Week 1 Preview: Bengals @ Browns

So week 1 is finally here. The wait has ended. It just so happens to be on this day September 11, where 10 years ago all our lives changed forever. As a fireman it really hurts me, mad about the fact I was 13 had no idea what was going on or had no way to help. All I knew was that even then I wanted to be fireman and I wanted to help people and my brothers but couldn't. Sports was our medicine, sports is the medicine for this country. So this is not a day to be feeling sad, mad, or etc.this is a day for rejoice, be thankful for what we have, the ability we have to love and the dose of medicine we will be taking in today. So with that said will WHO DEY nation please stand up. I'm talking about the genuine, true Bengal fans. Not the fans who expect them to lose, not the fan who think they're going to do anything but win. I know Cincinnati fan base is one the worst as far as commitment, but don't stand up if your going to bash them on Facebook as soon as they turn the ball over, or get a 3 and out. The expectations is not high at all for this team worldwide, but the fans that I want to stand up, are the fans that regardless of what everybody say, you still believe whole heartedly that, not only that this team can be successful, but also that they will be. True of the matter is, you never know what can happen, the NFL consist of the best against the best, which mean any given sunday, anybody can win and anybody can be beat. The 2011 Cincinnati Bengals can be one them teams that surprise everybody and I think it starts today, so let me tell you what must occurre for this to happen. We all know they must ride the back of Cedric Benson, and I think he will carry them today running for 110-120 yards and 2TD's.  Dalton will be better than expected, I only say that cause nobody believe he can be a good QB yet. Coach Gruden can help this kid out a lot by using the strength of Dalton's accuracy to the team advantage, by throwing short intermediate passes and mixing in some screen, and I think Gruden will do these things. So we all know Benson will be a key to this team success, but I think more importantly than him, is the play of the defense. This defense will be the difference maker not just this week, but every week this year. I personally think this Bengals D is could be a sleeper. There so much youth and talented there and with the knowledge and skill of Coach Zim coaching that D it only a matter of time before these guys are performing as one of the top unit in the game. I know it seem like I'm being blind to the fact that this team is extremely young with a new QB and OC, but I'm not. I genuinely think this football team can win today. The Cleveland D is not as good as I think people give em credit for, not that they don't have talent there, it just unproven, sort of like the Bengals D. Colt McCoy I think he's overrated and even if he's not, there nobody for him to throw the football too. Hillis will be Hillis, I'm personally not a big believer in him either, he only had 1 good year, and with Brandon Jackson banged up I don't see him being able to carry the load all game. I have the Bengals winning today 24-14, maybe it the fan in me, but I'm a realist too. I like what I saw from the 1's this pre-season, this team can be good, this team will be good and It starts today.

John G. Dunn II
jgdunn.blogspot.com

Are You Wondering Who is Bengals 3rd pick Dontay Moch???

Dontay Moch was the Bengals 3rd pick. A name you probably never heard, because he a kid from From Nevada, and the WAC conference, but this kid can make a impact on this Bengals D. Want to know who he is, I got you! Check out the highlight video below!

Dontay Moch is a top linebacker prospects. 6-1, 248, Yet another defensive end looking to make the conversion to rush linebacker, Moch can flat out fly. He ran a 4.40 40 at the combine to validate the straight-line speed he displayed at Nevada the past four years. That included 2009 WAC Defensive Player of the Year honors with 19.5 tackles for loss and 6.0 sacks, and another 22.0 tackles for loss and 8.5 sacks as a senior. He has speed and quickness to spare. The question is whether Moch can develop a secondary pass-rush move, prove he can hold his own against the run and handle coverage assignments as a linebacker. If not, he'll be a stiff-hipped athlete who will struggle much the same as former Jets first-round pick Vernon Gholston. Moch holds virtually all of Nevada's pass-rushing records, and was the WAC Defensive Player of the Year in 2009. As an NFL prospect, Moch projects as an outside linebacker, where his speed and quickness off the snap can best be exploited as a pass rusher in the 3-4 scheme, and his ability to run fits well in the 4-3. However, we have seen dominant college pass rushers with stiff hips have trouble at the next level before. As for positives and negatives, POSITIVES: Three-year starter at end is a record-setting pass rusher with superior speed who projects well to the outside linebacker position in the NFL. Played some outside linebacker as a freshman, and often was given assignments dropping off from end. Quick off the snap. Good at shedding blocks with his hands, and has a strong bull rush. Can flat out fly. Big hitter, fearless. Can be effective dropping off into zone coverage against the pass. Productive, durable, intense defensive leader. NEGATIVES: Former track star. Stiff in the hips and simply cannot change directions well. Pass rush either works on initial quickness and speed or it fails. Lacks a double move. Not stout against the run as a down lineman. Will have great difficulty with NFL man coverage assignments as a linebacker. Did very little in one-on-one attempts against Boston College's Anthony Castonzo in the Kraft Fight Hunger Bowl. As far as his role with the Bengals,the plan is to use him how Michael Johnson is used, he adds speed to the defense and will be able to eventually shut down any thing ran off tackle or to the outside.

