Ask Jim Owczarski

[jowczarski]

I have a hard time to say a season ending or long-term injury is a "blessing." In the sense of Jackson III and Billings, there was a hope/expectation they could help out in a way as the year went on. For guys like that, practice reps will make them better, quicker. Naturally, when WJ3 and Billings go on IR, that means two other players will make the team that would have been cut. I guess it's up to them to prove that they belong beyond that. Hard to say who those guys will be or at what positions, but it does open that up for them.

As for Core, he was going to make the team unless he totally bottomed out, which he hasn't done. He and Wright should be locks in my opinion at this point.

Re: Werner. No idea where he fell on their draft board way back when. it's possible they kicked the tires, but it's a two-way street -- so it would have been a fit for Werner as much as it would be a fit for the Bengals.

Re: Boykin. His career is in jeopardy with a hip issue, which is why he kind of fell out with the Steelers and remains unsigned.

[*PhilHos*]

Given Nugent's play this preseason, many fans would like to see a new kicker (some have wanted a new kicker far longer than this preseason, to be honest). So, what would it take for the coaches to make the change other than just Nugent continuing to miss? IF the coaches were to make a change at kicker (let's say Nuge misses a few more FGs/XPs in preseason Game 3), what would they most likely do? And, lastly, what is the best option at kicker? Is it still Nugent (hoping that he plays as well as or even better than he has the last few seasons) or is there someone out there that could conceivably be a better option for this year?

[jowczarski]

It's a combination - he has to continue to miss and Zach Hocker has to look great not just in practice but then make kicks in the games. And even then maybe that's not enough. It's not like Hocker was great in N.O. or STL last year, and then he's been hurt most of camp. Since he's in camp, Hocker would be the next option. If not, you're looking at other kickers who are getting cut -- and is that a better option than what you have, what you know? Are you OK taking risks and playing kicker roulette like Pitt. did? It's a tough spot. I mean, look at what is happening in Tampa. Their second round pick is flaming out right now. Janikowski went 22 of 32 (68%) his rookie year and his career make percent is 1 percentage point lower than Nugent's. It's truly hard to predict.

[BURROWorBUST]

Has Tony McRae impressed anyone? he's only been here a week. I know that's not much time, but he was an electric return man at NC A&T and played CB. From what I saw, he did well against the Lions. Granted, he played against their 3rd stringers. Is there any buzz at all about this kid?

[GreenCornBengal]

Hey Jim! Thanks for all the insight!

Have you talked to Michael Johnson about the differences between this year and last year by any chance? Last year he was coming off of his stint with Tampa, and was getting his legs back. So far this preseason I think he has quietly been dominant. Any differences that you can notice or that Michael can talk about between the two years?

[SunsetBengal]

Hello Jim, What is the basis that NFLN is reporting Tyler Eifert not being expected to see action until week 4? As others have noticed, we have seen nothing from the team to this effect, and no one is being quoted in their reporting.

[Paul from Dayton]

(08-26-2016, 08:26 PM)SunsetBengal Wrote: Hello Jim,  What is the basis that NFLN is reporting Tyler Eifert not being expected to see action until week 4?  As others have noticed, we have seen nothing from the team to this effect, and no one is being quoted in their reporting.

Was going to ask the same thing. Ken Broo tweeted that the report isn't true. 

[OrlandoBengal]

Hello Jim,

Have you heard anything about the status of Dennard? A couple weeks ago we were told that he was expected to be ready week one, but the team has been very silent and it does not even seem that he has been practicing.

[jowczarski]

My bad for going AWOL for a bit guys -- answers to some of those questions have since been uncovered. I'm back in the loop for y'all!

[BengalChris]

Dear Jim,

I guess the two most burning questions most people have are:

1. What is going on with our OL? Ced Og and Bodine are having a rough time out there and Zietler can't cover for both them.

2. What is going on with our running game? This really is the same as question 1 I think, but too many defenders in the backfield on running plays, too few running plays called and Dalton getting knocked around a LOT dropping back so much.

Oh, and here's a 3rd question: Why the f- can't we get a holding call? It's pretty astonishing that the Steelers had zero holding calls against them. [see link below]

http://700wlw.iheart.com/onair/lance-mcalister-7818/vines-hold-on-a-second-15117710/

[bengalguy71]

(09-19-2016, 02:57 PM)BengalChris Wrote: Dear Jim,

I guess the two most burning questions most people have are:

1. What is going on with our OL? Ced Og and Bodine are having a rough time out there and Zietler can't cover for both them.

2. What is going on with our running game? This really is the same as question 1 I think, but too many defenders in the backfield on running plays, too few running plays called and Dalton getting knocked around a LOT dropping back so much.

Oh, and here's a 3rd question: Why the f- can't we get a holding call? It's pretty astonishing that the Steelers had zero holding calls against them. [see link below]

http://700wlw.iheart.com/onair/lance-mcalister-7818/vines-hold-on-a-second-15117710/

I just emailed the only address I could find on the website asking that Brown or someone of authority address this with the NFL.  You can't convince me that this wasn't intentional.  Professional referees do not miss ALL these holding calls.

[EatonFan]

How much are the coaches worried about the running game and what kind of emphasis are they putting on practicing it? Seems like they should scout they're own team and try picking up tendencies and 'tells' to see if something is giving away a running play.

[EatonFan]

(09-19-2016, 02:57 PM)BengalChris Wrote: Dear Jim,

I guess the two most burning questions most people have are:

1. What is going on with our OL? Ced Og and Bodine are having a rough time out there and Zietler can't cover for both them.

