Maybe It Wasn't That Bad?

Once again, I could not watch the Bengals preseason game even though I safely reside outside the Blackout Zone.

Sounds like the performance against the Rams left much to be desired.  Without Carson in there I can't imagine there was much to be learned from the game anyway as far as our fate this season is concerned.  One thing I did see repeated to some extent was that our performance was particularly disconcerting because we played the Rams.

Obviously, the Rams stunk last year.  However, go listen to the Sports Guy's podcast* with Aaron Schatz of Football Outsiders.  Aaron notes that in many of their simulated projections of the upcoming season the Rams do quite well.  Of course, he also notes that in many of their simulations the Rams absolutely stink as well.

The point is the Rams likely have more talent and potential than is generally acknowledged...so if the Bengals looked bad last night, don't necessarily get extra down because it was against the Rams.

*More on this podcast later as Simmons and Mike Lombardi also discussed Hard Knocks and Mike Brown...

Comments

[Esteban]

Only thing that truly bothered me last night was Offensive line play,It's obvious Andre Smith makes us a better team Mike Brown just needs to pay the guy

[mike_brown_is_evil]

Six sacks? Carson won't make it past game three. Mike Brown still s*cks, film at 11.

[kotw65]

It does'nt matter who the QB is behind this line they will get hanmmered.

Remember, three centers on the roster to run the O line and protect the franchise QB and no regular season games played between them.

This team is in big trouble and to think andre smith can come in and really make a difference as a rook, I just can't buy into it.

4 and 12 Again

[mike_brown_is_evil]

3 and 13.

[Mr. X]

7-9. This year's schedule is lighter than last year's. Unless something is done to sort out the integrated play of the line, a repeat of 40+ sacks looms large as a possibility, though.

[TigerJ@w]

Pleaseeeeeeeeeee on the Rams being good this year! That was the TRUE Bengals you did not see last night. Nothing new, but a different year.

[Mockenrue]

I've said it before and I'll say it again. 6-10.

Wins against the Broncos, Browns x2, Kansas City, Oakland, and Detroit. Possibly swap one or two of those out as a loss in favor of a fluke win against a legitimately better team. But I don't see anyone else on that schedule I think the Bengals can really feel confident about beating. And we know they always feel more confident going into the season than they should be, with how they end up performing.

They'll be slightly better than last year in record thanks to a weaker list of opponents, but they won't be much if at all better in actual execution or talent. More of the same.

[Wyatt]

Ross Tucker has an article up on SI.com right now where he opines that the Bengals are right to not pay Andre Smith the money he wants. It's a pretty interesting article, even if it seems to me like something Hobspin would write (if only he were allowed to honestly address issues like that with any kind of depth - he seems to more or less gloss over the whole situation, I'm guessing due to editorial (read: MFB) mandate). I'd be interested in hearing the thoughts of the Revolution on this one.

[Competitiveness]

It isn't an unreasonable article, but he's wrong or misspoken in a couple of areas:

1)The line hasn't looked that good, and even if it has in his eyes, nothing of significance can be determined. The middle will likely be weak in pass protection, LT could be a weakness, and RT will be bad at run blocking. There's also the whole continuity thing that I've been stressing

2)Banks is right that Smith may not be better than Collins for THIS season. But you have to have an eye on the future as well; Smith should be an excellent linemen eventually. Collins-Whit-Cook/Luigs-Livings-Williams and his eventual replacement doesn't look to be that great of a unit going forward. Replacing Collins and/or moving Whit back to guard with Smith makes it a whole lot better. Carson is in his prime RIGHT now; we can't be wasting first round picks and taking many offseasons to rebuild his line.

[Theme-Creator]

All these comments are interesting. However, it is really simple. Over the last 18 years the Bengals have had 1 winning season. That season was the exception, not the rule. In other words, 2005 was a fluke. If you look over the last 18 years there is one constant, Mike Brown. Therefore, until that variable changes, the Bengals record will not. So, at best this year 8-8. Factor in bad line play, a coach who tendered his resignation last year(true story) and an owner that says "want to do better" as an inspirational speech and we are looking at 6-10 at best. Sorry folks.

There is a bright spot here. Nobody wants to see the Bengals win more than me and nobody is more feed up with MFB. Therefore, I am going to hope that they do not win 8 games this year. That will be difficult for me as I am a die hard fan but we must. It is for the greater good of the team. Think of it this way. The vast majority of the suits in PBS expire after this year. There are over 100 of them. The average suite price (not counting food or drink) is $120,000.00 per year. Therefore, suit leases provide MFB with 12 million plus in net profit (he has no expenses for them, county pays all expenses). This my friends is the difference between MFB making money and losing money. And we all know that MFB likes to make money. We also know that he does not have a large rainy day fund and even if he did, he would not spend it. So, with just one more bad year the suit holders will exit in mass. MFB would be financially forced to either sell or change. Either way, we as fans win.

[Rob Weintraub]

Back to the Rams--I write for Football Outsiders, so I'd like to think the projections are calling a sleeper. But I also live in Atlanta, and I saw the Falcons carve up the Rams like a turkey last week, so I know better.

[Mockenrue]

Ochocinco claims Andre Smith signed - check out his twitter. Not sure what to make of this.

[Sleeping With Bieniemy]

Okay - nevermind, be concerned that we looked crappy vs the Rams. Even the Outsiders guys doen't trust their own numbers on the Rams. Thanks Rob.

[HobbsDorthy]

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