01-11-2016, 12:47 AM
(01-10-2016, 10:16 PM)Shake n Blake Wrote: I'm sure most of what I'm about to say has already been said numerous times considering all the traffic on the boards, but I still need to vent, so here goes...
1. How do the Steelers get away with so much BS? The NFL should look into the incidents involving Munchak and Porter. Suspensions should be issued and some rules probably need to be implemented. There's no place for that in the NFL. Of course, it seems the NFL only makes a move when there's intense media scrutiny. My guess is this gets swept under the rug. It shouldn't.
2. While I do think the Burfict hit on Brown crossed the line (kinda ticky-tack, but an illegal hit regardless), how the ____ was the hit on Bernard not illegal? Shazier nearly killed him. I was genuinely concerned for Gio as a person after that clearly illegal hit. Yet no penalty. Has the NFL released any statements on that hit?
3. I'm not going to roast Marv for this and I'm not one of those guys that questions every coaching decision. But considering Hill's past fumbling issues and the situation we were in, I think kneeling it to run out clock and kicking a FG to go up by 4 would've been a very smart coaching move. That said, a fumble - even for Hill - isn't exactly a probable outcome. So that's why I won't roast Marv for not kneeling.
4. 5 fumbles (WOW), 3 killer turnovers, 2 false starts from Whit, plus the meltdown by Tez and Pacman? I will roast Marv for that. Where's the discipline? Why do Marv's guys fall apart so much under pressure? Almost without fail?
5. On a positive note, despite the lack of discipline and turnovers, this is the first time that Marv's players have shown up for a playoff game. Some say the defense showed up in the Texans 2.0 game, but if you go back and watch the game or check the stats, the defense did not play up to their standards that day. In the previous 4 games, hardly any players showed up. Last night, so many guys made plays FINALLY. That's what made this the most heartbreaking Bengals game I've ever seen. Even more than 2005.
6. Andy Dalton has received probably 90% of the playoff blame over the last 4 years. Last night, McCarron joined Dalton and Palmer with a horrific playoff performance. 3 fumbles and a pick. 68.3 passer rating. The offense was AWOL for 3 quarters and was the primary reason we lost. I said a few years back that I don't think any QB can have success in the playoffs under Marvin Lewis. Last night just further confirms it for me. I still like Macaroni, I don't place the blame on him. I just don't think Marv puts QBs in a position to succeed.
7. The optimistic side of me wants to say that this game could've went either way, I liked the effort, and with Dalton we probably would've won. Maybe we can finally win one next year. The pessimistic side of me wonders how many more chances this group is going to get. What if we miss the playoffs entirely? If they make it back, they'll probably just find a new way to blow it.
This is one of those times where I really wish the boards were more united. I could really use some Bengals group therapy after this one. I really thought I was witnessing a Bengals playoff win for the first time in my 20+ years as a fan, yet here we are, facing the same questions as the previous 4 off-seasons. Frustrating isn't the word.
Feel your pain brother. My first reaction was to suggest that Marvin had failed by not preparing the players, especially the usual suspects (Burfict and Jones) to deal with what everyone knew what would happen against the Steelers. But I've been reading lots today and different players were quoted that this was his main emphasis all week at practice, and for that matter all season. I'm not sure that you can put it all on Marvin yet there's no ignoring the fact that his teams never seem to get it done. You're right. It is so damn frustrating. I thought I was hardened to this stuff but this one hurt more than any other. Maybe it was because it was so close.
