Bengals

[GoMuskies]

I'm sorry for those of you in the unfortunate position of being Bengals' fans. Today's typically devastating loss must have been pretty tough. Though at this point I imagine that you mostly just laugh at these sorts of things.

[xubball93]

I cheered and laughed as the Broncos scored. Go Bungles!

[bourbonman]

Not that I'm a Bengals fan, but that's a shame. Anyway, it seemed like the clock keeper was really working for the Bengals. There was definitely 38 seconds left when the Bengals scored, so how did it get to 20? :confused: Anyone who was at the game notice it?

[AviatorX]

Yep. Just laughing. Show me one other team in the world that a play like that could happen to and you wouldn't even be surprised.

[surfxu]

That was my response exactly. The Bengals have made me so appathetic towards the hometown team that I just laughed. Nice if they win, I'd like to root for them, but when they go 4 quarters of football and only score once then what do you expect. This kind of stuff only happens to them though.

[XUOWNSUC]

They should never have been in that situation. To only be up 7-6 against a crappy Denver team at home is pathetic. It's going to be another loooooooong year. Even more reason to look forward to Xavier basketball.

Xavier is the only pro/college team that I root for that actually wins. Even so, there have been some kick-in-the-gut tourney losses (IU, Gonzaga, Duke, osu, Pitt).

[An X Fan]

How soon can basketball season start?

[X-band '01]

Denver owns Cincinnati in 2 sports now - this is a shade of how Browns fans had to be feeling in the late 80s. The Bengals were playing great defense for most of the day; it seemed over half the drives the Broncos had were 3-and-out. Too many mental errors kept the game at a 6-0 point for longer than it should have been.

With games at Green Bay and at home against the Steelers, they needed this one badly to have any real confidence to start the season. It's almost a worse way to open the season than last year when the Ravens just punched the Bengals in the mouth and they were never able to turn the page.

[Snipe]

I was so happy about being 1-0. Man did that bring me down. My wife and kids don't like how frustrated I get at Bengals losses. You would think after all these years I would take it in stride.

Truely Manic Man mode. I was dancing and jumping around one minute and disgusted the next.

I remember the civic pride and sense of community when the Reds and Bengals had good teams. It sucks for this town to field loser after loser. It sucks for my kids to not know what a winning Cincinnati team is like. Life isn't fair, the whole thing sucks, and I am going to sulk and be a big baby about it.

Damn it.

I too can't wait for Xavier Basketball to start. At least we have one consistent winner in this town.

[Juice]

With games at Green Bay and at home against the Steelers, they needed this one badly to have any real confidence to start the season. It's almost a worse way to open the season than last year when the Ravens just punched the Bengals in the mouth and they were never able to turn the page.

The sell out streak will end after that Steelers game. The only reason it won't end with that game is because the Steeler fans will buy enough tickets to outnumber the Bengal fans.

The NFL in Cincinnati - feel the excitement!

[xucub]

It didn't "happen" to the Bengals. They did it to themselves. In that situation, the deep safety has ONE job - keep the play in front of you. Instead, Hall leaves his deep position to try to be a hero. He turns into the goat.
Did the coaches remind him to play deep? Did he ignore them? Who knows. Note that when the Broncos had to defend against the hail mary that they had 3 guys 55 yards from the line of scrimmage.

[XU2424]

I was at the game and talk about a roller coaster of emotions! Only the Bengals can grasp defeat out of the jaws of victory!!! I am still at a loss for words about what happened...

[BENWAR]

I was so happy about being 1-0. Man did that bring me down. My wife and kids don't like how frustrated I get at Bengals losses. You would think after all these years I would take it in stride.

Truely Manic Man mode. I was dancing and jumping around one minute and disgusted the next.

I remember the civic pride and sense of community when the Reds and Bengals had good teams. It sucks for this town to field loser after loser. It sucks for my kids to not know what a winning Cincinnati team is like. Life isn't fair, the whole thing sucks, and I am going to sulk and be a big baby about it.

Damn it.

I too can't wait for Xavier Basketball to start. At least we have one consistent winner in this town.
I can't take it anymore!!!!

