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Cincy Jungle

Live Chat: Cincinnati Bengals At Houston Texans

Welcome to our first live chat of, well, forever. The goal is this. Gather as many writers, readers and commenters into one open thread to talk about the Cincinnati Bengals and this weekend's game during our respective lunch hours (on the East Coast, I guess). Anyway. Join us for what could be the first of a weekly live chat.

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Comments

How many people are here?
Who Dey!
Back in 15

quick trip to McDonald’s…

Lucky me

my conference call isn’t for another hour and a half

before the Ravens game I heard there was a fan giving away tickets, and some lucky guy on the site got 'em... anybody know how that story ended?
me

Tabby gave me tickets to the game…..unreal…It was awesome and good seats too

awesome!

I saw the post about 10 minutes after you claimed ’em, was a little jealous :)

me too but i am in florida so hard for me to get up there lol.
just like your handle says, eh?
Alright, let's get started

First thoughts on Bengals/Texans this weekend.

The Bengals record against teams that made the playoffs this year is 0-7. They’re 9-0 against teams that failed to quality.

The single most thing that the Bengals need to do to win this weekend (other than scoring more points) is……………….

stop the run

force Yates to be a pocket passer

RE:

I think that was Mike Zimmer’s point too.

Yates has a bum non-throwing shoulder, so pressure him, rough him up while protecting against the run. Plus you have to imagine a shoulder injury can still be felt during a throwing motion.

stopping the big plays!
Stop the run and make Yates beat them

Without question.

I was watching NFL network and they were saying the key element in the passing game

is how healty Johnson really is and if Yates will have a connection with him. So I can see that being a big part of the game plan.

apparently he's only had like, 5TDs since Yates was the starter? I don't know if he trusts Johnson as much as he should?
I don't know if it's an issue of trust

as much as it is an issue of an inexperience quarterback who is still getting used to Johnson.

let's hope he stays that way, eh?

i am so biting my tongue

Andre and Yates have played about 5 quarters together.

The only real game (Jax was TJs unexpected debut and 1 series against Tennessee) was the first half of the Altlanta game (AJ went down in the 3rd quarter). His stats for the 2 quarters:

4 rec
97 yards

(he also uncharacteristically dropped a 40+ yard pass from Yates in that game)

exploit the Texans big weakness

Their O line…

play consistently, all 4 quarters

I think I haven’t seen a complete game out of them all year…

this is true

I thought I was going to see one against the Cards…almost had it until the last few minutes….enter Benson

Bengals need to start fast, and dont commit TO's or any penalties in crunch time

and get TD instead of FG’s

Do not turn the ball over

I knew as soon as Gresham lost them ball that they would score…

I'm a lot more scared about the run than I was a week ago.

I hope that was just kind of a blip on Reggie Nelson’s career but Jax fans will probably have something else to say about that. Still, can’t lose contain like that. That needs to be corrected or else the Texans will beat us.

starting to pick up a little
Who dey baby!
Bengals must convert on 3rd and short

And score td’s if they get into the redzone

+1000000

how many 3rd and 1s are we going to get stuffed…..killing me

RE:

Didn’t Hobson have a stat on that earlier this season about the Bengals being one of the better teams with conversions on third and short?

smoke and mirrors.

freaking benson.

Depends on the definition of short

Anytime it has been short yardage, Benson’s best role is on the sidelines.

Question No. 2:

As a Bengals fan, who would you rather play on the road in the second round. I know that we would automatically go to New England, but if we had a choice.

Would you rather play the Patriots or Ravens on the road.

ravens flacco or tom brady nuff said lol.
I would say the Ravens

we have played there before…and my thought on the damn Ravens….we were driving down to win the damn game and Gresham fumbles…….we can beat the Ravens…I know we can..plus Marvin has a lot of experience there

Ravens. more familiarity, hopefully more energy and effort playing a divisional foe
What about the fact that the Patriots have not beaten a team with a winning record?
have they had many chances to play winning teams i don't know there schedual off hand.
An interesting stat

but it’s basically saying the same thing as the pundits are saying about us

really?

didnt know that…its funny how the media doesnt point that out ever article about the pats…They do that for another team….hmm I wonder who it is

also, I'm always confused over... winning record at season's end, or when they play?
RE:

Generally speaking it’s when the article/reference is made.

Fair enough. Though I have seen plenty of tweets or “fact of the week” type snippets where there isn’t any explanation

to that I would counter repeatedly scoring boatload of points, down 17-0 and 21-0 at times, then against buffalo scored (I think) 49 unanswered? have the Ravens even scored that many in any game this year?
I would have to say the Patriots because one thing for sure we know is that their Defense cant stop anyone

just ask Rex Grossman

but like rocketman pointed out

49 unanswered…..wow…that pretty much equals out a bad defense…lol

yeah but that was the Bills Defense tho

besides our Defense is in the top 10 as well too and they have been great

bring on the ravens

hate their fans, hate their team, ending their season is all i could ask for.

Ravens.

If there’s a team I wanna punch in the mouth more, it’s them.

I'd be happy just to beat Houston

Doesnt matter what follows

patriots

They have not beat one team with a winning record this year.

Patriots

Sounds crazy, but if the bengals offense is hiiting on all cylinders I think they can put up 28+ on that defense. Bmore is scary at home and they run well and play great D. Even though the bengals almost beat them.

this is a good point

The Pats D is suspect at best

Agreed

I think Jason and I argued on this point once.

