Cincy Jungle: FanPosts

Week 9 Preview: Too Many Aces

2009-11-06T22:32:04Z

In the backroom of a shady saloon just on the edge of town, the Ravens await. They sit there hunkered over a card-table with a half-bottle of cheap rum and an old, shaggy dog named Cleveland, curled up and sleeping at their feet. They've been there since daybreak and they say they ain't leavin' til the Bengals give 'em another chance. On Sunday they'll get their wish, but once again, might live to regret it.

Baltimore is still bitter about what happened last time. Cincinnati caught them by surprise and it took a month for the Ravens to recover. They rediscovered their hot hand last week on the way to pounding Denver 30-9, and now they're ready for revenge.

Cincinnati is ready too. After completing their best win in years, the Bengals enjoyed a relaxing few days away from football and recuperated their damaged bodies. Now they ride back into town, healthier and more prepared than they've been all season, eager to keep the Ravens in their place: behind them in the standings.

The game plan is becoming redundant against these kinds of teams; spread out the wide-receivers, exploit the middle of the field against zone coverages, run hand-offs outside of the tackles to Cedric Benson, throw early to set up the run late. All of these efforts are designed to soften the hard edges of the Ravens defensive front seven. They're still a tough team to run on (fourth in the league), but the Bengals smashed them to bits with the run in their first meeting. If Cincinnati can protect Carson Palmer and the passing-game gets moving early on, Benson and the offensive line will find life easier in the second half and wind down the clock while sustaining long drives.

Let's face it; after last week, the Bengals offense appears that it cannot be defended in any one particular way. Palmer is back to playing at an elite level, Benson has demonstrated a blend of speed and power that now has him ranked among the league's best runners, and the team is suddenly faced with a glut of quality offensive linemen; opponents can't repel firepower of that magnitude!

The Ravens freaked out Bronco quarterback, Kyle Orton, early in the game last week by sending heavy pressure on blitzes which caused the scruffy signal-caller to scramble around and lose his composure. Still fueled by their hostility toward Palmer and the Bengals, I would expect Baltimore to cut loose and come after our golden boy with hatchets and spears all day on blitz-packages.

The theory makes sense; Palmer will eat any defense alive if he's allowed time in the pocket to hang back and find open guys, and after their recent success with the blitz, there's no reason to think Ray Lewis and his band of lunatics won't go nuts at the mere sight of No. 9. He's a marked man pursued by nasty renegades, bent on finishing the job and escaping with a win.

Therefore, something as basic as the screen-pass could lead the Ravens right into Cincinnati's trap. Like an experienced matador, Palmer could invite the all-out blitz, wait for its raging eyes to come into sight, and at the last second side-step the violent encounter and dump off the screen to Benson with both an open field and a wall of blockers to work with. Voila!

If the Ravens pick up on the screen, yet continue to send additional blitzers, quick-outs to the Bengal receivers would force Baltimore's corners to make open-field tackles---something they've struggled doing throughout the season. Once Palmer and the Bengals find success in the short-passing game in the face of the blitz, the Ravens will be forced to back off from sending all that pressure, and Cedric Benson will have room to operate on the ground.

At this point in time, it's up to the Bengals to stop themselves on offense because opposing defenses aren't rising to the challenge. If they can come close to matching the success they had against the Bears, the Ravens will have little chance of slowing Cincinnati down and winning the game.

On defense, nothing has changed since the last meeting between these two; stop Ray Rice first and Todd Heap second. Leave their receivers alone in one-on-one coverage, our corners can handle it. Keep the defensive line stretched out and contain Rice between the hash-marks. Play a shallow zone to keep Heap from finding space alone in the flats, and when the Bengals do blitz, send linebackers and safeties up the middle to flush Joe Flacco out of the pocket and make plays with his legs.

