CincyJungle had an article with four reasons as to why you should believe in the Bengals this year, and it's mostly things we talk about on here, but still nice to see.

1. Change!

This is what we're all excited about and Mike Brown is FINALLY making changes to improve the team, starting with the coaches:

Quote:As a franchise, the Bengals hate change. The team has been owned by the same family since its founding 51 years ago. Marvin Lewis has been the head coach for 15, going on 16 years. Andy Dalton has been the starting quarterback since 2011, despite sometimes lacking results. Many of the assistant coaches, front office personnel and team employees have been around for decades, too. But this offseason, the Bengals actually parted ways with a number of coaches — some by choice and some not by choice — and this could be an amazing thing for the club.

“No question. Change can be good,” Ken Anderson recently said, discussing the changes expected in Cincinnati this year. “He’s (Dalton) got a couple of new linemen that are going to help him and he’s got weapons at the line of scrimmage and in the backfield. We’ve got to get (wide receiver) John Ross healthy. It’s going to be fun for him.”

With an offensive coordinator who’s finally changing the playbook (Bill Lazor) and a new defensive coordinator with an impressive track record (Teryl Austin), plus a handful of new assistants (Frank Pollack, Daronte Jones, Matt Raich, Bob Bicknell), there’s reason to believe change is really coming for the Bengals and that could make a world of a difference.

“Everybody is responding to the coaches, getting ready to work, everybody is getting tired of the ‘can’t do this and can’t do that,’ I feel like everyone is buying into the new system and it’s really motivating guys,” cornerback Dre Kirkpatrick told Cincy Jungle.

I think all of that gets us the pieces we've been missing and also brings a new mentality with the team and coaches that EXPECT to win, and now the team will, too.

2. Playing the young guys

Quote:Last year we saw Marvin Lewis actually play his young players. Carl Lawson and Jordan Willis both saw considerable playing time, William Jackson got to see the field. Even Josh Malone played 25 percent of the team’s offensive snaps and on defense Ryan Glasgow played 35.95 percent of the snaps. Bengals fans are reluctant to believe Lewis played and will continue to play rookies, but the proof is there. The young guys played in 2017 and I believe it’s because Lewis realizes he needs to win and do whatever it takes to win.

There’s more urgency coming from the head coach than in past years.

There’s no more time for guys to sit on the bench and learn. They need to get onto the field and learn. I think the proof from last year in this regard is one of the things to be most excited about this season, especially since the Bengals have had 22 draft picks in the last two years combined. Lewis is changing his ways at least in this one small regard and there’s reason to be hopeful about the young guys getting playing time this season. Lewis already said Sam Hubbard will be part of the rotation on defense immediately and that alone is something to be excited about.

Marvin's finally realizing that some rookies are ready to play and he's putting the best players on the field. Being loyal to a fault, along with just overall refusal to play young guys, has been a major fault of his.

3. Having a competent center

Quote:This point goes along with the first and second. For starters, the Bengals made a change at center by letting Russell Bodine walk away in free agency — whether they wanted him to or not — and then selected Billy Price in the first round of the draft. Second, playing Price as a rookie will continue the trend of letting the young guys get onto the field immediately. And the plan is for Price to start at center in Week 1. It will be so refreshing for the Bengals to have a capable starting center and someone in the middle of the offensive line who isn’t getting pushed over onto his ass on a regular basis. The problem here is that we need to wait and see how Price does at the NFL level. But back to my optimistic train of thought, Price will be significantly better than Bodine ever was.

No description was necessary.

4. Tyler Eifert and John Ross- BE HEALTHY!

Quote:Minicamp didn’t offer much reason to be hopeful about Tyler Eifert’s health in 2018. First, he was limited as part of the alleged plan to bring him slowly into the mix and ensure he’d stay healthy. Then, he wasn’t practicing much at all and Lewis sounded incredibly pessimistic in speaking on Eifert’s health saying he didn’t know whether the star tight end would be cleared for training camp. Eifert missed nearly all of last season while recovering from multiple injuries and getting a few surgeries to fix those injuries. The expectation was he’d be fully ready to go by the spring. He even claimed he was fully-cleared to play prior to free agency, which was clearly not true. (See, here I go starting to get negative because how could you not when it comes to Eifert’s health...)

But with all that said, it’s June and I’m hopeful that Eifert will be healthy when the clock strikes 1:00 p.m. ET on September 9. If he is, the Bengals’ offense will receive a much-needed boost and a playmaker who can’t be stopped.

Similarly, the Bengals didn’t have first round pick John Ross for the majority of last year for a variety of reasons. He’s now been shining in spring workouts and offering a lot of hope for his future with the Bengals.

I don't really understand how hoping they can stay healthy was a reason to believe in the team, but they'll play big roles in the offense if they can and the team will be tough to stop!

There's more details for those four in the article, but it has me PUMPED UP for this season!

This team could be special!

