(10-12-2015, 12:50 AM)Nately120 Wrote: Did we really upgrade the TE spot?  Last year we had Eifert and Gresham and this year we have Eifert and 4 or so TEs that don't have a single reception all season.  Eifert isn't balling because Gresham is gone, he's balling because he's healthy and Dalton is on fire.  Gresham could have 0 receptions like the rest of our TEs, so I don't see what was upgraded other than Dalton and Eifert's elbow.

(10-12-2015, 12:53 AM)TGISunday Wrote: Whoa, I've never seen BobJones mad before.

(10-12-2015, 12:59 AM)BobJones4980 Wrote: I'm done. 

We are 5-0 and you wanna sit here and bicker about some former Bengals player because I dared to put into perspective just how well our current TE is doing by pointing out that his TD total through 5 games is our former guys ceiling every year he was here.

Yes we improved, a Healthy Eifert and No Gresham is an improvement over Healthy Gresham and No Eifert. Simple as that. 

(10-12-2015, 01:10 AM)Nately120 Wrote: I don't want to sit here and bicker about Gresham, but I don't want to sit here and delude myself into thinking his presence in 2014 was what kept this offense from being amazing.  It sounds like your biggest gripe about 2014 was "no Eifert" and I still fail to see how that was Gresham's fault, that's all.

(10-12-2015, 01:16 AM)BobJones4980 Wrote: Honestly man, I'm still not even sure what the issue is.

I never once said that Gresham was the reason for our offensive deficiencies just simply stated that Eifert is doing great things right now and that it is nice to have a TE that isn't known for making silly mistakes at the worst times like Gresham had a tendency to do. You kept trying to twist it into something else when it was honestly a nonissue. 

Edit:

I get what your saying but honestly I think it's a moot point since Gresham isn't healthy. Yea 2 solid TE's would be nice but I'm not sure how effective Gresham would have been this year with his health so far this season.

I'm with you though, loving Eifert's play this year so lets just end this.

(10-12-2015, 01:21 AM)Nately120 Wrote: It seems like we agree on Eifert, and I'm not saying Gresham is great but I wouldn't turn down having a TE familiar with the system who is good for a decent stattline here at #2.  Maybe Gresham wanted starter money, or maybe he said make me the #1 or nothing...I don't know.  He sure as sugar isn't the #1 in AZ though.

(10-12-2015, 01:27 AM)BobJones4980 Wrote: Honestly I was one of the people that was alright with bringing him back cheap to be the #2 if the coaches were good with it but I understood both sides needing a change. I think Gresham and the coaches wanted to part ways and I think it has worked out for both sides, we have a TE playing lights out and some solid potential behind him and Gresham got to go play with Palmer on a stacked Cardinals team and may slowly get more reps in that offense as he gets healthy because even with the mental mistakes he is a better TE than guys like Fells and Niklas. 

(10-11-2015, 11:44 PM)GreenCornBengal Wrote: And Eifert is easily one of the MVPs of the offense, don't you dare forget that. He was totally worth the first round draft pick.

(10-12-2015, 10:38 AM)SHRacerX Wrote: Even though this thread got derailed, I didn't want to start a new one just for observations about the game so here goes:

The Bengals defensive line is doing there job.  Every successful run, there was one gap that should have been filled by a LB or it was a cutback lane that wasn't filled by a LB.  Even when running in nickel, the LBs should have had first contact with the RB within 2 yards of the LOS.  I love Vinny Rey for what he has done to make this team and he is a tough, smart guy.  Hawk had some decent run support, but Rey M is lacking on instincts, big time.  This team needs Burfict and needs to start giving Dawson some snaps.  It screams poor LB play and it needs help.  I think Maualuga would be fine at SAM and our nickel package needs to get Dawson in there and, hopefully, Burfict before the end of the season.

The running game.  Gio ended with 80 yards on 15 carries, but J Hills 13 yards on 8 carries just isn't cutting the mustard.  I don't know if it is injury or what, but something is clearly wrong.  I know the kid has talent, and I think the line was giving him opportunities.  One more thing about J Hill:  The Bengals need to throw him the ball.  I think they did once deep down the sideline and despite him getting held, he REALLY made a great effort to get the ball instead of hoping for the penalty.  If he got a few more targets, I think defenses would have to soften up just a tad against the run.  It seems like they are just teeing off when Hill is in because they don't think of him the same way they think of Gio.

