Paul Daugherty: NFL play of the year

Wednesday, December 19, 2007

NFL play of the year

Lapham and I talked about this on Bengals Line Monday night, but it bears repeating. Brian Westbrook's knee-taking in the last 2 minutes at Dallas Sunday was the single best thing I've seen in the NFL all year. Doctor M. Lewis needs to copy that 54 times and make it a Christmas gift to his entire team. Two copies to Chad.

Recap: Philly up 10-6 with 2m left, Westbrook breaks free, obvious TD, stops at the 1... Dallas has no timeouts... if Westbrook scores, D gets the ball back, could score, get the onside kick, score again... Westbrook takes care of that... McNabb takes 3 knees, game over.

Smart, unselfish winner. Everything the '07 Bengals are not. Everything pro sports could be, but is not. If you want a reason to believe, there it is.

As for the Bengs... interesting to see how 85 plays on Sunday, after his Pro Bowl omission. Lap confirmed what many of us have suspected: The 'tudes have taken a toll on Palmer, who seems disgusted and en route to full Bengalization. Would ML be interested in the WVU job? Would MB let him out of his contract? I'd say no and no.

Meantime, we'll see Sunday who wants to play and who does not.

32 Comments:

at 9:54 AM

Brent Powell said...

Regarding the reported TJ and Chad issues in the locker room: in a total absence of leadership, someone is going to take over, usually the wrong person. This has happened in the past with Pickens, Scott, etc. It's not just Marvin, it's Brat and Bres as well, if they're not going to show any leadership and keep their troops on plan, then the troops are going to make up their own plan. This is not necessarily out of malice; even good people will make up their own goals and direction if no one else gives them any.

Also, I saw the reports this morning that Parcells is going to take the VP job at Atlanta. So, Atlanta will now have two layers of management between the owner and the Head Coach: the VP, the GM, and then finally the coach. Mr. Brown really needs to make this kind of organizational change as well, if for no other reason than to shield himself from all the criticism. It would be an easy economic argument and the PR of making this hire would sell more (or prevent losing more) tickets and merchandise.

I've met Mike, he's a nice man. He's not the arrogant jerk that everyone paints him to be; in fact he comes off as pretty humble - still drives a Malibu I think. But he should ask himself if his father would think he's doing the right thing.

Thanks for the space for my rant.

at 10:43 AM

Anonymous said...

Agree on the Westbrook play. Could you ever in your wildest dreams imagine Ocho Selfish doing that? By-passing a touchdown for the good of the team? Come on. I mean what is a bigger long-shot than that ever happening? Maybe Griffey playing 162 games next season?

at 10:53 AM

Anonymous said...

If Carson is tired of it, he should do something about it. The Bungles need someone to step up to Chad and TJ. Be it coaches (yeah right) or Carson or Willie, someone. This team has no leadership, period. Do you think Tom Brady or Peyton Manning would take their crap? Hell no!! Be a man Carson and start calling these punks out, let the fans know you are sick of it just like we are.

at 11:00 AM

Anonymous said...

Doc –

Westbrook made the ultimate team play, what team sports are supposed to be all about: each individual working to achieve together what they cannot attain individually, for the collective greater good of the team. Not only that, it’s impressive that he was even aware to do that (even if another player suggested it).

For years -- even at 11-5 -- the Bengals have been a stupid, selfish, undisciplined team. Not a chance any player on the Bengals would ever be that in tune with the game situation or unselfish, certainly not the headliners (except for Carson, probably).

Also -- the backlash from all the Fantasy geeks on this has been quite telling. I think Westbrook’s play draws the line in the sand – any “pure” sports fan has to love that play, just as you would salute even an opposing team’s player for diving into the stands for a loose ball. Fantasy footballers who are upset by that play don’t deserve the title of Sports Fans, certainly not of team sports, anyway.

