Archive for November, 2010

NFL.com’s Steve Wyche looks at the failure that is the Cincinnati Bengals through the prism of the Indianapolis Colts game. In my mind, the most interesting part is the end, in which Wyche ponders Marvin Lewis’ future (he thinks the team will want him back in 2011) and also examines possible replacements. I vote no on Hue Jackson, simply because I think he might bring back Chad Ochocinco. Plus, I’m not sure Jackson is ready just yet. I’m a Mike Zimmer guy. And a guy who favors a rejuvenated roster minus T.O and the Ocho. Let’s trade talent for discipline [...]

Today the Bengals swapped kickers, replacing former Ohio State Buckeye Mike Nugent with another former Buckeye, Aaron Pettrey, who performed pretty well during his time in Columbus. More troubling in my mind is the prospect (according to ProFootballTalk) that the Bengals might be eyeballing former Pittsburgh Steeler Jeff Reed, who was cut today. Reed is having a rather awful season and has engaged in various shenanigans during his time in Pittsburgh. And since this season seems to be already lost, it makes no sense for the Titanic to take on more baggage.

In the latest edition of Who-Dey Weekly, Nick and Andy discussed something I wrote on StripeHype –  if Marvin Lewis should be fired early to give Mike Zimmer some game as interim head coach this season. I say yes. The Who-Dey crew gives their own answers at about the 11:15 mark. Click here to listen.

With rumors swirling about John Fox potentially coming to Cincy next season, I posted a poll (about halfway down on the right side) on whether or not Marvin Lewis should be fired. Please vote, I’m curious to see where Bengaldom stands on the subject. Plus, your choices are much better than on a typical ballot. Enjoy.

Another offering from our Boston Beantown Bengal, Papa C, who looks at the differences between the two quarterbacks who took the field Sunday. If you’re interested in writing a guest post, contact me via the “About” tab. In my opinion, when he retires, Peyton Manning will be the best quarterback to have ever played the game. That begs the question, what is the difference between Manning and Carson Palmer? Why do some quarterbacks turn out like Peyton Manning, some like Carson Palmer, some like Ryan Fitzpatrick and some like Jamarcus Russell? The point of this is not to hero worship [...]

A couple of quick thoughts on Cincinnati’s sixth-straight loss, a 23-17 defeat in Indianapolis. The loss followed the same formula as many others this season. The Bengals fell behind early, then mounted a comeback that fizzled in the end. Ho-hum. Here’s what I think: -I think I’m ready for a T. Ocho-less receiver corps next year. Chad Ochocinco played perhaps his best game of the season yesterday, but his up-and-down demeanor and effort is beyond frustrating. Terrell Owens has the same problem. He admitted to giving less than his best effort on Carson Palmer’s last interception, than was mall-walking back [...]

With Carson Palmer injured on one side and Peyton Manning playing on the other, Cincinnati’s best play Sunday aginst the Colts is the three or four-yard rush. If the Bengals can eat the clock and keep Manning on the sidelines for a loooong period of time, they might have a chance. Maybe. If everything goes right. It would also seem to be a perfect game for Bernard Scott. The artificial turf should make him even faster and Cedric Benson has to be a little sore still from the Steelers game on Monday night. SO a run heavy playbook with more [...]

I’m going to start with a grocery store simile and an extended supermarket metaphor, then meander a bit, but the headline will eventually make sense. I think. The NFL Draft is a bit like a trip to the grocery store. New items are purchased to replace old ones that are used up. Needs are met. And brand names typically cost more. The Pittsburgh Steelers always seem to get exactly what’s on their list, never enticed by the impulse purchase. The New England Patriots stockpile second-tier products, valuing quantity over quality. And then there’s Mike Brown, who searches the aisles for [...]

In an article that should soon be up on NFL.com’s Blog Blitz, I examine what an Ochocinco-less Bengals team might look like. And I argue that it might not be that bad. After watching Ochocinco’s antics Monday night – which forced tackle Andrew Whitworth to banish him outside of the hashmarks – I think I hit my breaking point. Yes, Chad is a dynamic player. Yes, he draws double coverages from almost every opponent Cincinnati faces. But the team and Chad himself are not really producing. So is it all worth it? Probably not. Maybe my mind will change in [...]

In an effort to diversify this site, I’ll be featuring the work of some guest bloggers. The first post comes from a Beantown Bengal, Papa C, about what Mike Brown has done to him and every other member of Bengal Nation. (If you’re interested in being a guest blogger, contact me via the “About” page.) My favorite Mike Brown moment: the 1999 draft. I was eight years old at the time, and even my eight-year-old brain realized that Mike Brown is crazy. To give you a little background, Mike Brown really liked Akili Smith. We all know how much he cares [...]