[XURunner85]

Being a Bears fan I loved it, this game was so damn boring, neither team is any good but the last minute of the game was the best part all game. I just hope the Bengals can lose 4 or 5 more to start the season so when the Bears come in week 7 I can get good seats at good price since people will be begging people to take the tickets....GO BEARS!!!

[vee4xu]

I was watching the game with my Bengals fan son. I felt badly for the Bengals when that play happened. This from someone who would have laughed his ass off years ago in that situation. My son actually started laughing when the Bengals lost. But, keep the faith Bengals fans. As long as you are in the same division as my Browns, you are guaranteed not to end up in last place. So, in the words of Bill Murray, "At least you have that going for you."

[wkrq59]

First, take a long look at the TV replays of today's Bengals game. It will probably be the last home telecast for the year, unless Pittsburgh brings 35,000 fans to PBS and then it might not even make the deadline.
When one of the TV commentators says early in the game, "They are after all the Bungles," what does it say about this franchise? Any positive publicity for the franchise from Hard Knocks went right into the toilet with the rest of the season.
Some interesting questions:
Why does Bob Bratkowski still have a job other than dog-catcher?
Why did the Bengals invest millions in Coles, who dropped three critical passes?
Why do people continue to rag on Chad Johnson aka Ocho Cinco????Yeah, he drew a questionable offensive interference penalty when he shoved off (a light tap actually) on a defender who had been grabbing him all day, but he sure as hell backed up his antics today?
Why does Brad St. Louis make two bad snaps against Denver? What is Denver doing to screw up his rhythm or snapping? A little film study might reveal something, if the Bengals spent the money for enough cameras to focus on such things? Their films guy (please tell me it's not Jim Lippincott) must have had to reload his Brownie before the snap.
How can a rookie head coach who traded away an all-pro quarterback in waiting for a shaky, low football IQ quarterback luck out and win a game with a play like that which obviously was a pass that should have been batted out of bounds instead of a veteran CB trying to make a sensational one-hand catch???
Why does Bob Bratkowski still have a job other than cesspool cleaner?
Snipe, I'm so happy my son was here to restrain me or I might have cost this family a mighty expensive TV? I share your pain.
IN truth, this game went down the tubes in the first half and continued despite some adequate defense.
Still, when my 73-year-old glasses-aided eyes and memory can call the plays in the first half--even the fake punt which barely worked--why the hell does Bob Bratkowski have a job other than used condom retriever in a brothel? Now that, Mike Rowe, is the " dirtiest job."
Normally, I'm not a vicious person but I'd have to think seriously about changing my point of view and attitude after that exhibition of putrid-ivity. :p:p:p

[AdamtheFlyer]

Hard to blame Bratkowski for that one. In the first half the Bengals were rolling on almost every drive until the players failed to execute. Carson made a few bad throws, Coles had some drops, stupid penalties. The offense was just off. I chalk it up to Carson not playing for three weeks. The timing between him and everyone but Chad was off. He was a bit shaky in the pocket. All things that will be smoothed out over time. Plus you have only the second botched snap in Brad St louis' seven year career. It was a fluke.

The defense was nearly flawless. Yeah, the safties botched the last play, but it never should have come to that. The offense (players) left as many as 17 first half points on the field with mistakes.

I saw the makings of a good team on the field today. The offense was awful and they were a fluke away from winning an NFL game. That doesn't happen in this league. Unfortunately, they're staring 0-3 in the face unless the offense rights the ship nearly overnight. If that doesn't happen it'll be too late. They can be good a good team this year, but not go from 0-3 to 10-6 good.

[nuts4xu]

First, take a long look at the TV replays of today's Bengals game. It will probably be the last home telecast for the year, unless Pittsburgh brings 35,000 fans to PBS and then it might not even make the deadline.


The point is valid, as the Bengals will likely not sell out too many games. But the Pitt game sold out last week so we will get to see that one on TV. And that could very well be the last home game on TV if they don't rattle off a bunch of wins in the next month or so.

[D-West & PO-Z]

They dont call them the Bungles for nothing.

