09-14-2015, 12:28 PM
(09-14-2015, 12:02 PM)PDub80 Wrote: Look, most people won't admit it because they want to save face, but what the Bengals did yesterday on defense is what that unit has needed to do for what seems like EVER. For years Bengals players have taken the high road when it comes to the beat downs that were administered to them. Rivers' broken jaw, Huber's broken jaw, Carson's knee, Shipley's concussion. Steelers and Ravens hooting and hollering at the Bengals players after every play. NOW THE BENGALS ARE THE BULLY. And I hope it never stops.
- I don't mind that Pacman took the Raiders rookie star receiver and smacked him around. Not.... one.... bit. In fact, it was perfect based on how crazy that entire string of events unfolded that play.
- I don't mind that Dre-kirk jawed at a notoriously mouthy Crabtree after a great play and after the game was well in hand.
- I loved the pile of Bengals bullying the Raiders O-lineman (77?) after the guy was flagged for a personal foul AND holding (the same play Pacman beat up Cooper).
- I loved Pacman not letting Carr run out of bounds for a first down and instead making him pay for trying to get extra yards - causing a backwards fumble and negating a 1st down.
- I was fine with the headlock tackles.
- I loved going for it on 4th down from inside their 5 on the opening drive.
- Iloka's penalty was ticky-tack. If he hadn't of smashed the guy so hard the player would have not been under him with flowers already starting to sprout up and, therefore, it wouldn't have looked so bad. But still, I was fine with it.
- I loved all of it!
The fact is that the Bengals have been on the wrong end of these types of plays and these types of games for 20+ years. Seeing the defense taking the driver's seat in relentlessly delivering punishment is a great thing, to me. All without Burfict, too! At first I was worried about the penalties, but then saw that they had the talent to make up for it and, frankly, I'm leaning towards the intimidation factor being more valuable than a few yards here or there in the grand scheme of things.
This team has the look and feel of something different. I was wondering.... What do you fellow fans think about how those events unfolded from a big picture standpoint? Does it feel different? The same? Are you embarrassed? Want them to clean it up? What's your take here?
There is a fine line in playing hard and playing hard within the rules. I like the hard aggressive plays but to add penalties to those plays will in the end cost you games. A couple years ago, the Giants were known to be a tough hard team but they lead the league in penalties and it cost them going to the playoffs.. I don;t want that type of team (so what if Jones gets suspended for a SD game,, that could cost us the game..).. I want a hard nosed disciplined team ie Steelers of the past.... play hard to the whistle, be agressive, but play smart and with the guidelines of the rules and we will have a good team
