Browns vs. Abel

That stench wafting in from the North is our divisional equal, the Cleveland Browns, as they make their way to Paul Brown Stadium this weekend for the Battle of the Beaten. With each unable to get a win so far, both teams will see this game as attainable, and ultimately, feel more pressured to turn their respective ship around now. This is a desperation game for both sides, as we move along to the second, and more daunting phase of the schedule.

There are many old-timers who have a special soft spot for the Brownies. After all, they were the team that was broadcasted on those old floor-model televisions our fathers watched before the Bengals existed. The mighty Paul Brown, coach, general manager, and owner of both Ohio franchises, was the common denominator each city could agree was great. Younger fans have no nostalgia for the Browns, and therefore have no respect for them. Both cities despise Pittsburgh too, but each fear and respect the Steelers due to their historical dominance of the division. Earning a spot to the playoffs after beating them in Pittsburgh, felt like we as Bengals fans had finally tasted what the real NFL was like. A win over the Browns is like beating your younger brother at arm wrestling; no big deal.

This time shouldn't be all that monumental either. The likelihood of Sunday’s game having any meaningful repercussions later on in the season is remote at best. Many will likely bypass watching the game altogether, writing it off as the lower rungs of what the NFL has to offer. Sure it’s a beautiful Sunday with plenty to do other than watch football, but the Bengals are going to win and that is a scarce thing to witness this season.

Cleveland’s defense isn’t much better than ours. Their attempts to improve the front line in the off-season by acquiring gigantic run-stuffers Cory Williams and Shawn Rodgers, seem to have no impact as they still rank 25th against the run and 23rd overall this season. The Brown’s secondary is particularly weak and Carson has traditionally thrown well against them.

The Brownies have struggled mightily on offense too, ranking dead last in yards-per-game. Like Week 2 of last year, Derek Anderson is one bad throw away from being benched. But unlike last year, Leon Hall will not get repeatedly roasted by receiver Braylon Edwards. Hall has looked good this year, while Edwards certainly has not (eight catches for 73 yards in three games).

Running back Jamal Lewis has been a Bengal-killer throughout his long AFC North career, but the Cincinnati defense last week shut down a back who is similar but better in Brandon Jacobs of the Giants. Lewis is averaging a pedestrian 52 yards rushing, while the team has only been good for 71 a game.

Bengal coaches say they’ve emphasized sacks and turnovers this week in practice. Defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer has dialed up blitzes on some appropriate times during the games, but the extra pass-rushers simply aren’t finding ways to get to the quarterback. I think Zimmer and Co. will unleash the hounds against Anderson and hope he throws a pick or two.

Health continues to be an advantage for Cincinnati with only Joseph and Dexter Jackson out this week. Look for Cleveland to go after rookies David Jones and Simeon Castille, along with freshly acquired journeyman Jamar Fletcher, similar to how New York did last week.

Cleveland was listed as a dark horse to make a Super Bowl run. Many in this area felt that claim was a bit ambitious and now it’s become downright hilarious. The bitterness the dawg pound is undoubtedly spewing to the players via radio shows and message boards, appears to be getting through to them. Last week, numerous news sources reported that while piled up in a tackle, Browns’ linebackers tried to gouge Willis McGahee’s eyes out!

A loss would be the most shameful yet this season. All the naysaying you hear being murmured throughout the tri-state area would become deafening if we allow our bratty little brother to come in and take us down. No way that’s gonna happen.

Bengals 30, Browns 18


Mojokong - We love Paul Brown more than you do, Cleveland. Take that!

Marvin Meets the Giant

Week 3 preview

I know, I know. You don’t really care that much anymore. But the Mojokong doesn’t rest, so here we go.

The NYG are a complete team. Their offense is explosive and strong, and their pass rush is probably the best in football. They’re coached well (remember when we were all so glad that the Bengals hired Marvin and not Coughlin?), and they consistently seem to have backups rise up out of nowhere.

Offensively, they’re the best we’ve seen since the Patriots rolled into town on MNF, Week 4 of last season. This a match up where blitzing all the time is simply too dangerous to try (not that do we that much of it anyway - but it is better than before). Their big-play ability will have the Bengal D in soft zone more than usual. I expect the Giants to move the ball methodically down the field, converting short third downs and eating up the clock.

Plaxico is tall and dangerous, and if early reports of Jonathan Joseph being out for this week hold true, Leon Hall might be in for an impossible day against him. David Jones would start at the other corner, and he has shown me very little football instinct so far in his career. Look for Plax to draw lots of attention from safeties playing deep on passing downs, which will open up short crossing routes to Amani Toomer and Kevin Boss.

