Week 4 Recap

06 Oct 2006


Week 4 recap
Category: Sports

Well, the Bengals probably were not going to run the table, and I knew it would be a tough game against the Patriots, but the loss isn't the concerning part. The way the Bengals continue to underachieve is.

Let's start this one off by addresing the Tori James problem. Yes, he's officailly become a problem. When a veteran, former Pro-Bowler corner can't cover the likes of Doug Gabriel, he needs replaced. Fortunately we have a stud in Jonathan Joseph who has shown improvement every week and can be as affective as a Madieu Williams. Tori was awful Sunday. He cant cover or tackle! I don't think anyone saw this fast of a decline from him, even though our local press box has been skeptical for a while. (the press box consists of myself and my sports fan friends).

Also awful, and he admitted he played poorly was Brian Simmons. With the really unfortunate linebacking situation the Bengals are now faced with, Simmons has to at least be solid every game and impacting in others. He's as important as Palmer is on offense.

The D-line looked phyically weak against Pats O-line. The Patriots looked porous (sp) against the Broncos the previous week, and they're made up of former Cleveland Brown castaways. Justin Smith has one move and that's the bull rush. This something else the press box has talked about for years now. He should try Pollock's double spin move or something. Anything. Still, he consistantly gets more pressure than his line mates. Geathers tends to vanish sometimes and he's too good of an athlete to allow that. I'd say John Thornton has played well overall this season, and Big Sam looks easily winded (imagine that?). The hit by Kasevaharn is exactly what secondary coaches teach. Seperation of the ball from the receiver. It was a bullshit call. The refs are taking the fun out of the game. It's no one's fault that these guys are getting bigger and stronger and can do more damage to other players. They still get paid damn well to risk the dangers and I think if you asked the players, most of them would tell you that's football. Now stepping on another man's face with your cleats during the game is criminal. That is not football.

Offensively we cant get it in full gear. We show glimpses and then sputter. It's frustrating watching our line allow pass rushers through, our quaterback hold the ball out with one hand, and Chad getting open without being thrown to. Not only do I blame Palmer to a degree for over analyzing everything, I blame Bratkowski for calling plays like he's interviewing for a head coaching job every week. Run the ball with Rudi whenever applicable. Play action and occasionally go long. Run short slants over the middle on third down with Housh. Try not to throw it to the tight end. Play football. Get back to some basics. I think he gets too cute with his playcalling always trying to outsmart defensive cordinators.

Housh is our best player right now but that's because he can get his yardage in any system. You throw him the ball and he'll catch it and then run for some more. That guy's basic in a very good way. Chad is different. He needs space to utilize his cat-like manuevering. He needs Housh to draw safeties away so he cando what he's best at...sprinting. I was a bit disappointed at Antonio Freeman's premier. He'll have to show us more than that with Henry out for the next two games. Also, Eric Steinbach has looked mediocre at best. He played on a much higher level all of last year than he's demonstrated so far this season. If that's what he wants to do during a free agency year, let him go. Bring in Whitworth. I have no problem with that at this point.

I feel sorry for the ol' Bucs. The Bengals have two weeks to get yelled at. Maybe Dexter Jackson will be healthy, and we theoretically get Chris Perry back. It's hard not to dwell on the fact that Odell should be returning next week but it is what it is. Carry on.

Mojokong - Living life one bye week at a time