team would be.
couldn't agree more
good lines will mask a lot of bad coaching.
"They looked far more like they....were trying to screw the football than move it downfield" JungleJohn
Never say die...
The Bengals have been bad most of my 31 years on earth….I love my Bengals and will never stop unless Mike Brown makes a midnight move to L.A. or something..
Who Dey for life through good and bad times….
Not giving up
,,,but we have dug ourselves a hole in our division. If you look at the AFC, there are lot of “good” teams that are struggling just as there surprises. The Bengals still have a chance to sneak in as a wild card. We just can’t afford any more games like the past two weeks and we need to sweep the Ravens and Steelers. It’s possible, right?
Yes...improbable but very possible...
by stripes earner on Oct 12, 2010 2:08 PM EDT up reply actions
The way i see it
We stop looking for candies up our asses and play some good football and win the north again or we sneak in at 9-7 for the wild card with the way the rest of the AFC looks right now.
by darth zalmer on Oct 13, 2010 11:15 AM EDT up reply actions
I'll continue to watch to see the progression of the young players
but, I am not getting myself excited anymore this season just to be let down. And I will probably still wear my Bengals Jersey when I watch games in the bar just to say F*** you to all the Browns, Steelers, and fair-weather Bengal fans.
Moisture is the essense of wetness, and wetness is the essense of beauty.
Not Giving Up
I’ll admit I’m an optimist and a Carson Palmer fan. I’ve been a fan of the bengals since 2001 and you have to admit Palmer in some ways ressurected the team. 2005, we had a huge chance at the superbowl if it wasnt for his injury. People are talking about his elbow and everything, but did everyone forget the first 5-6 games of last year? This team was clutch and came out winning through last minute drives. These last two losses were due to lame mistakes. Mistakes that are easily fixed. I’m sure they’ll look over everything and fix everything in two weeks. They’ll be the team we want them to be.
And I don’t agree with people who say that Benson should get more carries. He did a great job on Sunday but there were some instances where his no gain carries hamstrung the team on some drives. Also, we can’t go back to being the team we were last year, because doesn’t Benson’s contract end soon? What are the chances that mike brown will give big bucks to Leon hall, benson and joseph all together. At the end of the day, I would rather keep 2 great corners than a running back when u have the receivers like ochocinco, shipley and gersham.
Heres to our team making a comeback
How can I call myself a fan and give up hope?
How can I call myself a fan and believe this team is only capable of failure?
How can I call myself a fan if I believe this season is over only five weeks in and one game under .500?
How can I call myself a fan if I believe that we cannot win at all whatsoever?
How can I call myself a fan if I believe my team is set to disappoint, not to marvel and astound?
I thought we had a shot at the division title and maybe we don’t anymore. We can never tell. But here’s one thing that never seems to go away: Make it to the playoffs. You don’t have to worry about winning the division, just get a good enough record to get there. The whole song-and-dance isn’t done in five weeks. I mean, let’s look at it this way. By week six of last year, the Chargers were 3-3 and the Broncos were 6-0. The Chargers went on to win 10 more games and finish the season in a what, 11-game streak? 12-game? I don’t remember. The Broncos sputtered out a 2-8 record the rest of the way, hanging in close games but never finishing out. The Chargers won the division while the Broncos held on for second place.
The season is not over. Are we going to be like the 2009 Chargers? No, probably not, I don’t see us going on a winning streak. If we did, that’d be amazing, and with our defensive talent and our talent on offense, we have a damn good shot at it too, but everything has to come together and at this point, I question whether that’s possible.
But y’know, the Steelers were 6-2 before they faced us. They then dropped their next five games including losses to the Raiders and Chiefs. What’s to say that can’t happen again? What’s to say the Ravens continue? Who honestly can tell?
It’s our bye-week. Let’s hope this time is well-spent coming together, because we’re going to damn well need it.
Talent, talent everywhere
Somehow, somewhere, sometime soon someone will turn the lights on for a huge bust out. Maybe this is our 2009 season in reverse. Lets hope so.
tennessee went 0-6, then 8-0 last year
and i know CJ is a beast, but our team overall is better than that. so anything is possible. not to mention let’s look at our schedule.
