The Official Cincinnati Bengals discussion thread

[Felty]

We have a thread for the Patriots and now one for the Steelers plus a couple other teams. So why not one for the Bengals? I know there is 4 or 5 Bengals fans on the board. I am starting out small. Just wanting to see the Bengals in the playoffs. I will worry about the Super Bowl after they make the playoffs.

I believe Sunday Night's game is a must win for the Bengals! The key in my opinion is Rudi Johnson. If he gets a 100 yards against the Miami D, we win the game.

Series History: Miami Dolphins vs. Cincinnati Bengals
Regular season: Dolphins lead 12-3
Postseason: Dolphins lead 1-0

you people get funnier and funnier

[MLabrosc02]

I am a huge Jets fan and I was at the game on Sunday. I was very impressed by the way they played and wouldnt doubt them making a run. A playoff birth is pushing it but I would love to see this franchise make the playoffs! Palmer looked pretty good for his first ever NFL game and snap.

I am also glad we played the Bengals in Week 1 and not in Week 10. They look like they can be a team to reckon with down the road. Good luck this year man.

Felty, how long until we get Deltha Oneal back? I think defense is the key this year in Cincy. We have to be in the top 15 on defense to make the playoffs. I still think we are a year away, but being from Cincy, I'd love to see them make a run. At least last year they were respectable, I live in Tampa, and its tough being a Bengals fan down here.

[Felty]

MLabrosc02,

Thanks for the comments. It was nice to see Pennington have a nice game even though it was against my Bengals. I watched him at Marshall alot. Good luck with your team as well.


Rebel2321,

O'Neal practiced both Wednesday and Thursday. And is listed as probable for the game Sunday. So there is a very good chance well see him this week.

[A.J. Diggs]

As one of the 4 or 5 Bengal fans on the board, I would love to see Cincy in the playoffs this year. If that is going to happen though they need to step it up on defense. GO BENGALS!!!!!!!

[Spider Man]

Originally Posted by mcgradyfan87

you people get funnier and funnier

hahaha agreed...

the Bengals and playoffs in the same sentence...
hahahaah thats funny

Originally posted by Spider Man:
the Bengals and playoffs in the same sentence...
hahahaah thats funny

Don't mind the haters, one good game and they think they're gonna crash the Super Bowl. Now THAT's funny...

Anyway, my thoughts, as one of the most die-hard Bengals fans on the board...

The offense is absolutely the best in the division, and potentially one of the best in the AFC. Now that's a bold statement, I know, but after Palmer's cold-blooded performance against the Jets, I feel confident saying that. Our receivers are some of the league's best, the o-line is the best we've had since Munoz retired, and Rudi has the potential to rack up 1500 yards this season. Consistency is still a bit of a concern, but those issues get ironed out as the season progresses. Run blocking needs to be better, but I have faith that this line can clear the way for Rudi, as well as keep Palmer protected. And as for Palmer, anyone concerned about growing pains, I point out that amazing performance against the Jets. He only made one mistake in the entire game, granted it cost us the game, but that game was up for grabs until the final posession. It sucks to start off 0-1, but a performance like that is still very promising. Palmer is the real deal, and I just remember watching that game and thinking about how all these analysts talk about the "ice water in Tom Brady's veins," well, Palmer's performace was just as cold-blooded as any time I've seen Brady play. He's got that ice water in his veins as well, and it showed. This offense is in very good shape as long as everyone stays healthy. And Pamer and Chad have the VERY REAL potential to become a Montana & Rice or Peyton & Marvin type of elite QB/WR team. It'll happen.

As for the defense, I've had many debates at work about the defense, and the haters are telling me it's just no good. Truth be told, we haven't seen the defense at full strength yet this year. O'Neal was hurt for almost the entire preseason (hopefully he'll play this sunday), Simmons was hurt for the opener, hopefully he'll be back son as well. Once Simmons and O'Neal are both in the lineup, we'll see some good stuff. Another thing to remember about the D is that there are so many new starters and backups in this D thet they need to develop chemistry, and that comes with playing together. Preseason really doesn't do that very well, and once that chemistry develops, which shouldn't take very long, the defense probably will pull into the top 20 in the league, maybe even threaten to crash the top 15. Granted, O'Neal's big knock against him is that he had a crappy season last year, but people forget that Shanahan held a grudge, and that won't fix anything. Sometimes, all a player needs is a change of scenery, and given the mire that O'Neal's situation had become in Denver, the move to Cincy is probably just what he needs top return to that Pro Bowl form.

As for our rookies, the big three to watch are Keiwan Ratliff, Caleb Miller, and Madieu Williams. Those three guys will be the future of this defense, and may even challenge for some starting jobs next season.