BTW -- Caught most of your talk with Lap on Monday night, but would love to hear him answer the biggest question: what's next? How do the bengals get out of this attitude/selfishness mess? We know no GM is coming...but do they get rid of Chad/TJ? Has Marvin "lost" this team? Etc...

at 11:04 AM

Anonymous said...

I'm sure you read this today.

What, if anything, do you make of Pete Rose expressing outrage over steroids in baseball? I can't believe the stones it takes for Rose to express outrage over anything scandal-in-baseball related but I suspect I'm in the minority of Reds fans. "Rose played the right way" and all that stuff.

Might make for a good segment on the radio show?

at 11:13 AM

Anonymous said...

I agree. However, it looks like the Bengals have those layers in place, which tells me the people Mike Brown has working for him either aren't good at their job or he doesn't let them do their job. It wasn't until Bill Polian went to Indy that they became a model franchise.

Unfortunately, this problem will continue forever. This franchise will not take the steps to become a winning franchise.

I'm all for coaches scouting talent. That is very important. However, why isn't there more scouts to assist the coaches throughout the year? Why do the Bengals have one scout on staff when the Steelers have six? The Colts have ten.

President
Mike Brown

Executive VP
Katie Blackburn

VP
John Sawyer
Troy Blackburn

Sr VP Player Personnel
Pete Brown

VP Player Personnel
Paul Brown

Director of Football Operations
Jim Lippincott

Dir of Player Personnel
Duke Tobin

Scout
Greg Seamon

Scouting Consultants
Earl Biederman
John Cooper
Bill Tobin

Personnel Assistant
Debbie LaRocco

at 11:39 AM

Anonymous said...

It's unlikely Marvin will be lucky enough to leave this mess. And if he does it won't be for a college job. It's a remote possibility that the Bengals would let him go to another NFL franchise if they received compensation (i.e. money and draft picks) fron the team that poaches him.

at 11:57 AM

Anonymous said...

Amzing, the white media is this town is so quick to make Chad and T.j. out to be the "bad guys w/ tude" when it could possible that Chad and T.J. are sick of the white media members in this town always covering for Carson's bad play this season. Chad and T.J. are just the lastest and greatest victims of a stereotypical white biased media that always seems to find fualt with the players that never have "off field problems" but fall all over themselves for white players liek Ryan freel and josh hamilton. typical race baiting, right wing,small town/Mayberry media.

at 12:38 PM

Anonymous said...

Paul, respectfully, who cares how they play? The fans have already been Bengalized. This is a lost season/decade/franchise. No one - not MB, not ML - can look the fans in the eyes and HONESTLY tell them this situation will get better. Things are spiraling out of control. There are a lot of people, myself included, who are turned off enough by this franchise that they will either walk away for good, or simply root for their demise.

at 1:05 PM

Paul Daugherty said...

Hey, 'baiters... last I checked, Westbrook was a man of color...

at 2:34 PM

Anonymous said...

Nothing will change as long as MB is in charge. He's making too much money with mediocrity. As for ML, he always has that pained look as if he can't believe what's happening. The Peter Principle in action; he's over his head.

at 3:26 PM

Anonymous said...

Sports writers in Cincinnati are not fans, they represent the newspaper first, the city second, team ownership third, the team fourth and, lastly, the fans, and will tell you that they just bring you the news (facts); it is your job to decide what to do with it. Most will not attack ownership or coaches for fear of losing access to team information and players, not to mention the free food. The existence of the sports blogs allows the fans to get it off their chests, go about their business and show backup at PB Stadium in orange paint. Most reporters and fans do what they do because they really cannot handle a job that requires decision making skills (that’s why they work for managers and editors). As a fan of the NFL I have to admire any franchisee that is as inept as the Bengal organization yet due to the strength of the franchisor (NFL) continues to generate profits no matter what the quality of the product is or the level of service they provide to the customers (fans). It is obvious that the Bengals are more than one draft away from success (.500) and until the whining stops and a few of us come up with more money than exists in the city, Mike Brown and family will be the owner’s and the Bengals will be the Bengals. Stop buying tickets, stop painting your bodies, stop going to games, stop watching on TV. Nashville is not that far, Indy is very close, Atlanta is a great weekend trip, and the Browns are a great day trip, and so on. Many will say that I am not a loyal fan, loyal to what, the idea that the Bengal ownership will change. Come on folks if you had as much passion about the school system and law and order Cincinnati would be the number 1 town to live-in in the world.

at 3:57 PM

Anonymous said...

