Things are back to normal

[flamingrey]

Yeah, Dalton missed a few passes, but if you blame this loss on anyone else but the defense and Tate, you are out of your mind.

I didn't blame the loss on anyone. I simply pointed out the fact that a good QB keeps us in the game much much longer despite the bad defense and numerous other mistakes. If [enter any good QB] hits Bernard or Green the several times he found himself wide open, the game would not have been a blowout, and we'd have had a chance. So, while there were plenty of bad plays, there were also plays to be made credited to some stellar play by our receivers, that Dalton should have, but did not make.

 

[Rex Racer]

There is reason for concern, but nothing that should warrant a full on meltdown. I just want to see if they can rebound like NE did. Not necessarily destroy Carolina, but at least win for goodness sakes.

It will be interesting to see if Marvin Lewis can get them prepared and motivated properly for the next game. Personally I've long felt that he was holding that team back and can't understand how he still has his job.

 

[flamingrey]

It will be interesting to see if Marvin Lewis can get them prepared and motivated properly for the next game. Personally I've long felt that he was holding that team back and can't understand how he still has his job.

The Bengals will beat the Panthers on sheer talent alone. Marvin will have nothing to do with it.

 

[alf8478]

This writing "style" should be banned.

Now.

I was thinking more along the lines of where is the English teacher instead of the moderator

 

[UDFlyers90]

I thought Dalton had a decent game. Sure he missed on a few throws, but he was also perfect on quite a few. If you eliminate the fumbles this isn't a blow out. This team was shredded on the ground. We are in deep shit if Tez doesn't get back soon.

 

[bengaldoug]

We're a very strong team. Some of our concerns were/are predictable - Dalton's consistency, Marvin, etc.

But we also have a few things going on that I didn't expect. Our run defense is suddenly very sloppy. Could just be that Rey is playing too many snaps and Vinny Rey isn't as good as his brief cameo last year would suggest. Mike Nugent is slumping..... No reason a kicker should be short on a 52 yard field goal on artificial turf in the first week of October. Marvin is trying to make excuses about the wind, but Gastowski kicked in the same direction and probably could have hit from near 60. On offense we have no third option because Gresham is doing the opposite of stepping up in a contract year. Maybe Marvin Jones would help if he could stay out of the training room.

New England exposed our run defense. We're now yielding 4.9 YPR vs opponents who average 4.6.....not good at all. We've had leads in our first three games which prevented our opponents from ramming it down our throats like the Pats did. Whether it's Burfict and Thompson's absence, or Vinny Rey being a downgrade, or the as yet failure of Atkins to dominate like he did before the knee injury, whatever the problem(s) is/are, it must be fixed soon. Carolina is probably not able to capitalize on our inability to defend the run, as they are only averaging 3.1 ypr vs opponents who have allowed 3.9 and they have serious injury problems at rb. But down the road this will bite us again if we don't fix it.

 

[cincygrad]

Week 5 Wrap-up: The Patriots? Roller Coaster Continues «

This is a fair look at what happened on Sunday night. New England played it like they play postseason games.

But our run defense stunk and it has quietly stunk all season.

 

[NCBengal]

I thought our defense and coaching was the worse part of the game. Offensive play calling was suspect and our defense could not stop the run at all.

Andy was decent and I absolutely hate Jermaine Gresham. If he had caught that TD pass (great throw), then we are only down 1 TD as the clock wound down in 1st half... big change in momentum if he catches that pass.

 

[bengaldoug]

Week 5 Wrap-up: The Patriots? Roller Coaster Continues «

This is a fair look at what happened on Sunday night. New England played it like they play postseason games.

But our run defense stunk and it has quietly stunk all season.

I could have written this. In fact I did in the earlier post. The only thing I 'missed' was the possibility the Bengals are missing MJ's run stopping.

 

[cincygrad]

I could have written this. In fact I did in the earlier post. The only thing I 'missed' was the possibility the Bengals are missing MJ's run stopping.

We're not allowed to discuss that around here. We collectively decided that it's not a problem and that we've moved on.

 

[bengaldoug]

We're not allowed to discuss that around here. We collectively decided that it's not a problem and that we've moved on.

Well, maybe that's why I didn't mention it ---- initially

 

[DanBengalfan]

injuries happen.

plan for them.

 

[cincygrad]

We're a very strong team. Some of our concerns were/are predictable - Dalton's consistency, Marvin, etc.

But we also have a few things going on that I didn't expect. Our run defense is suddenly very sloppy. Could just be that Rey is playing too many snaps and Vinny Rey isn't as good as his brief cameo last year would suggest. Mike Nugent is slumping..... No reason a kicker should be short on a 52 yard field goal on artificial turf in the first week of October. Marvin is trying to make excuses about the wind, but Gastowski kicked in the same direction and probably could have hit from near 60. On offense we have no third option because Gresham is doing the opposite of stepping up in a contract year. Maybe Marvin Jones would help if he could stay out of the training room.

Two of these issues were true again this week..... AND we had a full cast on defense as Burfict played the entire game.

As for the 3rd options.... Sanu played terrific today, Gresham didn't suck and Tate and Dane were serviceable. I have a hard time complaining about Dalton today -- He forced a few throws, but he put up 500+ without his top two receivers, best guard, and a second tight end.

 

[cincygrad]

BTW.... It was a big story at the beginning of the season to talk about how the Bengals would adjust to not having Mike Zimmer. The first three weeks made it seem like a 'non-story.' The last two were very discouraging.

 

[bengaldoug]

There are definitely defensive issues. No pressure without blitzing, Newman is suddenly old (bound to happen) and the run defense sucks. Can Guenther replace Zimmer? Maybe, but so far the defense isn't the same. Have to give you credit, grad, for pointing out way back in the preseason that they didn't need to let MJ leave. It has actually shown up as much in the run defense as the pass rush.

 

[cincygrad]

There are definitely defensive issues. No pressure without blitzing, Newman is suddenly old (bound to happen) and the run defense sucks. Can Guenther replace Zimmer? Maybe, but so far the defense isn't the same. Have to give you credit, grad, for pointing out way back in the preseason that they didn't need to let MJ leave. It has actually shown up as much in the run defense as the pass rush.

Not sure if it's scheme, attitude, or personnel..... But, Michael Johnson played something like 80 or 90 percent of snaps in games he was active..... The idea that we could simply plug in Robert Geathers (serviceable), Margus Hunt (a project) or dramatically expand Gilberry's role without fall-off was somewhat silly. Gillberry is awesome when he comes off the bench and brings energy to third down. Hunt has been invisible.

 

[cincygrad]

BTW -- No way last year's Bengals allow the field goal at the end of regulation or the field goal in overtime. That team would have made a play to get off the field (especially at home).

 

[kramer1]

I scared the crap outta some Carolina drunken 20 something loud mouths. So, there was that.

 

[DanBengalfan]

excellent.