Cincinnati did a decent job containing Rice on the ground in Week 5, but missed a tackle to allow the big play on a screen pass; that can't happen again this week. The newest version of the NFL running back---squat and meaty, compact and hard to tackle---has plagued the Bengals defense more than the league's traditional backs. Two smallish, quicker runners, Rice and Houston's Steve Slaton, have had the biggest impact in games against Cincinnati so far. That's why stopping Rice, and not worrying about Willis McGahee or the trio of mediocre receivers, remains the defense's top priority.

There is little reason to worry about the Bengals this week. Sure the Ravens are always a formidable group of roughnecks that seem consistently hellbent on pulverizing anything in sight. Sure they take pleasure in making Sundays a brutal affair where only the gruffest survive and often times bully their way into wins and playoffs. Sure they're dressed like a bruise, but the team they so eagerly await at that rickety card table in the dingy hole-in-the-wall on the outskirts of town will not be out-muscled. They won't be intimidated or shaken from their game-plan. They will take their seat opposite from these goons, stare them in the eye, and beat them for their pile once again.

Bengals 17, Ravens 0

Mojokong---I'm your huckleberry.

Joey "Pink Taco" Flacco chased by Bengals

2009-11-05T22:00:24Z

Expect to see the pink taco running in terror on Sunday, as various Bengals attempt to drink the blood of the latest non-believers. Joey appears to be flapping his wings in sheer terror as at least seven Bengals swoop in for the kill. I think I see "Who Dey Rey" near the back, elbowing Dhani Jones out of the way for access to the latest kill.

P.S. God bless No. 9

P.P.S. I realize I'm a nerd, and simply can't help myself

Fan bar thread

2009-11-05T13:50:50Z

Hey Guys and Gals,

For all of you out-of-state fans, watching the Bengals isn't easy. We need to band together and create a list of all the bars around the nation that play Bengals games -- not just on DirecTV, but those that actually have a WHO DEY following. I'll start off with my neck of the woods.

1. Baltimore - Shucker's (Thames St. in Fell's Point) - Bengals United of Baltimore meets here every week for the game. About 10-15 fans show every week.

2. Washington, DC - The Bottom Line (1716 I St NW) - About 200 Bengals fans showed up for Week 1 this year. Waitresses wear Bengals jerseys and the bar gives specials to Bengals fans. Skyline is served!

Player Pick 'Em (vs Ravens) reminder

2009-11-05T06:05:32Z

Basically the same story again for those of you who haven't picked yet, but wanted to participate. Doing this one a bit earlier this time because I posted this week's thread during the BYE week and it's already fallen off with all the other things we have to discuss.

As always, I can't move your comments to the main thread, so please go here to post your picks rather than in this thread. And again I will delete this thread shortly after the game.

Ask Baltimore Beatdown: Here We Go Again

2009-11-04T21:08:28Z

I was wondering if this was a good idea, based on the rough relationship we seem to have as passionate AFC North division rivals. However, I am relatively stubborn and like discussing the upcoming games, so here we are for the Ravens/Bengals-Part 2.

You embarrassed us in our own crib last month and we'd love nothing better than trying to prove the fluke of it by returning the favor. While you are coming off your Bye, both teams had their most dominating performances in their last games, you vs. Chicago and us against the Broncos.

Which Ravens team will Cincinnati be facing this Sunday, the one that laid an egg losing to you in the game's final moments or the one that totally dominated the Broncos this past Sunday in all aspects of the game? I guess we can debate that the rest of the week, but we will see for sure on Sunday. I see this more of a must-win game for the Ravens than the Bengals, as a Baltimore loss drops us to .500 and you sweep the season series while going to 6-2. A loss to us and you're still 5-3 and 3-1 in the AFC North. Does the desperation of the game make any difference in this rivalry? Probably not to the players but definitely to us fans.

Let's try to get along as well as JungleJohn and I always seem to do out of respect for the great job he does here on Cincy Jungle and our connection to SB Nation. Hopefully the rest of my guys and yours can do the same, limiting our thoughts and comments to the game. So see you throughout the rest of the week to answer your questions and come on over to Baltimore Beatdown to do the same. With crossed fingers, see you around the Jungle!