But if you pressure the Patriots passing game, pressure Tom Brady, their offense struggles — as most teams. We have a damn fine pass rush.

Question No. 3:

What are you most confident about and what are you most worried about heading into the game at Houston?

confident about our D-line and worried about our run game
+100000000

Bengals running game has to show up

most confident in our ability to play on the road and Dalton's experience in this stadium

least confident in our secondary and TE pass coverage….I swear they did the same “over the middle to a TE” about 50 times the last game

RE:

Hopefully they just put Taylor Mays on Daniels and leave him there — if he’s healthy enough to play. They put Mays on him midway or late in the third quarter and Daniels turned into a non-factor, IIRC.

That would be nice

The Bengals have to stop Daniels. I think that’s the second most important thing after stopping the run.

I think if we take out the TE slant over the middle

Yates loses his security blanket…that is all he did last game…6-7 yard pass to the check down over the middle….

+1

do it like basketball…send one scrub in there to guard and harass Jordan the whole game…use the same concept with Daniels….

Yep just have Mays play man up or have him blitz
they need to stay away from 1st and 10 then benson up the middle for 2 yards
1) Texans Defense Pressure

we just need to protect Dalton and score TD’s, and make Yates play catch-up but Zimmer put more pressure this time

Most confident in us using Gresham like we have been

Most worried about Ced fumbling……again

+1

Ced….killing me

One run he had last week

He really had the ball far away from his body…Got us all scared in the stands

lol

I know the exact run…in the stands everyone was screaming whoooaaah Benson…

Was is the one where they made a quick graphic of him?

Benson with the ball away from his body, and they adjusted it so he had it closer to him?

hahaha, I had a big laugh at that one, I know exactly what you're talking about
+1

Should start B. Scott. Why not?

I'm not saying that especially in a playoff game

but I wouldn’t be upset if they did start Scott

I think they should. I think the bengals are just worried about his pass protection. Other then that I dont see why they dont use Scott more

most confident: special teams gets back on track – I’m talkin’ Tate getting a big return, Nuge drills every FG, good field position for the Bengals

least confident: stopping the run and then getting beat by Yates. When he conducted the 2 minute drill last time to win, I was disgusted (nothing against him, I just thought we’d hold the rook in check!)

hmm

1) confident in dalton and green scoring at least once. (gres too if gruden and dalton remember he’s on the field)

2) worried about our secondary. ever since the hall injury. this team has slid slowly down the nfl defense chart week by week.

I'm confident about our pass defense.

Especially since we’re playing Yates and we’ll have Dunlap for that game.

I’m thoroughly worried about our run defense after Rice’s two long touchdowns. We held Foster in check but I remember Tate having one good long run in that game.

Our run game was actually solid (for a half) that game and if Gruden can channel that type of success all game into Benson, I’d be quite happy.

The only thing that scare me about the patriots is those tight ends

Im not worried about NE wide receivers or running backs. And we know their defense stinks. I think teams are afraid of them just because their the “Patriots”

Most confident in getting pressure on Yates. Least confident in giving up chunk yardage at critical moments.

chunk yardage = Ray Rice

= me being pissed in the stands

RE:

Most confident: In the playmakers on offense: Green, Gresham, Simpson (to a lesser extent)

Least confident: Preparation by the coaches of the team in a pressure game. The Bengals have a nasty reputation of choking in big games. They need to break this streak.

+1

our big game performance has not been good in the past

RE:

I get the point about coaches. But we have a posting coming up this afternoon that points out this.

Even though the Bengals finished 0-7 against playoff bound teams, they were one possession away from winning all of them, save for the Steelers.

or most confident dalton having a good homecoming
i think thats going to help out too! hopefully he doesn't try to do too much!
From an earlier point

What’s the Bengals record against teams with a winning record WHEN they played? Looks like 2-5 — if I missed anyone.

Buffalo (3-0) – Win
Tennessee (4-3) – Win
Steelers (6-3) – Loss
Ravens (6-3) – Loss
Steelers (8-3) – Loss
Texans (9-3) – Loss
Ravens (11-4) – Loss

4 of those are from our division

lol…the AFC north….tough

all the loses were with in one score minus the one pitt game

so if we can eliminate stupid penalties and play fundamental footall we can beat any one!

really? that's encouraging/frustrating
i believe thats correct but I could be wrong on some of them
I believe it, but dang, missed opportunities
was buffalo 4-0 at the time not sure?
RE:

No. That game took place in week four.

ok

i do know it was all downhill for them after that game lol.

hell if the refs had called a fair game

we could have split with the afc north. up to the bengals though, its on them for not controlling those games and allowing the refs to dictate the game

your are not lying

last game was just plain silly with the refs…

If you saw a 6'6 450 pound dude

in bright green gloves flippin’ off the refs……that was my uncle

I think the offense numbers are mixed up

Check your passing and running offense. Seriously the Bengals average 208.8 yards a game on the ground and only 111 yards in the air?

Rather play Pats and save the Ravens for the AFC Championship!!

The “BIG TEST” will be the patriots.

What kind of weather should we root for to take Brady out of his comfort zone?

Belichick is a master of exposing weaknesses against the defenses that he faces
and Brady can pick apart much stronger secondaries than what he faces in Cincy, so
I’m praying for a game in which the weather can neutralize what Brady does best and
give us a chance at a close game going into the 4th quarter.

Remember………. Seattle vs. Saints last year (who could’ve imagined).

