Marvin's Charge: Keeping it Together
If you believe the Bengals will be 1-3 by midnight Monday... and key players will still be limping or suspended or otherwise MIA... and that fingers will begin to point... if you feel how I do, in other words... Marvin Lewis' biggest job won't be fixing his spare-parts special teams or convincing Rudi Johnson he's a bulldozer and not a Ferrari. It'll be keeping his team from flying apart until people get healthy and (hopefully) Chris Henry can make an impactful return...
The schedule after Monday is easier, aside from 2 w/the steelers and one in Baltimore... if Henry makes it back, A. Brooks, R. Jeanty get healthy, Willie can be effective etc., this team should be better in its last 10 games than it will be in its first 6... 8-2 not out of the question... but Lewis has to keep them together... we'll see...
posted by Paul Daugherty at 7:58 AM
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Post a Comment*Love that optimism pd.
I'm excited, Mr. Daugherty. I think we're finally able to see the real possibility of a Southern Ohio national football championship!
I've often wondered what it would take for this area to recruit its own football players, because it has some of the the best high school football in the country. I've wondered how they'd stack up if they were pitted against the best the rest of the country has to offer. (Herbstreit gives some insight, but not that National #1.)
Brian Kelly is on his way, via UC's entrance into the BCS Big East, to making that long-time southern Ohio dream a reality.
Bengals???? Are they "the" football team in Cincy?
Maybe the Bengals should offer a stadium lease deal to Cincinnati's football team of the future.
Maybe they shouldn't take their fans and Cincy's sports atmosphere for granted.
Paul, You seem to be laying the problem in Marvin's lap and certainly, he's the point man. But don't you think the leadership of key players is critical also? (question applies to Reds as well as Bengals). When 85 dons a "Hall-of-Fame" jacket during the game, aren't there players who can tell him to cut the crap! Or threaten to trade him to Belichick (that would cut the crap!).
It ain't the offense...it's the defense--one of the 5 worst in the NFL:
1. virtually no pass rush
2. worst run defense in all of pro football
3. one of the worst pass defenses in the NFL
4. a coach who doesn't think this is a major problem
What does all this mean? A LOSING SEASON. Just go for the over on every game and you'll be fine...
Later!
I agree Paul. For all the folks ready to push the panic button there is hope. After New England the schedule is very friendly. A 10-6 season is still quite possible depsite a 1-3 start.
That's not optimism 9:57am.....
thats just reality...
I said after the lost Sunday that the Bengals will probably be 1-3 heading into the bye... They can correct some things in the extra week and get players healed, along with the additions supposed to be ready (See: Ethtan Kilmer, Rashad Jeanty, etc.)
We then have Kansas City....the bengals should take out the anger on them.
The final 12 games, I can only see us losing 2...(one of the Pittsburgh's and @ Baltimore...)
With the schedule, and teams like the Jets and Titans at home instead of the road, it still can be an 11-5 year...and remember, Chris Henry will be back for the final 8 games (pending another violation)..
After the Cleveland debacle, The Defense played much better against an arguably better offense in seattle...(forget the last drive). and going out to the west coast aint easy.
Would the powers that be pit a Big East champ Bearcats vs. Big 10 champ Buckeyes in a BCS bowl ?? Far fetched, but fun to consider at least as an outside possibility.
OSU and UC should schedule a game mid-season...I'd like to see the UC fans come back down to earth.
Hey Paul..
Love the columns and the optimism. I was hoping you could shed some light (since Bengals choose not to) on the situation with Levi Jones. Is he not as healthy as he thinks he is? Is he the dog-house for some reason? I somtimes question our medical staff for what seems to be a rash of nagging injuries..hammy's, groins etc..not sure it affects others the way it does ours. Conditioning??
I agree, I feel a 10-6 record is a real possibility, and this will secure at least a wildcard spot in the playoffs. The special teams play is an issue that must be addressed now. We cannot expect the defense to keep the opposition from scoring, when the special teams spot them 72 yards on kick returns. I also agree Rudi is no Ferrari, he really needs to stop hiding behind blockers and start hitting the hole and knocking people over (if he still can). Why isn't Levi Jones starting? We need him to solidify the offensive line. Another area that needs to improve is turnovers, the offense has to take better care of the ball if we expect to reach a 10-6 record.
Who-Dey....Man!
I'm tired of being attached to bad teams. I am tired of losing. I have to live with a spouse who is from new england and all I hear about is the playoffs, world series and superbowls. I will be switching my teams now, I won't like the new england teams, but i need to root for a team that has a chance. TIRED!
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