Anyway, this is a lot longer than I had intended, but oh well. I'm calling 9-7 this season, second in the division, and a POSSIBLE wild card berth. I have no doubts that we will end the non-winning seasons streak, and while a wild card is a possibility, I'm trying not to get my hopes up TOO high. But everyhting is clicking right now. We'v got an elite coach, we've finally got a true franchise QB for the first time since Boomer, a great o-line, amazing WRs, a truly dangerous HB, and a defense that will come together and do good things. And the best part? Every player in Cincy right now WANTS to be there and wants to be on the field, playing their best, every down of every game. That hasn't been the case for many moons. As much as I appreciate what Dillon did for us, he was a negative influence off the field and never really wanted to be there for most of his time in Cincy, and good riddance to bad rubbish.

Thing is, whether we crash the playoffs this year or not, I have no doubts that in 2005 and beyond, that we will be a legitimate championship contender for a long time.

go bengals!

Originally Posted by Spider Man

hahaha agreed...

the Bengals and playoffs in the same sentence...
hahahaah thats funny

At least we've been to the Super Bowl mr. Browns fan.

I'm down with the Bengals

The Bengals defensive line HAS to get better if there are any chances for a playoffs. There was no pass rush against the Jets. Now I know there was a talk for Sapp and Gardener and those fell through but right now the 4 out there need to approve.
I do think Marvin Lewis is doing a great job and Palmer to Johnson can be a lethal combo in the NFL.
We'll see Sunday night.
WHO-DEY!

Oh yeah, Browns fan, when you get to a Super Bowl (and no, the Baltimore Ravens SB win doesn't count either) then you can start knocking the "Bungles" around. Until then, try to put that fire out on the lake.

woudn't mind seeing the bengals make the playoffs cause i'm a carson palmer fans

qbs are going to love those bengals

and any 30ish running backs

[Felty]

Various News from Bengals.com

BENGALS.COM RE-LAUNCH
Bengals fans, be on the lookout for an all-new bengals.com, which will debut
early Sunday morning. Our new-look site will contain a much-improved and
easier navigation, regular multimedia features including video interviews
and highlights, more live audio, the integration of better and larger
photos, and much more!


BY GEOFF HOBSON
With centers Rich Braham and Larry Moore limping with sore knees, the Bengals turned to 37-year-old iron man Jerry Fontenot to help get them through this week. Fontenot surfaced in the locker room after Thursdays walk-through when he signed a one-year deal. Before this season, Fontenot had started 80 straight games at center for the Saints. A former third-round pick of the Bears in 1989, Fontenot had started 106 straight games in Chicago and New Orleans before hurting his knee.
It’s not clear who the Bengals are going to release to make room for the 6-3, 300-pound Fontenot. Fontenot is now the oldest player on the roster, with three years on Braham. It is believed hes the oldest Bengal since 37-year-old Ken Anderson played his last season in 1986. Still, Fontenot is the 18th oldest player in a league that still has one player born in the 50s in 45-year-old Titans kicker Gary Anderson.

[Spider Man]

I see them going 7-9, 3rd place.. next year Palmer will develop and they will make wild card...
this year im gonna say not yet....
and I didnt say the browns were going to the Super Bowl....
for the browns, i see 10-6 if they keep up the good defense...anything less then .500
mr. davis might get fired...

go peter warrick hes one of my personal favs and I need him for fantasy!

[mtd20_2000]

GO BENGALS!!!!

[exanimate]

I definately think that the Bengals will make the playoffs. Just watching them in week 1, you can tell that they are a real football team now. You can tell that the players actually want to play for them now, instead of just showing up to get there paycheck.

Originally posted by Spider Man:
for the browns, i see 10-6 if they keep up the good defense...anything less then .500
mr. davis might get fired...

10-6? What in the world are you smoking, brah?

I just don't understand how Davis gets an extension after the cluster**** that occurred last season. I wish I could do my job that incompetently and get rewarded for it.

[MLabrosc02]

HAHA a Browns fan comes to this thread and mentions that this is funny. Man would I hate to be a Browns fan. Have they ever acheived anything in their NFL History, well other than moving and then having someone bring the franchise back. Dont make dumb comments, especially if your a Browns fan of all teams. But after an upset last week, be prepared for your season to go downhill from here Browns fan.

[Felty]

LOL!! The Browns 10-6????? ?You got be joking right? As long as Davis is the coach. They are going nowhere.

[Tanski]

Kitna should be starting, palmer through some bad passes and i was at the game sunday as a bengals fan although i was impressed by palmers audibling and the such, he was better under the pressure than i thought, but i still think kitna should be the starter, the defense. . .needs help though. Chad and Rudi . . .johnson and johnson gonna be the key this year. throw in jeremi just for ha ha's. Go Bengals, they are my afc team. Go Giants though.

[Barry Sanders]

ALL I GOT TO SAY IS WHO DEY

[Felty]

South Florida Sun-Sentinel

CINCINNATI - The Miami Dolphins' defense now has some extra motivation for Sunday's game at Cincinnati. Not only is Chad Johnson expecting to score, the Bengals' wide receiver said he is saving his first touchdown celebration of the season for the Dolphins. "I'll have something for Sunday that everyone can enjoy, but it will be within the rules and won't get anyone in trouble," Johnson said. "It will be real nice."