ANYTHING CAN HAPPEN IN THE PLAYOFFS!!

and winter weather can make the ball bounce funny sometimes.

If we can run the ball and control the clock and keep Brady off the field
and limit his possessions, then we ABSOLUTELY have a chance to win
because our "D" is way better than the Patriots!!

Question No. 4:

Who is the player on the Texans that the Bengals need to keep bottled up/contained the most (on either side of the ball)?

Foster/Tate/Cushing
Those damn TE's
+1

The Bengals defense has sucked at covering tight ends the last 20+ years.

RE:

I’m more worried about Andre Johnson. We didn’t face him earlier this year.

I'm actually not that concerned with Johnson

Sure he’s a talented WR but I think that a lot of pressure on Yates could make Johnson a non factor.

Right

But if the ball is thrown up to Johnson, then he just goes up and grabs it. That scares me. Additionally the extra attention will leave the TEs and Kevin Walter a little more free.

Which is the last thing we need.
Really he doesnt go fight for the ball

Like AJ does. But he still does to an extent

0.0

Seriously?

Watch this. You'll probably recognize the LB talking about AJ.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-mzToSf84YI&feature=player_embedded#!

RE:

Johnson at full speed/health is scary but he’s not there yet I don’t think.

Still a scary thought.

JJ Watt

And Tate and Foster

Foster with out a doubt
They have to stop Foster/Tate on offense

and on defense they need to make sure Dalton has a clean pocket, so guys like Connor Barwin and J.J. Watt.

crowd
Meh

We have show that we can play in some very hostile environments. i.e. seattle

I actually think that stifling Houston's Defense is key

If a rookie QB, rookie WR, rookie OC and a bunch of other young guys can beat the No.2 ranked defense on the road, that’s huge.

Which I believe we can

Dalton will be ready for this game I think.
Heading back home & indoor game.

So

Basically said everyone on Houston’s roster?

dark horse candidate: long snapper?
i did not see jjoe up there lol.
I want to know what the deal is with his injury.
Daniels

He was the reason they won IMO. Not just the amount of yards he had but the critical catches he made on 3rd downs to keep their drives alive

whoever has the football..

:ducking:

i know thats a copout answer. texans are so stacked with talent on offense. most people dont even bring up walter’s name as a threat (which he is). texans have a hydra of offensive talent, daniels, johnson, tate, foster, schaub (IR).

Foster/Tate.

Joining the crowd on this one.

My big thought now is

if JJoe is reeling from an achilles injury, we need to be attacking him with AJ.
JJoe doesn’t play nearly as well when he’s hurting, and AJ could put some big numbers on him

I did pick Seattle over N.O. last year. I wish I was as confident about Cincy over N.E. ….Just don’t see it though.

maybe a better way to look at it is, is there a lenghty streak against the Texans we can remind the club about, to break this year too?
RE

Let’s see. Bengals have won IN Houston since 2002. Haven’t beaten the Texans since 2005.

time to hire a banner plane, with that next to all the streaks we've broken

especially buffalo

To bengalinflorida

I’m also in Florida!

Please contact me…………..gratefulmax1@hotmail.com

where at i am in vero beach
Clean it up

-No pass interference in the red zone
-Hang on to the football
-Keep it cool, no personal fouls

PFT picks Texans to win

"But only the Bengals are lucky to even make the playoffs."

uh yeah, who were the Texans 3 losses at the end of the season to??Colts, Titans and Panthers….yeah…they really deserve it…….they are so much more supe

well, keep in mind we were still trying to EARN our spot the last 3 weeks - IIRC, the Texans had already locked up a spot
yeah because a horrific division

The Texans are lucky they are in that division…period

sometimes I try and be optimistic... if we can make the playoffs in such a brutal division, it must mean we're a strong team (especially compared to a weak division team, right?)

to be the best – you must beat the best

or that's all baloney, just have to win enough to get to the post season, then hope for some lucky breaks?
Yep, the players lost focus and the coaches went into turtle-mode after the Cincy game.

Also:

  • Andre was held out longer than he had to be to ensure he could play Saturday.
  • Wade Phillips had surgery and missed the Carolina and Indy games.
  • Mike Brisiel, our right guard, broke his leg in the 2nd quarter of the Bengals game (yes he finished the game with a broken leg). This disrupted the run game.

As for the Tennessee game specifically…

  • Our starters played a quarter. Foster, Jospeh and Daniels were healthy inactives.
  • Yates played 1 drive. A TE was playing OLB at the end because the backup went down. The starter was healthy, but we went with a TE to avoid an injury.
  • Even with the JV in, all we needed was an extra point for OT. Instead we went for 2 after a false start just to ensure there was no OT.

And BTW, we went 3-1 against the AFC North this year. Our only “real” losses were to Oakland, Baltimore and New Orleans.

RE:

Broncos are even more lucky. If Marion Barber doesn’t fumble, the Broncos are out of the playoffs. Talk about stinking luck, not to mention a Raiders loss got them in.

raiders had a rough season

rundmc gets healthy just one more game, bam, playoffs. Moore healthy for another game, similar result. campbell etc.

mike floria can &^%&*^%^$& himself.

twice.

he’s never given this team one bit of respect, nor will he.

+1

hate florio, he manages to add a negative spin onto every Bengals article

Has he EVER picked them to win?
Florio HATES the Bengals

I mean LOATHES them. I think it’s because he’s so tight with Peter King, who also despises all things Bengals.