11:57 Anon:

Haha!! Thanks for the laugh. You win the award for "Moronic Post of the Day." For your efforts, you receive a complimentary helping of intelligence, which you obviously are lacking. Use it wisely. It can be a helpful tool.

at 4:09 PM

Anonymous said...

Carson palmer is not a man of color but T.J. and Chad are. And as usual, the media has taken the side of carson palmer despite his bad play. it kind of reminds you of the double standard applied to Bonds as opposed to Clemons.....just keeping it real paul because you wont...as usual

at 4:50 PM

Aggrazel said...

I absolutely loved Westbrook's play. I adored it. I've waited years for a player to do something as smart as that. That was beautiful. Poetic.

The only people who really disagree are the fantasy dorks, but I digress.

Earlier in the year I believe it was Jonathan Joseph caught an interception against .. I want to say it was the Jets .. anyway the Bengals had already won the game, there wasn't enough time left on the clock for the Jets to do anything. All Joseph had to do was take a knee and ballgame over.

But no, he runs it in for a quick 7, everyone on the sideline is estatic, happy for him, giving him a pat on the back. This is when I really felt like Marvin Lewis has no handle on his players, or on strategy. The Bengals all the time mess up simple tactics, just like this.

So yes, copies of this play should be mailed to every player, every practice squad guy, every coach, and Mr. Brown himself. This is how a professional acts on the field. No mercy. No personal glory. All that matters is Victory.

at 5:11 PM

Anonymous said...

Westbrook cares about his team. he has pride. it was a true show of unselfishness, and with guys like Chris henry and Chad, they need to just shut up and let the people who care about the team talk. like T.J. for instance. there was recent article about him on the enquirer about his pro bowl future appearance. he said he would trade it for a winning season. he might not stop to seal the win in a game instead of go for the TD. he plays fast, and he wouldn't realize what he was doing at the time. nut still, if he thought about it, he would do it for the good of his team instead of a tick on the stat chart.

at 5:44 PM

Anonymous said...

Perhaps the next time the bengals threaten to leave the city we will take them up on the offer. Let them go to LA or Toronto or Mexico city, or wherever. Cincinnati can negotiate with the NFL to pick up an existing franchise or expansion team in a couple of years, similar to Cleveland, with an owner like Al Lerner who is interested in fielding a competitive team. The NFL will like the idea because it can expand into a proven market and can use Cincinnati as leverage to negotiate existing franchise cities into building stadiums and/or upgrading the value of their franchise. The city of Cincinnati will like the idea because it will get a viable franchise and be rid of MB. Even MB will like the idea because it will support his primary goal of making himself and his family rich.
Food for thought.

at 9:27 PM

Anonymous said...

Question: what are you all talking about, "Chad & TJ" problem. Chad yes, TJ no. Paul has go on record talking very positively about TJ (as he just has about Westbrook).

Go find someone else to complain about being discriminated against.

at 11:12 PM

Anonymous said...

Chad has been out for Chad since day 1. Think back.... 2005 1st round playoff game vs. Pittsburgh. Chad "goes off" in the locker room and by some reports punchs are thrown. 2006 - W/ 3 games to go in the season the Bengals are 8-5 and only need to win 1 of the remaining games to make the playoffs. Go check the game stats!! Chad was INVISIBLE these last 3 games contributing very little except a few key turn-overs. When the team needed him to step up and make a play, he couldn't do it. 2007 - His self promotion continues, even as the team struggles. When he is criticized for being "me first", he crawls into a shell of silence. All the while he still can't step up and make a play when they need it. His route-running has become mediocre at best. As for TJ, he has picked up CJ's bad habits, ie, his mouth never closes on the field. He whines to the refs on every single play. There comes a time when you have to just 'shut-up' and do your job. The great ones know this. These two are clueless. Race has nothing to do with it and if you think it does, you're clueless also.

at 2:03 AM

Anonymous said...

hey anons 11:57 and 4:09

he who screams racism the loudest is probably the biggest racist!!!!!

at 5:56 AM

SARDOGG23 said...

