Grade the Bengals at the break

[icehole3]

Front office - C
The additions on defense have helped pushed this unit to something special, Mikey deserves credit there, his handling of Carson leaves me scratching my head

Coaches - B
Gruden is making a difference, Zimmer's coaching his butt off, Marvin still hasnt had his "Marvin game" yet

QB - B+
Dalton has to be the leading candidate for ROY

WR - B
Green has to be the leading candidate for ROY

RB - C
Ced's running hard, just needs to keep playing and quit whining

OL - TEs - C
Doing Ok a lot better than last year, just doesnt excite me, Gresham is inconsistent

DL - A
This group's playing the best and closing out games

LBs - B
Like the additions and should get stronger when Rey and Rivers get back

DBs - C
A few big plays have happened but no game in game out mistakes

ST - C
Nugent is solid, Huber's had his moments, Tate's better than what we had

 

[kramer1]

Front office - A

The last few drafts have been excellent. The FA additions have all been great. Easy A.

QB - B

Dalton has been pretty damn good so far. I'm shocked.

RB - B

Benson and Leonard are solid. Bernard Scott is an abomination, though. He needs to be released already.

WR - A

No complaints besides the occasional drop. These guys are good.

TE - C

Gresham...meh. He's average at best.

OL - B-

Shaky guard play is the only complaint.

DL - A

8 guys rotating keeps em fresh

LB - B

Rivers needs to retire, though. He'll drag this unit down if he sees the field.

DB - C

Jones will help, but they haven't faced a real QB yet.

ST - A

Best punter in the league. Nuge has 1 miss. Tate is gaining steam. The coverage units are the best in the league.

Coaching - B

Would give them an A if not for Marv.

 

[Gypsumstack]

Who hacked into Kramer's account?

 

[bengaldoug]

I was thinking the same thing.....

 

[CrashDavisSports]

I am gonna agree with all of Kramer's ratings except the TE area. I think Gresham is a beast and starting to come into his own. His touches are directly influenced by the QB, so I kinda blame Andy and Gruden for his "less" than desired touches. I tyhink Gresham is special and worth a great of A-. Minus because he is not being used enough.

 

[Servo]

Overall I give them a solid A. Some observations...

QBs: A: Dalton has exceeded my expectations and has established himself as the QB of the future for this team. When Dalton was unable to play, Gradkowski did his job and was solid in relief (they won the game)

O-line: C: The bookends look pretty good but the interior of the line needs alot of work. They seem to be getting pushed around at the point of attack making it difficult for the ground game to get going

WR's: A: Green is just a phenomenal talent and a true difference maker. I'm lumping Gresham in here too..he's made some big plays and I believe will be a huge part of the offense for years to come. Shipley will come back fine. Simpson is talented but erratic catching the ball (I do like his effort as a blocker and he's shown some toughness)

RBs: B-: the Oline doesnt give them much opportunity but Ced seems to not really be making anything happen. Scott has been a non-factor. Leonard is the only guy really making plays.

DLINE: A : Awesome to see the Bengals finally have a legit pass rush. being a defensive guy it's long overdue to see them get to the QB.

LB: B: Thomas Howard has been an excellent pickup and the most underrated player on the roster IMO. Rey is hot and cold. Lawson has been a bit underwhelming IMO

DB's: B: Not many INTs but overall solid. Zim seems to be getting the most out of the talent that he has. It's clear that they'll need to take a CB next year maybe in round 1 as Clements will continue to regress at CB

ST: A: Huber and Nuge have been great. Not many big returns but no major mistakes either by the return guys

Coaching: A: I cant stand Marv but I give him props for this year. he's finally started to play for the win (going for it on crucial 4th downs). Overall, they seem more focused and ready to play. With Gruden I do believe that I have seen some actual halftime adjustments made..

 

[flamingrey]

Agree with Servo, except I give:

RBs: C : If Leonard were used more to this point, it would probably be higher. Hopefully over the rest of the season Leonard is used a lot more like the last 2 games.