The only reason the Texans got to the playoffs was because they played in a weak division and had a spot wrapped up just after Schaub got injured.
Bengals have three near Pro Bowlers

Put the game in their hands to start off, Dalton, Green, Gresham. Do what they did last time, get a big lead. After half time, Gruden will need to have a new game plan because it seems too often our offense dies in the second half due to defensive adjustments. Don’t forget Smokey Rome either, get him involved early and he might just have a good game.

AJ 150 yards , 2 TD’s
Gresham 100 yards, 1 TD
Benson 70 yards
Simpson 1 TD

That will win their first playoff game.

Bengals haven't played their "Best Game" yet....................UNTIL NOW!
How big of a deal is momentum heading into the playoffs?

The Bengals won two of their last three and the Texans have lost three in a row to finish the season. Do you think that will play into the game on Saturday?

I think we have the momentum

winning 2 of 3 compared to losing 3 straight to horrible teams……just sayin

RE:

But you have to wonder how sapped the Bengals were after losing to the Ravens. Sure they got in anyway, but they weren’t celebratory. Hopefully it only strengthen their resolve.

yeah i think clements was the only happy one lol.
RE:

Happy for him. I’ve always been a fan of his, really because of his tOSU days.

in hind site, it probably was the best thing that happened

I think the players believed that they had to win and it was essentially a playoff game. now they get a “2nd” chance win in the playoffs.

RE:

That’s the thing.

Marvin Lewis called Houston the biggest game of his coaching career. They lose.

Must-win at Baltimore for a playoff berth. They lose.

The high-stakes pressure games never have played out well for Lewis.

I see what your point...

i really hope they this win and develop an mentality to win every game… we could have a dynasty in the making

Note to Marvin

Only mention how big a game is after you winnone. This is one of those games.

I don't like resting players before the playoffs

Like the Texans did. I think it really throws you off. And I think they have been on autopilot the last 3 weeks and it’ll be tough just to “turn the switch on”. Advantage Bengals

this is true

and Yates and Johnson havent really worked together at all…Dalton and Green are well….Dalton and Green the pro-bowl combo….jus sayin

RE:

Not just that. They’re the first rookie QB-WR duo to post 3,000 yards passing and 1,000 yards receiving.

Plus them winning a playoff game as rookies will put that good taste in their mouth!
Right

They’ve played in what…one game together

i think its important that the players and coaches stay on their routine that got them there

but it would have been big if we got some confidence with a blow out win before the season ended. I think momentum can be over rated at times.

I'd actually say it's kinda big.

In the past couple of years, the Super Bowl contenders are usually teams that get a lot of momentum late and start rolling. The Chargers are generally a good counter-example but the Packers last year were just phenomenal after they got rolling late. I can’t wait to see the Lions this year and hope that they’re also a great example of that trend.

bengalinflorida

Dude, I’m in Pompano! a stones throw away!

We need to talk.

gratefulmax1@hotmail.com

Here's a good question:

Is anybody going to the game on Saturday?

I wish!

the ONLY Bengals game I’ve ever been to was a loss to the Texans a few years ago

Nope

I’m Man-cavin’ it.

+1
HDeezzy

in my living reezy

SMH

but I’m totally stealing that

no but

this will be the first time i get to watch on tv and not the computer :-)

Only person I've seen going

is Mickey from WhoDeyFans

yep!

section: 750 seat: nose bleed!

On earlier "who'd we rather play"?

Imagine 50 mph winds and Brady unable to throw to TE’s or anyone else
Then my friend, Our run game vs. their "D"

and their run game vs. our "D" Who do you think wins that match-up?

We need to control the clock, keep Brady on the sidelines and we would definitely
have a good shot at winning.

With the above scenario, it could play out that way.

I really believe they could beat the Pats.
would definitely be praying for a blizzard in that case
RE:

I’m one that’s very doubtful. They literally have to play their best game without a doubt to do it. Our offense can’t keep up with Brady. Defensive pass rush has to be nuts to throw him out of rhythm.

But I would love the chance to see our boys give it a try.

true

It is hard to imagine Dalton hanging with Brady…but like you said…I would love to see us try

It would be a challenge,

but they could keep up if the D played lights out.
Plus Gresh, Green & Simpson would terrorize their secondary.

RE:

Green yes.

But really. Do teams worry THAT much about Simpson, who has only caught 50 of 105 passes targeted to him?

If the Texans bottle up Green,

Simpson having a big game could be the difference between and win and a loss.

yeah simpson

had a few smack him in the hands last week

He could,

unlikely but still.
Their secondary is pitiful.

like you said as well

our team would have to play a full game

The dolphins and bills gave them a run for their money

The patriots can be beat.

Adam Jones returned a kick or two recently didn't he?

I thought they were done with that when we got thin at DB. Wonder if we’ll see him return any this game…

Might as well,

all in!

RE:

Jones has returned two punts all season.

The 63-yarder against the Seahawks and a one against the Arizona Cardinals.

Brandon Tate

Actually think that Brandon Tate has done a fair job lately.

In two of the past three games he’s averaged over 11 yards per punt return, and he had one of his best game against the Rams.

All us Bengals in Florida need to hook-up at One Sports Bar this Saturday.

I’m always at “The Black Pearl” on Commercial Blvd. in Fort Lauderdale.

Any other Suggestions??

RE:

Create a FanPost and see if you can’t get more people. Call it the Florida Chapter of CJ. :-)

that would be a good idea.
they could even get orange and black mc jackets

with patches for the florida chapter of cj..

