(01-04-2016, 09:50 PM)SHRacerX Wrote: Good point about Jones.  I don't have to worry about his intensity.  Hell, that guy went after Geno Atkins in the playoff game last year!  

My plea is also to AJ Green:  Tell AJ before the game:  If you get in trouble, I will head deep...if you can get the throw off, I will catch it. There is no way, NO WAY that crapbag secondary can stop him if he plays like he is capable of playing...and for the entire game.

Adam Jones backs down from no one.

He was going after one of the Ravens O-lineman last game. The OL got the worst of it.

I agree also on Green, he needs to play with that chip on his shoulder.

Against the Steelers I want to see everyone in a Bengals uniform play with the passion, the intensity, and the energy of Vontaze Burfict.

I remember visions of Eifert lighting up a confused Steelers D like Gronk did that first game against NE. Alot's changed since then but Eifert turns fg's into td's, a piece we haven't had for a playoff game yet... Maybe just the piece we need.

(01-04-2016, 09:52 AM)lostwou Wrote: Kinda hard to throw the ball down field when the OL can't pass protect or even run block for that matter. Not trying to be a downer just being realistic. If OL doesn't play better we are one and done again.

Our O-Line seems to crumble in the playoffs. Its a shame AJ wont even have time to throw against the 30th ranked pass D in the NFL. If the line does hold, piss on the run and pick that secondary apart.

About that "forcing the checkdown" bit - I really hope that they account for Heath frigging Miller and pick that weak shit off when the rapist tosses one out to him underneath. For me, there has been no single player as annoying to watch as Miller for as long as I can remember. He seems to just strut out like a sloth and get an effortless 5 yards EVERY SINGLE TIME. I want to see them play a game where he's finally accounted for and can't rack up easy first downs.

The guy just GRINDS my GEARS whenever he catches anything.

(01-03-2016, 11:20 PM)Awful Llama Wrote: Dear SHRacerX,

Please don't worry.  We did some good things out there today and we just need to play better.

- Marvin

......and we just need to make plays.

- Marvin

(01-04-2016, 10:54 PM)jj22 Wrote: I remember visions of Eifert lighting up a confused Steelers D like Gronk did that first game against NE. Alot's changed since then but Eifert turns fg's into td's, a piece we haven't had for a playoff game yet... Maybe just the piece we need.

Eifert, Jones, and Iloka all missed nearly the entire game the last time they played.  They were in the first game, and the Bengals won.

Dalton is the missing piece.  AJ Green, Eifert, Marvin Jones, Hill, Gio, Sanu, the offensive line, and of course, McCarron all need to step it up in his absence.  

(01-04-2016, 09:47 PM)SHRacerX Wrote: I won't go this far, but I just want him to give them the best chance, which is to be aggressive.  I think the team would be really fired up with this approach...

Funny thing is that when lost to the Chargers everyone cried that we should have been more conservative and ran the ball more.

Every fan thinks it is easy toi coach an NFL team because they always heave the benefit of hindsight to criticize the coach.

(01-05-2016, 12:23 PM)fredtoast Wrote: Funny thing is that when lost to the Chargers everyone cried that we should have been more conservative and ran the ball more.

Every fan thinks it is easy toi coach an NFL team because they always heave the benefit of hindsight to criticize the coach.

You do what works, it is pretty frickin simple.

When the run game is working you stick with it more than we did.

Do you disagree?

You always defend the coaches though Fred, always. I do when it is warranted.

Why is all I picture is an ultra conservative, 16-13 type game that comes down to the FG kicker, which we will inevitably be at a disadvantage?

Jaded Bengals fans.

(01-03-2016, 11:14 PM)SHRacerX Wrote: Play aggressive.

Don't rush four when you have a lead and hope the other team can't execute 10 yards in three plays with zero pressure.  This is the playoffs.  Teams that can't do that aren't in the playoffs.  Get pressure.  Even when he gets a throw off, make sure he is getting hit.  

Attack their weakness on defense:  the secondary.  Attack them down the field with multiple receivers in a pattern.  Keeping extra blockers in just allows them to have more players near the line of scrimmage, which hurts the running game, and it also makes it tougher for the few route runners to get separation.  

Don't stop attacking when you get a lead.  Keep your foot on the gas, full throttle.  That goes for defense and offense.  

Be creative.

Don't line up Sanu in the wildcat and just have him run in the middle.  That is the only thing you have shown this year.  Have him read-option keep it, take a step back, and heave the ball down the field.  That should be one of at LEAST 5 deep shots taken down the field.  

Run a reverse with Marvin Jones.  He is the fastest of the WRs and can catch them in over pursuit of a Gio run to the outside.

Zimmer ran a fake punt the first offensive series of the game against the Packers.  Let your team, and their team know that all bets are off this game.  They will realize right away that this isn't the conservative "play not to lose" teams of your past.  


Make receivers other than Antonio Brown beat you.

The Ravens had a great game plan against the steelers with two deep safeties on every three receiver play of the steelers.  Nothing over the top.  Force Pig Ben to check it down.  He will become impatient and force a mistake.  Getting the pressure mentioned earlier from an additional pass rusher might also force an errant throw.  Most importantly, your DBs won't be forced to cover a very good WR squad for 5-6 seconds.

Get the damn plays called in sooner so AJ has a chance to survey the field, do some hard counts, and run the play before risking a delay of game penalty.  

Have a "GO" play ready named "steeler", where the offense runs to the line, snaps the ball, and takes a deep shot down the field.  Each time you run it, use a different AFC North team name.  So many times, after a positive play, our guys wander up to the line and wait, and wait, and wait for the call from the sideline, and watch Mccarron hustle up and snap the ball on one in an effort to avoid a delay of game.  When something good happens, shout "steeler" and have everyone sprint to the formation and do a quick snap.  Big plays often come when your opponent is a little unprepared.  Stop allowing the other team to gather themselves after every decent play you have by taking forever to get the play in.  