Dre Kirk needs to stop giving up on routes when he thinks the QB is down.  Got burned again.  Once, OK...twice, a problem.  Can't happen any more, Dre.  I don't want to hear "communication".  You got lazy, there was no underneath route to protect, you simply gave up and got burned again.  

Dennard is playing tougher and more "press" coverage, a la Adam Jones.  This guy needs to keep getting more snaps.   With the gigantic bust that Justin Gilbert is turning out to be this selection looks better every day.  

Brandon Thompson played his best game as a NFL player.  Great work, Yams.  (That's for you Truck)

Dalton is our franchise QB and will be for a LONG time.  Thank you, Andy.  You never listened to the "noise".  You just kept working and continued on the same trajectory you were on before last year's first year with Hue and the plethora of injuries.

Our coordinators are doing a fantastic job.

Brandon Tate gave us that one good play last week.  Stop thinking you are helping by bringing out a kick 9 yards deep.  The Bengals had starting field possessions of the 14, the 10, and the 16 because of your dumbass early in the game.  You are not going to shut up Colin Cowherd because Dalton had to overcome poor field position.  Just stop it.

(10-11-2015, 11:43 PM)TGISunday Wrote: First of all, this was one of the more exciting regular season games in a long time...and the ending certainly lived up to the hype.  Here are some of the things I'm thinking about, good and bad.

1) This team is battle-tested, and seems to have learned from earlier mistakes.  Sometimes, it just takes a while to learn how to navigate the roller-coaster of emotions that comes with the NFL.  They've grown up together, and are exorcising past demons.

2) Jeremy Hill's Sophomore slump continues.  OK, it was a tough defense to run against...but Gio still seems to be making the most of his opportunities.  Is the line just better at ZBS than it is the power run blocking that works for Jeremy better?  Is he more hurt than we've been led to believe?  I hope he comes around, because 3.3 ypc makes even the BJGE years more attractive by comparison.

3) We have the luxury of two great #2 WR's that have virtually the same stat lines--with the notable exception being MJ's 2 TDs over Sanu's zero to date.  Moreover, I don't know how it will work, but I sure hope we can keep both of these guys.  Otherwise, we might have to pick a quality WR early in the draft, because you and I both know we aren't bringing a FA in of any substance.  

4) If the Steelers can't pull out a victory in SD (tall order), we're poised to run away with the division.  3 up after 5?  Yes, thank you!


Oh yeah, WHO DEY!!

What do you think?

(10-12-2015, 12:22 AM)bengalsfan73 Wrote: My observations from this game are similar to yours but I also have some others.

1. First off we are watching Andy become the qb that we all thought he could be when he took over the job after Carson left. He is more confident and he has a swagger about him that shows he has matured into a leader after his previous four seasons with the team and he is quickly becoming one of the best qbs in the league in the first half of the season. I know everyone will continue to say it does not matter because it is not the playoffs which is fair but he is not the same and anyone with common sense can see that. Also AJ is playing great right now and is showing why he is a top receiver in this league. We are fortunate to have two other threats in MJ and Sanu because finally teams cannot double team AJ without a chance of getting rocked by another of our receivers. What a luxury this is.

2. Our running game is good but could be better. I know I may get several people that will disagree with me but I honestly feel that Gio should get the majority of the carries from this point out as a starter and have Jeremy come in on shorter yardage plays and even at the goal line until he can get out of his slump that he is in.

3. Hands down the biggest threat and possible MVP of this team is Tyler Eifert. He is showing what we missed without him last year and what a mismatch he is for anyone on the defense. He is easily becoming the second best te in the league behind Gronk. What a difference he makes for this offense and especially Andy as a red zone threat.

4. I am a little concerned about our offensive line right now because they are not giving Andy the protection he needs. The holding on Whit today and it clearly was holding, could have been a back breaker for this team but it wasn't which was a great thing. Past teams would have folded after that.

5. As for the defense the run defense is a big question mark right now. They are giving up way too many yards on the ground. However, I think we all can see the difference that a healthy Geno is making on this defense. Dre has got to play better on the corner because it is getting hard to watch him getting burned at least once or twice every week.

