Observations After Week 5

[BoomerFan]

(10-12-2015, 12:22 AM)bengalsfan73 Wrote: My observations from this game are similar to yours but I also have some others.

1. First off we are watching Andy become the qb that we all thought he could be when he took over the job after Carson left. He is more confident and he has a swagger about him that shows he has matured into a leader after his previous four seasons with the team and he is quickly becoming one of the best qbs in the league in the first half of the season. I know everyone will continue to say it does not matter because it is not the playoffs which is fair but he is not the same and anyone with common sense can see that. Also AJ is playing great right now and is showing why he is a top receiver in this league. We are fortunate to have two other threats in MJ and Sanu because finally teams cannot double team AJ without a chance of getting rocked by another of our receivers. What a luxury this is.

2. Our running game is good but could be better. I know I may get several people that will disagree with me but I honestly feel that Gio should get the majority of the carries from this point out as a starter and have Jeremy come in on shorter yardage plays and even at the goal line until he can get out of his slump that he is in.

3. Hands down the biggest threat and possible MVP of this team is Tyler Eifert. He is showing what we missed without him last year and what a mismatch he is for anyone on the defense. He is easily becoming the second best te in the league behind Gronk. What a difference he makes for this offense and especially Andy as a red zone threat.

4. I am a little concerned about our offensive line right now because they are not giving Andy the protection he needs. The holding on Whit today and it clearly was holding, could have been a back breaker for this team but it wasn't which was a great thing. Past teams would have folded after that.

5. As for the defense the run defense is a big question mark right now. They are giving up way too many yards on the ground. However, I think we all can see the difference that a healthy Geno is making on this defense. Dre has got to play better on the corner because it is getting hard to watch him getting burned at least once or twice every week.

6. I know Nugent made two key field goals today but it still makes me nervous when he lines up to try a field goal and even an extra point. I hope he continues to kick like he did today because that will hopefully give him the confidence he needs. As for special teams, Darrin Simmons has got to tell Brandon Tate to stop bringing out the ball from ten yards deep in the end zone because he is not very good. He nearly cost us on three different occasions with his horrible decisions. That has got to stop. We need to have Adam Jones returning because he is a difference maker returning kicks period. Today's call where they said he called for a fair catch was horrible. Last time I checked you have to raise your hands over your head when calling for a fair catch. Also the key play in this game at the end of regulation was the field goal team getting on the field within 10 seconds and I think Darrin Simmons deserves full credit for that. That was great timing to get the field goal and send it into overtime.

7. Finally I saw a team today that will not quit like previous teams have. They have a confidence about them and if they stay healthy I do not care what the rest of the country says they can beat anyone in the league period. They match up with anyone and they have the potential to make a deep run into the playoffs. I think this team is more talented than the 2005 group when Kimo Von Olhoffen took out Carson's knee, costing them the win against Pittsburgh and a potential trip to the Super Bowl that year. Today however made me even more proud to say that I have been a Bengals fan for my entire life and I will never change. Who Dey!!!

Broke up your post for readability and numbered the sections so I could respond. 

1. I keep going to the NFL's stats page just to see Dalton leading the pack in yardage. And 11 TDs and 2 INTs? Last year he ended with 19 and 17...this is unreal! He's on pace to eclipse his team record 33 TDs not to mention he already has 2 rushing TDs so extrapolate that out and...yeah ~40 total TDs he could have this year with maybe less than 10 turnovers? OK I know I know, football doesn't work that way and there will be some tough weeks ahead, but it does put a big ol' smile on my face to think about. 

2. This is the one place we might disagree. Gio may run better because teams also have to plan for Hill. Either way though, we're getting great value out of both of them who were each 2nd round picks. Of course, if we did give Gio more carries he might crack the top 5 on the above linked stat page (heck he might be #1). Then again, it's about the wins not the stats. 

3. He really is and he's changed my mind about drafting 1st round TEs. I thought it was a waste. Now...if we draft another TE in the 1st next year, I'd be fine with that. He is basically another superstar receiver who also blocks. 

4. Agreed. I think in the past Andy has covered for the OLine a bit by getting rid of the ball fast. I think he's expecting more of them now and if they don't deliver he is getting better at taking a sack (not perfect). The good news is, the line is still fairly talented and we can dig ourselves out of a big hole from a penalty or sack (sometimes). The bad news is, I'm still concerned about how Bodine is snapping in the shotgun formation, so add that to the list of issues to work on.

5. Yeah, we definitely seem weak on Run D. How soon do we get Vontaze back? Not that he can do it alone. That Seahawks RB was pretty speedy but there was some poor/sloppy tackling on his big run that needs to be cleaned up. We've got the Steelers and Leveon Bell on our schedule twice yet. Part of stopping them is not letting him run all over us. We're not ready yet. 

6. I really liked what I saw out of Obarski in pre-season so it isn't like we don't have a kicker who could come in to replace Nuge. However, unless things get really bad, I suspect the team won't make a change with him or Tate. Which I agree with you in both places. I wish we could clone Adam Jones because I do understand the concern about him playing a defensive series and then also being a returner 100% of the time. Hopefully Alford will be ready to step in by next year at the latest. 

7. The resiliency was amazing and surprising. I think Dalton may not have the world's most commanding voice or speech giving abilities, but he has focus and a great work ethic. When he's saying 'Calm down calm down' to the team after big plays, it is because he knows for a long comeback there is a lot of work in front of them. Can't get too excited about a TD if you still have to score another 10 points. And they did it. Also, again, credit to the defense for shutting out Seattle on at least 5 consecutive possessions to end the game. And boy we have a really interesting game on our schedule with Arizona don't we? New Bengals QB vs. Old Bengals QB. That should be a crazy one to watch. In 2005 we were flashier. Now we're more blue collar -- fewer super-stars but everyone is contributing strong. That may be the real way to go all the way in this league.