Thoughts on Last Night

[Cincyfan78]

There is no doubt. Just in that game last night, there were at least 6 penalties I thought was a little ridiculous. Ticky tac. I mean, some of these hands to face, a little hand and arm play with the WR running down the field, etc.

The cut block called on Jeremy Hill was just stupid. When he hit the guy, near t he upper thighs, the rusher was not even being touched by another blocker. Michaels and Collinsworth were pretty much saying the same thing all night too.
Plus, the amount of penalties from this preseason to last was up like 500%. That is just insanity. The new get tough flags may ruin the game a little this year until they decide to ease up again next year.

When games start going 3.5 to 4 hours in regulation, and the scores are 40-35 every game, every week, they will be forced to change it. Because it is no longer capable of having a good defense, only one that is capable of slowing down an offense.

This was a horrendous call. However, I would say this to Hill...just block him straight up, and you don't have to worry about getting called for a cut-block. I feel that way about all backs trying to block...the diving at the feet crap only works about 50% of the time because the defender expects and is waiting to time it. Just use your body and get in the way. That is going to be enough probably 90% of the time, anyway.

 

[CrashDavisSports]

This was a horrendous call. However, I would say this to Hill...just block him straight up, and you don't have to worry about getting called for a cut-block. I feel that way about all backs trying to block...the diving at the feet crap only works about 50% of the time because the defender expects and is waiting to time it. Just use your body and get in the way. That is going to be enough probably 90% of the time, anyway.

I can agree with that statement.

 

[cincygrad]

I thought Hue Jackson was going to magically cure our running game. Guess not.

It's not going to mean anything if we improve our running against bad teams..... Just as it wasn't interesting that Dalton could throw for 350 on teams that weren't any good. If we can't bring a running game against a formidable defense, we will have the same problems we did under Gruden..... Consistency is key -- Last night did not give me a lot of optimism.

 

[CrashDavisSports]

I thought Hue Jackson was going to magically cure our running game. Guess not.

It's not going to mean anything if we improve our running against bad teams..... Just as it wasn't interesting that Dalton could throw for 350 on teams that weren't any good. If we can't bring a running game against a formidable defense, we will have the same problems we did under Gruden..... Consistency is key -- Last night did not give me a lot of optimism.

It should not have given you any fears either, as our offense did struggle running, but got better later in the half. We started inside our own ten 4 times and were able to string together at least long enough drives to get a couple FG's that consumed more than 10 minutes of clock. If you are losing field position that badly, being able to do that, and keep your defense rested, especially ours, that is a win most weeks.

It is when we have poor field position and can't convert 3rd downs to keep drives going that is going to kill us. All in all, Hill had 12 carries for 48 yards, some 3rd down conversions, and Dalton was 13/21 with no TO's and nearly 160 yards in one half against a potential top 5 defense this year. Of course that will depend on how good of play they get from their backup DE's.

 

[ATL96Steeler]

I watched most of the 1st half to see what we're going to be up against...Geno definitely was not as quick as preinjury, but he did have a really good bull rush...pancaked the OG. I have to assume he was just working his way back into form...might take him half season to get full confidence back in it....just in time for both Steeler games.

I've never been a huge Dunlap guy, overall the DL was just okay I thought but way better than what PIT put out there last week...love the WRs...Sanu can be a stud.

 

[cincygrad]

I watched most of the 1st half to see what we're going to be up against...Geno definitely was not as quick as preinjury, but he did have a really good bull rush...pancaked the OG. I have to assume he was just working his way back into form...might take him half season to get full confidence back in it....just in time for both Steeler games.

I've never been a huge Dunlap guy, overall the DL was just okay I thought but way better than what PIT put out there last week...love the WRs...Sanu can be a stud.

Dunlap is awesome when he tries..... It's unclear if he feels the need to try in preseason because normally he just sits the whole thing out with phantom injuries. He had a great year last year -- I was surprised given that I thought he would tank after getting paid. But otherwise he's had a bad habit of being inconsistent and this was one of the reasons he dropped a little when we drafted him. If he's motivated though, he's a lot to handle.

 

[cincygrad]

It should not have given you any fears either, as our offense did struggle running, but got better later in the half. We started inside our own ten 4 times and were able to string together at least long enough drives to get a couple FG's that consumed more than 10 minutes of clock. If you are losing field position that badly, being able to do that, and keep your defense rested, especially ours, that is a win most weeks.

It is when we have poor field position and can't convert 3rd downs to keep drives going that is going to kill us. All in all, Hill had 12 carries for 48 yards, some 3rd down conversions, and Dalton was 13/21 with no TO's and nearly 160 yards in one half against a potential top 5 defense this year. Of course that will depend on how good of play they get from their backup DE's.