They also have three capable running backs, headlined by 260-pound running back Brandon Jacobs. He’s a fierce runner who reminds me of a younger Jamal Lewis. Bradshaw and Ward spell Jacobs on third downs and running plays to the outside. Expect all three to get carries on their way to a combined 160 yards or so.

Like Tennessee, the Giants rely on their front four defensive lineman to put consistent pressure on the quarterback and allow the linebackers and safeties to stay with their man. Last week, we saw Carson check off to Reggie Kelly and Daniel Coates in the flat when he felt pressure, and the linebackers were always there to take them down as soon as they caught the pass. Assuming Brat won’t adjust to quicker routes and three-step-drops until the protection can prove its consistent, it would make sense to keep tight ends into block and maybe buy more time to allow receivers to get open. A big part of why this offense smells like raw sewage right now is because Reggie Kelly and Ben Coates are getting the ball more than Chad and TJ. I like a good pass-catching tight end too, but if the five fat guys on the line aren’t buying the QB enough time, then it becomes a luxury you can’t afford. Besides, Ben Utecht was supposed to be that guy and he wasn’t doing much actual catching before he bruised his sternum.

If I had to nitpick on New York’s defense, I’d point to a young secondary who benefits greatly from a tremendous defensive line. If the combination of defensive ends Strahan and Umenyora were an A+ last year, replacements Justin Tuck and Mathias Kiwanuka are an A- this season. Middle linebacker Antonio Pierce is a mean vet who provides crucial leadership to a fairly young defense. Due to retirement, injury and free agency, this defense is without four starters from last year’s championship squad, and doesn’t look any different on the field so far in ‘08.

The Giants have had an easy schedule so far, comfortably taking care of Washington and St. Louis. My expectations for this week are like everybody else’s: another convincing win over another bad team.

Giants 31, Bengals 14

Mojokong - Meadowlands Massacre Part One: Hoffa is Raised!

For This Long

Remember?

I had to bring this back to remind everyone how long we've complained about the same thing. Check the date.

MK

The Winds of No Change

On December 4, 2005, Rudi Johnson ran 14 yards for a fourth quarter touchdown against the Steelers, giving the Bengals a 38-24 lead. That moment was the peak of this regime. Since then, Marvin Lewis has watched his team tailspin back into oblivion.

Ah, the good ol’ days, when Sundays were a blast. When our offense purred like a Maserati and turnovers seemed to fall from the sky. The future seemed golden back then. We had all the ingredients to become the Colts. What could go wrong?

Lots went wrong. We lost some players to “the streets”, lost some to injury, lost control of egos and eventually lost games. The way the team has gone about their business since that treasured season has been curious at best. While the rest of the league has adjusted to trends and patterns, it seems that the Bengals are stuck in 2005. They don’t understand how the NFL is an amoeba that is constantly redefining itself. The formula that caught most teams off-guard three seasons ago, doesn’t produce the same results these days. You can’t rob the same bank twice.

Want statistical proof? The Bengals are 5 for 26 (19 percent) on third downs so far, as opposed to 84 for 196 (42 percent) in 2005. They average 3.5 yards a play now, compared to 5.6 then. Carson averaged 7.3 yards a pass when things were clicking. This year, a pathetic 4.5. There's more, but you get the point.

The stubborn nature of this organization has ruined any hope of a successful immediate future. A young team who knows its in a rebuilding phase is far more respectable than a veteran team who won’t admit that it sucks.

“I think the best way to look at our situation is that we're 0-2, we're by no means out of the playoffs, and we've got a definite uphill battle ahead of us. Who better to get your mind set back than going into the defending world champion's home and getting a win?” said an optimistic Carson Palmer after another embarrassing thrashing Sunday.

“We go out and practice every day. We bust our ass, run hard, complete everything ... and then in the game, for some reason, it just doesn't go down that way. I don't know why.” said confused Bengal receiver T.J. Houshmandzadeh following an anaemic performance.

Here’s a hint: RUN NEW PLAYS!!!

Mojokong - troubling, disheartening, dubious, irksome, underwhelming, disappointing, uninteresting. Blagh!

Drippin' Off the Meat Grinder

There are six teams in the NFL that are identically built: Baltimore, Buffalo, Chicago, Jacksonville, Tampa Bay and Tennessee. They’re made up of strength and patience. They make you want to quit. They sock you in the face over and over again. I call it grind-house football.

It’s an old philosophy built around field position. Field goals win games if the other team can’t cross the 50 yard line. Watching grind-house offenses can be slow and boring. Expect to see lots of hand offs and check downs, tight end catches and (gulp) double-reverses. Throws are to be kept to a minimum and fumbles are punishable by death. Punts are ok, missed field goals are not.

Playing grind-house defense is simple: Keep people in front of you and make tackles. The front four are good enough by themselves to not require fancy linebacker and safety blitzes. The secondary doesn’t get beat deep and linebackers don’t miss tackles.