Preach it, Brad! As Chick Ludwig, would say: "I am ready to run through a wall with snot bubbles!"

This team has a different feel to it, at least to me. You're spot on Brad, it could be a special season. Love your optimism.

(06-28-2018, 11:42 PM)BFritz21 Wrote: CincyJungle had an article with four reasons as to why you should believe in the Bengals this year, and it's mostly things we talk about on here, but still nice to see.

1.  Change!

   This is what we're all excited about and Mike Brown is FINALLY making changes to improve the team, starting with the coaches:


I think all of that gets us the pieces we've been missing and also brings a new mentality with the team and coaches that EXPECT to win, and now the team will, too.

2.  Playing the young guys


Marvin's finally realizing that some rookies are ready to play and he's putting the best players on the field.  Being loyal to a fault, along with just overall refusal to play young guys, has been a major fault of his.

3.  Having a competent center


No description was necessary.

4.  Tyler Eifert and John Ross- BE HEALTHY!


I don't really understand how hoping they can stay healthy was a reason to believe in the team, but they'll play big roles in the offense if they can and the team will be tough to stop!

There's more details for those four in the article, but it has me PUMPED UP for this season!

This team could be special!

if the offensive line plays well..team should be fine..its really no more than that

offensively, until the last two games they could not do anything..defense was on the field much too long

I do agree.. Mike Browns spy on the field, Paul Alexander, not being here makes a difference

The claim that Marvin doesn't play rookies and younger players is way overblown. When you look at the numbers over the time he has been here he plays rookies and young guys as much as the average NFL team. People just don't look at the numbers for other NFL teams. Last year just a little over half of the first round picks (18) were starters.

Weak teams ususally play more rookies and that is what happened last year with the Bengals.

Great post Brad and a very nice read. Cannot disagree with any of it. Honestly it all starts in the trenches and with
the additions of Frank Pollack, Cordy Glenn and Billy Price we could be massively improved. I mean Pollack is a great
run blocking coach unlike PA, Cordy Glenn is one hell of a run blocker, Price WAS the best run blocking Center in the
Draft. Looking for a huge year from Mixon and Gio.

Will be neat to finally see us running on teams and these guys are extremely talented. Should be really fun to watch.

This will in turn open up the passing game and with Ross looking good we should finally have that speedy threat
opposite AJ we have pretty much always missed.

Adding Hubbard to our End rotation is awesome. Really love this guys versatility and when our D-line was at its best
we had a deep rotation. With Dunlap, Lawson, Willis, Hubbard and one of MJ, Brown, Rolland Jones we should be
getting back to that depth. Not to mention if Billings becomes the player i thought he would be.

Rock on Brad

(06-29-2018, 09:11 AM)cooper Wrote: if the offensive line plays well..team should be fine..its really no more than that

offensively, until the last two games they could not do anything..defense was on the field much too long

I do agree.. Mike Browns spy on the field, Paul Alexander, not being here makes a difference

Yep, agree 100%.  I'd also like to see the defense come up with some more turnovers.

If Price lives up to expectations we may see Andy faint from shock at the sight of an actual pocket to step up into :)

(06-29-2018, 03:38 PM)Wyche Wrote: Yep, agree 100%.  I'd also like to see the defense come up with some more turnovers.

With the way Austin is training the guys to go after every ball and WJ3 coming into his own and adding Jessie Bates III
i could see us getting a lot more turnovers. I was a bit tentative about Teryl Austin when we landed him at first but he
has a history working with Secondarys and getting them to play disciplined and getting their hands on the ball.

Jessie Bates III has a natural ability to pick QB's off which is very rare and we all know about William Jackson III.

Pretty cool having two dudes with the 3rd behind their names lol

(06-29-2018, 03:55 PM)Joelist Wrote: If Price lives up to expectations we may see Andy faint from shock at the sight of an actual pocket to step up into :)

It should be weird for him no doubt ha ha

Imagine once he gets comfortable though, i think he will have his best season by far.

I am cautiously optimistic for this season. There are still a lot of things I need to see fall into place to be truly optimistic. The first thing that does get me excited is that it looks like we have addressed the issues on the offensive line. But we still have to see it on the field.
I like the coaching changes. It seems that the coaches plan to be more aggressive this year. Hopefully we are forcing the other team to react to us instead of reacting to them on both sides of the ball.
The biggest question mark is still Ross and Eifert. if we can get Ross to be an effective contributor as well as keeping them both healthy we will have an extremely potent offense.
Overall, we have a lot of potential. And, that excites me. But since it is all new this year I still need to see it executed.

Nice thread Brad. I shall name this “The Chubby Season.” I’ve had one for awhile now. Maybe I didn’t need Cialis this whole time? Maybe all i needed was an optimistic season?

Appreciate the thread Brad.

Realistic or not I have growing optimism.   I think, except for Jefferson, this is going to end up being a very good draft.  Add in Glen, Brown and the coaching changes and I'm very excited.