[Frambo]

I haven't heard an explanation yet, but when we were stopped at the 1 foot line before the TD was scored, did Lewis call a timeout, ask for a review (which got us a charged timeout) or what?

this stopped the clock and left time for the Broncos

[vee4xu]

I haven't heard an explanation yet, but when we were stopped at the 1 foot line before the TD was scored, did Lewis call a timeout, ask for a review (which got us a charged timeout) or what?

this stopped the clock and left time for the Broncos

Since the play happened in the last two minutes of the game, the call to review came from the officials box. Teams do not have an option to challenge calls at that point. So Lewis had no choice.

[boozehound]

It didn't "happen" to the Bengals. They did it to themselves. In that situation, the deep safety has ONE job - keep the play in front of you. Instead, Hall leaves his deep position to try to be a hero. He turns into the goat.
Did the coaches remind him to play deep? Did he ignore them? Who knows. Note that when the Broncos had to defend against the hail mary that they had 3 guys 55 yards from the line of scrimmage.

I'm not sure I follow you there. Are you talking about Leon Hall, the cornerback, or a safety?

I'm not going to get too down on a defensive back that is getting into the passing lanes and getting his hands on the ball. It was amazingly bad luck that the ball fell into Stokely's hands and that there was no one between him at the end zone, but I really don't know how much of that was Hall's fault.

There were many earlier miscues that put the Bengals in a position to lose that game.

[waggy]

I saw the makings of a good team on the field today.

You know, I agree with this. I was surprised how good the offensive line looked, and Palmers accuracy was better than it's been in about 2 seasons.

Brutal way to lose, but it's only game one. If they stay relatively injury free, I think they could actually win some games.

[PM Thor]

When the tip-catch happened, the chickey and I both burst into spontaneous laughter. There simply is no other way to react to this team anymore. Oh those Bungles, always doing those wacky things to lose games that they didn't deserve to win in the first place. I'm sorry if I offend anyone with this, but I just think it's hilarious.

I HATE dayton.

[drudy23]

Since the play happened in the last two minutes of the game, the call to review came from the officials box. Teams do not have an option to challenge calls at that point. So Lewis had no choice.


So you still lose a timeout even if you lose a review that was called by the booth? That doesn't seem right. That can't be right.

[AdamtheFlyer]

The point is valid, as the Bengals will likely not sell out too many games. But the Pitt game sold out last week so we will get to see that one on TV. And that could very well be the last home game on TV if they don't rattle off a bunch of wins in the next month or so.

The Browns and Bears games will sell out for sure.

[Lloyd Braun]

By far the best part of that play (and I am shocked no one has mentioned this) was the Gus Johnson classic play call.

nfl.com has it, I have watched/listened to it at least 20 times.

[D-West & PO-Z]

By far the best part of that play (and I am shocked no one has mentioned this) was the Gus Johnson classic play call.

nfl.com has it, I have watched/listened to it at least 20 times.

Wow, just went to listen to it, you are so right. That was awesome. Thank you.

To the point that someone made earlier about the safety running up and not staying back, after watching it again you are right. i\Tt was #31, Roy Williams I think?, and he ran up to lay a big hit on the reciever instead of staying back. Obviously he couldnt have predicted the way the ball would tip but there was no need for him to do that but over the years its pretty much been shown that is all Roy Williams knows how to do. No reason for him not to just stay deep.

[gladdenguy]

It didn't "happen" to the Bengals. They did it to themselves. In that situation, the deep safety has ONE job - keep the play in front of you. Instead, Hall leaves his deep position to try to be a hero. He turns into the goat.
Did the coaches remind him to play deep? Did he ignore them? Who knows. Note that when the Broncos had to defend against the hail mary that they had 3 guys 55 yards from the line of scrimmage.

It was Chris Crocker who needed to stay deep, not Leon Hall. Leon Hall was the cornerback......but, you're right, Chris Crocker, the safety, has one job and that is to stay deep.

[Jumpy]

So you still lose a timeout even if you lose a review that was called by the booth? That doesn't seem right. That can't be right.

Marvin called the timeout before the booth decided to review. I think it was called in an effort to 1) regroup for the TD, and 2) give the booth more chances to see the play and initiate the review.


