Bailing Out

For most, a recession means getting by with less. Domestic beer is purchased, public transit is ridden, and spaghetti is served. A new routine is set in order to improve upon, or at least maintain the situation around us. If this is also true for the Bengals, then it couldn’t have happened at a better time.

For starters, the offense - hell, the world - could use a lot less of Chris Perry. Marvin and Brat should be economic with his carries, to put it politely. Although he hasn’t shown much of the pass-catching ability his reputation hinged upon, I still think he could be a serviceable third-down back. I’d like to see him get six to eight chances not to fumble this Sunday, in addition to any check-offs he’s a part of. That leaves Cedric Benson to channel the anger he runs with on the Steelers linebackers upwards of 20 times, but only if the offense can afford to run the ball. Even if Benson gets stopped for no gain every time, I guarantee you that it hurts more to tackle him than it does Perry. Besides, the running game needs help anywhere it can get it, and Benson still hasn’t had a decent sample size to gauge how effective of a runner he can be.

We could also afford to cut back on running the ball on first down. There are stretches of play-calling where the pigeons in the rafters know what’s coming. The next time the Bengals line up in an I-formation on first down and they send a tight end in motion, turn down your TV set and listen to the Cincinnati area say in unison, “They’re running it”. It’s that bad.

It seems we can cut out Glenn Holt altogether. His injury should hopefully make that more visible to the personnel department in Marvin Lewis’ head. In an NFL where the return man is more noticeable than ever, keeping a mediocre one and a mediocre receiver to boot, isn’t being fiscally responsible. Both the second and third-round picks were apparently squandered on useless receivers in Marvin’s last draft. Check out some other second round receivers like Eddie Royal of the Broncos or DeSean Jackson with the Eagles and notice how much they’re contributing to their already successful team. Now look at our second round receiver Jerome Simpson who was drafted before both of those guys and hasn’t had a play of statistical record yet. Draft picks are a precious resource, and a bad team can’t waste them on the distant future. We need help now.

Finally, we need to balance the time of possession battle so that the defense doesn’t die of fatigue.

Look for Dick Lebeau to bully the offensive line, by throwing the kitchen sink at Fitzpatrick. Steeler outside linebacker Lamar Woodley could wreak havoc against our soft, cushiony offensive line and Polamalu stalks the secondary like a storm cloud ready to burst. It could be a long, miserable afternoon for the Bengal offense, but I do see Chad breaking out a bit this game. Fitzy seems to look his way first and their going to throw it deep a few times, even if they have to force it. I wouldn't expect any touchdowns, however.

The only good news going into it is that Willie Parker re-aggravated an injury this week in practice and is a long shot to play Sunday. The Bengals have had a hard time stopping the run in some key stretches, but this week they go against the weakest stable of running backs we’ve seen this year. A smart team would blitz Ben like we’re wild dogs and he’s made of bacon. Their line also has had issues this season and Big Ben has taken a beating early on. The defense should have a good day against a wounded Pittsburgh offense.

Perhaps the great depression version of the Bengals can show us a glimpse of a productive future. All we can evaluate at this point are, what areas are worth keeping and what fat can we trim. If it’s planned out wisely, maybe we’ll taste the good life again someday. Not this Sunday though.

Steelers 20, Bengals 6

Mojokong - Mmmmm bacon.