Quarterback: Every week the Bengals have had the advantage at the quarterback position. This week, Cincinnati will face one of the game’s best, Tom Brady, which is scary considering the Bengals’ defense the last two weeks. Brady is great and has won Super Bowls, but he has a great team - I believe that I’m being objective when I say this matchup is even. - EVEN
Running Back: Laurence Maroney has yet to have a better game in the NFL than he had in the 38-13 win over the Bengals last season. Maroney (right) rushed for 125 yards on 15 carries and scored two touchdowns. This year he has yet to score a touchdown, so you have to think he is looking forward to playing the Bengals. Free agent addition Sammy Morris has played well and has two rushing touchdowns this year. As of right now, Rudi Johnson is out. Despite his slow start to the 2007 season, Rudi has been a consistent force in the Bengals’ rushing attack. Kenny Watson will start if Rudi can’t go and looked good last week against Seattle. The Bengals signed DeDe Dorsey earlier this week. Cincinnati fans would get pumped up real quick if Dorsey, who was a fan favorite during the 2006 preseason, would have breakout game like Maroney did last year, but as of right now the Patriots have the better backfield. Also, third-down back Kevin Faulk is another solid weapon. - ADVANTAGE PATS
Wide Receivers: Chad Johnson and T.J. Houshmandzadeh are both in their primes and currently make up one of the best wide-receiver duos in the NFL. However, the Bengals need another optioin. Glenn Holt performed great in the Cleveland game and Skyler Green saw some action last week. Antonio Chatman should finally see the field this weekend. New England added Randy Moss in the offseason when it stole him from Oakland with a fourth-round pick. Wes Welker is playing well so far this year after being brought in from Miami. Ben Watson is a playmaker at tight end. With all that said - I would still take the Oregon State duo over the newly acquired Pats’ receivers – ADVANTAGE BENGALS
Offensive Line: Somehow the Patriots have plugged their line with Matt Light, Logan Mankins, Dan Koppen, Stephen Neal and Nick Kaczur. Light and Mankins are proven starters. While Bengal fans hope one of their expensive defensive ends will burn Kaczur. Offensive tackle Willie Anderson didn’t practice on Thursday, but is expected to start. It seems like Anderson’s foot injury will limit the vet’s practice time all season. Fellow OT Levi Jones could get his first start. Andrew Whitworth could start at OG if Stacy Andrews can’t go. However, Andrews did practice on Thursday, but had participated in a limited portion. Center Eric Ghiaciuc looks to finally start, which can only help. Although the Patriots line has led New England to a No.1 ranking in total offense - I still would pick Cincinnati’s depth over New England’s line – ADVANTAGE BENGALS
Defensive Line: The Patriots use a 3-4 and their defense is very solid to say the least. They are without defensive tackle Richard Seymour. However Ty Warren, Vince Wilfork and Jarvis Green have played well so far this season. On paper, I love the Bengals defensive line, but they have underachieved. That isn’t to say they couldn’t breakout and have a big game, but you have to go with New England at every defensive spot - ADVANTAGE PATS
Linebackers: For the fourth straight week Cincinnati’s linebacking core is far weaken than its opponents. It would be nice to see LB Dhani Jones have another solid performance. However, when you look at the Patriots linebackers you have to do a double take. I mean Junior Seau is a backup. Larry Izzo and Pierre Woods are other backups that could be able to start for Cincinnati right now. Mike Vrabel, Tedy Bruschi (left), Adalius Thomas and Rosevelt Colvin all wouldn’t just be fan favorites if they played for Cincinnati, they would be Bengal legends. The Bengals could be getting starting middle linebacker Ahmad Brooks back this week. Funny how all the fans questioned Brooks readiness to be a starter in the NFL and now they think he is Cincinnati’s most important defender. Caleb Miller will likely miss this game due to an injury. Lemar Marshall and Landon Johnson should start and are solid. Dhani Jones should see some time. Bad news for Bengal fans, the Patriots have seven linebackers that are better than any single Bengal LB. Where is Odell? - ADVANTAGE PATS
Secondary: Cornerback Asante Samuel is one of the game’s best. Fellow corner Ellis Hobbs has really turned out to be a much better player than I thought he would. Safeties James Sanders and Eugene Wilson are solid. Secondary leader Rodney Harrison is serving a suspension. First-round pick Brandon Meriweather provides the depth. On paper, without Harrison, this secondary seems to be only average with the exception of Samuel. However, New England hasn’t had Harrison all year and it has given up an average of only 133 passing yards per game. The Bengals, on the other hand, have allowed an average of 257.7 passing yards per game. Safeties Dexter Jackson and Madieu Williams played great in the Baltimore game and have been solid in the other games. The problem has been at cornerback - Johnthan Joseph and Leon Hall have been getting burned play after play. Teams have been throwing away from Deltha O’Neal, who was supposed to be the team’s weakest corner after a suspect 2006 season. I really think this secondary could be good, but they haven’t showed any signs of that lately. It might take till midseason for John. Joe. to get back to his ‘06 speed. Hopefully Hall is learning something out there. – ADVANTAGE PATS
Special Teams: Shayne Graham seems to be getting better, but he still isn’t good on kickoffs. Glenn Holt is a good returner, but will need a short memory after what happened last week. I’m still waiting for Skyler Green to make a huge play on a punt return. New England kicker Stephen Gostkowski hasn’t been needed to kick many field goals. Punter Chris Hanson hasn’t been needed either and has only four punts this season. Wes Welker is a quick punt returner and Ellis Hobbs is extremely dangerous on kickoff returns. Hobbs is averaging 36.4 yards per kickoff return and already has an 108-yard TD return. That sounds like a disaster for a Cincinnati team that has struggled on its special teams coverage. Look for new addition CB Blue Adams, who was signed to help that problem. - ADVANTAGE PATS
OVERALL BREAKDOWN:
You can make an argument that the Patriots have better receivers or a better o-line than the Bengals. If you win that argument than Cincinnati doesn’t have a single advantage over New England.
