Bengals tidbits

[OSUBasketballJunkie]

Dispatch

Increased blitzing benefits Bengals
Strategy rattles McNair, helps produce six turnovers
Thursday, September 13, 2007 6:19 AM
By Bill Rabinowitz


The Columbus Dispatch
TOM UHLMAN Associated Press
A hit from behind by Bengals linebacker Ahmad Brooks caused Ravens quarterback Steve McNair to fumble, one of Baltimore's six turnovers Monday.


CINCINNATI -- Bengals linebacker Ahmad Brooks called it "distruction," an unintentional blending of disruption and destruction.

"Sometimes, I pronounce words wrong," he said sheepishly yesterday.
True enough. In training camp, he referred to his position group as a "linebacker corpse."

Continued....

[GoBucks89]

Originally Posted by studepaber

Defense: Did a great job, pickups Myers and Marshall stepped up and Landon Johnson had a great game (IMO he looks to be the most-improved defense player from last year). Brooks played fast but his lack of experience showed up on a few plays.

I was shocked at how well the defense played. Bresnahan has finally figured out that you have to be unpredictable and disguise the blitzes in order to pressure and confuse the QB. They did it magnificently on Monday night. If they play like that every game, we'll be in great shape. Imagine this: the Bengals were more physical than the Ravens and sent them home bloody and bruised, not to mention 0-1. Who would have predicted that?

Special Teams: Almost laughable. Obviously for the TD they gave up, Graham's mistakes (granted he's hurt) and giving the Ravens great field position. Skylar Green did a decent job and at least didn't make any mistakes.

I'm still in disbelief that they sent Graham out there to kick a 53 yarder on the second drive when he hadn't kicked the whole pre-season. It's a stretch even if he's healthy. That was a real head-scratcher.

Neither team played great, and the Heap call was suspect, but it's still a W for the good guys.

Amen to that brother.

[studepaber]

Originally Posted by GoBucks89

I was shocked at how well the defense played. Bresnahan has finally figured out that you have to be unpredictable and disguise the blitzes in order to pressure and confuse the QB. They did it magnificently on Monday night. If they play like that every game, we'll be in great shape. Imagine this: the Bengals were more physical than the Ravens and sent them home bloody and bruised, not to mention 0-1. Who would have predicted that?

I'm still in disbelief that they sent Graham out there to kick a 53 yarder on the second drive when he hadn't kicked the whole pre-season. It's a stretch even if he's healthy. That was a real head-scratcher.

Amen to that brother.

It's amazing what happens when you find ways to blitz a QB and don't give him time to pick apart your secondary. I am definitely liking Bresnahan's aggressive philosophy so far this year.

I was in almost as much disbelief when the Bengals elected to punt the ball on the opponent's 35 instead of going for it. Oh course Larson punts it in the endzone (but I think Sams or whoever was returning the punt made a good play on the Bengal trying to down the ball).

Should be a W next week against the Browns, I just hope they don't send some of the Bengals off on a stretcher like last year (Pollack and wasn't Braham injured in that game too?)

[OSUBasketballJunkie]

Dispatch

Bengals notebook: He'll go to the Dawgs
Johnson plans jump into Pound if he scores Sunday
Friday, September 14, 2007 3:36 AM
By Bill Rabinowitz


THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH
David KohlAssociated Press
Chad Johnson can discuss his Hall of Fame credentials if he leaps into the Dawg Pound in Cleveland Browns Stadium.



CINCINNATI -- Dawg Pounders, consider yourselves warned. Bengals receiver Chad Johnson is coming.

Johnson said he plans to do a Lambeau Leap into that end-zone section of Cleveland Browns Stadium if he scores Sunday.
"I'm jumping in the Dawg Pound," he vowed. "It'll be fun, man. I love the Dawg Pound. I talked to a gentleman -- I'm not sure what his name is -- but he's sat there every year since my rookie year. Before every game, I go up to him and talk to him, a heavyset guy who wears a mask. I told him I'm going to jump in there."

Continued......

[OSUBasketballJunkie]

Dispatch

Bengals notebook: Offense shares the blame
Costly turnovers prevent chances to take control
Monday, September 17, 2007 3:26 AM
By Bill Rabinowitz


The Columbus Dispatch
Amy sancetta associated press
Cincinnati's Chad Johnson fends off Cleveland Browns defensive back Leigh Bodden on a 16-yard reception.



CLEVELAND -- When an offense scores 45 points, usually the players can look in the mirror and say, "Not our fault."
The Bengals offense did enough to win yesterday, but they're certainly not absolved of all responsibility for the Cleveland Browns' 51-45 victory.
Yes, Carson Palmer threw a team-record six touchdown passes and was spectacular for most of the game behind excellent protection from his offensive line.

Continued......

[cincibuck]

Ah, the Bungles are back! I just knew last week was a fluke.

[GoBucks89]

Originally Posted by cincibuck

Ah, the Bungles are back! I just knew last week was a fluke.

Sad but true. These are the Bengals that I know and love. No pressure on the QB, leading to unlimited time to find receivers, leading to the usual hall-of-fame performance by a mediocre QB. And this week they added in a new element: getting pushed around in the running game (the Steelers always do that, but most other teams didn't last year). Well, Leslie Frazier was fired as DC after two years. This is Bresnahan's third year as DC. It's put up or shut up time. There is no excuse for allowing 50 points against anyone, let alone a team that would be scoring in the single digits (if anything) against anyone else.