TJ's attitude is no different than his dumb ass looser owner. All about himself and the money! I am a life long Bengals fan. I grew up in Cincy and have been living in San Diego for the past 12 years. This year finally did it for me. I am so sick of being disappointed by this team. I pay for the NFL Sunday ticket just to watch them. I'M DONE!!! THANKS MIKE FOR FINALLY FORCING THE ISSUE. YOU RUINED IT FOR ME!!! YOU SUCK!!!! I suffered through the 90's of you crap, NO MORE!! You have received my last dime. It looks like I will break down and start cheering on the Chargers. They attempt to put a winning team on the field and make the playoff. OH YEAH! One last thing, you people who are trying to turn this into a racial issue! Get the hell out of town along with the team. I'm sick of people turning everything racial. Cincy would be awesome without people like you and the owner ship like MB.

at 7:58 AM

THE SHADOW KNOWS said...

Face it, the Bengals are weak. The more time you dedicate to this subject the more the inferiority complex of this region grows.

at 8:49 AM

Anonymous said...

...hey 11:57 Anon - Get over yourself. God, I get so sick of the same old tired "racist" media rant. Fact is, Chad is a selfish teammate. The fact that he is black has no bearing whatsoever. Ignore that he's black and guess what - HE'S STILL SELFISH!

at 9:26 AM

Anonymous said...

Looking at this blogpage i can understand why channel 5 has a diverse group of people on their Sports rock show. the people who visit and post on this blog seem to be a bunch of angry white people. Chad and T.J. take all the blame but Carsin takes none? maybe that is why there are post questioning the prejudice of some of the bloggers. really, some of you people need serious help. Are you going to tell me Chad's "tude" is the reason dexter jackson cant cover a TE? Are you going to tell me the reason Carson palmer OVER THREW CHAD IN THE GAME SATURDAY is because of Chad's "tude"? No womder people treat you guys like a bunch of unathletic, baseball playing dinks. because your football opinions make absolutely NO SENSE. Do you even know football? have you ever put on a jock strap? Do you know the cup goes on the front? have you ever been tackled or made a tackle? Or are you just a disgruntled Reds fan who cant stand the fact that your sport sucks and the Bengals are more popular than the stinking Reds? what is it? maybe geeks more than any other group of people just like to complain about sports because of pure and simple jelousy? either way, that wont get you any "cred". if anything, that makes your common everyday athlete the reason to "bury you" on the footbal feild. Get a clue people, you really dont count. You guys have as much "pull" as the blogpage idiots and media people who didnt want Dusty baker. How did that work out for you? Thought so.....you bunch of dinks

at 10:56 AM

russ said...

Dear Race Card Abusers,

I cannot disagree that there are signs of racism in this city, but I'm not here to get into that. The CJ, TJ, and CP thing has nothing to do with race.

Palmer has not looked like a franchise QB for the past month, there's no questioning that. However, the issues with players involve things much deeper than skin color.

CJ has taken a swing at a coach, purposefully gotten 15 yard penalties for his own glory and many other selfish acts. Even worse is that CJ is annually among the NFL leaders in drops, shown in the fourth quarter when he dropped a TD pass that lost the game.

As for TJ, I don't think you can afford to dump a guy that tough and sure handed. However, he was benched during a game this season. Did Marvin do that because TJ is black?

at 11:51 AM

Anonymous said...

There you go! Turn it on the other person again!

at 1:38 PM

Anonymous said...