(appears i’ve been watching too much sons of anarchy)

RE:

That show is badass.

I’m definitely getting a patch that says “President” and “Original Nine”

lol waiting for the walking dead to come back on in february.
to those who think the Bengals intro video is lame, may I suggest a model for our next one:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8THGqrjUDGI

+1 lol

that is hilarious…just put a tiger as the bear….nice

i've seen it that before (lol)

its like bernard the bear directed by jerry bruckheimer

Who would you rather see more?

Cedric Benson or Bernard Scott?

Or would you rather they split carries?

Scott.

I was furious that they took him out after he scored that TD on Sunday.

RE:

I have no good answer.

I love Scott’s elusiveness, but he’s one of those “all or nothing” guys and this year has been a lot more nothing than something with him.

On the other hand, Benson pisses me off so much.

This is where I stand

I don’t really view Scott as any better than Benson after this year.

i'm of the opinion

bengals need to move on from scott and benson in 2012. sign a hands back like LT in fa, draft a running back (not sure who since montee ball is staying in college), and let leonard have more carries in 2012

I think they should keep scott but lose Benson

We haven’t really seen enough of Scott to let him walk away in my opinion. Benson, on the other hand, we’ve seen entirely too much of.

I like Scott.

I think he can stay for at least one more year. He’s a change of pace guy and he seems to accept that. He’s also a capable spot starter. We need someone other than Benson though. Scott can’t be Benson and the coaches like to think he can be (Scott runs up the gut make me so mad).

last week

Scott 25 yard Td (after missing a TD pass that smacked him in the hands)

Benson – a few 6-7 yard plays

SCOTT…

Benson on the first drive

Scott on the second. Whoever does better stay with them for the rest of the game.

RE:

I would say more snaps for Scott in the first half, ease Benson into the second half to milk the clock if they have the lead.

Yea but can Benson milk the clock

or get 2 yards a pop like usual

RE:

Benson was his most effective in 2009 when the Bengals were holding onto a lead and Benson pounded the football on a defense that tired out.

But he hasn’t been capable of that this year — but the Bengals don’t have that great of a rushing offensive line this year either.

it's funny because it's mostly the same guys.

actually it’s pretty much the exact same guys other than mcglynn and smith.

Mcglynn has been awful..
Other than McGlynn and Smith?

That’s 40% of your offensive line. ;-)

Up until the Texans game, it was Bobbie Williams.

And Smith was the projected starter in ’09.

;|

we need guards

like mars needs women or moms or whatever. the bengals need guards. that should be the theme of the off season. 2 guards, a #1 cb, resign nelson at FS, get a starting SS, find a stud rb, and retain zimmer.

anything short of that is a failure to address what we need most.

+1 for opening references
that makes me wonder if someone is tipping the play somehow

if someone has developed a bad habit that screams “I’ts a run play right by me!” and the defenses are picking up on it.

Very true

Our guards dictate that we can’t run up the middle. Swing it outside with Scott and maybe we have more success?

Instead they feel Scott needs straight up the middle...
Right

It makes no sense

i have no excuse nor explaination for it
I'd be okay with that
*shrug* Benson, I guess

tell him he can come back next year if he gets 200 yds and 2 tds and 0 fumbles

haha.....

….never happen…

RE:

He won’t be back. Belief that the team and Benson will part ways after this season.

depends

if brown can get benson cheap, what are the odds he resigns him. (probably better than you or i would like)

RE:

One report suggested that there’s a mutual split that’s going to happen after this season.

I don’t think the Bengals will bring him back anyway.

He's been nothing but a detriment to the team after '09.

I’m grateful for his one good year happening with us but for the best of both of us, he needs to leave.

wish benson luck

he wont be able to start for any other team in the nfl. he’ll be a spot starter at most, depth more than likely.

If he came back,

it’d be the surprise of the century.
The whole team’s had it with him

Thanks for the suggestion Josh.
"lets take a look at the bengals new team rap"

is it time again?

RE:

We’ve put that in lockdown until the Bengals win a playoff game.

Rather see alot more BRIAN LEONARD out of the backfield.

WE need to get Brian a lot more touches.

He is clutch, has a nose for the sticks and would surprise the Texans.

Their not really expecting him.

+1

we need him on every 3rd and 1….at least as a decoy…

Leonard's good but he knows his role and he does his role well.

He’s a third-down back and I don’t expect to see him getting actual touches on first and second down. I miss him leaping people but we really can’t be too demanding.

apparently his role is to sit on the bench

and watch other backs get 3 yards per carry or less. or 1 yard or less when they need 1 yard or more..

//shrug

I think the other reason why you don’t hear much from him is because he usually is on third down but he’s such a good pass blocker that they leave him back there rather than have him take the snap. In Brat’s offenses, he was usually the #1 or #2 option on third down. He seems to be a much lower checkdown in Gruden’s.

that shovel pass that Brat would call....I hated it...but it usually worked
Best active "football player" on the team. The other is Shipley.

Both of these guys were born to play football. My two favorite Bengals.

Now you're gett'in it!
Maybe if Gruden stop running on 1st downs

Or stop running out of running formations Benson and Scott can show us what they are capable of. Sometimes Gruden should spread the field then run the ball.

Then how come we keep giving it to Benson on 3rd + short? To no avail??
he'll throw a tantrum if we don't
Exactly why he needs to go
I think that has been the most frustrating aspect of Benson this season

His attitude bothers just as much as his YPC and his fumbles.

