In what is apparently becoming an annual tradition, we've done another playoff preview Q&A with the incomparable Steph Stradley of the Houston Chronicle blog TexansChick. You can find the link here, and a little taste below:
Without question, the Bengals are stronger on the defensive side of the ball. That will probably remain the case as long as DC Mike Zimmer, for reasons unclear to me, continues to not get head coaching offers from the rest of the NFL.
In particular, the Bengals are strong on the defensive line. That is something I have never been able to say as a fan until these last few years. And I have never been able to say that because Geno Atkins did not play on the Bengals. But he does now. And it is glorious.
Go read the whole thing.
Also, for an incredibly in depth diagnosis of the current state of the Texans, definitely read Steph's piece "My Unified Theory of the 2012 Texans and the Meaning of Life". You get sophisticated footbaw analysis AND the meaning of life in one post! Why are you not reading that right now?!
Last, as I haven't posted in some time, I'll throw out a few thoughts on the 2012 Bengals season.
In our season preview for KSK we said there were actually reasons for hope, and for the most part that ended up being correct. I think there's a ceiling to that hope come the playoffs, but hey, anything can happen I suppose. If we're talking hope, then looking to the two Giants Superbowl runs is the likely model where a nasty defensive line led the way. That model also supposes Andy Dalton has Eli Manning upside. I'll just leave that thought there.
More importantly, as the unofficial watchdog of the Bengals franchise, WDR is pleased to see the team be able to finally sustain success for more than one year. It's an open question if that sustained success is 1) a function of the recent marginal but significant organizational changes within the Bengals that has led to a better a process, or 2) if the process is still broken and we have just mostly lucked into a nice stretch that is unsustainable. Likely, it's a little of both and the organization is slowly repairing what was a broken process under Mike Brown for 20 years.
At any rate, our hats are off to the Bengals in 2012. They resurrected a faltering season and are playing defense at a level I have never seen a Bengals team play in my lifetime. I only hope the franchise continues their modernization and builds off the foundation they have laid the past few years. Only time will tell.
Just need to write to lay off a little steam...I would think as an adult this wouldn't get me so revved up but it does...How much longer does a fan have to wait?? 22 years tomorrow since their last playoff win...incredible..and sickening!
True, they put together 10 wins as opposed to 9 last year and this year's game in Houston was a lot more competitive than last years. To be down 9-7 at the half when the offense couldn't get out of its way was a testament to a stout defense. And I was a little impressed that they sucked it up in the second half when it looked like the game was getting out of hand at 16-7.
At least they had THEIR chance with the Dalton overthrown long ball...I really believed that the game was over at that point regardless of their 4th down pass( another doozy throwing a route about 5 yards short of the marker)
Anyway, I'm better now. Looking forward to seeing some more action on the blog this offseason. Once the emotion subsides Cincy still has a chance to build on this year's success. I know I saw a lot of empty seats this season in the stands, so maintaining the pressure is key. He may never relinquish control, but at least WDR can serve as a light in the darkness. Viva
Posted by: Sambo's child | January 05, 2013 at 08:12 PM
Rey Maualuga was PWNED. They beat him like a conga drum all day. The Bengals played bend-don't-break but that's actually what Kubiak likes, he wants to run the ball and dink pass down the field. It worked like a charm except they didn't execute in the red zone. Otherwise this game would have been 35-13. Bengals had no sacks, Texans offensive line bulldozed over them.
But the Bengals offense? That looked an asteroid had smashed into a train wreck. They had 3 passing yards in the first half? And no attempts at AJ Green? What kind of moron comes up with that as his game plan?
Posted by: CurseOfMikeBrown | January 06, 2013 at 02:20 AM
The truth is the defense over achieved and the Bengals never really had a run game all season. I'm actually kinda glad they lost, I want Mike Brown to die knowing that he never won anything and his system sucked. Until the Bengals start spending some money on quality players, indoor facilities, scouts, etc. it's going to be the same old story.
Posted by: Mark | January 06, 2013 at 11:55 AM
The players are there. The scouting department has been improved. Indoor facilities would be nice, but what needs to happen, what has to happen, is Marvin Lewis MUST be fired! He is the worst coach in the NFL. He makes terrible decisions and bumbles important calls. Also, Jay Gruden needs to take his no-talent-brother's-name-hacking ass outta town. That guy wouldn't know an offense if it smacked him in his worthless face. 11 run plays in that game yesterday is a fucking pathetic joke! We averaged almost 8 ypc in the first half when we only ran it 6 times?!?!?!? Ridiculous! I really hope that the Arizona Cardinals bail us out on this one and take him off our hands and we promote Hue Jackson to OC.
Posted by: SanAntonioBengalFan | January 06, 2013 at 06:13 PM
Yeah, I don't know what they were thinking not targeting A.J., unless is was kind of a diversion strategy so they could target him later on. Especially with his natural abilities, you gotta just get him the ball and let him do his thing.
I think Dalton just needs some more time to mature. I wanna rip his head off for missing throws and his hesitancy (many commentators notice his gun shy demeanor and indecision in making tough throws), but we all know everyone expects to win right now, and in reality it takes time. I'm still very impressed that he has directed these guys to 2 straight playoff appearances. I would like to see another deep threat receiver on this roster next year, or if not, I think a receiving threat out of the backfield would give this offense an added dimension. (I'm not sure if Scott or Leonard can provide this).
But I think with our D, they will give us a chance to be in almost all of our games next year. Zim is pretty cool.
Posted by: Sambo's child | January 07, 2013 at 01:05 PM
I was down on the Bengals all season but I actually thought this game was theirs to lose.
Which they did.
Which leads me to ask, how much is being spent on conditioning coaches? It seems like the Bengals were manhandled all year in the 4th quarter which leads me to believe everyone else is in just a little better shape.
I still think Marven Lewis is an 8-8 coach whose teams sometimes out perform. It will be interesting to see how the Ravens and Steelers respond to their setbacks this year.
Better than the Bengals do I'm willing to bet.
Posted by: 5chw4r7z | January 08, 2013 at 10:34 AM
All the Koolaid drinkers saying give Dalton more time, compare Dalton's lack of poise and deer-in-the-headlights performances in big games with Kaepernick's first ever playoff start and 8th ever start that produced one NFL record and a franchise record for the 49ers, in a smashing win that puts them in the NFC championship game. These guys were drafted in the same draft, and Dalton was supposed to be more NFL ready.
"Give him more time" -- the mantra for losers.
Posted by: CurseOfMikeBrown | January 13, 2013 at 02:15 AM
Ha Ha Ha We still have CLOWNS posting over here thinking the Bungals will be winners? MFB is a LOSER and he will take that word to his grave. NE just manhandled those CHUMPS that beat us. Dalton is nothing more than another kINTna. Go look at their stats and compare. All this team and organization is.... The same ole CIRCUS with different CLOWNS! lol You want Hue Jackson to become the OC? lol Look at how their O ran in Oakland. CLUELESS BUNGALS FANS they always will be! ENJOY THE CIRCUS for the 23rd year coming up under MFB's realm! BTW, they did not win 10 games, Baltimore did not even play their starters hardly at all. They are winning now and would have given us a butt whoppin again. WAKE UP!
Posted by: TigerJ@w | January 13, 2013 at 08:44 PM
Nice to be here and see your post!
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