Hard to blame Bratkowski for that one. In the first half the Bengals were rolling on almost every drive until the players failed to execute. Carson made a few bad throws, Coles had some drops, stupid penalties. The offense was just off. I chalk it up to Carson not playing for three weeks. The timing between him and everyone but Chad was off. He was a bit shaky in the pocket. All things that will be smoothed out over time. Plus you have only the second botched snap in Brad St louis' seven year career. It was a fluke.

The defense was nearly flawless. Yeah, the safties botched the last play, but it never should have come to that. The offense (players) left as many as 17 first half points on the field with mistakes.

I saw the makings of a good team on the field today. The offense was awful and they were a fluke away from winning an NFL game. That doesn't happen in this league. Unfortunately, they're staring 0-3 in the face unless the offense rights the ship nearly overnight. If that doesn't happen it'll be too late. They can be good a good team this year, but not go from 0-3 to 10-6 good.


I agree with this. The receivers, TE's and backs all had a number of dropped passes that stalled drives in the first half. I remember Fouts saying that if they hadn't dropped any passes, Carson would have been 19/21 passing at one point in the game.

The bottom line, though, is that they shouldn't have been in that position in the first place. At that point in the game, they should have been up by 17, not a single f'in point.

The defense played well and hopefully that will continue into next week, because we will need it. It will be very tough to go into Green Bay to get a win, but it is possible. The defense has to play as well as it did yesterday and the offense has to wake up instantly.

[boozehound]

When the tip-catch happened, the chickey and I both burst into spontaneous laughter. There simply is no other way to react to this team anymore. Oh those Bungles, always doing those wacky things to lose games that they didn't deserve to win in the first place. I'm sorry if I offend anyone with this, but I just think it's hilarious.

I HATE dayton.

If the Bengals didn't deserve to win, then Denver sure as HELL didn't deserve to win. The Bengals played a much better game than Denver in my opinion.

[Frambo]

Marvin called the timeout before the booth decided to review. I think it was called in an effort to 1) regroup for the TD, and 2) give the booth more chances to see the play and initiate the review.

This is what I was referring to. VERY POOR clock management. They were on the 1 foot line - who cares about a review. The clock should have been started and we would have had 2 or 3 chances to slam it into the end zone leaving Denver little or no time. Marvin stopping the clock cost us the game as much as the tipped pass.

Tressel did the same at the end of the first half on saturday.

[drudy23]

This is what I was referring to. VERY POOR clock management. They were on the 1 foot line - who cares about a review. The clock should have been started and we would have had 2 or 3 chances to slam it into the end zone leaving Denver little or no time. Marvin stopping the clock cost us the game as much as the tipped pass.

Tressel did the same at the end of the first half on saturday.

The sad thing is, the Broncos players (Stokely) are more "heady" than our coach when it comes to time management.

[XUOWNSUC]

This is what I was referring to. VERY POOR clock management. They were on the 1 foot line - who cares about a review. The clock should have been started and we would have had 2 or 3 chances to slam it into the end zone leaving Denver little or no time. Marvin stopping the clock cost us the game as much as the tipped pass.



I thought the same thing. If you are going to a take a time-out there, why not wait till the clock runs down to 25 seconds or so. That way you still have left time to run 3 plays and you kill off as much clock as possible.

The only thing I could say in Marvin's defense is that maybe he was worried Carson was going snap the ball w/o Marvin having a chance to call time-out. Maybe Marvin didn't have a way to communicate to Carson to hold off snapping the ball.

Kudos to Graham though - he had a monster kick on that kick-off. I thought for sure he would squib it or barely make it to the 10 yard-line.

[Stonebreaker]

When the Bungles commit to winning, I'll commit to caring.

[vee4xu]

When the Bungles commit to winning, I'll commit to caring.

Ditto here, except substitute Clowns for Bungles.

[D-West & PO-Z]

I saw it again and I think you have to place a lot of blame on Roy Williams for that last play. Already guys over by the receiver and he comes running in for a big hit. Just stay back.

[Jumpy]

In light of this amazing Bengals season, I figured I'd go ahead and dredge up some old s**t. Hindsight is 20/20, but some of these posts are hilarious, nonetheless.

Hey Runner, how are those Bears treating you?