The Fall Of Rome

2009-11-04T20:21:57Z

It appears the NFL has finally out-priced itself.

The first-place Bengals, fresh off of a near-perfect game against the Bears, are still 4,500 tickets away from selling out this Sunday against the Ravens. The logically impulsive thing to do is stand up, point at Mike Brown and call him a vicious opportunist who preys on the American addiction of entertainment and distraction. At these words, Brown would likely lean back in his chair, wipe his mouth with a white linen napkin, and agree that he is indeed one hell of a capitalist, but as tempting as it is to carry on detailing the swinish attributes of our favorite team's owner, it is actually another greedy hog---a Texan-sized boar rolling around in his mud-puddles of cash and wealth---who is more to blame for our potential blackout this Sunday than Big Daddy Brown.

Sure the recession has a lot to do with it, but it is Jerry Jones, and his Dallas palace of decadence and excess, that has raised the average cost of attending a football game like no other money-wallowing slug before him. It's caused most of the other owners to jack up their own rates trying to keep pace of the league's average ticket price that swelled from last year thanks to the new exorbitant cost of a Cowboys game.

While scores of Americans stoop and settle for new lows in order to find work, Jones moved ahead with a new venue for entertainment that smacks of the Roman Coliseum, not in style or architecture, but in affect and general silliness. Perhaps Jones is the modern Caligula, leading a blind charge into a millennium of scarce natural resource and less common sense.

I agree it's a brazen move. Unveiling a structure the size of the Death Star during the worst economic climate in the last 80 years takes balls. Jerry Jones will probably tell you that he can spend $1.2 billion on his football team because he always makes the most of what he has to work with, and I suppose that's true; no one can blame him for living out the dream that I and many others fantasized about in the backseat on the way to school. The frosted-side in me thinks having your own football stadium would be so awesome!!!, but the shredded-wheat side thinks $40 parking is morally unconscionable.

Jones is simply a triumph of this American market-driven society because he, and the other Stone Cutters like him, continues to push ahead and exceed the limits of what can be done with more money. It's estimated that a family of four spends over $750 on a game there, yet the season is sold out. He's providing exactly the kind of entertainment that we as a country are so desperately addicted to, yet we may be reaching a tipping point back to sanity.

This weekend marks the third time in five chances this year where it will take some outside financial boosting from a player or local corporation to sell enough Bengal tickets in order to see the damn thing on television. After beating the Steelers in Week 3, many figured that would open up the bandwagon again, fans would gobble up tickets to the remaining games, and all would be well in the universe. Not so. I thought that after last week's drubbing of Chicago, fans would want to see that kind of football poetry unfold before them in person, but that's still not the case.

Compared to the league average, the cost of a game in Cincinnati is very reasonable and is actually less expensive than last year. Is the recession the reason the games aren't selling out this season? Based on other cities of comparable market size like Green Bay and Indianapolis both selling out their games so far, I think it runs deeper than that.

Maybe 2008 taught Cincinnati a lesson; Autumn Sundays exist even without football---or at least watchable football. Once the losses piled up and the putrid stench of the corpse that was last season became too much to endure, many people turned away from the television and found something else to do. As a result, the city, as a whole, no longer seems to jones for the sport anymore. The $70 price-tag for an average ticket has become too steep to shell out for these people, and why not?; football can't matter that much, can it?

Any economic turbulence the NFL may feel is somewhat self-imposed by the demand for pricey stadiums and the endless player payrolls, but we as fans allowed this rampant gouging to reach these ridiculous proportions as well. Society shoveled gobs of money into the mouth of the sports entertainment monster for the past 20 or so years, never blinking as we handed over more and more spending cash to friendly people behind glass ticket-windows. The League enjoyed a golden era of team parity that super-charged the sport's popularity and league-wide sellouts became a weekly certainty; the nation was hooked and thought of ignoring your team became simply implausible.