2. What is going on with our running game? This really is the same as question 1 I think, but too many defenders in the backfield on running plays, too few running plays called and Dalton getting knocked around a LOT dropping back so much.

Oh, and here's a 3rd question: Why the f- can't we get a holding call? It's pretty astonishing that the Steelers had zero holding calls against them. [see link below]

http://700wlw.iheart.com/onair/lance-mcalister-7818/vines-hold-on-a-second-15117710/

Wow.  Those are like textbook holding calls. 

[*PhilHos*]

(09-20-2016, 12:03 AM)EatonFan Wrote: Wow.  Those are like textbook holding calls. 

The one on Dunlap is, IMO, the most inexcusable. I mean, I saw it LIVE. I never see holding calls happen live because I'm watching the ball, but I saw that one clear as day AND the ref is right there staring right at them and doesn't even THINK about throwing a flag. How does that not go unpunished?

Jim,

I know Marvin never calls out the officiating and generally, I'm fine with that, but has he at least privately talked to the NFL about how unacceptable the officiating was (I'm not sure how you'll know about something that was done privately, but maybe that's how good a reporter I think you are )? What about the other coaches? Have they shared their thoughts on the officiating from Sunday?

Thanks.

[Bengalzona]

Jim,

Is it possible the lack of holding calls on the Steelers were a punishment from the league, possibly for the team and fans actions during the playoff game last winter?

[The_Nasty_419]

Hey Jim, where is the beyond the stripes with Carlos Dunlap?

[J24]

Are teams allowed to do three teams trade in the NFL?
Will the Bengals entertain any trades at the trade deadline?

[*PhilHos*]

(09-21-2016, 02:34 PM)J24 Wrote: Are teams allowed to do three teams trade in the NFL?
Will the Bengals entertain any trades at the trade deadline?

Won't happen. Bengals trade about as often as the Steelers get called for offensive holding.

Sent from my SPH-L710T using Tapatalk

[jowczarski]

Thanks all!

1. What is going on with our OL? Ced Og and Bodine are having a rough time out there and Zietler can't cover for both them.

Remember that Ogbuehi has two starts under his belt. He didn’t practice in OTAs. Then he didn’t practice or play after the first preseason game. He’s made big strides in two weeks and when I talked to Zeitler about Ogbuehi this week and he says he’s coming along quickly – and will be as good as they feel he is. One sack last week, which was debatable. With Von Miller, I bet Dalton goes down a few times, but I wouldn’t say it’s because the line is terrible or is worse than the week before.

2. What is going on with our running game? This really is the same as question 1 I think, but too many defenders in the backfield on running plays, too few running plays called and Dalton getting knocked around a LOT dropping back so much.

How much are the coaches worried about the running game and what kind of emphasis are they putting on practicing it? Seems like they should scout they're own team and try picking up tendencies and 'tells' to see if something is giving away a running play.


Wrote about that here:
http://www.cincinnati.com/story/sports/nfl/bengals/2016/09/19/cincinnati-bengals-feel-run-game-issues-correctable/90711308/

They feel it’s individual breakdowns, which can be correctable. Uzomah told me today he was late off the ball on the 2-yard Hill loss on the 1. So in their minds, a single player breakdown can be fixed. But I think part of it is the run-pass balance, and Ken Zampese said he needs to call a few more runs. It all goes hand-in-hand – calling the run, but also being effective in it.

Oh, and here's a 3rd question: Why the f- can't we get a holding call? It's pretty astonishing that the Steelers had zero holding calls against them. [see link below]

No way to answer that one. Bengals got away with holds, too – only Whit got hit with one.

I just emailed the only address I could find on the website asking that Brown or someone of authority address this with the NFL. You can't convince me that this wasn't intentional. Professional referees do not miss ALL these holding calls.

Apparently they did.


The one on Dunlap is, IMO, the most inexcusable. I mean, I saw it LIVE. I never see holding calls happen live because I'm watching the ball, but I saw that one clear as day AND the ref is right there staring right at them and doesn't even THINK about throwing a flag. How does that not go unpunished?

I know Marvin never calls out the officiating and generally, I'm fine with that, but has he at least privately talked to the NFL about how unacceptable the officiating was (I'm not sure how you'll know about something that was done privately, but maybe that's how good a reporter I think you are )? What about the other coaches? Have they shared their thoughts on the officiating from Sunday?

Referees are judged and “penalized” but how or why is never disclosed – it’s an interesting question. The NBA started putting its officials on blast publicly for transparency this past year and I think the results were mixed. In the NFL…I think there are too many calls or non-calls to do such a thing. Especially since officials are part-time employees with real jobs during the week.

Which really, is probably the heart of the issue. A $9 billion business can’t have full-time, dedicated officials.




Is it possible the lack of holding calls on the Steelers were a punishment from the league, possibly for the team and fans actions during the playoff game last winter?

Nope.

Hey Jim, where is the beyond the stripes with Carlos Dunlap?

We run them live on The Enquirer Facebook page every Tuesday night, and then we put it up at Cincinnati.com afterward. If you mean coming out live, it’s at the Hofbrauhaus Newport at Newport at the Levee.


Are teams allowed to do three teams trade in the NFL?
Will the Bengals entertain any trades at the trade deadline?

I think anything is possible. And no, they are not really trade partners. You need a glut at a position – a healthy, talented glut – and they had that last year on the DL before BThompson got hurt and didn’t pull the trigger. Not sure who they could trade for this year, or why.

[*Go Cards*]

Thanks Jim, really enjoy reading your responses.