The game where he was SCREAMING at Dalton

sealed the deal for me, i don;t remember which game exactly but it was a muffed hand off & he went nuts.
Get out.

Benson can pout his way off this team

I find it extremely hard to believe we keep him after the season….I think he is our last attitude conquest in this locker room that needs to be cleaned out….done with Rudy Johnson 2.0

RE:

Rudi Johnson was a better back than Benson. So Benson would be like Rudi Johnson 0.5.

I watched his locker room interview from tuesday

and he basically blamed the last Texan game on not running the ball enough in he 2nd half…….WTF you got negative yardage every damn time you touched the ball

RE:

Right. What was it, like -1 yards on eight carries?

think it was worse than that.
yep

I do not like him….not one bit

Can our O-Line get enough push for Dalton to make these?
Hillis would solve that problem for us.
Offensive Line And The Running Game

Doc talked about the differences of the 2009 and 2011 running game. Here’s a few thoughts.

Whitworth has had a down year in the running game, Jermaine Gresham run blocking is dare I say, slightly worse than Daniel Coats and honestly, Jeremi Johnson is a far superior run blocker than Chris Pressley. And plus we had Evan Mathis blocking the first half of the season.

Yep.

Bad choice on Alexander’s to let half the guys he’s let out the door go. He seriously needs to be ****canned for no other reason than his complete lack of evaluation of the better players (MATHIS).

Gresham’s Gresham. He’s not a blocker, nor was he ever advertised as much. We should be using him less as that and more as another pass catcher.

never figured i've be on the tar and feather band wagon for alexander

however, the questionable decisions about who should or shouldn’t be on the bengals line for the past 5 years or so has made me forget about alexander’s first 13 years with the team.

if he would just move smith to guard, i’d shutup for a few years more and mind my own thoughts about the o-line.

The bengals do need a better Fullback

Leach has made Ray Rice an even better runner than he already was. Anyone watch turning point last night? The guy is a beast. A full back in the offseason is a must

Yeh I'd like a better fullback too but good luck finding one in this day and age.

I’ll take Pressley simply because he is a true fullback.

vonta leech is a beast
There was a 3rd and one last week

where all he had to do was make one cut to the left and he would have just fallen for a first but he ran right into the line. Horrible.

RE:

That’s the thing about Benson, he doesn’t make things happen.

Exactly

Benson can run the ball if there’s a hole big enough for me to get through it but when all the holes are filled, he just runs into somebody, it’s almost like he’s running with a blindfold on.

RE:

And god forbid if he loses his balance by a sudden gust of 5 MPH winds.

He has absolutely no vision at all
Benson is a paycheck player

he knows that if he has a great game…his chances of being picked up and getting paid will increase in the off-season…hopefully this motivates him enough to do well

That wind may jar the ball loose, too.
RE:

He never learns. Watch his touches against Baltimore. The football is out wide again most of the time. And I do think, if I recall right, that he almost lost another against the Ravens.

lacks field vision, awareness, elusiveness

benson has one thing, he’s durable. thats it.

Great Visual and true.

Too many times

Benson is running up his OWN lineman backs and misses holes

Benson's problems of late

also correspond to the Bengals sucking the last 6 weeks. If not fumbles, its lousy running to daylight. I wish Scott could have done better but he’s not shined either. Maybe Saturday he does.

Can you imagine if Leon Hall were Healthy all this time?

The whole dynamic of our defense changed when he went out

Amazing how that one great, Hard working, super talented player changed
the Whole look and capabilities of what we can do on “D”.

I'd really love for him to be here with Adam Jones healthy.

Instead we’ve got Kelly frickin’ Jennings running around.

RE:

Speaking of which, he’s finally off his crutches. Just not ready to run yet.

I saw that today

They said not even close to running

RE:

The Bengals built their defense around their cornerbacks’ ability to leave them on an island. If he was here still, I’d be much more confident.

RE:

Preview to the draft? Another first round CB?

I personally think that's what they need to do

Hall would be better with a top-notch CB in the backfield with him again too.

we have to...unless there is a great Saftey or O line at this spot

at pick 17…I would say best available based on our needs

If Richardson's not there, I'd almost have to go DeCastro or a CB.

If DeCastro’s not there too, welp

richardson is probably the only truely great back left in the top 3 rounds now

that it appears montee ball is staying in college another year

Richardson

we need to give up the talk about this guy…he is a top ten pick period…there is no chance he will fall to us

That's what everyone said about Fairley last year, especially after the BCS game.
Players fall.

Especially RBs, for any number of reasons. If he doesn’t play well in the Championship game, if he has a poor workout or combine, there’s any number of reasons to see him playing in stripes next season.

And that’s not counting us trading up for him but gog forbid that happening.

Yeh.

So we’re practically scouring lower rounds or going for FAs this year if we can’t get Richardson. There’s just no one else out there that can really be the type of guy we expect Benson to be.

bush from oakland

he’s similar to benson, probably not going to be resigned in oakland, and could be serviceable for cincy if there are no other options.

Bush is Benson but w/ moves and 10 times more heart.

got to

i can almost see the bengals needing to draft a CB and then a safety in the 1st with a guard being needed in the second.

this does assume that the bengals would have signed the best fa rb available so that wouldnt be a need at the time of the draft.