Then the stock market wavered and for one beat of a hummingbird's wing, our way of life was jeopardized. Being the reactionary society we are, Americans reevaluated the costs of entertainment, and some of the more luxurious elements of our life were cut. Electronic appliance stores, investment firms, professional sporting leagues, and other meaningless nonsense all felt the wave of the national skimping. The NFL scurried to push ahead, attempting the razor fine balancing act of fan enthusiasm on one side and contractual commitment to owners and television companies on the other. Then Jerry Jones goes and builds the NFL's own mini Las Vegas equipped with cage-dancers and penthouse suites, and jacks up the market making it more difficult for everyone else involved.

As much as I enjoy watching my beloved Bengals on television every Sunday, it's probably a good thing that people refuse to go broke by keeping a pricey league of entertainment afloat. Team owners and player-agents would likely say that the market drives the costs of the league and it's the people's demand that dictates the market, but it appears that the people in Cincinnati have said to hell with the NFL and it's market by staying home and engage in other activities. Perhaps priorities are beginning to shift around here; whether this takes hold or is just a passing trend that simply reflects a recession awaits to be seen.

Mojokong---if they aren't televised, we should all go play football instead.

What WOULD it take, really?

2009-11-04T19:37:12Z

We've thought about it and what-if-ed it into the dust, but I'm just sitting here thinking, "What WOULD it take for Mike Brown to step down as Bengals President, GM and Grand Pooh-Bah?"

We all know by now (even though the Bengals have never actually gone 0-16) that there is no depth to which this team could sink (the last Bengals owner to preside over a playoff victory has been DEAD for 18 years...I call that pretty low!) that would convince him that a GM might know more about football operations and building a consistent winner on the field. But I got to thinking after reading Kirk's "Trust Manifesto," ...what about going in the opposite direction? How much SUCCESS would it take for Mike Brown to decide, "My work here is done?"

Or, if not success, what kind of cataclysmic event would it take? What kind of edict from The Chancellor, perhaps? I don't know...whaddy'all think?

One-line answers. Pretend you're tweeting or something, I dunno....What would it take for Mike Brown to step down?

written on nbc sports-report card time

2009-11-04T00:59:39Z

Cincinnati Bengals (5-2)
Grade: A-minus

What they’ve done well: Carson Palmer has started to look like the Carson Palmer of old. He's led the Bengals to three come-from-behind wins, and four drives in the last two minutes have either tied the game or given the Bengals the lead. Cincinnati's getting consistent production from former running back washout Cedric Benson and Chad Ochocinco is back to form. The Bengals are rolling to 20.1 first downs per game, good for 9th in the league. That may be due to a powerful and aggressive offensive line that has given up only 11 sacks through seven games. By this time last year the Bengals had given up 27.

Needs improvement: The Bengals' defense needs work, particularly against the pass. They're 31st in the league with 253.3 passing yards allowed per game, ahead of only Tennessee. The Bengals are aggressive in going after the ball having been credited with 38 passes defensed (tied for 7th) but they have to do a better job of holding their opponents’ passing game in check.

T.J. Who? Sleeping in Seattle

2009-11-03T21:20:47Z

I know there are some of you that still love T.J. but I think he was one of the bigger babies in the locker room. Personally im glad this cancer is gone, the team seems more like a "team" without him. If anybody watched the Dallas Seattle game you saw T.J. drop a wide open TD pass and complain he was held, and you saw him argue with Hasslebeck, and miss several blocks because he didnt even try. You wanted to keep this loser? He was a product of our system. Now he knows why nobody asks for his autograph, your the next Deion Branch, and the "rich" people saw it coming. Besides , we have Caldwell and Coles who give 100% every play, run or pass, and you dont hear about them complaining about not getting enough passes their way. Maybe T.J. was Ocho's problem, T.J. leaves and Ocho is more of a team player, just a thought.

