The tie that left every baffled observer to wonder how such a gentlemanly ending is possible in this testosterone-charged sport was exactly the kind of ending the coaching staff strives for each week. They call plays in hopes of not losing. If they tell you they had planned to win that game, they’re lying.
Some examples:
Inside three minutes in the third quarter, Bengals ahead 13-10 with the ball on the Philadelphia 33, facing a fourth-and-16, what do they do? Three plays earlier in the drive, Whitworth left the game with a high ankle sprain. The following play resulted in a sack which put them in that difficult fourth down conundrum in the first place. What did they do? They went for it. And failed.
Can Shayne Graham not make a 50 yard field goal? Was it the wind? How about Kyle Larson? You can’t tell me he isn’t incapable of punting it short because we’ve witnessed him muff plenty of them over the season. How about a pooch-punt? Do we even practice this stuff? Going for it makes the least sense of all the possibilities one can conjure up.
Now we’re in overtime and the Bengals are actually driving. After two crappy run calls up the gut for- you guessed it - a minimal gain, Cincinnati is looking at third-and-seven on the Eagles 47 yard line. Fitzpatrick has looked good throwing out of the shotgun since his two-minute drill touchdown drive before halftime. Only this time, we’re not in the shotgun and Kenny Watson is in the backfield for the first time all game. What do we do this time? Naturally, a toss play for no gain. And then punt...in overtime!!?
Not to worry. With the defense playing like the ‘85 Bears and the Eagles punter kicking like he’s been paid off to throw the game, we get the ball back at the Eagle’s 41 yard line with time ticking down. Still throwing well out of the shotgun (plus a questionable roughing the passer call), Fitzpatrick finds his team at a comfy 29 yard line and nestling into decent field goal range. Still, we could use another eight to 12 yards to feel better about our chances. After all, the coaching staff couldn’t believe in Graham’s leg at 50 yards, so why would they feel confident at 48? What do we do? We run up the gut for zero yards. Graham trots onto the field, kicks....wide right, and no one goes home happy.
So now we’re at the post-game press conference with Marvin Lewis. The local media asks their usual stupid and pointless questions, like how it feels to finish a game tied, or ask him to comment on the play of newcomers Chris Crocker and Pat Sims. Then, finally, someone addresses the decision to run on third and seven in overtime, and all Marvin does is confirm that, “Yes, that was the play that was called.” The rest of the reporters take the hint and move on to more pointless inquiries about if he thought Rucker was in the end zone on his fumble recovery or ask him to talk about what a great game Housh had.
Where’s the media pressure put on a smiling, sarcastic, and most importantly, losing head coach? How does Lewis get off the hook without answering the tough questions? Why are the professionals who write the articles, blogs and columns about this godforsaken franchise constantly skating around the real issues at hand?
Marvin condescends the Cincinnati media like naive children and they all sit there and take it. It’s no wonder he feels so secure up there on the podium, defending his decision making that has put this team in the hunt for worst franchise in professional sports. One of the necessary roles the media is supposed to fulfill is of a watchdog to the injustices in the systems they write about - whether it be in politics, business practice, and yes, even in sports.
Big ups to who-dey revolution for taking matters into their own hands by instigating and apparently accomplishing a concession boycott of Paul Brown Stadium yesterday. Here is a grassroots organization who is making national headlines by taking a stand against a despotic owner who only has his own financial interest in mind.. I encourage all to join the revolution
Mojokong - swimming in piss and vinegar
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2 comments:
the call to go for it on 4th and 16 was the most idiotic I have ever seen, but then I saw the 3rd and 7 run for 0 yards towards the end of the game...but if that wasn't enough, with the ball at the Eagles 30 and under a minute left, instead of getting a few extra yards to set up a manageable FG, they run up the gut (!!) naturally, for no gain, and the clock still running, Graham comes in, rushes a quick FG wide right!!
They deserve it.
lets look at it in context: last week, they finally did the right thing by going all out west coast and keeping the defensive line in check by using 3 to 5 step drops and letting go the ball quickly, as we have been clamoring for for what seems like years. they had success. so what do they do in the following game? they framed it like Fitzpatrick just needed to feel comfortable in the pocket and he gained confidence against Jacksonville, so lets sit him in the pocket again! IMBECILES, the whole lot of them!
and I did not see much of any attempt to get the ball to Chad, but the few I did see Chad was complacent and waiting for the ball.
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