John G. Dunn II
jgdunn.blogspot.com

Dalton Or Mallett? Why Another Team Will Be Selecting The Bengals Second Pick.

With the first round pass us, and the Bengals picking up the best WR in this year draft in A.J. Green everybody saying now that they need somebody to throw the ball to him. That being true, Bengals have the 3rd pick in the second round, and they will be going with a QB. A couple days ago I told you the Bengals would be taking A.J. Green and of course I was correct ha. I also told you that the Bengals 2nd pick would be between Andy Dalton or Christian Ponder. Well as we all know Christian Ponder has been token already, very premature if you ask me. Dalton on the other hand, is still there, and that is kind of surprising to me. Then there this guy name Ryan Mallet who I didn't think would be there come 2nd round, and he still is. So instead of Dalton and Ponder, the Bengals have to decide between Dalton and Mallet. We all know who I like, I'm not sure who you like, or who the Bengals even like between the two. I can say that they spent much more time with Andy Dalton but that's only because they didn't think that Mallet would fall to the 2nd round. Regardless who the I, you, or even the Bengals like better, It will actually be another team making this selection for the Bengals. That team is the Buffalo Bills. The Bills pick 2nd, one pick before the Bengals, and also in need of a QB. The Bills Will take Dalton or Mallet and The Bengals will take whoever they don't take. There is a possibility that the Bills don't take a QB, but if you ask me, that's unlikely. Hypothetically speaking, say the Bills don't and the Bengals has a choice to make between Dalton and Mallet, who's better? Here's a breakdown for you....

*****POSITIVES*****
Andy Dalton: Above-average arm strength... High velocity thrower... Above average accuracy, throws are often between the numbers... Throws well while scrambling... Has been productive as a four year starter... Sells the pump fake... Good footwork... Does a great job going through his progressions... Rarely throws into double coverage... On the field leader, a good field general... Teammates feed off his energy... A winner; only lost three games as a starter at TCU, set the TCU record for career wins by a quarterback with 44... Able to make plays with his feet, above-average speed for the position... Routinely picks up first downs with his feet when asked to scramble... Accumulated over 1,600 yards rushing and 22 rushing touchdowns during his career.

Ryan Mallett: Huge arm, can make every throw... Strongest arm to come out of the college ranks since JaMarcus Russell... Some team will fall in love with his upside because of his unbelievable arm strength... Threw well at the combine, coaches raved about his arm strength... Put up big numbers, threw for 3,500 yards and 30+ touchdowns in each of his past two seasons... Very tight spiral, can really zip the ball... Ideal height and weight for an NFL quarterback... Very tall, allows him to see passing lanes easily.

With Positives comes negatives as well. It may look as if there is more Negatives then Positives, well your eyes didn't lie it is. The negatives is what I compare to decide who's better for you right now, because neither guys is a finish product, both guys got work to do, to be NFL Starters. So here are the.....