I don't think there's a safety worth taking in the first though.
its going to be a reach

really hoping the bengals sign a rb in fa (the draft options are thinning out) and the ss options in the early rounds of the draft don’t look like starters (hoping we target someone in fa)

RE:

Robert Sands and Taylor Mays will have a greater role on this team later. They are essentially “development projects” right now.

mays is going to be a special teams specialist or a project lb in 2012/3

doubt he’s going to become the safety they hoped for when they traded for him. sands, who knows. he’s rarely in the game this year.

I'd rather them go BPA than reach for a safety in the first.
Exactly.

We don’t really have that anymore and we nearly lost that when we lost Joseph. Zimmer was complaining about having to change the defensive schemes because they lost Joseph. Clements made up for it, but he’s not the same.

We absolutely need a top-flight guy in either FA or the draft. It’s how our defense works and if we don’t have that, the rest of our defense suffers pretty drastically.

Zimmer

Was piiiiiised off losing Joseph.

I think we all were.
He certainly wasn't alone in that.
yup

i’d still punch mike brown in the nads if i were given the chance. the loss of jojo is never going to sit with me.

I'm equally as pissed about the sheer number of press he received afterwards.

It’s like people never realized just how good of a CB he was here. He goes to Texas, suddenly they get good, and everyone’s like “huh, bengals fans were right.”

Hahahahahahahah
Like I have said before. He wanted out. I dnn't want anyone here who doesn't want to be here.
I think our secondary has stepped up these last couple of weeks

But I would still feel better with Hall out there

the thing about Hall

people forget…Hall was not having the greatest year…he was kind of getting beat all over the place…not saying that he isnt valued, but he was not doing well either

He was much more valuable

with JJo on the other side of him

I agree

they both had great chemistry between them and worked well together…Its crazy..our biggest strength for so long is now our biggest weakness

I think Hall would do well in the slot.

With Jones and Clements/Rookie on the outside.

Hall

Hall was beaten on a couple of big plays for sure. That’s what we remember the most.

But six of the nine games he played this year, he limited opposing quarterbacks to a passer rating below 70.

yeah I just have the big plays stuck in my head

I definitely want him back…no question

Pretty good CB if you ask me.

Question is, can he come back from an injury like that?

RE:

Back before the first regular season game? There are doubts. It’s not like Palmer’s return, you know? Hall needs the ability to make sudden cuts.

I meant more from the injury in general.

Yes, he’ll come back and play, but will he be the Hall we know right now?

Dude, Hall was playing "shut down" (w/the exception of 2 plays) before he got hurt

Look what’s happened to the “D” since he’s been out.

he wasnt in the hemisphere of lights out this year

but his loss did impact did hurt us

RE:

Skelton, Flacco and what’s his name from St. Louis? Not much to step up against.

Yeah Jennings was actually in good position last week.

I was shocked he had tight coverage on Smith on a deep ball. And he made a play on a slant route to the TE on an all out blitz

+1

In the stands we were very surprised he stayed with Smith all the way

Maybe earlier in the year Jennings wasn't 100% and was still learning the playbook

Early in the year he did have a hamstring issue. Hopefully he stay playing like he has and can keep it up for next year and can be a good nickel or 4th cornerback

I felt like we kept Smith contained pretty well all game
err

take at a look at the defensive rankings week by week since hall went down. it tells another story.

Well I just meant the last 2-3 games

The secondary hasn’t really given up the huge play

interesting stat

+1 for that

But I Digress...Sorry
+1000
RE:

Make sure you reply directly to those comments. Or else people will just think you’re randomizing comments. :-D

Who in your opinion was a bigger pro bowl snub

Dalton, Atkins or somebody else?

RE:

Atkins.

Hands down.

+10000000000000
Atkins

Dalton is kind of getting in there by default..injuries and just plain bad AFC qb play is why he is the first alternate…but Geno has had a great year

def atkins

for being rated the the best DT in the league and not get in is embarrassing
for the process…

Whit?
led team in penalties

not this year

RE:

Thought other guys were bigger snubs. If the one Texans tackle made it over Whitworth, then I wouldn’t have a problem. But I do think that Whit had a better season than Ferguson and Jake Long.

excellent points
I love Whitworth

but I don’t think he deserved a spot in the pro bowl this year. Hopefully he bounces back next season.

RE:

I’m not sure half of the Pro Bowl roster deserved a spot, to be honest.

Well that's a given

The pro bowl is a joke… it’s just a popularity contest.

It really is

That being known, acknowledged and being the case, wouldn’t a debate about who was snubbed be irrelevant at that point?

Good point
RE:

That’s what she said.

Hey-oooooo.

see Ravens

all name recognition these days…no objectivity at all

I think whit deserved it last year

this years hes been a little more shaky than last year not that he hasn’t done his part just not as solid as last year….

Duane Brown's more deserving than Whit.

If you don’t know who that is, shame.

atkins this year

whit for 2010 and 2009

Atkins.

Best DT in the AFC.

Bengalinflorida

Please write me. I promise I’m a well adjusted Bengal fan w/a family and community ties.

I’m not a psycho, I’m just wanting to talk Bengals w/a fellow tiger.

gratefulmax1@hotmail.com

Thanks, I appreciate it.

Atkins for sure!
RE:

Make sure you click “reply” to the response you’re writing to.

How is AJ's shoulder ?

I have not seen anything about it and he seed a little slowed down that last game…

RE: Haven't heard much

But, usually shoulder sprains/separations are nagging injuries. They are often sore and have a tendency to pop out of place from now and again, but he’s playing through it by all indications…

He's fine according

to Reedy.

ok I hope so

we need him at full strength….