Russ, what the hell are you talking about? Chjad didnt take a "swing at a coach" and there is no proff of it happening. The charges that Chad took a 'swing" at a coach has benn WIDELY DISPUTED by the coachs, the players and some in the media. you seem to be your stereotypical fan in Cincinnati who tend to buy into the small town media garbage that has INFECTED this city for the last 50 years. As far as the 15 yard penalty, i do believe that is the first penalty that Chad has gotten sonce becoming a Bengal for "over celebrating". it looks like you and other just want to tell players and coaches how they should play the game/coach the game they have worked their whole life for. get a grip, you are not that important. thankfully marvin Lewis is strong enough and smart enough to tell you and others to go to hell. Unlike Coslet and Lebeau, Marvin wont be bullied by fans and media. he just doesnt give a dman what you think nor should he. look at what that type of thinking has done for the Reds. The last thing we want is for the Bengals to take on the same mentality as your baseball. You do want to win dont you?

at 5:31 PM

Anonymous said...

this isnt necessary. we cant fantasize about the Bengals packing up. i realize that Marvin was good, but he cant manage a team. and with mike brown calling the shots... id gladly let them pack up and save a few hundred dollars on taxes.

at 7:52 PM

Anonymous said...

I can forgive a celebration that's just an emotional reaction - heck, any of us might do that.

Chad's "celebration" was obviously a preplanned look-at-me moment - just like the Hall-of-Fame jacket.

How do you defend that??

I don't care what color he is.

at 8:09 PM

Anonymous said...

Russ- Chad Johnson has not annually led the league in drops. Going into this season he was one of the most sure-handed receivers in the game... but thanks for making up a statistic to prove your opinion. Thats always helpful. I am a life long Bengals fan and I hope Chad leaves - just to punish all the people that have tried to blame this season on him. "Hes a cancer like T.O." - really? Because T.O.'s team is like 12-2. Just because you read a bunch of rumors on the internet doesn't mean Chad and TJ are reason for our failures. Its a bad situation all around. 1)Coaches are terrible 2) Talent hasn't developed on Defense and o-line and 3) Carson is an immobile QB who is under performing with 17 picks. Say it with me... it is not our "selfish" pro-bowl WRs' fault. Randy Moss was a miserable teammate and didn't show nearly the effort Chad does week to week... hes doing ok now though. I hope they leave and go somewhere that appreciates the effort they put forth every week.

Finally- the Westbrook play was nice...but it wasn't nearly the play of the year. Not even sure it was the correct strategy under the circumstances.

at 10:34 PM

russ said...

First, I couldn't find historical stats on dropped passes, but I doubt you'll prove me wrong. This season CJ is tied for 7th and with TJ tied for 5th, that's a tough year for any QB.

You're right, no one ever proved that Chad took a swing, but he blew up and caused a distraction at halftime WHEN HIS TEAM WAS WINNING! He admits it here:

http://men.style.com/gq/features/full?id=content_6178

If you read that article and you think that's a guy you want on your team, you're dillusional. Coming into this season I was a huge Chad supporter. Once a guy's attitude gets so bad, it's time to go. WRs who have had sustained tenures on successful teams don't act like this. Can you imagine Jerry Rice or Marvin Harrison being so selfish and childish? Further more, could you imagine Bill Walsh or Tony Dungy letting them get away with it?

And "sick", if you're satisfied with Marvin's 40-39 record as a coach, that's the type of mentality that has the Reds and Bengals in exactly the position that they are in.

at 7:17 PM

Anonymous said...

Bengals play of the year , down by seven , 30 seconds to go , 4th and 12 , Chad Johnson runs a 10 yard pattern , catches the ball and runs out of bounds . He 1. doesn't know what down it is 2. doesn't know how many yards he needs 3 doesn't know how much time is left 4 doesn't really care either way or 5 all of the above.

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Wednesday, December 19, 2007

NFL play of the year

32 Comments: