Cincinnati Bengals 2016: This Is Why Your Team Rocks
Defensively Speaking
Paul Guenther’s defense wasn’t the best in the league. But, the bend-but-don’t-break philosophy helped them end the year as the No.2 ranked scoring unit. Guenther rarely dialed up the blitz. But, when he did, the results were spectacular. Carlos Dunlap experienced his best year. Geno Atkins (Atkins SMASH!) rebounded from being “just some guy” to playing in the Pro Bowl.
If you still think the Orange and Black imploded, you’re living by that river in Egypt. On January 9, 2015, the Cincinnati defense came to play. If not for a Martavis Bryant circus TD catch, the Bengals win.
Thugs?
Adam Jones and Vontaze Burfict are not thugs. What are they? Two players filled with a sense of urgency and energy. That used to be an acceptable way of life for defenders. Now, the slightest hint of devotion makes certain players targets. No. I’m not an advocate for senseless violence. Playing within the rules is important. But, so is passion. Jones recently discussed what owner Mike Brown had to say.
"“When you have the owner coming to the team meeting–to tell you he loves the way we play football, he loves the aggressiveness, don’t stop the way we play football, but stop with the stuff after the whistle–it’s different than another guy than the one coming at us who’s paying our checks.”"
Say it in your Hulk voice class, “Bengals ROCK!”
At the present moment, you may not be a fan of the Bengals. But, when the W’s mount up and Dalton gets that first playoff win…come back and read this.