(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.

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

(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.

(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

(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.

(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...

(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.

(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.

(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.

(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, 05:06 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.

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

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

(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?