***** Negatives *****
Andy Dalton: He has a Small frame which can make it a little difficult for Dalton to see over bigger lineman and defenders with raised hands. Even though Dalton is a guy who is known to be very athletic his Footwork needs work. I say footwork, meaning in the pocket passing, 3,5, and 7 yard drops, roll outs and etc. At TCU Dalton operated a spread offense, which mean he Rarely took snaps from under center, because the Bengals will be running a West Coast offense, Dalton won't be under center much, but he will be under center more than in college. In the NFL the game moves a lot faster, Andy Dalton struggles to feel pressure in the pocket and sometimes tend to get happy feet, that small frame also makes him move a lil too much in the pocket. Some say Dalton arm strength is poor, and his passes to the sidelines tend to float. I don't fully agree with this, he not a guy with a strong arm, so his deep ball is not the best. Andy Dalton not only has difficulty throwing the deep ball he also has very limited range. At TCU he threw a lot of short intermediate passes. Andy tends to break the pocket a lot, even when it not always Necessary and he doesn’t throw particularly well on the run, he also has difficulty keeping his eyes down field when scrambling. Finally many say he has limited upside, his ceiling isn't really high, there some potential there but not much.

Ryan Mallet: - Some question Mallett experience, with him transferring from Michigan and that whole situation, I personally don't think it a big concern. Mallett hands down have the strongest arm in this draft but accuracy is not that impressive. Like Dalton, Mallett spend a lot of time in the shotgun. Something I saw watching video on Mallett is he tends to drop his elbow on his release, which makes it slower and makes him more prone to fumbles, but this can be an easy fix. Mallett also sometimes doesn’t set his feet at times and overthrows open receivers, another easy fix. Mallett has a tendency to stare down his WR’s, NFL DB's will pick this up, and use it against him. Another Similar weakness with Dalton is the fact that he gets thrown out of rhythm by pressure and gets happy feet. A big weakness is his internal clock takes too long, needs to get the ball out of his hands quicker. This is rather important because NFL game is quicker than college. Ryan does not throw well outside of the pocket, and believe in his arm sometimes too much and tend to force some throws into coverage. Mallett need to work on decision making, and his ability to perform under pressure, he never played well in big game situations. Lastly and most important is the HUGE character concerns, you have to be the face of an offense in the NFL, his character issues is why I would rather have the Bengals take Dalton over Mallett.

I'm not a dummy, I think Ryan Mallett is, right now, a better QB than Andy Dalton. The Character issues is why I take Dalton over Mallet. Either guy is a good pick up, and it a good situation for the Bengals. I don't think you go wrong with either guy, but we must stay tune to what the Bills do, I believe they will be making this pick for us Bengals Fans.
John G. Dunn II
jgdunn.blogspot.com

Bengals Will Take Green With 4th Pick, And Dalton Or Ponder After.

