Observations from Today's Heartbreak

by DCBengalFan on Dec 11, 2011 6:53 PM EST

Today's loss to the Texans was just heart breaking. The Bengals had a number of chances to ice this game, but could not put this game away. Funny, I had found myself thinking that no matter what this season has been a success. The team now has its’ Quarterback for the foreseeable future, the team has an exciting and dynamic weapon in AJ Greene. Gresham will continue grow into an all-world Tight End, and the defense should continue to improve. Still there were a number of lessons learned in today's loss that the Bengals need to take to heart.

First - The Offensive Line needs to be addressed in the draft next year, and in Free Agency. When Bobbie Williams hobbled off the field so did the Bengals' ground game. It was amazing how much the running game was reliant on William's being on the field. I think the Bengals should look to spend some money on the interior of the line. That right now is the weakest part of our offense.

Second -Gruden is not ready for a Head Coaching gig. He may get an offer this off-season, but if he does, it will be because of his name. I like Gruden and the things he has done with this team, but he has not yet come up with those signature plays that every team needs. That go-to play that a team uses when they need to make a first down. I am trying to figure out how the Bengals don't get the ball to Gresham more, and how come Hawkins does not have his number called more.

Third - A second wide receiver is desperately needed. I know we will be getting Shiply back next season, and I think that he will be a great fit for Dalton catching the quick hits and working the middle of the field, but the Bengals need a second outside receiver who can stretch the field. Simpson and Caldwell are just not the answer. I would not mind one or the other on the team next year, but not both. If I were the Bengals I would actually go after a Meachum out of New Orleans, and then take a mid round player.

Fourth - The Bengals still needs that impact defensive player. Don't get me wrong, I like a lot of the players we have, but this team does not have that player that other teams are worried about. Rey might still develop into that at his Middle Linebacker spot. Dunlap could be that at the Defensive End. However at this time the Bengals are without that player. Personally I would like to see the team draft CB Dre Kirkpatrick out of Alabama with the team's first pick and FS Robert Lester out of Alabama with the second. Our secondary needs an upgrade.

Fifth -Crocker should be let go at the end of the season. Similar to Dhani Jones, I have been a big fan of Crocker's over the years, but when the time comes it's best that the team move on and get an upgrade at the Safety position. To think the Bengals picked him off the street in mid-season a few years ago, he has definitely given the Bengals a great deal. I remember Crocker giving a Steeler a huge pop a few years ago, and I thought that I could see the defense begin to understand what it takes to be a top unit. Now however Crocker just is not good enough to be starting for a top defense, and so like with Dhani this year, the Bengals would do well to go in a new direction this off-season.

Well today's loss was heart breaking, and shows this team still has a lot to learn. I was really hoping the Bengals would shock everybody and go to the Playoffs this year, but as the injuries pile up, this team's play has declined. The Bengals are still a few pieces away from contending for the playoffs and then a Super Bowl.

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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Comments

Well thought out and insightful

This post is refreshing, especially since I’ve been over to Bengals.com looking at the garbage posted over there. I definitely agree with all of your points here.

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by BonnieBengal on Dec 11, 2011 7:15 PM EST reply actions

Too many positions need upgrades

frankly.

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by occams_tiger_teeth on Dec 11, 2011 7:32 PM EST reply actions

Same message since the 90's - not enough investment in the team

= mediocrity, low attendance and apathy. Color me apathetic prior to season, and not surprised at all.

by brisd on Dec 12, 2011 8:07 PM EST up reply actions

I think OG has to be upgraded in FA

We drfted a guy this year and he was not able to step up. Get an vet who knows how to play because our line only needs a little bit of tweeking. The DB is more of a read and react position with zimmer and man coverage, so rookies could jump right in. I wouldn’t mind caldwell back to see if he could make the team. Only say this becasue he can play every position. I prefer simpson, but if we get a #2 somewhere else, then he has no place as a 4 or 5 guy. Great post.

by BigJungle on Dec 11, 2011 8:29 PM EST reply actions

Agreed, our O line isn't in shambles or anything........

we are solid at the bookends and C, we just need two guys to depend on in between. Bolling I think will develop, but let’s not draft and wait anymore….just sign someone who can step right in and play from day one. Then we can move on to more pressing needs (secondary).

by The Van Buren Boys on Dec 12, 2011 10:13 AM EST up reply actions

All good points

This team does need alot of help in areas (OL, WR, DE, LB, S, CB) and are not going to win a superbowl this year, but really want then to finish 10-6, don’t have to make the playoffs but to build this team for the future and make this a successfull season, 10 wins are a must… After the 6-2 start, 8-8 would be a setback…

by tommac65 on Dec 11, 2011 9:44 PM EST reply actions

Tough loss today~

I did not like that PI call against Pacman jones! That was the game

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by nycsteelerfan on Dec 11, 2011 10:14 PM EST reply actions

