2016 Cincinnati Bengals: One Major Character Flaw

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Nov 27, 2016; Baltimore, MD, USA; Baltimore Ravens running back Kyle Juszczyk (44) defended after his catch by Cincinnati Bengals linebacker Vontaze Burfict (55) at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mitch Stringer-USA TODAY Sports /

The Bengals hopes for any sort of successful season became dead and buried with the loss to the Ravens. Yet, it is never too late for the team to shape their team with players the community can be proud of.

Changing Their Stripes

Whether it be via Draft, staff changes, trades or free agency the Cincinnati Bengals need to improve in the upcoming off-season. The Pittsburgh Steelers will remain the Divisional favorite but suddenly the Baltimore Ravens have become an interesting team.

Last season, the Bengals had their chance to dethrone the Steelers while not having to deal with the Ravens. It now appears that the Ravens are back to form and that is not good news. Whatever changes the Bengals make, getting men of character should be of utmost importance.

Two Reasons to Blowup the Defense

Adam Jones had a clear history of not only being a menace off the field but also for being a Personal Foul penalty machine, on the field. Similarly, Vontaze Burfict had a history of not only a bad attitude, but a self-centered, anger soaked, instability infused bad attitude.

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Even with his immense talent, every NFL team passed on him in all 7 rounds of the NFL Draft. Yet, the Bengals decided he would be a good addition to the team. Since then, he has been fined repeatedly, suspended by the league and flipped off fans. These two characters are the reason this team has failed this year.

The judgment shown by the Bengals to bring in two team wreckers and then to defend them even after they were the reason they lost a playoff game, is true insanity. Change is in the air for the Bengals as the defense continues to age and the offensive identity becomes more and more vague.

As these changes are contemplated and made, the overall character of the team must be reshaped. Championship teams are built on solid defense and solid character. This team needs to part ways with both PacMan and Burfict and find new players who Bengals fans can be proud of supporting.