An added twist:  the second time you run it ("Baltimore"), do a hard count, and see if you can get a free play.  

I'm not asking, I'm pleading.  Your conservative nature will allow you to beat teams you are simply better than, but you will rarely beat a team that is even your equal if you never attack them.  I think your team would love to hear you say at this week's team meeting:  "We are going to be aggressive".  And then actually implement an aggressive game strategy.

I believe in the team.  I worry about your strategies in big games.  Attack them, be creative, and play fast.  

Good luck.

Dear SHRacer, it appears you have all of the answers so please send your resume to Katie and Mie Brown. I am sure you have many years of success and 5 years of NFL playoffs in a
row on your resume. Maybe you can take over for me as you can see, it is a simple job winning in the NFL.               
Sincerely, Marvin Lewis's Son

(01-05-2016, 04:19 PM)ItsOdellThurman Wrote: Why is all I picture is an ultra conservative, 16-13 type game that comes down to the FG kicker, which we will inevitably be at a disadvantage?

Jaded Bengals fans.

If it comes down to kicking, Pitt has been jaded all year. They don't want to rely on a FG as much as we don't.

I think people put way too much emphasis on this "conservative" theme.

If the Bengals are up by 2 TDs in the second half and the Steelers aren't moving the ball, they better be taking 30+ seconds off the clock on EVERY play. You don't let a team have multiple chances to get their offense moving in the right direction.

It's not being conservative, it's called being smart. There's no reason why this team can't run the ball or run short passes against this shitty Steeler's D. Eifert alone should be a huge difference maker in taking time of the clock.

(01-05-2016, 05:06 PM)Hammerstripes Wrote: I think people put way too much emphasis on this "conservative" theme.

If the Bengals are up by 2 TDs in the second half and the Steelers aren't moving the ball, they better be taking 30+ seconds off the clock on EVERY play.  You don't let a team have multiple chances to get their offense moving in the right direction.

It's not being conservative, it's called being smart.  There's no reason why this team can't run the ball or run short passes against this shitty Steeler's D.  Eifert alone should be a huge difference maker in taking time of the clock.

Smart football and conservative are pretty much interchangeable.... Alex Smith has been dealing with this phenomena for a long time.... People put a bad aura around conservative... but there shouldn't be.

(01-05-2016, 05:06 PM)Hammerstripes Wrote: I think people put way too much emphasis on this "conservative" theme.

If the Bengals are up by 2 TDs in the second half and the Steelers aren't moving the ball, they better be taking 30+ seconds off the clock on EVERY play.  You don't let a team have multiple chances to get their offense moving in the right direction.

It's not being conservative, it's called being smart.  There's no reason why this team can't run the ball or run short passes against this shitty Steeler's D.  Eifert alone should be a huge difference maker in taking time of the clock.

(01-05-2016, 05:08 PM)GreenCornBengal Wrote: Smart football and conservative are pretty much interchangeable.... Alex Smith has been dealing with this phenomena for a long time.... People put a bad aura around conservative... but there shouldn't be.

Hard for me to disagree with either of these two posts.

Alex Smith has a hand full of SB rings too.

(01-05-2016, 05:14 PM)Nate (formerly eliminate08) Wrote: Hard for me to disagree with either of these two posts.

There are moments where you need to play with a chip on your shoulder (like Zimmer going for the fake punt on the first drive against GB), but overall you need to play conservatively. Do you guys think Marvin will try anything ballsy like Zimmer this week?

(01-05-2016, 05:27 PM)ItsOdellThurman Wrote: Alex Smith has a hand full of SB rings too.

Done more than any QB we have had the last 25 years.... I'll take his conservative 9/0 TD/INT ratio in the playoffs anyday.

Ben just told M. Bryant he needs to toughen the F up. I wish AJM was in a position to say that to our players, someone needs to say it. I also hope Burfict lays some hard hits on Heath.

Here's the difference between being the "conservative" chiefs, the Bengals, and the Patriots. The latter 2 have the offense to put up 30 points a game, and the Bengals were for more than half the season. Only one doesn't look at the scoreboard - and the Bengals likely have more chances to put up points because their Defense trumps the Patriots. Unleaded gas in a car that wants premium. One team waits for the game to be over, the other ends it sooner than that.
 
Without injury, this was the year a high powered Bengals offense was finally paired with a high powered Bengals defense. No more hanging the hat on the offense (palmer), hanging the hat on the Defense (half the time Dalton was here). Multiple things would have to go wrong to lose this year. With our typical ST play, we would always win 2/3 phases and the game was over. It's not the same feeling right now, things will be closer. I'm certain the Defense will hold their bargain on the Steelers on Saturday. We need Adam Jones and Huber sightings to give us the ST win. Maybe Tate has saved his best for last, and Hill is beginning to pick up steam. A nobody needs to show up.

(01-05-2016, 05:28 PM)GreenCornBengal Wrote: There are moments where you need to play with a chip on your shoulder (like Zimmer going for the fake punt on the first drive against GB), but overall you need to play conservatively. Do you guys think Marvin will try anything ballsy like Zimmer this week?

He might let Hue send in a gadget play or two but I highly doubt you will see a ballsy call like a fake field goal/punt.  It's a lot easier to do that in a game like Zimmer did; one with not a lot to loose.  It wasn't a win or go home and it can be easily argued that loosing and going to Washington would be much easier than trying to defeat a red hot Seahawks team at home (I am one of them).  

Playoff football often comes down to who executes better and who makes the fewest mistakes.  The pressure will be off the charts and the likelihood of screwing up a trick play is very high.