If the offensive line turns out and both Eifert and Ross turn out, I think it's going to be a fine season.

While RT is still a gaping wound, you have to be impressed at how they parlayed one first round pick into both an NFL caliber starting LT AND a top shelf prospect starting at Center. With Boling at LG and Western at RG we have reason to hope, especially because Piano Man is gone.

It does make you wonder - what changed? Because the change actually happened before the season ended as we know Lazor put his foot down over the blocking scheme during the season and got Piano Man overruled. Before this we would have likely seen Piano Man backed up and Lazor let go so something changed.

(06-29-2018, 10:12 AM)fredtoast Wrote: The claim that Marvin doesn't play rookies and younger players is way overblown.  When you look at the numbers over the time he has been here he plays rookies and young guys as much as the average NFL team.  People just don't look at the numbers for other NFL teams.  Last year just a little over half of the first round picks (18) were starters.

Weak teams ususally play more rookies and that is what happened last year with the Bengals.

Well, I can see why people see it that way. Last year Willie Jackson was clearly our best corner and Kirkpatrick was clearly behind Adam Jones and Dennard. But it took until Jones got injured for Willie to start.

Another player, I forget who it was, had to go to Marvin Lewis to tell him to start Geno Atkins.

Westerman played the best two games we had last year at RG but it didn't come until the final two games.

Pushing Ogbuehi and Fisher into the lineup when clearly neither could do the job doesn't count in Marvin's favor cause that was a disastrous mistake.

(06-29-2018, 11:44 PM)BengalChris Wrote: Well, I can see why people see it that way. Last year Willie Jackson was clearly our best corner and Kirkpatrick was clearly behind Adam Jones and Dennard. But it took until Jones got injured for Willie to start.

Another player, I forget who it was, had to go to Marvin Lewis to tell him to start Geno Atkins.

Westerman played the best two games we had last year at RG but it didn't come until the final two games.

Pushing Ogbuehi and Fisher into the lineup when clearly neither could do the job doesn't count in Marvin's favor cause that was a disastrous mistake.

I remember that but I don't think it was Atkins.........  I think it was Sims or someone and it was John Thornton maybe?  

(06-29-2018, 03:38 PM)Wyche Wrote: Yep, agree 100%.  I'd also like to see the defense come up with some more turnovers.

This is where I hope Fred is right (yes, I said it) because I believe, right now, he is not right.  We have seen countless times where rookies or second year players sit behind veterans...and often, behind veterans that suck ass.

I want to see Jess Bates roaming center field (baseball pun intended for him with his background) and making plays on the ball.  He has outstanding route recognition and reaction to a ball in the air.  I remember Carson Palmer saying he remembered the first time he thought he could "squeeze a ball in to an opening" and Ed Reed proved to him that the opening wasn't there and took it to the house.  

The Bengal's safeties simply are not strong at playing the ball in the air.  We lost a ball hawk when we lost Reggie Nelson and have never adequately replaced him.  

Bates needs every opportunity to win that starting role and I think he makes a difference on our defense.  With what he all hope is a rejuvenated offense, our defense might be in a better position for some turnovers when playing with a lead.  Bates can be that guy and I think he is a big missing piece of our puzzle.  

(06-29-2018, 03:55 PM)Joelist Wrote: If Price lives up to expectations we may see Andy faint from shock at the sight of an actual pocket to step up into :)

If Price lives up to expectations, the clean-slate body of Dalton (as opposed to that of McCarron) might sport a likeness of Mr. Price on his butt cheek.  

(06-29-2018, 01:41 PM)Nate (formerly eliminate08) Wrote: Great post Brad and a very nice read. Cannot disagree with any of it. Honestly it all starts in the trenches and with
the additions of Frank Pollack, Cordy Glenn and Billy Price we could be massively improved. I mean Pollack is a great
run blocking coach unlike PA, Cordy Glenn is one hell of a run blocker, Price WAS the best run blocking Center in the
Draft. Looking for a huge year from Mixon and Gio.

Will be neat to finally see us running on teams and these guys are extremely talented. Should be really fun to watch.

This will in turn open up the passing game and with Ross looking good we should finally have that speedy threat
opposite AJ we have pretty much always missed.

Adding Hubbard to our End rotation is awesome. Really love this guys versatility and when our D-line was at its best
we had a deep rotation. With Dunlap, Lawson, Willis, Hubbard and one of MJ, Brown, Rolland Jones we should be
getting back to that depth. Not to mention if Billings becomes the player i thought he would be.

Rock on Brad

Damn, that's got me excited. Bring on the new season!

All of those things really boil down to some key changes.

On paper the changes look great. We'll have to wait until the season to find out how they work out on the field.

(06-30-2018, 10:57 AM)BengalChris Wrote: All of those things really boil down to some key changes.

On paper the changes look great. We'll have to wait until the season to find out how they work out on the field.

Well of course, that's true.  But there sure is a lot of things to be optimistic about.