The Cincinnati Bengals have made the playoffs during three of the previous seven seasons, dating back to their 11-5 AFC North title. And what's ironic is that during Cincinnati's playoff seasons, they've registered an increase of penalties. For example the Bengals are averaging 7.9 penalties per game during playoff seasons and only 6.2 penalties during non-playoff years.

Continue reading this post »

According to The Cincinnati Enquirer's Joe Reedy, both Bengals safety Chris Crocker and backup middle linebacker Dan Skuta have received a nice little early Christmas present from the NFL -- fine letters. Both players are to be fined for illegal hits they made on Rams players in Week 15 when the Bengals beat St. Louis 20-13.

Crocker's fine came along with a 15-yard penalty for roughing the passer in which he struck Kellen Clemens helmet-to-helmet. Skuta's fine is from a block, in which he also struck a Rams player helmet-to-helmet, on a punt return. The Bengals were not penalized for Skuta's illegal hit, though.

There have been a handful of fines against Bengals players in 2011 but they haven't accumulated nearly as many as some other teams or even other players. Steelers linebacker James Harrison may have had to pay more money to the NFL for fines than the entire Bengals team.

Entering the bye week with a 4-2 record is an exciting feeling, mostly because the expectations for this 2011 Cincinnati Bengals squad were so low. However based on Cincinnati's 27-17 win over the Indianapolis Colts, there's a lot that this team still needs to work on. For instance Cincinnati was flagged for a season-high 11 penalties against the Colts, costing the team 111 yards.

Continue reading this post »

Through four game this season, the Cincinnati Bengals have committed 23 infractions in which 19 were enforced. Of the biggest violators is A.J. Green, who has been flagged for two false starts, an offensive pass interference and illegal formation (declined). Andre Smith has committed three false starts while Nate Clements and Frostee Rucker are the only other Bengals players to commit multiple penalties this year.

Compared to the 2010 squad, the Bengals have committed four less penalties this year with far fewer presnap fouls on offense.

A breakdown of the team's penalties after the jump -- if you dare.

Continue reading this post »

“We’ve got to do a better job of scoring in the red zone. We had a lot of opportunities, and we’re moving in a lot of pieces (in terms of personnel),” Lewis said. “We’ve got to take a look at how we might be killing our own rhythm with a lot of the moving parts we’ve got going on now. I think guys will get better with it as we go, but it can be a little bit unnerving, to me at least, and I’m sure everyone else.”

- Marvin Lewis 9.21.2010

That's two parts of two problems facing the offense. Penalties and the Red Zone offense.

If one thing that can be taken from Cincinnati's 14-point loss to the New England Patriots is that the Bengals only committed two fouls, Michael Johnson's illegal touch kick and Dennis Roland's false start. Does it show incredible discipline? Maybe not so much. The Bengals were tentative with complex calls that forced Cincinnati's defensive players to be less reactive, thinking of their check downs with the offense facing New England's version of a prevent-like defense. Against Baltimore, the Bengals appeared more aggressive on defense while the offense did everything they could to stay afloat. Then again, comparing New England's offense with Baltimore is like comparing Miranda Kerr to Susan Boyle.

Cincinnati's 11 penalties ranks 17th in the NFL, averaging 5.5 yards lost per penalty.

The Bengals, before the "Battle of Ohio", didn't commit more than six penalties for the past seven regular-season games -- since Indianapolis. At the game's finish, Cincinnati committed five pre-snap penalties; four of which were false starts. Bryan Robinson and Madieu Williams (refs incorrectly called Brian Simmons' number) committed personal fouls and one no-name holding foul was called on kickoff return.

Here's the breakdown.

• Holding on kickoff return. No name announced.
  
• Eric Steinbach, false start
  
• Carson Palmer (2), false start and delay of game
  
• Chris Henry, false start
  
• Ethan Kilmer, false start on punt
  
• Madieu Williams, personal foul (late hit)
  
• Landon Johnson, roughing the passer (hitting the QB below the knee)
  
• Bryan Robinson, personal foul

• Willie Anderson 2 (false start, holding)
  
• Carson Palmer 2 (false start and delay of game)
  
• Kenny Watson (chop block)
  
• Shayne Graham (delay of game)
  
• Eric Steinbach (false start)
  
• Chris Henry, false start)
  
• Ethan Kilmer (false start on punt)
  
• Madieu Williams (personal foul -- late hit)
  
• Landon Johnson, (roughing the passer -- hitting the QB below the knee)
  
• Bryan Robinson (personal foul)
• one penalty with 12-men in the huddle.
  
• one holding foul on kickoff return, no name given.

• Browns, 9
  
• Chiefs, 5

Throughout the season I'll track penalties. I use up-to-date computer technology; writing it down on a piece of paper. Why do I do it? Well, you'll just have to work with me; I grew up with baseball stats as a young lad.

Here are Sunday's infractions.

Willie Anderson 2 (false start, holding)
Kenny Watson (chop block)
Shayne Graham (delay of game)
* one penalty with 12-men in the huddle.

FOR THE SEASON
Same as above. Season-long penalties will be accumulated here.

AS A TEAM
Against Chiefs, 5

Click read more for last season's numbers.

Continue reading this post »