Reflecting back 2009

[Essex Johnson]

(09-25-2020, 07:57 PM)SunsetBengal Wrote: The 2009 season was one of anxious anticipation, as Carson Palmer was returning from a second debilitating injury.  His movement was limited, his confidence was low.  The team needed to come up with a solution.  Somehow, the Bengals managed to sweep the division that year, and advance to the playoffs.

How did they manage to do that with a crippled QB and much uncertainty surrounding the OL?  They brought in a hero.  Yes, they enlisted a 3rd Tackle to present an unbalanced line.  Not only did they present that look, they rode the jackhammer Cedric Benson hard, to the tune of keeping a poor defense off the field as long as possible.  That method worked them into the playoffs, only to be undone by the team that they had faced the week before, the Jets.

Amongst that story of an unprobable trip to the playoffs is an unsung hero.  That hero is none other than Dennis Roland.  His unselfish service to the team allowed them to keep the ball away from opposing high powered offenses, thus permitting the Bengals to win games that they might have otherwise lost.  We salute you, Dennis Roland for your unwavering service to the team!

Now, why would I bring this up, after 11 years?  Because with the current state of the Bengals OL, I feel like they might be able to establish enough of a running game to actually give Dead Eye Joe a chance to win.

I still think 2011 is much better comparison.. Dalton rookie qb.. Burrow rookie qb..2010 4-12 with a bad line (outside of Whitworth).. 2019 2-14 with a bad line.. (Williams has looked ok but still a rookie)... we were 1-1 in 2011.. Dalton had been sacked 5 times.. so things were not great either.. we struggled over the next couple games.. but then went on a run... Dalton and Green found chemistry .. hopefully Burrow and Green or Higgins will do the same and we get the running game going like we did in 2011.