We aren’t finished yet

[*SHRacerX*]

(11-07-2017, 06:00 PM)Trademark Wrote: The last time the Bengals were 3-5 in 2012 they rallied and went 7-1 the rest of the way and made the playoffs. I know it’s been rough but we aren’t finished yet

While I admire this optimism (it used to be me), I will offer this perspective:

This team has zero energy.  Even if they wanted to try and overcome their incredibly inept coaching and they took it upon themselves to play a completely different game than they have been offering, there is not one single strength on this team that would lead you to believe that they could go on such a run.

The defense sparked for a short while, and then sucked rhinoceros balls (because they are really big) against pitt, the colts, and the jags.  MJ is back at DE for some unknown reason.  Willis is getting to play on special teams (Oh, goody...while we watch the incredibly flat Carlos Dunlap play every single snap).  Chris Smith and Lawson get a few snaps, but we want to save them for when the season is completely lost apparently.  

The offense has one weapon.  One.  AJ Green.  And he sees double teams every snap, and while no one can ever criticize the almighty AJ Green, he does not get open quickly.  He is a long strider that needs time and space to operate.  He has amazing hands and long speed, but he does not have the phone booth quicks of, say, a John Ross.  Without quick targets and with a porous offensive line, you have a recipe for disaster....which is what the offense in 2017 has become, a disaster.

Gio Bernard had one reception for -1 yard and one carry for -1 yard.  Here is a second round pick in his second contract and this is the best you can do with him.  Mixon is just a bigger version of him.  Can't do much when the opposition knows what is coming and where it is coming from.  No creativity with screens (hey, we ran one for about 80 yards against the Browns?) and no usage of Gio as a receiver with Mixon on the field as well.  Two wasted spots.

The team could absolutely be salvaged with some grey matter and effort.  However, the coaching staff have none of that and I would bet my mortgage that they are already thinking about where they can coach next year.  There should be lots of openings, and the rest of the league seems to like our coaches...although Marv wouldn't get a job in the MAC.  

I am sorry, bud, as I so wish it wasn't the case, but this team has given up and it isn't coming back under these coaches.