Cincinnati Bengals

[hypernova]

I'll be honest, I didn't particularly root for the Bengals growing up.  It turns out, I didn't even know I was a fan of the team for as long as I can remember that I liked football, as the time I started liking football, they always stunk.  As a child, you generally don't attach to a loser unless your parents or friends are.

Well, when they started doing halfway respectable the last couple of seasons, I've found I've been rooting for them.  I suppose I was a fan all along, and just didn't know it.

A few years ago, they were one of the league's best teams, and entered the playoffs, only to be knocked out single-handledly by Kimo von Oelhoffen of the Steelers.  Besides the Super Bowl games decades ago which I don't remember, that year was their best chance to win, yet it ended barely a few minutes into the first game.  Yeah, they had Kitna, and he did fairly well, but he was a backup.  Backups are backups for a reason.  Plus, losing the starting QB is deflating in the long run.

Fast forward a few mediocre seasons, and we're in the playoffs again.  And again we're out in the first round.  (Granted, we limped in.)  Watching the game, it's like it's the same old story from Carson Palmer since his injury.  It's almost like after every game his press conferences and interviews can be summed up as "We lost.  It happens.  We'll give it another try [next season]."  And everytime he talks, he seems practically devoid of all emotion.  Other players seem like they are emotionally invested in this game, especially 85.  Am I missing something?

Let's face it, I know I'm not off-base when I say Palmer has not been relatively close to his form from before the injury.  That first season back, it was inaccurate passes galore, and it continued into the second, though not as prevalent.  Yesterday was the same.  Balls sailing high over players' heads.  Announcers are always saying that he looks like he was out of form for this game or that game.  Gotta tell ya, it's getting old.  When are they going to realize that they're saying that too much, and it can no longer be an excuse for his poor play?

I hope I'm wrong, but I have been thinking for the last few years, Palmer's been done.  He'll have the occasional good game, but unless something changes, this IS going to be the norm, and he is no longer a QB that can lead a team to the Super Bowl unless he has a freak season.

Their propensity to commit penalties didn't help this year either.  Basics.  Two false starts in this game.  At home.  I believe the commentators said they had the highest or second highest amount of false starts for the year.  Something like that.

And kicking.  Missed a 35-yarder and a 28-yarder.  Terrible.  That was some serious momentum killer.  It's like the snapper problems we had at the beginning spread to the kicker.  Including the playoffs, he was 23 of 30 for the year.  I hope this isn't a sign of things to come.

Then again, with the Bengals, it's ALWAYS something that rears its ugly head, so it's not surprising.

Any other opinions on this?  Comments on other teams are welcome as well.

[Fordman]

Hypernova,

I live in Cincy and I am a Bengals Fan! As for this season, they were 'OK' at best. Yes, they Beat the Steelers, Browns & Ravens twice to win the division. To beat the Steelers and Ravens twice isnt easy but they did it, but did it sloppy!

In the first 4 games, their snapper wasnt doing the job, so they released him. That issue was fixed.

Chris Henry was seeming to come around although he had to be babysat the whole year by the team. He was lucky to play in the NFL as he was broke and making just above the league minimum for a salary for his off field antics. Mike Brown had taken a chance with him as well as a media beating! But it looked like Mike Brown's gamble was paying off. Im not happy that he was killed in an accident but not surprised because he believed in the 'thug' life and lived it!

The other cancer on the team is Chad Johnson. I refuse to call him by his stupid made up name as most in the city still call him Chad. This guy is so into himself, if you have noticed, Palmer barely threw to him all year. Chad's problem is his mouth and if the camera isnt on him at all times, he does something stupid, but not illegal to get press and face time. If Chad, just played the damn game, no one cares for his antics anymore, it's old and has affected his game.

2 missed field goals (the difference in points) on a franchise tagged player, Shane 'Golden' Gram is starting to become a little tarnished. Is his career done? No, but I think he's on the back end. Huber needs to start kicking field goals as he can but he doesnt because of Shane Gram.

But thats just my observation as an average Bengals football fan!

 

Fordman

[hypernova]

Henry was coming around, and that was a shame.  And 85 (I believe his name is ridiculous as well) got quite a few passes.  Just not lately.

They beat all the division rivals because they were finished with them by the 10th or 11th week or so.  Any later, and I'm not so sure they could've beaten any of them.

Speaking of kickers.  I'm sure you all watched Rackers miss for Arizona, though it didn't matter in the end.  Is it just me, or have kickers in general done somewhat badly this year?  Seemed like a lot of silly misses and kickers who got booted themselves.

[coasternuts]

  Having went to the game in full gear
 
  For Carson over-throwing

  For missed field goals!!

  It had to be the Jets!

  Time for Brown to let my people go!!

  For beating the Steelers.....TWICE   

[Malenko]

they do better then Ohio's other pro football team. Also, I live in Delaware we have no pro-teams so I could float from team to team but Ive been a colts fan for a long time, like since the days of Tecmo Bowl on the NES , lol

Just be happy the Rams suck and the Patriots are out of the play offs

[massive88]

I could care less about the Bengals save for:

1) Cedric Benson doing well and
2) Quan Cosby getting a chance to play WR finally, I think he will end up being a steal for them.

[hypernova]

Why the hate for the Rams, malenko?  Plus, don't you have a pick of some relatively close teams?  Ravens, Redskins, or even the Eagles.  Though I could see the Colts since they were located in Baltimore for a period.

[Malenko]

I dont hate the Rams, they went like 1-15 this year, which means teh bengals did better.

I dont think you have to pick a team based on location, my Hockey Team is the Avalance and I liked them back when they were the Nordiques!