Atlanta, miami, pitt, indy, buffalo, NYJ, saints, pitt, clev, SD, bal.
we have to go 7-4 or 8-3 to make the playoffs.
atlanta is inconsistent, as is miami. pitt i think we split games just because we know how to play them. indy and the saints aren’t looking much better than us this year. buffalo looks like the worst team i’ve ever seen, i doubt we lose to CLE again. the jets we can take, but will we? then that leaves SD, who if we can get our special teams together we can beat and then baltimore. we know how to beat them. so let’s say we lose to pitt, the jets, and 2 of indy/saints/chargers/falcons. that would put us at 9-6. we could be on the outside looking in or just squeak in depending on our tiebreakers.
now granted, all of this hinges on them getting things under control during the bye week, but it’s not our of the question.
RIP Slim.
Getting to the playoffs on a 9-7 record is going to be a bit tough.
I mean, it’s not impossible, but given our division, we have to expect either Baltimore or Pittsburgh to break down. It’s possible, both their defenses are incredibly old and Pittsburgh especially is prone to injury, but we’re going to have to supplant one of them. Or both.
9-7 was good enough for the Ravens/Jets last season
But this season, it probably won’t be enough. Best bet for the playoffs is to overtake Pitt or Bal.
As it stands now, looks like the second place teams in the AFC North and East will get the wildcards.
Which is exactly what I said.
Except the second-place team also has to compete with the second place team in the AFC South.
i'm not saying it's going to be easy, and will take some luck, but...
i believe one 9-7 team from the AFC will make the playoffs
RIP Slim.
there's something within me that's incapable of hating this team.
i met a guy the other day who abandoned the bengals in 2003 and is now a die-hard falcons fan. the only way i could do that is by faking it and that requires way too much effort. my bengals fan-hood is inborn. i will watch week-in and week-out until there is no more bengals football to watch. that’s just the way it is for us true fans.
"Now onto more important things: Punching Errorlando Cabrerror in the fucking tits." -Geki
Long term Love/Hate relationship
here to stay unless they move.
"They looked far more like they....were trying to screw the football than move it downfield" JungleJohn
I'm done for this season, I think
Between the Bengals and the University of Kentucky football team, there’s only so much abjectly pathetic football one person can stand. That being said, I’m not turning in my Bengals fan keys, I’m just putting them back on the mantle for the time being.
Besides, college basketball practice starts on Friday.
It's painful
I’m from Michigan and, as a result, I also root for the Lions pretty hardily (you could call them a “second team” if you believe in that). The Lions are looking great and giving me tons of hope for that franchise after years of misery, just like the Bengals.
But I wear this Bengal B, the black stripes. I watch the Bengals first, I watch my boys from Cincinnati take the field before I ever shift my eyes to the Motown Boys. I love the Lions, but they’re not the Bengals. They’re not this team, and I will forever root for this team first and foremost to win its first Superbowl before the Lions ever get one.
Mike Brown
The question should be has mike brown abandoned the fans of cincy. I have lived in florida sinse aug. 1991, yet i am still a bengals fan and always will be.
by bengalinflorida on Oct 12, 2010 6:07 PM EDT reply actions
All In!
Just don’t know any better! Don’t confuse all out frustration for not wanting the best for our team & City. We the fans deserve more than what this franchise is offering. I feel like Bigfoot in one of those chessie commercials.
by Vman in Germany on Oct 12, 2010 9:22 PM EDT reply actions
I have lost my expectation to compete for the play-offs
And my expectation to compete for a bye, but I still have hope for the play-offs. I am very frustrated, but I also believe the Bengals should be better than they are and can compete with any team left on the schedule.
It must be inordinately taxing to be such a boob. ~ The Brain
CHANGE
Yes, I am writing this season off if Bratkowski is still leading the Offense…
FIRE BRATKOWSKI FIRE BRATKOWSKI
For better or worse I am bengals fan and will continue to be one. Why?
I don’t really have a good answer to that question. I do know that a drink of water tastes much better when you are really thirsty and this team doesn’t give me much to drink. There have been many times when my fandom has worn thin. There are times I jsut hate them. But you must remember that the opposite of love is not hate – it is indifference. I am definately not indifferent. You must also remember that you cannot rationally decide how you feel about something. The way you feel is the way you feel. If I knew why I would be a rich man counceling the recently divorced.
I can only speak for myself but IMO if a man ain’t loyal he ain’t shit. I value loyalty as one of the top 3 things I look for in a person’s charactor. You cannot demand the best from someone if you fall short yourself.
"If we always agree, one of us is not necessary"
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