I don't want to jinx anything, and I don't think we should get ahead of ourselves, but I definitely saw some encouraging things in the game against the Jets (and I don't mean our "outstanding" defense, either.). I'll just leave it at I'm really excited for what's coming with this team after so many years of suffering.

Tanski, not to be rude or anything, but were you watching the same game I watched sunday? Palmer proved to me WITHOUT A SHADOW OF A DOUBT that he is the man for the job, and needs to be the starter now. Kitna is a good, solid QB. I like Kitna, he did great things last year, but he didn't handle the pressure of the stretch very well last season. And what if all it was was one hot year and if he was still the starter, and he reverted back to his old form of almost 2-1 INT-TD ratios, and losing fumbles all over the field? It'd be exactly the same as it was when we started 0-3 last season, and the call for Palmer was deafening. Kitna is a solid QB, but I don't see him as a QB capable of leading a team to a Super Bowl. And I hate to say that, b/c I liked watching him last year, and he has been a great influence on the Bengals in the last year, but we cannot have a second season with a $3 million dollar clipboard holder, and in drafting Palmer, we all knew he would eventually inherit the team, and that time is here. Kitna getting hot last season just delayed the inevitable, but I feel it was for the better, b/c rather than throwing Palmer to the wolves like so many rookie "franchise" Qbs are, he got to sit back, watch, learn, and understand the differences between college and pro ball. I believe we have our best shot to get back to the Super Bowl with Palmer under center, and the more time he spends there, the faster and easier our road should become.

And as for bad throws, I saw him make one truly bad throw, and that was the pick, and the only reason it was a bad throw was b/c he didn't put quite enough air under it (he says he should have checked down as well). I've watched that pick several times, and really, if there'd been just a little more air under that ball, Chad probably would have had it and he'd have been gone. Coleman getting that pick was far more luck than skill, but of course, no one wants to admit that, b/c the Jets are a more marketable team than the Bengals, so all the NFL Network analysts laud praise on Coleman for being so saavy and whatever on the play, but he was more lucky than good, if you ask me. But anyway, what QB doesn't throw bad passes occaisionally, rookie or 10 year vet? Joe Montana is the greatest QB ever, but even the best made bad passes. To say that Palmer threw some bad passes and should not be the starter b/c of that seems a bit ridiculous to me. Pennington threw some ugly passes in that game as welll, but b/c he wasn't the 1st overall pick, or making his NFL debut, nobody feels the need to nitpick that either.

Palmer IS the starter, and he SHOULD BE the starter. His performance last sunday proved that to me, and many other Bengals fans. He looked far more experienced than he actually is, and he has the respect and faith of his teammates and it showed. He is young and inexperienced, yes, but I'm glad he's playing. Big Wilie may be the team's emotional leader, but he has expressed his faith and confidence in Palmer more than once, and that will spread to the rest of the team. Palmer has control of that huddle. He is the guy that should be in there. Am I saying he won't make more bad throws or throw more picks? Of course he will, but that happens to EVERY QB who has ever played the game, I don't care how talented they are or how long they've been playing the game.

Again, I've rambled, and I think I'll get off the soapbox now, b/c once again, I've gotten very very long-winded.

[MLabrosc02]

Tanski- I was at the game too Sunday, and I actually thought Palmer looked very good. Palmer didnt make many bad throws as your making it seem like, and the only bad one I remember was Bryants pick. Other than that, Palmer looked good and should me starting. Beat those 'Fins today. Oh, and I wanna see what Chad Johnson has in his pocket, so he better score a TD.

[exanimate]

Hey Felty, I noticed that you said that you watched Pennington a lot at Marshall, did you go to Marshall?

[Felty]

Originally Posted by exanimate

Hey Felty, I noticed that you said that you watched Pennington a lot at Marshall, did you go to Marshall?

Actually no but I only live about 25 miles or so from Huntington.

[exanimate]

Ahh, I am in Barboursville(getting ready to move to Ona). Nice to see someone from the area.

I am doubly excited for tonight's game becuase Time Warner Cable FINALLY added ESPNHD. I am excited!

Who Dey!

[Felty]

Originally Posted by exanimate

Ahh, I am in Barboursville(getting ready to move to Ona). Nice to see someone from the area.

Cool! I don't make it up that way very often. I don't have to much luck hunting for figures.

[exanimate]

Originally Posted by Felty

Cool! I don't make it up that way very often. I don't have to much luck hunting for figures.

It is pointless around here anyway. I rarely find anything. The guy at Kaybee at the mall told me yesterday that the store manager gets all of the figs when the come in. I travel to Logan and Mingo everyday, so that is where I find most of mine.