All things considered, the Bengals are poised for a turnaround. But, what will it take to reach the level fans are waiting for?
It’s less than a week away.
The blood, sweat and toiling of another training camp will be in effect for the Cincinnati Bengals. Though it may not be on the minds of many casual fans, die-hard believers are ready for a change. The disaster known as the 2016 season has to be erased. If last year’s campaign was a movie character, it would be the villain. The 2017 version of the Orange & Black has to be the hero on a white horse, waiting to save the 16 game schedule.
Sadly, there were more than a few things that went wrong. Over the course of the season, it was a domino effect that didn’t stop until the Bengals were 6-9-1. The end result was a far cry from the lofty predictions set forth by analysts and players.
Moving into the new season will be a true test of patience for the Bengals and their fans. There can be no more excuses about what could have happened and what really went down. Making a crybaby list will only go so far. Eventually, fans need to see the results of their investment in the Bengals. They may not be on the field, but the emotional rollercoaster is still the same.
There are questions that need to be answered and situations that have to be clarified. Each season will bring its share of question marks. But, when some are the same issues rehashed in another form, it’s time to examine the root cause.
Is Marvin The Answer?
Marvelous Marvin Lewis has been the captain of Bengals Cruise Line, since 2003. When the tiger roars, on September 9 at PBS, it will mark 15 long years as the director of this vessel. Like any cruise, there have been good days at sea and a lot of bad. But, this time, Mike Brown doesn’t seem to like the locales on the itinerary. He’s been there before and might want to shake things up.
Conversely, is that being fair to Lewis? Many of the Bengals’ failures weren’t directly due to what he did or didn’t do. Still, as the head coach, Lewis is expected to find out what went wrong and correct the problem. Like him or love him, Bill Belichick sees a problem, identifies the cure and keeps the ball rolling. Lewis is not a firm believer in halftime adjustments. But, at this point in his career, he could use a reset button.
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Suddenly, Lewis has been thrust into the fire and has to prove his mettle. In other words, this is D-day for the man with the annoying laugh.
Solution:
Unless Marvelous Marv does the incredible–guiding the Bengals to Super Bowl LII–he should be given a short chain. Regular season dominance is nothing without playoff wins and at least a trip to the AFC Championship.
If a long run in the playoffs or an AFC title game doesn’t happen. Lewis should be considered front office material. He championed the Bengals’ return from the depths of obscurity. Let the search for a new HC begin.
Can Jeremy Find His Mojo?
When everything is put into perspective, it’s a simple and direct question. After wowing fans with a rookie year that made believers out of doubters, the skepticism is back.
Jeremy Hill is a talented running back, don’t get the bottom line twisted. But, the NFL is a fickle beast. And Bengals fans are waiting for a repeat of the 1,400-yard season that made him the second coming of James Brooks or Corey Dillon.
You want facts? You’re not ready for the facts…honestly. Since slicing NFL defenses for a 5.1 YPC average in 2014, Hill has averaged 3.6 and 3.8 in the years following. According to Bengals offensive coordinator Ken Zampese, 4.0 and above is the target. That may not seem like much. But, it’s the difference between an average back and a potential gamebreaker.
Hill seems confident that he’ll remain the Bengals’ main RB. However, this will be his audition stage. His rookie contract ends this season and his work ethic could very well be the reason he’s released or re-signed.
Solution:
In order for Hill to remain in Cincinnati, he should be required to duplicate those rookie numbers. If he’s looking for a hefty raise, it shouldn’t be a problem. Even if he rushes for 1,200 yards and throws in some utility yardage, fans would be marginally satisfied. He was drafted to be a star. This is the year he has to shine…pun intended.
Give Joe Mixon a good look. The competition should push Jeremy to his potential.
Can Dalton Be Consistent?
There’s no doubt about Andy Dalton’s abilities. The question arises when he’s thrown into a big game. Granted, each game on the schedule is important. Yet, Dalton’s struggles under the bright lights of primetime have become a thing of legend. There’s a story told about Dalton having to pull this golden football from a stone. Wait…wrong legend.
All things considered, Dalton is the key. Whether some Bengals fans want to believe it or not, his stats put him in the same arena with some of the top-tier quarterbacks. But, his playoff record flat out stinks. Winning the big games is why QB’s get the long money. So far, Dalton’s dominance (?) has only come during the regular season. For this reason, it’s easy to lump Lewis and Dalton together.
The 2017 season has to be a soul searching campaign for Dalton. He’ll be called upon to use the weapons acquired in the draft. He’s being surrounded by youth, talent and speed. In order to utilize every option, his mindset has to go beyond the obvious. Dalton can actually lead the Bengals to more than a playoff win. The problem? He has to have confidence in Zampese’s system and his ability to run it.
Solution:
Dalton has to think of each game in terms of winning the Lombardi. He has to transform into a cocky little twerp who knows he can win each game. He has to develop a swagger that makes opposing D’s hate playing against him. A return to the complete version of 2015 would do the trick.