Nick brunker points out...

Houshmandzadeh, who signed a $40 million, five-year contract in the spring, has repeatedly proclaimed he wants the ball more in his first season with Seattle. Then Sunday the NFL's leading receiver over the last three seasons entering 2009 angrily gestured toward Hasselbeck to throw the ball with more loft immediately after he tried to zing a hard pass to the tightly guarded receiver while he was one-on-one with a defender near the goal line in the first quarter.

TJ said, "I was talking to nobody," Houshmandzadeh said, per the Tacoma News Tribune. "I was just talking out loud to anybody who wanted to listen...nobody in particular." Remember before the season, he guaranteed a top-five receiving season, a playoff berth, and a Pro Bowl. Hmmm.

Poll

Do you miss T.J.?

Broncos fans kicked out of Ravens stadium for standing

2009-11-03T20:04:50Z

Ok. So I was browsing Baltimore Beatdown and came across a fan post about some Denver fans being kicked out of the Ravens game for standing. Yes, you read right. For standing. The comments section has now been closed because apparently Ravens fans don't like criticism of their security dept. I commented saying something in regards to this incident being a disgrace and I would be ashamed if my team kicked somebody out for something so petty... I mean, standing at a football game. God, that's such a terrible thing to do! I did say that it was unfortunate that this had to happen because it casts a bad light on Ravens fans, who are generally classy fans(or so I thought.) So there I was giving them props. Bad mistake.

I'm originally from the Columbus area but have recently lived in Kentucky and Michigan so I don't run into Ravens fans very often. I'm usually in contact with bandwagon Steelers fans or loyal (very loyal) Browns fans. So I guess I really didn't know what I was talking about when I said Ravens fans were classy. I mean, I don't know any personally.

So there I was giving them props for being classy fans. I got replies like "Yeah, the only people that get kicked out of PBS are the Bungles" or "Nobody cares if you're standing at your stadium because the seats behind you are empty" or "Your team has been terrible for 15 years. You should be ashamed!" Blah blah blah. All of this in response to my comment about how classy Ravens fans are. I guess they're so desperate to prove a Bengals fan wrong about anything, even if that happens to be a compliment to their fanbase.

So I stand corrected. Very few of these Ravens fans seemed to be concerned about fans getting kicked out of their stadium for no reason. They actually seemed pretty happy about it. Now while I don't like other fans in our stadium, I've gotten used to it being a fan of a underachieving team for quite some time. But would I wish or condone any person getting kicked out for standing? No! That's just wrong. A fan paid for a ticket and should be entitled to enjoy their experience unless they are drunk and causing problems. But standing?! I hope the fans who were kicked out back up their words and sue the Ravens. They at least deserve to be reimbursed for their tickets and travel expenses (they supposedly traveled 1300 miles to watch the Broncos/Ravens game)

What do you guys think? And remember, let's keep it classy. After all, we are the class of the AFC North.

Top 10 Facts About Chad That He’s Saving For The Sequel.

2009-11-02T16:36:36Z

We recently saw the Top 10 Things Chad divulges in his stupid, new book. Well, here are the Top 10 Facts About Chad That He’s Saving For The Sequel.

10. He only dates women named Meme. Or Chad.

9. He once went on a date with himself ... and had a really, really good time. I mean like, it was so cool ... he told himself all about himself, and he really, really listened.

8. He enjoyed telling TJ’s ponytail to respect his “athor-a-tah”.

7. He spent all the money he stole from the team in 2008 for the courage to finally go over the middle.

6. Before love making, he routinely peeks down his pants for a quick plea of, “Child, please?”

5. He knows there’s probably some dumb law against it, but he still plans to pursue himself in marriage, legally.

4. Hard Knocks viewers know he’s clueless about banks; but they don’t know he’s also confused by clothes hangers, holes in donuts, shoestrings, the number “7” ... and why babies are so damned freakishly small.