And with the 4Th pick in the 2011 NFL Draft the Bengals select A.J. Green from the university of Georgia, This will be the line you hear. With the draft being just two days away, all the Cincinnati Bengals fans are getting restless about who the Bengals will be taking come Thursday. Well I'm not sure how credible you guys think my research ability, and sources are but I'm willing to bet any of you that A.J. Green will be pick #4 by the Bengals come Thursday. Sorry, no there will be no Cam Newton in Cincinnati. I know that devastating for the fans, and all the groupies here in Cincinnati, but I'm willing to bet a years salary that Cam Newton will not be in a Bengals jerseY this fall. The Bengals will take Green, and that's a good pick for them. With Chad not under contract and possibly not returning to cincy in 2011, the Bengals need a #1 wide out and that's what Green is. He is being call the best player in this draft by some experts, and arguably so. My biggest worry is that he won't be available come pick #4, but with neither team picking 1,2, and 3 needing a Wide out, the chances of him being there is greater then the chances of him not. Let's rewind for a second because some of you will swear up and down the Bengals have picked up Chad option for 2011, and I don't know what rock you guys been living under, but we are currently in a lockout, the Bengals or any NFL team for that matter has not made any player personnel moves. With this soccer stunt and all this entertainment stuff that's going on with Chad, and the extra control and power Marvin Lewis signed up for, I think he's starting to convince Mike Brown that Chad is an entertainer, not a football player anymore. Rather Chad be back in 2011 or not, long term he is not the guy, I can promise that. Even if his option is picked up it will be his last year in cincy especially with Marvin signing a multi year deal here, who want to bet that? For any fans hoping that T.O will return, I'm with you but we must get the thought of that out of our heads. "I have about 3 more good years in me, none in Cincinnati." That's a direct quote from Terrell Owens, It can't get no clearer than that. Let's not be confused he only came here because nobody else offered him, with the year he had, on and off the field, he won't have a problem getting deals from over half the league this year. Are you convinced yet that this is a good pick for Cincinnati at #4? Not yet huh? To all of you thinking we're OK with with the receiving group we have, please wake up, be serious! Yes, Shipley had a great rookie year, and has a very promising future, but we all know he's a Wes Welker type guy, and best in the slot. Jermaine Gresham will be a nice Tight end, I don't see him being a all-pro type guy, but he'll get the job done. Andre Caldwell he's not a guy you can depend on to even be a quality #2. Yes, Jerome Simpson came around late at the end of the year, but it took him what 3 years, and he's still not proven we have to hope that he can hold down the #2 receiver spot, I'll take him over Caldwell in that #2 spot though for what it's worth. What's the point of having a top 5 QB if he has nobody to throw the ball too? Every Good NFL team has a #1 All-Pro type receiver, we don't. Even if Chad come back, we still don't. Yes I said that, should I repeat it? So, have I convinced you yet? well to those I have convinced I know your thinking what's next? Well, yes we're going QB. It will be Andy Dalton from TCU, or Christian Ponder from Florida State. I like Dalton personally, but both these guys have raising stocks, which is not good for us believe it or not because, even though we have the 4Th pick(35Th overall) in the 2ND round as well, some draft experts believe that both these guys will go 1st round. This is very possible, so then what? Two possibilities, the Bengals can trade back into the 1st round to get one these guys, or they can take their chances and pray these guys fall back to the 2ND round. As sure as I am that the Bengals will take Green, I'm that equally UNSURE of what they will do in this situation. I can tell you what Bengals should do, and that is take their chances on these guys falling back to the 2ND round. To trade back into the 1st round will be a costly proposition that will require multiple draft picks that otherwise could be used to fill Cincinnati’s other numerous holes, that's where this Chad dude comes back into the picture. If the Bengals can trade the rights to Chad contract and get back into the 1st round I'm sure they'll jump at that opportunity. This will not likely happen because, it'll only be a 1yr deal, for a guy who's not worthy, a 1st round pick is a lot to give. It's not so unrealistic though, with teams like the Ravens actually looking to trade out of the 1st round, and the Pats having the 17Th and 28Th picks, so keep an eye on that. I think the Bengals should stay we're they are and see if these two guys fall back, but if they don't I still don't think it calls for panic. They're not calling this the year of the QB for no reason, there are a lot of QB's out there. Jake Locker is a long shoot but a possibility, remember he was projected to be #1 in 2010, before he decide to go back to UW, but he's about for sure 1st round as Newton and Blaine Gabbert. Out there is still Ryan Mallett who probably has the strongest arm of any draft prospect since John Elway. In just two seasons, he set all-time school records for passing yards (7,793) and touchdowns (62) at Arkansas. Colin Kaepernick, from Nevada, who is one of the biggest risers on a lot of draft boards, Kaepernick is the total package, a player who combines athleticism, intelligence and arm strength. He is the only player in NCAA history to throw for more than 10,000 yards and run for more than 4,000 in a career, so there are guys out there. The fact that none of the QB in this draft are guys you just know can be franchise QB's, is all the more reason the Bengals shouldn't just jump the gun on trading back into the 1st round. Look, I know some of you are reading this and is wondering why I have not even mention the possibility of the Bengals taking one the QB's with #4 pick, that's cause there is not a chances, It will be interesting though because which ever one of them go #1, the other one will be there when Cincinnati goes on the clock and I will have to admit that I hope it's Cam Newton ha ha (evil laugh). I'm trying to save you guys the heart brake though, don't get too excited man, the only way Green is not pick by the Bengals is if he go before #4, and because all 3 team before #4 has more important needs than a WR, I don't see him going before #4. The fact that he's arguably the best football player in this draft, and coming to Cincinnati is all the more reason to not only convince you, but also make you happy and excited. If your not convinced yet, I will leave you with one more important fact, now if this don't convince you then your just unconvincable (if that's a word) you ready for this? This past weekend the Cincinnati Bengals worked out both Andy Dalton, and Christian Ponder for roughly 11 hours a piece. A PIECE! You don't work guys out for that amount of time if there not serious considerations for you in the draft. Now think about that for a second........ Finish????? Convinced???? Now say it with me, AND WITH THE 4TH PICK IN THE 2011 NFL DRAFT, THE CINCINNATI BENGALS SELECT A.J GREEN WIDE RECEIVER FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF GEORGIA.