I think when you're backed up is exactly the time when you need an effective running game. I thought the whole purpose of re-establishing a running game was to put Dalton in more 3rd and short situations. I'm not discouraged that they didn't dominate them -- That would be unrealistic. But Gio wasn't even capable of gaining a yard or two on many of his early carries.

 

[flamingrey]

6 points by the first team offense.

 

[CrashDavisSports]

6 points by the first team offense.

Jesus. All you do is look at the end result, use it as your only arguement, and fail to see any of the cause that may have led to it.

You are an idiot at times.

 

[Cincyfan78]

Jesus. All you do is look at the end result, use it as your only arguement, and fail to see any of the cause that may have led to it.

You are an idiot at times.

 

[ATL96Steeler]

Dunlap is awesome when he tries..... It's unclear if he feels the need to try in preseason because normally he just sits the whole thing out with phantom injuries. He had a great year last year -- I was surprised given that I thought he would tank after getting paid. But otherwise he's had a bad habit of being inconsistent and this was one of the reasons he dropped a little when we drafted him. If he's motivated though, he's a lot to handle.

Great talent...I remember him coming out of FL, thought he would be a dominant pass rusher with his build/speed...I mean Julius Peppers type good.

 

[cincygrad]

Great talent...I remember him coming out of FL, thought he would be a dominant pass rusher with his build/speed...I mean Julius Peppers type good.

He was one of my least favorite Bengals before last year..... It seemed like he only tried half the time. Last year he was fairly consistent. I hope we see more of the same this year.

 

[flamingrey]

Jesus. All you do is look at the end result, use it as your only arguement, and fail to see any of the cause that may have led to it.

You are an idiot at times.

TOP doesn't win games. Points do.

 

[CrashDavisSports]

TOP doesn't win games. Points do.

Okay, so maybe you should be blaming the guys on special teams and the ones causing all the penalties, instead of Dalton who had to work from inside his own 10 4 times in 1 half of a game, with little running attack.

 

[flamingrey]

Okay, so maybe you should be blaming the guys on special teams and the ones causing all the penalties, instead of Dalton who had to work from inside his own 10 4 times in 1 half of a game, with little running attack.

You're too sensitive. No where did I blame Dalton alone for only 6 points. Though he did contribute by - as I mentioned in an earlier post - looking uncomfortable in the pocket at times. He looked quite a bit like he has his entire career against very good defenses.

 

[DanBengalfan]

not sure this team is even worth arguing about this year.

my optimism seems to be redirecting me elsewhere like... I'll have more time for projects around the house on Sundays.

 

[ckhokie]

Okay, so maybe you should be blaming the guys on special teams and the ones causing all the penalties, instead of Dalton who had to work from inside his own 10 4 times in 1 half of a game, with little running attack.

1) He never said Dalton specifically when he is talking about the first team offense scoring 6 points.

2) How does starting deep in your territory, with little running attack not translate to an issue with the team that is one they'll have to overcome during the regular season? If this is the ST unit that is going out on the field with the 1s, it is who will be playing when the games matter as well. Will your excuse be the same when the offense isn't scoring points then?

 

[CrashDavisSports]

1) He never said Dalton specifically when he is talking about the first team offense scoring 6 points.

2) How does starting deep in your territory, with little running attack not translate to an issue with the team that is one they'll have to overcome during the regular season? If this is the ST unit that is going out on the field with the 1s, it is who will be playing when the games matter as well. Will your excuse be the same when the offense isn't scoring points then?

1) Because all his attention on the offense seems to always be directed at Dalton when it is negative.

2) I have no excuse, I think they did okay considering Arizona probably has a top 5 defense, we were on the road, and the field position in the first half was terrible. Yes, the whole team needs some work, but I am not just going to blame a single individual unless the situation dictates that. I am willing to look at cause and affect, analyze the data and make my assumption from that. Not just say "typically", "Dalton sucks, we would win more games if not for him." If Dalton comes out in a game,. throws 4 picks, and we lose by 10 points, yeah, I am going to blame him for having a terrible game. If he throws 13/21 for 157 yards with no TD's and no INT's in a single half while starting inside his own 10 4 times, with a sub par running game..I don't think I will be blaming the QB in that case.

 

[flamingrey]

Per PFF, Dalton was a -1.9.

In a single half of play. His play was very subpar.

 

[cincygrad]

Per PFF, Dalton was a -1.9.

In a single half of play. His play was very subpar.

Damn..... That's hard to do when you didn't throw a pick.