Good special teams play is essential for a successful grind-house style. Dangerous return men can change the ol’ battle for field position in a hurry. Buffalo, thought to be the best special teams unit in the NFL, pulled off a classic, guy-acting-like-he’s-going-to-the-bench-when-he’s-really-not fake field goal for a touchdown last week, adding to a punt return touchdown earlier in the game for the Bills

Last week we were treated to a heaping spoonful of grind-house by the Ravens. This week we meet the Ravens older brother, the Titans. Tennessee outslugged the musclebound Jaguars 17-10 in Week 1 at Jacksonville. The defensive line is super aggressive, and is led by the Panzer tank, defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth. Big Al snacked on the Jags offensive line last week with two sacks, while the Titans racked up seven for the game. If Eric Ghaicuic is the cupcake he appears to be when I rewatch the games in slow motion on my DVR, than he is literally going to be mauled by a wild animal on Sunday. Poor guy.

If that wasn’t enough, linebacker Keith Bullock is the kind of guy you think of when you think about army tattoos. They both seem old fashioned tough. His tackles cause fumbles and his trash talking cause headlines. He and Ray Lewis are the same linebacker breed. Bullock requires some attention when game planning the Titans.

On the plus side, the Titan secondary is vulnerable. Lil’ Finnigan had no chance of covering Chad in last year’s game and watched him operate a CBS camera as a result.

Tennessee will hand off to the quick Chris Johnson and/or the bulldozer-type runner LenDale White, as many as 35 times in a close game. Johnson likes to run off tackle and the Titans’ wide outs look to be really good blockers to facilitate that. White is an up-the-middle runner who is difficult to tackle.

With Vince Young out with a knee problem and a severe contusion to his ego, the immobile Kerry Collins will look to throw quickly to avoid moving. He does have a strong arm, and if he has time, he will test the secondary deep. Their receivers are average at best, but the tight end Bo Scaife ended with 106 yards on six catches last week.

Considering they have a quarterback who moves like Han Solo in carbonite, I would assume we might want to blitz pretty heavily. No need to double team any of the receivers or play prevent zone on this offense. Linebackers, especially Rivers, need to stay at home and bring people down. I was disappointed with the angles our tacklers were taking on ball carriers. Bad angles end up with a group of defenders chasing down runners instead of one player stopping a play upon impact. The defensive line needs to win the surge at the line of scrimmage more regularly. For Peko and Thornton, it comes down to pushing the player in front them backwards. If they fail, opposing runners find yards and we give up another third-and-short.

The Titans pack a wallop. They want to slug it out into the tenth round and apply the knockout at the bell. They’re battle hardened, grind-house. Like a ten hour arm-wrestle. I expect them to be angry and intimidating. I expect the Bengals to be shaken and punked.

Titans 20, Bengals 9

Mojokong - Death Proof

The Longest Season

The point of emphasis the Bengals decided to focus on this training camp was becoming more physical. Being able to run the ball and stopping third downs were two issues the coaching staff insisted on improving. The 2008 training camp t-shirt this year even had the word “PHYSICAL” printed on the back. Yet when describing Sundays game another word came to mind:

Soft.

Not only did the Bengals’ offensive line get tossed around, the defense allowed 221 rushing yards and went limp on too many important third downs. The Ravens had the ball for more than 12 minutes longer than Cincinnati. Joe Flacco ran for a 38 yard touchdown in slow-motion!

I remember the front office signing defensive lineman to long contracts this off-season in order to generate more of a pass rush. That didn’t happen. I also recall replacing a slow running back who couldn’t generate any yards with, apparently,... another slow running back? And then there’s that certain lineman who was undoubtedly laughing to himself as he watched his former mates look far worse than they ever had with him.

What I don’t remember seeing is DeDe Dorsey touch the ball. Or a quick out pass to Chad to get him into the game. Or Carson adjust to a three-step-drop when the defensive pressure was obviously not going to relent. Or Eric Ghaicuic winning a battle inside.

How many years must we bitch about Bratkowski? Predicting his play calling is like predicting when the light turns green.

“It’s third and one, Bob, whad’ya think?”

“Up the gut.”

“Now it’s fourth and one, what now?”

“Up the gut.”

Why is he employed? He has taken a rare crop of talent and strangled the life from it with the stale, suffocating style of play calling he insists on. He has made Carson a worse player, he’s limited the ultra-explosiveness of Chad, he is currently wasting the talent that still exists within the offensive line and he may have ruined Rudi’s career.

One can’t help but wonder what actually takes place during practice. What’s our bread and butter play?

Fourth and one at the Ravens 25 yard line, down by seven points, seven minutes and some change left, time to run the bread and butter play. Palmer hands off to Perry who runs up the gut for a loss of a yard.