John. G. Dunn II
jgdunn.blogspot.com

Who Is Jay Gruden, and What Is The Plan?

So as we all had been patiently waiting and hoping, there is officially a new offensive general in town. Coach Gruden, no not the one we famously know as "chucky", but his little brother. When his name first started being put into the same sentence as the vacant job as Bengals offensive coordinator, like many my first thoughts was who the hell is this guy??? Well after doing my research and a conference call later I feel I can tell you everything you need to know about this guy and his plans for the Cincinnati offense. Jay Gruden, 43, was born in Tempa Florida. Younger brother of Jon Gruden who was a very successful head coach with the Tampa Bay Bucs. Jay is more known for his work as Head Coach of a team called the Florida Tuskers of the United Football League. He is what we call a football guy, he has been a successful player and coach, and been around the game his entire life. As a Player Gruden was a four-year letterman at Louisville He finished his collegiate career with 7,024 passing yards, completing 572 of 1049 passes for 44 touchdowns. All four stats still rank in the top five in Louisville Cardinals' history, so he somewhat of a local. He never made it to the NFL but he did play professional football in the AFL where Gruden won four ArenaBowl titles as the starting quarterback of the Tampa Bay Storm. He was the Arena League MVP in the 1992 season. As a coach, Gruden began his coaching career as the offensive coordinator for the Nashville Kats in 1997. Then, in 1998, he became head coach of the Orlando Predators, the main rival of the Tampa Bay Storm. He won ArenaBowl titles in 1998 and 2000 as head coach. He un-retired and resumed playing in 2002, this time for the Predators, but retired again and returned to head coaching when his replacement, Fran Papasedero, died after the 2003 season. Gruden has an overall AFL career record of 93–61, including a record of 11–7 in the playoffs.
From 2002 to 2008 he also served as an offensive assistant for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the National Football League under his brother, head coach Jon Gruden. He left after Jon was fired following the 2008 season.
He also has coached in the Arena Football League, winning AFL titles with the Orlando Predators in 1998 and 2000. In 2009, while the Predators were on hiatus prior to the folding of the Arena Football League, he was selected to be head coach Jim Haslett's offensive coordinator for the Florida Tuskers of the United Football League. As part of his contract, he was not permitted to remain head coach of the Predators. Instead, former Preds quarterback Pat O'Hara, who led the team to the two ArenaBowls it won when Gruden was head coach, was hired in his place.
In 2009, he was named head coach of the Tuskers following Haslett's departure to join Mike Shanahan's staff with the Washington Redskins. In 2010 he coached the Virginia Destroyers of the United Football League. For 2011 he will be back in the NFL as offensive coordinator of our Cincinnati Bengals. I am not jumping in the deep end on Gruden yet, but after a Conference called held today I like what I'm hearing and he has given me a reason to believe again. When as of the expectation he has, and will have to take on Gruden said, “I expect great things with the Bengals. I intend on bringing a great attitude and work ethic. We’ll build off the strength this offense has developed and add a system to challenge everyone in the building. I hope to do that. I hope to challenge everybody in the building. We’re going to get after it in a lot of different ways. … We plan on being simple and basic in what we do, but it’s going to look complex. That’s a big part of our offense.” Sounds like what we been wanting to see right? How many of us, could call the play watching the game before Bratkowski sent it down on the field? Everybody know i'm a Carson Palmer fan, one of the few he has in this city, and proud of it might I add. When ask about the Carson Palmer Situation, Gruden responded, "“It’s very important for us to do whatever we can to talk to Carson and get him to come back. I feel strongly that, if given the opportunity to talk to him and sell him on the offense and the excitement we’re going to bring to the team, (inaudible). If he’s adament about not coming back, that’s going to be his decision. We can only control what we can control.” Even though I love CP9 as the QB of the Bengals, from the tone of Gruden voice I felt like, in a way, he wanted to say, we'll love to have Carson, but without him we'll still be successful so I liked that. So what about Cedric Benson and the running game??? “We have to run the ball between the tackles,” Gruden said. “We have to be a physical team up front. We’re going to challenge our offensive line to be physical. We’re not going to spread out and go no-huddle every down and throw the ball 65 times a game. I intend on pounding the ball and being able to pound the ball.” I like the sound of that and hope it true, I find it kind of hard to believe given the fact he has always ran a west coast style offense, No i'm not saying he going to throw it 65 times, there is no way, but I do think will be more pass then run, that's just the style of the west coast offense. Now you can mix it up, and adjust it and many different ways, which is what I think he will attempt to do, because clearly we are a more run fit team then pass. All in all i'm excited about the new change, I would rather had got a more known and bigger name coordinator that is well known at what he do, but I'm willing to give this Gruden a chance, he brother always was my favorite NFL coach, so he at least deserves that. I'm anixious to see how this will turn out.

