05-06-2020, 08:51 PM
(05-05-2020, 03:18 PM)Bengalholic Wrote: When you look at the last time time the Bengals were 2-14, they also had a pretty damn good off-season (probably the best until this one) and they went 8-8. To me, that would seem to be a fair marker to judge where this team is. If they're around that, and look like they're making substantial progress, I would be satisfied...just like I was with Marvin's crew in 2003.
This is exactly where I'm at. That was a 6 game improvement, and the 2011 team, that so many love, was a 5 game improvement (from 4 to 9 wins)
I think if they can accomplish that, with a rookie QB and a ton of new faces, then that would be fantastic. I also believe that's pretty close to their ceiling. Perhaps they could stretch to 9, but I'm not really concerned with that. Nor would I be if they topped out at 7. But I do think that 2003 season is a nice reference point, and something to realistically strive for.
Fwiw, 2003 might just very well be the most fun I've ever had as a fan these last 20 years. Sure, 2005 was amazing. And the playoff stretch from 2011 through 2015 was enjoyable. But 2003 almost had a magical feeling to it, as cheesy as that sounds. Obviously a lot of that had to do with the disaster that was the previous decade. But I think a lot also had to do with a bunch of new players and coaches.
That year was just a blast. There was so much newness surrounding the team, and it felt like, and was, a completely new era as well. It was fresh, exciting, pick your word.
I'll never forget that Peter Warrick return against KC. Some of those games are still my fondest memories of the Marvin Lewis era. And Carson wasn't even playing yet, which made the future seem all that more bright. Good times!
Yup, 8-8 is, i think a pretty realistic goal to set. I'm looking more for progress and hope moving forward from this season than win totals. I think .500 serves as a nice balance to that, and is a realistic achievement.