3. In the hot tub, he and Hushmanzatah would constantly argue over who had the best hands (hmmmm, why do you think TJ left town so fast?)

2. Before death, he intends to implant his own memories into a clone of himself, just to keep alive all those super cool thoughts about him, Chad.

1. He swears “Osi Umenyiora” is French for 85.

How much Andre Smith do we see Sunday?

2009-11-02T06:36:35Z

Yep Ladies and Gentlemen, its finally that time when we see that BIG number 71 jersey trot on the field and get his first NFL action. Our offensive line has been playing so well that I just hope that this addition will only make things better,not worse. One of two things will happen, 1, Andre Smith will dominate the right side and will open huge holes for Benson, keep palmer safe,and be more than worthy of the 6th overall pick, 2, Andre Smith gets blown up and this pick will add to the list of terrible choices by the Bengals in the past two decades (Akili, Irons, Levi, Klingler etc....). I'm just wondering how much of the big man we actually see Sunday, If i had to guess it wouldn't be all that much. One thing is for sure, I really hope this goes down as one of the best choices the Bengals ever made and he is just another building block to this already young team. I'll be rooting for big number 71 and I wish him well, just remember, last year at this time he was considered the best college football player and worthy of the Number 1 overall pick. Could he be the next Munoz/Anderson? Only time will tell and I speak for all of you when I say GOD I HOPE SO!!!

Do we get this?

or this?

or this lol

Poll

How much do you think Andre should play?

Bye Week Boredom

2009-11-02T06:08:06Z

Since its the Bye week and not much going on with the Bengals, I figured I could find some things that could pass the time before we get ready for the Baltimore Ravens.

If you havent seen this, it is funny, Manu Ginobli is my new favorite "Bat Killer"

Welcome to the NFL rookie (remember this?)

I loved these Pink outfits yummmmmmmy!!!!

^She is my favorite^

I know it aint steeler week but its always funny

Matchups to Watch This Week

2009-10-30T20:49:27Z

The great thing about the bye week is that it gives us bloggers seemingly unlimited time to speculate about the future prospects of our club. I've heard the world "Super-Bowl" thrown around a few times, and though the mere sound of it is more seductive than the Ben-Gals 2009 calendar, I feel a strong pull to come back down to earth and join the rest of the world. So, after doing some fact checking and cross referencing my sources, not to mention a little bit of computer hacking and light treason, I was able to discover that there is football going on this week, without the Bengals! So keeping this in mind I turned my attention the rest of the NFL.

I've heard some bloggers mentioning that they might elect to go into a vegetable state of hibernation this upcoming bye week, but my contention is that the bye-week will have as much implications for the Bengals as a game-week would. With that in mind, I turn our attention to the matchups that might be of consequence to the Bengals sometime down the road. If you have any colors that vaguely represent the Raiders, the Dolphins, the Bills or the Broncos in your closet then you might want to wear them, or if you have some friends who inexplicably are fans of those teams, then you might want to go support them. Let me explain why.

Houston Texans at Buffalo Bills - If you've been listening to the Bengals buzz around the blogosphere, you've probably heard that the Texans are among the teams that could compete for a Wild Card ticket into the playoffs. Judging by the state of the Bills, I'm thinking that the odds of a wild card spot should increase after this week for the Texans. It looks like our very own Ryan Fitz-"5 yard passes scare me" Patrick is going to start at QB for the Bills, so I wouldn't hold your breath for an upset, but you might as well cheer for the former Bengal (Something we could barely muster when he was here).

Miami Dolphins at New York Jets - Though the Dolphins haven't looked great this year, they did almost beat the Saints last week (and I emphasize the almost). The Jets are another team that could compete for a wild card spot, so the more games they lose the better. Can the Dolphins pull out a minor upset here? I think they've got a shot at it, so don't be afraid to support our reefered-out friend Ricky Williams against Rex Ryan's new club.