John G. Dunn II
jgdunn.blogspot.com

Week 8 Bengal Preview:Dunn saids "Must Win"

Well it is week 8 for our beloved Cincinnati Bengals who host the Miami Dolphins. With the Bengals being 2-4, 3 games back of the Steelers and the Ravens, this is definitely a must win situation for the Cincinnati Bengals. To be honest with the schedule they have, to even have a chance to be a playoff contender they have to win 3 of the next 4 games, games that consist of this weeks Dolphins, next week Steelers on a national stage, then the always dangerous Colts, then the up and down Bills. This is a stretch where I think the Bengals are definitely capable of winning 3 of these 4 game with 3 of them being home games, but that mean they have to win against the Steeler, or the Colts, The fan side of me say that the Bengals can win all 4 of these games, the wannabe anaylst of me says, it can't be done and it won't be done. As far as week 8 goes, it's going to be an interesting week and a offensive game in my opinion. This game could be a lot like last week minus a couple touchdown each way, it pretty clear to me that this defense is not the defense of last year, you couldn't help but think this defensive unit would be as good as last year when they finish 4th. They were a young defensive unit, that got a year older, another year of experience, but this year they are currently ranked 20th. The Miami offense is a offense that sits in the middle of every offensive category in the league, but when you consider the fact they have a lot of talent on offense and they've had a tough schedule so far this year with 3 loss all coming from division leaders(Jets, Patriots(T1st), and Steelers) this offense can be very explosive especially up against a very down and vulnerable defensive like the Bengals, not to mention they're really banged up as well. Out of all the Corner backs on the 53 man roster, Brandon Ghee is the only healthy corner back, Hall has a bad hammy, John Joesph has a bum ankles, Morgan Trent has a bad knee, we all know Pacman Jones is on the shelf for the rest of the year, Ndukwe and Williams is both hurt, and Keith Rivers will see a limited amount of snaps due to a knee problem, his back up Brandon Johnson also has a bad knee. All this spells a scary game for the Bengals defense, with the good running game of the Dolphins and the fact that Chad Henne is really hot right now, this defense is in a lot of trouble. As far as offensively, you like to think the Bengals are starting to find their mo-jo but the inconsistency makes you second guess that thought. I see the Bengals offense having another good game, no not a repeat of the explosion that we witness last week, but they will go blow for blow with the Dolphins. The Cincinnati Bengals will be able to run and pass against the Dolphins defensive, but it all going to be in the hands of the offensive line which has been very shaky and inconsistent week in and week out. One man that will for sure give them problem is Cameron Wake. This up and coming star has 6 sacks already and even though the Bengals pass protection last week was very good, they are still a team who is not good at pass blocking, Wake is a guy that's a hybrid DL/OLB, Bengals fans let's just hope he don't line up over Andre Smith. With the ailing hip of Carson Palmer, and the pass protect problems the Bengals have expect to see Cedric Benson who is averaging about 21 carries a game get the ball about 30 times, if the game is going in a way that the Bengals don't have to pass. If the Bengals are able to keep Carson protected, the pass game will definitely help, with Owens playing well, and the hot play of Jordan Shipley, not mention Jermaine Gresham, and sprinkle a little Chad in there, it could really open up the run game for Benson. For the Dolphins to win and if I was calling the D , I see them doing a lot of blitzing and testing that O-line, putting pressure on Palmer every time he drop back and forcing him into making mistakes. For the Dolphins to win offensively, Marshall will not be the man, if and when they pass the dangerous guy will be Devon Bess, and his slot abilities, with Pacman out the Bengals have no body that can keep up with the 'Wes Welker' like skill set of this guy. Be that as it may, Miami must play their game which is 65% run and 35% pass. Yes Henne is hot, but given the fact that most likely Hall and Joesph is going to play, you have to be careful cause these two guys are guys that will take the ball away. They must run Brown and Williams (who is playing the Ricky of old) and play smash mouth against that D-Line and Linebacker core. For the Bengals, the only way they can win this game is if the defense steps up, the defense really have to start strong, rather it be via turnover or 3 and outs on first few drives. Cincinnati is going to have to get up early on Miami that way they can control the game. Bottom line is this, Miami is a more complete team right now, it's not like either team is playing well this year but they're the hottest of the two, they are very balanced on offensive, and they're undefeated on the road, Cincinnati is a team that's really banged up on defense, very vulnerable, and offensively really inconsistent. All this plus the pass protection test there going to go through, I'm really hoping that Carson don't get knocked out of this game. I see the Bengals fighting hard, but falling short in a 31-28 loss to the Miami Dolphins. A loss in a must win situation, which will end their season and any hopes of winning the north or making a wild card spot for the playoffs.