Here’s what Carson said about that play:

"That's a nine out of 10 play," said Bengals quarterback Carson Palmer. "Usually we make that nine out of 10 times. That's our bread-and-butter."

I’m not sure what is more disheartening: the fact that a run up the middle is our bread and butter play, or that we can’t gain yards on it, even if it is.

As previously griped about, there is no direction to this team. Who are our leaders? Carson? He guaranteed we beat Baltimore in our next meeting, that doesn’t make you a leader. He’s Captain Brightside who says things like, “The good news is that it’s only Week 1.” Thanks, Carson.


Mojokong - It’s only week one.

Stepping into the Great Unknown

Week 1 Preview:

Oh, cruel irony, must the Bengals face Willie Anderson eight days after releasing him? Ravens general manager Ozzie Newsome has reportedly met with him today about joining the divisional rival and aiding an inexperienced offensive line there. With the off-season retirement of comparable legend, Jonathan Ogden, Willie could provide the same leadership and guidance that Ogden once fulfilled. It’s also safe to say that Big Willie knows our team inside and out and gives Baltimore the ultimate scouting report on us. If I were new Ravens coach John Harbaugh, I would let Willie talk into the headset that communicates signals to the defensive captain’s helmet. He could recognize every formation we line up in and is an expert on our tendencies. The mistake of letting him go could become quickly magnified.

Outside of that dreadful possibility, the Bengals match up well against a banged-up, inexperienced Ravens squad. Rookie Joe Flacco has been anointed their starting quarterback and running back Willis McGahee has been bothered by a knee problem all preseason. Bengal killer Ed Reed has a nerve issue in his shoulder and neck and told a Baltimore radio station that if the injury required surgery, it could be career-threatening. Defensive veterans like Trevor Price, Chris McAllister, Patrick Surtain and even Ray Lewis are all in the twilight of their careers. They have serious concerns at wide receiver and have been searching for a play maker in that department for years. Wide out Mark Clayton has the speed to be that kind of player but came away without a touchdown last season.

Still, there are some players to game plan against in Baltimore. One is Todd Heap. The pro-bowl tight end is the perfect safety-valve for a rookie quarterback. He runs excellent routes, has sure hands and is a legitimate red zone threat. Safeties and linebackers are going to have to play him close and make tackles when he gets the ball.

Another player to think about is rookie running back Ray Rice. Rice from Rutgers is a power runner with decent speed. He’s a nice compliment in the running game and gives Coach Harbaugh some solace if McGahee can’t give it a go Sunday.

On defense, outside linebacker Terrel Suggs is always a handful for Levi Jones. Sometime he beats Jones one-on-one. Other times, his presence alone makes the difference. When he and defensive end Price load up one side in their 3-4 defensive set, it proves difficult for our blocking scheme to pick up the blitz from the opposite side. Safety blitzes are dangerous in those scenarios and the blocking emphasis goes to the running backs and tight ends. It’s essential the Bengals pass protection handle the exotic blitzes the Ravens have worked on all summer. Keep our boy off the turf and intact.

The Ravens have three big d-lineman, Suggs on the outside and Ray Lewis in the middle. If those players are consistently neutralized, our passing attack should have the advantage over an aged, slow secondary, particularly without Ed Reed.

Another concern is our coverage team on kickoffs. Last week against Indy we allowed wide open running lanes and paid for it. Raven return-man Yamon Figurs is too fast to let him build up steam untouched. And the best way to keep a struggling offense in the game is through big special teams play and helpful field position.

I expect Flacco to make the obligatory rookie mistake here and there, and a good defense creates turnovers when that happens. We should blitz him hard early, smack him in his mouth to remind him it’s the NFL, and force him into quick decisions. The wrong thing to do is to drop back into zone and dare him to throw into small holes. Why allow an inexperienced quarterback to feel comfortable dropping back to pass? Get it into his head early that he could get hurt playing this game.

Like the rest of the Bengal world, I’m very anxious to see how Chris Perry can hold up for an entire game. Kenny Watson and DeDe should get a combined 10 to 15 carries to take some of the load off of Perry, but look for the former first-rounder to see close to 20 carries if everything is going as planned. With he and Utecht added to this year’s attack, the intermediate passing plays - especially on third downs - should be less of a concern.

Will Chad be able to take a hit? Will Housh be his normal self after not playing at all in the preseason? Will anyone step up in their places if the star receivers can’t pull it off? Will the Bengals karma worsen with the forceful removal of Willie Anderson? God, I hope not.

We head into ‘08 with more uncertainty than ever under Mean Marv. I don't know if we'll be favored going into Sunday’s game, but I’m still picking us to win.

Bengals 24, Ravens 13

Mojokong - “I only have friends because I’ve killed all my rivals.” - KRS One