How 'bout your Giants, DWest?

I'll admit, I'm a Bengals nut, but not even I could have predicted the season that they are having. I thought at best, the Bengals would finish the year 9-7 or 10-6 with a chance at a wildcard. To sweep the division, have a handful of memorable comeback victories and kick the crap out of Da Bears on national TV is well beyond my expectations. I will stop short of calling this season magical because it would be a disservice to the 53+ guys in that locker room to do so. They believed from day one that they were good enough to get it done, now they're proving it.

[Fred Garvin]

No Peko for a couple games. And no Scott Sunday either. Who knows how long that turf toe will linger.

[danaandvictory]

Bengals-Vikings officially remains a 4 PM start on Sunday, if they'd have flexed it to Sunday night opposite the Shootout that would have been total garbage.

EDIT: Never mind, Lance is full of crap as usual.

[Denver Muskie]

Bengals-Vikings officially remains a 4 PM start on Sunday, if they'd have flexed it to Sunday night opposite the Shootout that would have been total garbage.

Unless this a recent change, the game is at 1 PM.

[danaandvictory]

Unless this a recent change, the game is at 1 PM.

Lance reported this morning that the game hadn't been flexed and was a 4:00 pm start...which is my recollection from the original schedule this year.

If it is a 1:00 kickoff (which it says on bengals.com and nfl.com), that's awesome.

[Xaveriana]

Lance reported this morning that the game hadn't been flexed and was a 4:00 pm start...which is my recollection from the original schedule this year.

If it is a 1:00 kickoff (which it says on bengals.com and nfl.com), that's awesome.

ESPN still says 1:00 as well http://espn.go.com/nfl/schedule#14

[D-West & PO-Z]

How 'bout your Giants, DWest?



One win away on Sunday night from being in first place (If the Cowboys lose to the Chargers that afternoon) in the toughest division in football. :D

[danaandvictory]

Lance was talking about the Bengals-Chargers game next week. I'm going to go ahead and sit the next few plays out.

[D-West & PO-Z]

Ya the Giants and Eagles are the Sunday night game. Big game for the division lead. (If the Cowboys lose in the afternoon to the Chargers)

[D-West & PO-Z]

In light of this amazing Bengals season, I figured I'd go ahead and dredge up some old s**t. Hindsight is 20/20, but some of these posts are hilarious, nonetheless.

Hey Runner, how are those Bears treating you?

How 'bout your Giants, DWest?

I'll admit, I'm a Bengals nut, but not even I could have predicted the season that they are having. I thought at best, the Bengals would finish the year 9-7 or 10-6 with a chance at a wildcard. To sweep the division, have a handful of memorable comeback victories and kick the crap out of Da Bears on national TV is well beyond my expectations. I will stop short of calling this season magical because it would be a disservice to the 53+ guys in that locker room to do so. They believed from day one that they were good enough to get it done, now they're proving it.

Just a side note, I did not mention the Giants once this entire thread so I dont know how that you asking me that is dredging up old shit.

[boozehound]

Just a side note, I did not mention the Giants once this entire thread so I dont know how that you asking me that is dredging up old shit.

Huh?

[D-West & PO-Z]

Huh?

Ya that was worded weird. He said reading the comments were funny and that he was dredging up old comments people made and then he made a comment about my Giants as if I was talking about the giants previously in the thread.

Not sure if that makes more sense or not.

[boozehound]

Ya that was worded weird. He said reading the comments were funny and that he was dredging up old comments people made and then he made a comment about my Giants as if I was talking about the giants previously in the thread.

Not sure if that makes more sense or not.

Gotcha.

[Kahns Krazy]

They dont call them the Bungles for nothing.


Ya that was worded weird. He said reading the comments were funny and that he was dredging up old comments people made and then he made a comment about my Giants as if I was talking about the giants previously in the thread.

Not sure if that makes more sense or not.


When you're a known fan of another team, and you come to a thread about the Bengals to make a comment like the one above, you're representing your team. When later in the season, the Bengals are doing better than your team, and you made a comment like the one above, it's perfectly reasonable to return the shot. You can't be a Giants fan in some threads, and not in others.