Week 11 Preview

18 Nov 2006


week 11 preview
Category: Sports

Some of you may have noticed that there was no recap this week. I have decided to incorporate them into the previews because frankly I just don't have time to write this stuff twice a week. Besides, do you really want to talk about last week?

A few things worth mentioning from last week. When we blitzed and called aggressive playcalling, we disrupted the SD offense enough to slow them down a bit. It was sad watching O'Neal get roasted by a random receiver all day. It sure would be nice to have another pass rusher somewhere on the roster. You know it's bad when groups of fans are eagerly anticipating the return of Johnathan Fanene. If you have a defense who cant do any one thing all that well, why not just blitz the hell out of teams and hope for the best? Chris Henry is a bitch for not wanting to get hit on high throws across the middle. The guy has oodles of potential but the completely wrong attitude. So frustrating.

This week wont be easy. I really want to say the Bengals will win because they have to, but they proved that theory wrong last week. Our line is all messed up. 3 young, inexperienced o-lineman going against a tough front four doesn't translate into offensive success. Our runs up the middle wont be as easy without Big Bobby. Our protection will probably be fair, but middle LB blitzes could be a problem. It should be said that the backs did a great job of picking up blitzes last week. If they can continue to pass protect like that, my whole West Coast offense theory wont hold up, and that's okay with me.

On defense we just have to try harder. We're not getting any new acquisition to bolster our problems. Chuck needs to be more aggressive and take some chances. Allowing teams to sit back in the pocket and wait for receivers to get open hasn't and wont work. Force the issue. If we get beat when we blitz, at least we tried. I cant stand to watch our d drop back fourteen yards and allow eight yards every time opposing QB's drop back.

Honestly I don't think we're gonna win. I think the team is too shell shocked and has frankly given up. Expectations were immense and they have already failed to live up to them, and in the players minds, that in and of itself is a failure. They're a group whose main concern is their national recognition, not playing football. They're an emotional group whose feelings are easily damaged and Marv is to blame on that one. The media frenzy that has become the Bengals has grown bigger than the football team itself. If it's a circus you want, you have the right team. If it's a winner you're looking for, try New England or Denver or Indy. Those guys get on TV for doing their jobs well. Sorry for the pessimism this morning.

NO 31-26

Mojokong- trying my best to stay analytical