Denver Broncos at Baltimore Ravens - I still don't think that anybody is taking the Broncos that seriously despite the fact that they've beaten New England, San Diego, Dallas and us. These guys are good, but they are still the trendy pick to be upset this week by Baltimore (SB nation at least is predicting a Baltimore Win here). The last thing we want is for Baltimore to start catching up to us in the division (or compete for a wild card spot), so cheer loudly for those Broncos! Being the underdog has worked for Denver to this point, so here's to hoping it lasts! I never thought I'd say this, but "Go Orton!"

St. Louis Rams at Detroit Lions - I'm just kidding. Nobody cares about these teams.

Oakland Raiders at San Diego Chargers - Don't get confused, if you see a lot of black and silver zombies in the stands, it could just be people recovering from their Halloween hangovers - not Raiders fans. Somehow Oakland upset a good Eagles club a few weeks ago, but unless Jamarcus Russel decides to dress up as Joe Montana (or at least Rich Gannon) for Halloween, then I don't see a lot of hope for the Raiders. However, if anybody knows about resurrected careers, it's the Bengals very own Cedric Benson, so let's hope those Raiders take down a 3-3 Chargers team that will likely have to hope for a wild card spot in the playoffs.

So I beg all of you, don't give up on football just because it's the Bengals bye week! Find that team to cheer for 'cause it might end up winning us a trip to the playoffs.

Poll

Which game will you be cheering the most for this weekend?

Practice Squad / Roster Spot

2009-10-30T16:20:19Z

I do not know what kind of contract Dede Dorsey has right now, but I'd love to see the Bengals go after him with the running back position battered right now. The bye week will hopefully heal Scott and Leonard but if not, lets get Dorsey back in the orange and black. I do not believe Dede is eligible for the practice squad, but I would like to see him make it in the NFL. Another option could be Fui Vakapuna who was a powerful runner in college who could be brought back to the practice squad if anything.

Slim's last season as a Bengal?

2009-10-29T23:33:00Z

Yea its probably Chris Henry's last season as a Cincinnati Bengal, I think that Jerome Simpson will replace Slim as the number 4 receiver after this season. I would rather keep Chris but from all the conversations I have had with John Thornton he seems to think that Slim will be gone as well. Jerome has talent but is he ready? I think we should Franchise Chris next year, who would you franchise? We all know how "fond" Mike Brown is of Chris Henry, but I think the only way he is around for another season is if he is franchised. Think about it, Chad and Coles are both in their thirties and nearing the end of their carreer and Slim could be a great replacement for them, But i just have that feeling that he will be gone and thrive in another franchise. He should be a Bengal for the rest of his career in my opinion, Do you think we should let a great receiver like slim get away? I would like to hear what you think, should we Franchise him? Give him a nice contract? or let him go?

Poll

What would you like to see?

Your Favorite?

2009-10-29T22:03:14Z

Since its the bye week and there is not a whole lot going on in the world of the Bengals, I just wanted to ask my CincyJungle brethren what your favorite Cincy style chili is. Since my good friend WHYUS had to rub it in, I wanted to get your favorite and why. I know its possible that some of you may never even had any and if you haven't your just not living! My step dad is from New Hampshire and he says he cant even tell a difference in gold star and Skyline! huge difference but they are both good. Tell me, do you like 3ways 4ways 5ways etc... whats your favorite combo? I always get a Jumbo 3 way with two cheese coney's. I have to say Skyline is my favorite but I enjoy every chili spot!! Did anybody ever go to the chili palace before it closed? I think now its a pizza joint but I loved that place as a youngin....

This guy couldn't wait for his skyline!!!

Even Mccain loves skyline!!!

Just thought you might enjoy this picture :) your welcome

Poll

Your favorite Chili Spot?

Preparing for the next stretch....

2009-10-29T18:02:42Z

In an effort to come to terms with the fact that there is no game to get ready for this weekend, I’m trying not to panic by resorting to offseason-like blogging measures.