6. I know Nugent made two key field goals today but it still makes me nervous when he lines up to try a field goal and even an extra point. I hope he continues to kick like he did today because that will hopefully give him the confidence he needs. As for special teams, Darrin Simmons has got to tell Brandon Tate to stop bringing out the ball from ten yards deep in the end zone because he is not very good. He nearly cost us on three different occasions with his horrible decisions. That has got to stop. We need to have Adam Jones returning because he is a difference maker returning kicks period. Today's call where they said he called for a fair catch was horrible. Last time I checked you have to raise your hands over your head when calling for a fair catch. Also the key play in this game at the end of regulation was the field goal team getting on the field within 10 seconds and I think Darrin Simmons deserves full credit for that. That was great timing to get the field goal and send it into overtime.

7. Finally I saw a team today that will not quit like previous teams have. They have a confidence about them and if they stay healthy I do not care what the rest of the country says they can beat anyone in the league period. They match up with anyone and they have the potential to make a deep run into the playoffs. I think this team is more talented than the 2005 group when Kimo Von Olhoffen took out Carson's knee, costing them the win against Pittsburgh and a potential trip to the Super Bowl that year. Today however made me even more proud to say that I have been a Bengals fan for my entire life and I will never change. Who Dey!!!

(10-12-2015, 12:15 AM)Nately120 Wrote: Dear lord, we are 5-0 and we can't go 4 posts in a thread about the Bengals without mentioning Gresham.  The guy is gone.  Eifert is better. Mission accomplished.  It's a free country, but feel free to let it go.

(10-12-2015, 01:01 PM)StripesInSuffolk Wrote: The biggest concern is definitely the run defense.  That absolutely must improve, and soon, or it will bite the Bengals in the butt.  Hopefully Burfict can get on the field soon, but that's no guarantee at all.  The linebackers have to do their jobs like they did in the 4th quarter yesterday.

(10-12-2015, 10:38 AM)SHRacerX Wrote: Even though this thread got derailed, I didn't want to start a new one just for observations about the game so here goes:

The Bengals defensive line is doing there job.  Every successful run, there was one gap that should have been filled by a LB or it was a cutback lane that wasn't filled by a LB.  Even when running in nickel, the LBs should have had first contact with the RB within 2 yards of the LOS.  I love Vinny Rey for what he has done to make this team and he is a tough, smart guy.  Hawk had some decent run support, but Rey M is lacking on instincts, big time.  This team needs Burfict and needs to start giving Dawson some snaps.  It screams poor LB play and it needs help.  I think Maualuga would be fine at SAM and our nickel package needs to get Dawson in there and, hopefully, Burfict before the end of the season.

The running game.  Gio ended with 80 yards on 15 carries, but J Hills 13 yards on 8 carries just isn't cutting the mustard.  I don't know if it is injury or what, but something is clearly wrong.  I know the kid has talent, and I think the line was giving him opportunities.  One more thing about J Hill:  The Bengals need to throw him the ball.  I think they did once deep down the sideline and despite him getting held, he REALLY made a great effort to get the ball instead of hoping for the penalty.  If he got a few more targets, I think defenses would have to soften up just a tad against the run.  It seems like they are just teeing off when Hill is in because they don't think of him the same way they think of Gio.

Dre Kirk needs to stop giving up on routes when he thinks the QB is down.  Got burned again.  Once, OK...twice, a problem.  Can't happen any more, Dre.  I don't want to hear "communication".  You got lazy, there was no underneath route to protect, you simply gave up and got burned again.  

Dennard is playing tougher and more "press" coverage, a la Adam Jones.  This guy needs to keep getting more snaps.   With the gigantic bust that Justin Gilbert is turning out to be this selection looks better every day.  

Brandon Thompson played his best game as a NFL player.  Great work, Yams.  (That's for you Truck)

Dalton is our franchise QB and will be for a LONG time.  Thank you, Andy.  You never listened to the "noise".  You just kept working and continued on the same trajectory you were on before last year's first year with Hue and the plethora of injuries.

Our coordinators are doing a fantastic job.

Brandon Tate gave us that one good play last week.  Stop thinking you are helping by bringing out a kick 9 yards deep.  The Bengals had starting field possessions of the 14, the 10, and the 16 because of your dumbass early in the game.  You are not going to shut up Colin Cowherd because Dalton had to overcome poor field position.  Just stop it.

(10-12-2015, 11:57 AM)PApinhead Wrote: Great post!!!  I'll make it easy and just say I agree with everything you said.  My biggest concern down the road is our LB play and Kirkpatrick.  They need to get things figured out real quick or they could be what derails this thing.