A Moral Victory For Palmer in a Surprising Lost for His Team.

Anybody who watched the Bengals @ Browns games, as a Cincinnati fan your probably pissed and for good reason. The Bengals lost to the Brown was maybe the surprise of the day, Nobody gave the Browns a chance to beat the Bengals including me, even though the Bengals has definitely not been playing up to expectation. Early on the blames has mostly been put on the quarterback Carson Palmer, but blaming Carson Palmer has been the thing for the Cincinnati Fans dating all the way back to last year. Today the man you all love to blame, actually got a morale victory out of a hard lost today in Cleveland. Even though Carson Palmer will never admit it publicly, inside the guys must feel that he got some kind of a victory because of the lost to the Browns, not only was it a victory but it was also a day where he should have been able to feel the weight of the city critics lift off his shoulder.Yes it's true that we have not seen the Carson Palmer from 2005, but we also don't have the same football team from 2005. Regardless of what anybody says Carson Palmer is still one of the best QB's in the league, and he is still and always be for as long as he's playing the face of the Cincinnati Bengals franchise. I'm not necessarily here to throw numbers at you, talk about the all the good and bad games or even to write the Carson Palmer story, it's just hard to understand why Carson Palmer is so unappreciated by the very fans that he gave hope to and gave a reason to cheer too. Every year Carson has played the Bengals have made the playoffs, no I'm not saying he's the only person taking the Bengals to the playoff but he obviously make a big differences. Some say but he can't win playoff games, yeah that's true but he's not the only person on the team, he can't win it alone. I know what you thinking, "you just said he takes Bengals to the playoff every year he plays," yes I did, but I didn't say he wins games alone there is a differences. Too many fans appreciate the wrong things. I will never blame a fan, because regardless we as fan can never make a difference between win and lost, but some fans only appreciate the flash, the big mouths, the players who always in front of the camera like the Chad Johnson's of the league. Before I get into Chad and why I used him as an example, I want to make it clear that my reasoning for writing this is only an attempt to help fans be better fans. So many fans only see and know the basic of sports, in this case football. Most fans only know the minimum amount required to know to be a fan like touchdown, first down, pass, run, skill positions, and what i call the big mouths of the league. Many people never played, coach, or been involved with football on a competitive level long enough to understand the "dirty work" of football, like knowing and understand coverages, mismatches, coaches tendencies, personnel match-ups and etc. I think this is the problem with the Cincinnati Bengals fans a.k.a Carson Palmer haters. Cincinnati Bengals fans fail to realize all of the challenges Carson has to try to overcome. Chad Johnson, this guy was a damn good football player, he was a guy who also made a name for himself in the year 2005, but somehow, through all the noise he made at the end of that next year talking about trades, through all the miss camps and practices, through all the noise somehow, some way he is still the fan favorite here. Not only has all these things been a problem for the team, he also has not been good as the Chad from 2005 and seem to be declining every year also not getting any younger. Make no mistake I want Chad to do to good cause i want the Bengals to do good, but he is a problem that Carson Palmer ultimately have to put up with. You also has the bad O-line the Bengals has and the horrible offensive coordinator