I agree it was the nail in the Bengals' coffin

but it was an accurate call. Idiot Pacman grabbed the receiver and held onto him. You can’t do that downfield, and he should know better. The only time doing that is a good move is when you’ve already failed and it’s that or give up an easy td.

by indesignkat on Dec 12, 2011 2:40 PM EST up reply actions

I thought ...

the failure to recover the fumble lost the game for them… they would of at least gotten a FG from it, made it a 2 score lead

by tommac65 on Dec 11, 2011 11:43 PM EST reply actions

recovering a fumble there would almost certainly have clinched the game

sadly it wasn’t a fumble. I’m kinda glad in retrospect that they didn’t fall on it because then surely it would have been overturned. I’m still shocked it wasn’t overturned anyway, since it clearly wasn’t a catch.

by indesignkat on Dec 12, 2011 2:41 PM EST up reply actions

throwing a challenge flag

on the spot of Nard Dog’s 3rd and long conversion would have iced the game too. we had 3 timeouts left and marvin sat there w/his thumb up his ass. that is inexcusable IMO…..i have backed marvin a TON over the last year…but he does not get a pass on that, would have cost us nothing and gained us a 1st down to ice the game away….

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by TruWhoDey on Dec 13, 2011 6:31 PM EST up reply actions

i have to disagree

i heard the announcers question the spot and briefly hoped it was challenge-worthy and would be a first down, but on replay he clearly went down with the ball on the 49. The spot was perfect.

by indesignkat on Dec 13, 2011 10:28 PM EST up reply actions

not that the refs were in our favor all day

there were many uncalled holds, an obvious 15 yard facemask that wasn’t called on a different Bernard Scott run, etc etc. The two plays most people are complaining about are the wrong ones, though. Atkins did fumble, though it shouldn’t have mattered because it was an incomplete pass anyway, and if they had ruled it correctly as incomplete that would have been in Houston’s favor because it would have given them 22 yards for the cost of 1 down. 2nd and 10 from their 25 instead of 1st and 10 from their 3. They got hosed on that call, not us. The spot on Scott’s run was perfect. Unfortunately he didn’t get that last yard. Still a hell of a play by him. Pacman did interfere on that call that gave Houston 1st and goal at the end. The officiating didn’t cost us the game. Letting Yates scramble for a first down, committing the PI, those things cost the game.

by indesignkat on Dec 13, 2011 11:02 PM EST up reply actions

Red Zone Woes

Funny how a handful of little errors totally change the complexion of the past few games. One thing that is obvious is our inability to turn redzone position into 6 points. Can anyone recall the last time we threw a fade to AJ inside the redzone? Here’s a guy who can jump into next week and we turn to the same predictable plays week in/out. We are too undisciplined to be ready for the next level. Marvin’s teams have traditionally had this MO. Keep clapping Marvin…that will fix things.

by Lasercat1975 on Dec 12, 2011 12:22 AM EST reply actions

Rich Gannon...

was saying all day if Joseph was practicing his jumping for AJ… I too thought they would at least try one, especially after the Williams false start…

by tommac65 on Dec 12, 2011 1:01 AM EST up reply actions

another

if Benson would have turned in a hair at the end of that 42 yard run.

I don’t understand why they run for the post and leave the ability to be pushed out of bounds. If you stay 5-10 feet inside the line at least you can stagger forward.

... I still say it was a touchdown, got tammit.

by supergrover on Dec 12, 2011 6:53 AM EST up reply actions

red zone

consider all the things that make up the 2011 team:

1) iffy o-line. pass and run blocking.

2) iffy rb.

3) new offensive scheme, 1st year coord.

4) rookie qb.

5) rookie #1 wr.

6) inconsistent #2/3, ships out. its caldwell and simpson.

7) an offensive scheme that under-utilizes gresham and leonard in the red zone.

we’ll better in the red zone come 2012.

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by palewook on Dec 12, 2011 7:21 AM EST up reply actions

Why can't Gresham...

be put in position to make plays like Owens did for the Texans… The first 2 weeks of the season it looked like Gresham was going to be a star, then he has been pretty much average…

by tommac65 on Dec 12, 2011 9:28 AM EST reply actions

I wonder that too

is he not getting the job done or is the scheme just not using him? I don’t understand why there aren’t at least 10 balls each thrown to Green & Gresham every single game, especially since everyone else on the team (with Shipley out) is MUCH weaker at catching the ball in traffic. Simpson has flashes of greatness at that every once in a while, but usually doesn’t even try. Gresh & Green are fantastic at it.

by indesignkat on Dec 12, 2011 2:43 PM EST up reply actions