Thus far, this season has been awesome, and the greatest part is that team is just starting to get some serious chemistry. The sky’s the limit. So what can the Bengals do to continue to improve? Well, apparently they’re doing their best to keep the legs fresh and the cupboard full.

On Monday, the Bengals hosted several players for tryouts. Maybe they’re doing their due diligence in an effort to prepare for the unknown. OR, maybe they are in fact planning to make a move. Pressley vactated a spot on the Practice Squad, but the most glaringly obvious pickup would be a Tight-End. Dan Coats is a wonderful blocker in pass protection, but he simply can’t catch. If he does manage to pull one down, no sooner than you can say "First Down", the ball’s on the carpet. (Lucky 3rd and 34 conversion notwithstanding)

n looking over the list of the players that visited for tryouts, I for one think Tony Curtis could be rocking orange come next week. We all know that the Bengals were willing to give up future draft pick/s to acquire Martellus Bennett. Therefore, it's safe to assume that they're willing to part ways with somebody, right? Also, some if not most of us are patient enough to understand Chase Coffman needs more time developing as a blocker. If Coats is more of a liability to this offense in the passing game than asset in protection/blocking, why keep him? Plus, Curtis spent the first half of the season in Baltimore, which could provide useful playbook information to our defense. (See Willie Anderson last year).

What do you cincyjungle readers think????

Carson Palmer AFC player of the week

2009-10-28T18:02:41Z

He was deserving of the award after his great 5 td performance against the Bears last Sunday. Although you could make the argument that Cedric Benson could have won it also with his career day against his former team. Now if only we could play a complete game like that every week and not try and give Bengal fans heart attacks with these last minute games. After this taste of winning and finally some good PR, I think we can expect great things from our Cincinnati Bengals and I think I can speak for everybody in here and say its about time!!

Hobson writes....
Sights and sounds of a bye week practice Wednesday morning inside Paul Brown Stadium:
Quarterback Carson Palmer, named AFC Offensive Player of the Week for the second time in his career earlier in the day, was holding a blocking bag at middle linebacker early in practice…

It is Palmer’s first league recognition since he was named AFC Player of the Month in September of 2005

Palmer is now 6-0 against the NFC North with 20 touchdowns and six interceptions and has thrown at least three touchdowns in every game…

Bengals Power Rankings

2009-10-28T17:34:46Z

This isnt your coventional "Power Rankings" between the best NFL teams. This one is the Rankings of the most important Bengals players on a week to week basis.

1. Carson Palmer - I dont think anybody will overtake Palmer at #1 anytime soon. 5 TDs vs the Bears only help his #1 spot.

2. Cedric Benson - Leading the league in yards, but his most important games will be the next two vs Balt and Pitt. If he can run like he did in the previous matchups, then Bengals will be ok.

3. Chad Ochocinco - After 10 catches vs the Bears. Chad is back to being Carson's #1 target.

4. Leon Hall - Leon is having a Pro Bowl season, and Hall had a huge week vs the Bears. (2 ints)

5. Andrew Whitworth - Some people werent how Whitworth would play at full time LT. But he has kept Palmer Clean and Benson running.

6. Johnathan Joseph - I used to question Joseph's hands, then he had 3 ints in 3 weeks. Then dropped ints in back to back weeks vs the Texans and Bears.

7. Domata Peko - Leader on the Defensive Line. Peko may not be a pass rusher, but he gets everybody lined up correctly and he demands double teams in the run game.

8. Kyle Cook - Maybe Cook should higher? After seeing what a bad center can do to your offense. Kyle Cook has played in a way that we could have never imagined.

9. Dhani Jones - Still the leader of the Defense, his smarts and play recognition out him in position to make tackles.

10. Kevin Huber - After playing some of the best PR men in the NFL so far this season, Huber has been great keeping the field postion in our favor.

* Antwan Odom - Now off of the list. (IR)