Coaching: B : And that is only because individually I'd give Zimmer an A and Gruden a B+. Marvin himself would be lucky to get a C-. He cost us both the Denver game and the San Francisco game with his "shut down the offense when not down multiple scores" philosophy. And he's kept us in so many games we should've blown out with the same tired scheme (including last night). The Bengals last night still had I believe 11 penalties.

 

[DanBengalfan]

I am gonna agree with all of Kramer's ratings except the TE area. I think Gresham is a beast and starting to come into his own. His touches are directly influenced by the QB, so I kinda blame Andy and Gruden for his "less" than desired touches. I tyhink Gresham is special and worth a great of A-. Minus because he is not being used enough.

yea, I'd have to watch the rewinds, but it seem like Greshem's been a big part of our offense when we needed him to be. I'd give him at least a b-, maybe a b, he's just keeps getting better.

 

[JBUCK66]

bengs=C

split with balt and pitt=B

beat GB in SB=A

 

[drewhark85]

Agree with Servo completly on Thomas Howard, dude has been excellent in coverage of rb's and te's. Along with removing rey from that role and finally putting him in the middle, howard has been the biggest factor in this defenses improvement.

 

[vancelot23]

Thomas Howard has been our best FA signing in recent years.

 

[jwil007]

Front office - B- to C+ trade Palmer sign Whitner with more money sign Brian Waters then you get an A....



QB - B

Dalton is decent cont growing and improve arm strength

RB - B

Benson is GARBAGE and Leonard is solid. Bernard Scott NEEDS MORE TOUCHES and has been classy about it...

WR - B-

This would be an A if Simpson didnt drop the ball, Shipley wasnt hurt and Caldwell made more plays....

TE - B+

Gresham is the truth! GET HIM THE BALL!

OL - D

WEAK ASS run blocking and no pass coverage long enough to allow the deep ball to develop consistently.........

DL - A

8 guys rotating keeps em fresh-AGREE

LB - B

Rivers needs to retire, though. He'll drag this unit down if he sees the field. Skuta is going to get us killed in run defense....

DB - C -

Jones will help, but they haven't faced a real QB yet. better tackling needed and more plays on the ball to help produde to's...

ST - B+

Take 1 to the house or get to's on st's and then its an A

 

[grayghost668]

considering all the BS with Palmer skipping out,,,I give them an A,no one thought they would win this many games all season,,,,,,,,,


PALMER quiting may have been the best thing for the Bengals

 

[bengaldoug]

O-line: C: The bookends look pretty good but the interior of the line needs alot of work. They seem to be getting pushed around at the point of attack making it difficult for the ground game to get going


This.....we need a new LG/C/RG or a running back who can easily break tackles....Benson does not qualify.....

 

[cincygrad]

I give the whole team an A. I didn't expect 4 wins all season.

The bad news is that I'm being sucked back in. I enjoyed the offseason of low expectations, but am now starting to care again.

 

[flamingrey]

I give the whole team an A. I didn't expect 4 wins all season.

The bad news is that I'm being sucked back in. I enjoyed the offseason of low expectations, but am now starting to care again.

This is 2004 all over again. Just give it a few years.

 

[kramer1]

This is 2004 all over again. Just give it a few years.

I'm thinking Dalton's knee gets rolled. I'm predicting Brett Keisel (who I lovingly refer to as "kegel.")

 

[bengaldoug]

I'm sure Green's ACL tear is just around the corner.....just to remind us that we root for the Bengals.....

 

[cincygrad]

If Green gets injured, I will probably cry - I'll cry like a baby. I haven't been as excited about a new Bengal player in a very long time. I mean, he could be one of the best receivers in the NFL. How the hell did he end up here? I'm confused.

 

[bengaldoug]

I can't believe we had the sense to draft him....it's so unBrownlike.....