I think Fans should be left out of the voting. Period.

RE:

Make sure you click “reply” to the response you’re writing to.

tebow tebow tebow!
is this a joke???

Tebow? from your previous comments I would have thought more of you haha….jkjk just ribbing ya

point was

people are gits about voting. at times, i think the “fan voting” is nothing but a PR firm with a few computers running scripts.

RE:

With regional populations vastly different voting for their own teams.

I could see that ....

Tebow def had the upper hand being so amazing hahaha….. yeah I guess popularity is not just for High School giddy girls or blabbering flocks of chatty kathy’s

i thought the pro bowl was the players?

is it players coaches and fans?

RE:

Yes to all.

Votes go 1/3 fans, 1/3 players and 1/3 coaches.

ahhh

ok I wasn’t sure…. I always thought it was just he players and coaches …

Nah.

I think it should just be left up to the guys that comprise FO and PFF.

How else Could Whitworth be left out?

With Fans voting it’s all about name recognition, not who really deserves to go to the Pro-Bowl

Make sure you click "reply" to the response you’re writing to.
Where's the "Reply" button??

and I’ve also been wondering all year, What is a “Rec”??

if you agree with the statement

or feel strongly about it I think ….

RE:

Reply button is under the comment to the right next to actions.

"Rec"

Means your recommend that comment because you really like it.

Live Chat

Thoughts?

Do you guys think that this worked?

I love it

We should do this every week.

Sorry.

I had a massage scheduled at high noon. But I loved reading the thread. Lots of good stuff in here.

Brian Leonard should get more touches. Check.

Scott should get the start and stay in. Make Benson #2. It should piss him off and make Ced run harder and less dance dance revolution.

Yates is going to feel some pain. From multiple angles.

Gruden better have conjured up some new plays. His full house addition to the playbook was great.

See you all next Thursday to discuss the NE Hoodies.

Love it

Keep it comin

probably the most interaction I've ever had with CJ people, loved it

hope if you do it regularly, it’ll work with my schedule when I go back to school next week

loved it

this reminds me

josh, what are the odds you could land one of the ben-gals for a moderated chat like this..

nah would never work. 40 guys all asking the same question over and over, whats it like to be a hot chix?

kidding aside, what about bringing in someone like john thorton for a moderated chat? he’s always got solid insight into the bengals, keeps a good online presence, and does interact with the fans.

I've seen other blogs do this.

Pride of Detroit got one of their DLinemen to show up and chat (I think it might’ve been Avril), we should see what we can do to get in contact with some of the players.

But yeh, Bengals, no. :|

Write them...

I’m pretty sure I can get Jerome on here!!!

Not this month though

He’ll be practicing =)!

Looks like a sucess to me =)!
Dwight was up buddy

I love seeing ya battling other fans all over the place…WHODEY

Just wait till we win afterwards lol!!!
Awesome

Although I didn’t get to provide much input… work never stops. Hell I just took a week and a half vacation, and I still had to log in from home as nobody knows what I do.

Hell yes...

Keep it going. I love talking football with you guys.

So how do I "Rec" something?
RE

Actions → Rec

I you hit actions,

Rec is the first option.

Absolutely!! What a great way to Spend the Lunch hour.

sorry man my computer is pissing me off lol
I've wanted ask how to add a sig

the light grey quites qt the end of comments.. good morning hello you all

go to your profile

add signature

Did you see franks sig

Its a quote from the Mr. Malor fellow…….lol

ol Malor

that guys is insane..picked us lose against the Ravens 38-10….gotta love that guy…the craziest part about it, their blog actually published it

I know haha

What a character

Josh, ONE LAST QUESTION.

How is Andy??

I mean Really, How is he ? (FLU).

RE:

Returned to practice today.

Said he went to the hospital yesterday too.

But should be fine.

Open Thread

Alright guys.

We’ll keep this up for an open thread now so continue the discussions if you want. I have to leave the closet where I hid to return to my day job. ;-)

you have a day job?

this is news to me

Seriously though, with this type of coverage and the quality of the posting is pretty phenomenal.

SBNation is quite literally the best network of sports blogs on the web, I’m surprised there hasn’t been any method of paying you guys for this type of work. It’s better than the drivel ESPN pushes out.

Problem is, I can easily see the obvious solution being either ads or In$ider bs.

Ha Ha!

Now I get the "RE" button

Ha Ha!

this whole concept of the "internets" can get confusing
lololololololol
founder of the "internets"

I thought that was this guy

the term "internets"

it was a joke because Bush said he was going to check something on the “internets”

the al gore thing was also a joke

because he claimed to have invented the internet

But truthfully it was this guy

+1000

When I first stating posting I use to write my comments under “title” they gave me an ear full. Lol its all good though

* started
By the way

Can someone help gratefulmax on how to respond to specific comments? :-)

i had the same problem when i first came on here people yelling at me saying hit the reply button lol.
Now I see how it works.

bengalinflorida, Are you going to get in touch with me?

i will try later my wife is litterally dragging me out the door as we speak gotta go guys later.
Looking forward to speaking with you, Thanks!

If You e-mail me, I can give you my phone # so we can talk.

We gotta be sharp,..

Capitalize on opportunities, no bone head plays, and we’ll win… Boom

Thanks. I'm not the most computer literate.............Old School.

Old and in the way.

Great Jerry Album

Man I hate I missed this!
It'll be back next week
noon

on thursdays

RE:

I guess we’re going to be back at noon next Thursday. Lol

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