we have. Carson Palmer is the guy that Fans point the finger at when anything offensively goes wrong, but like my point earlier is that most fans don't understand what's behind the results of the play, they only understand the result. When they see a pass that goes high or or too low it Palmer fault, fans fail to realize that sometimes the pass must be low or high to avoid throwing a interception and be placed only where the WR can catch it, or they fail to see that there is somebody in his face every time he drop back.Cincinnati Bengals fans/ Carson Palmer haters don't understand because the play calling is so predictable it makes it hard for Carson to throw against 7 man coverage when you throwing out of a 2 or 3 receiver set, don't let me lose you. When the ball is thrown where nobody seems to be, first thing you like to say is "where was he throwing that ball?" Not understanding that the Receiver ran the wrong route and that where the ball went is where the receiver pose to be. I'm not a Chad fan, and I'm not a Chad hater, I just find it pretty amazing that when Carson mess up or fans think he messed up, everybody wants his neck, facebook is going crazy with haters saying "our QB suck", "get rid of Carson"' "whats wrong with him" and many more. Hey but when Chad F up, drop a ball, or even T.O. this year everything OK and some still may put the blame on Carson, "that was a bad pass"' "he's putting where he can get killed". How about today???? Today was a great day for Carson Palmer. Carson Palmer was the only reason the Bengals even had a chance, and sorry Bengals fans Chad was ultimately the reason we loss that chances to win. When Benson fumble, it was OK, when the field goal was blocked, nobody saw Polland being pushed on his ass so that also was OK, but when shipley was knocked out, o yea that was Carson fault, and the last drive that was going 85 yards, was cut short at 50 when, yes Cincinnati's favorite, clearly pulled the Browns corner back on the ground on a 3rd down play that a partially blind man could have saw. It was a penalty that moved us back 10 yards and out of field goal range and ultimately blew whatever chance we had to get either a field goal or touchdown. You Cincinnati Bengals fan better remember where you was before Carson Palmer. You Cincinnati Bengals fan better seriously think about where you would be without Carson Palmer, and remember what happen in 08 when he went out in week 2. You Cincinnati Bengals fans better start to appreciate what you got in Carson Palmer and give the man the respect he's EARNED! You Cincinnati Bengals fans better realize who made your favorite Chad, and who Chad was without Carson Palmer, and who he will be without Carson. As for Chad, you Cincinnati fans better find a new favorite cause Chad is in the last year and he's not likely to be coming back, then will see what he is without Carson. You have to respect a man who gave you reason to cheer, gave you a reason to buy a ticket to a game, gave you a reason to look forward to NFL football season, gave you a reason to wear your Bengals gear, allowed you to be able to buy your Chad jerseys and shirts, allow you to be able to sit in front of your TV and watch all home games and avoid blackouts,yeah Chad by a mass amount of tickets when it's close to a sell out but Carson is the reason it's even close, he allow you to be able to watch Chad on TV and allow you to hear silly thing and be entertained by Chad Johnson. Carson made all this possible for you, what have you done for him? wait don't answer just yet 2 more questions. Ask yourself What was we before Carson arrived? I don't think you have to think to hard to figure out the answer to that. Then be honest with yourself, if he's out, let go, and replaced by any QB in the draft next year, honestly as yourself what will we be without him?

John G. Dunn II