Currently, New England has the #1 offense and the #1 defense in the NFL. In comparison, the Bengals rank #5 in offense and #29 defensively.
The Patriots seem unstoppable and the Bengals are desperate for a win.
FINAL SCORE: BENGALS 42, PATRIOTS 28 I’m sorry - I try to be objective, but it is impossible for me to do that. I will be attendance, as a fan, on Monday night and I’m not going there to see the Bengals lose. If the Bengals pull off this upset, it could change the entire attitude of the Bengals’ fan base. After the bye week, the schedule gets a little easier with Kansas City on the road, the Jets at home, Steelers at home (except this one) and then on the road against Buffalo. If the Bengals win or lose this game, they could easily win three of four in that stretch, but who knows they lost to the Browns. All I’m saying if the Bengals fall to 1-3 going into the bye, don’t believe the season is over. The Bengals will get Chris Perry back for the Jets game and Chris Henry back after the Buffalo game.
So far this season, looking for Keiwan Ratliff on Sundays is like looking for shooting stars in New York City.
-No where to be found-
Considering the struggles of rookie cornerback Leon Hall, the fact that Ratliff hasn’t been playing says a lot about his performance in practice.
The Cincinnati Bengals released Ratliff on Tuesday and re-signed cornerback Blue Adams (right).
Adams should help out the poor special teams play. Last season, he had 19 special teams tackles for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Ratliff was the team’s second-round pick in the 2004 NFL Draft. This offseason he was a favorite of Bengals.com writer Geoff Hobson, who expected a breakout season from him. Well, he never played and now he doesn’t have a job.
Also this offseason, the Bengals signed Adams to a two-year deal on May 7th. However, Adams missed much of the preseason with a neck injury and was eventually let go on September 2nd.
Cincinnati frantically continues to make moves, which has been a common theme since cut-down day.
In the last week the Bengals have cut three players (LB Andre Frazier, RB Clifton Dawson and Ratliff) and signed three others (LB Dhani Jones, RB DeDe Dorsey and Adams).
Injury Update:
Still waiting for the injury report to be released. It is expected to be released today.
According to Bengals.com, running back Rudi Johnson and linebacker Caleb Miller didn’t participate in practice this morning.
However, linebacker Ahmad Brooks made an appearance.
Offensive tackle Willie Anderson and wide receiver T.J. Houshmandzadeh are taking the day off, but are expected to be probable this week.
Last week, the Bengals signed linebacker Dhani Jones and released Andre Frazier after the Bengals had allowed the lowly Cleveland Browns to move down the field at will.
This week, the Bengals signed running back DeDe Dorsey (left) and cut Clifton Dawson after Rudi Johnson was stuffed for nine yards on 17 carries to a Seattle Seahawks team that normally struggles against the run.
Both moves might have to do with injuries. The Jones signing could’ve been a result of the Bengals’ latest (at the time) injury to their linebacking core (Ahmad Brooks) while Rudi Johnson might not play on Monday night with a sore hamstring.
However, I think the moves have more to do with the Bengals’ lack of solid play.
The Bengals signed Jones for immediate help on special teams, but I believe they picked up Jones because he could be a player that eventually starts for Cincinnati. After his professional performance against Seattle in a half-week of practices, he could start his Monday night against the New England Patriots.
I don’t think it is a coincidence that the Bengals signed a fan favorite after the fans nearly lost their lunch while watching Rudi Johnson’s worst performance in his NFL career against Seattle. Also, I don’t think it is coincidence that the Bengals are saying that Rudi might not play this Monday, while neither teams’ injury reports have been released yet.
Why Dorsey?
If you didn’t know why Dorsey was a Bengals’ fan favorite then you didn’t watch the team play in the 2006 preseason.
In 2006 Dorsey was a rookie free agent from Lindenwood University and showed a knack for making the big play in that preseason.
The first game, he broke a 46-yard run when he bolted to the outside and then he had another flashy play where he reversed field for 20 yards. Dorsey finished the game with 68 yards on six carries.
The second game, Dorsey broke a 59-yard play on a screen pass.
The third game, Dorsey took a little attention away from Carson Palmer’s comeback game when he broke three tackles on a handoff up the middle that resulted in a 19-yard gain.
Overall, Dorsey rushed for 149 yards on 20 carries (7.5 yards per carry).
However, Dorsey didn’t play in the team’s last preseason game and Quincy Wilson rushed for over a 100 yards and earned the last spot on the roster.
Many Bengal fans questioned the signing of Clifton Dawson three weeks ago because Dorsey, who was supposed to be Joseph Addai’s main backup, was available. However, the main reason Dorsey wasn’t signed was because of his turf toe injury.
He was released in 2006 because the coaching staff thought Dorsey, who played cornerback midway through his junior year in college, needed more time to develop.
Every source that has reported this story, quoted Dorsey (about the process after being released by the Colts), “I got a phone call: ‘As soon as you’re ready, come work out with us,”‘ Dorsey said. “I came as soon as I could.”
Jones (right) finished the game with seven tackles. Two of which were on special teams.
Jones had only practiced a couple of days with Cincinnati, but was thrown in the fire when Caleb Miller got injured. Lemar Marshall went into the game hurt and couldn’t play every snap and Ahmad Brooks didn’t play at all. Jones’ numbers were inflated because Seattle tried to pick on him, but for the most part he held his ground and played extremely well for a player in his position.
DTs John Thornton and Michael Myers
Thornton had six tackles, while Myers finished with four, including a sack and defended a pass.
Is it just me or when the rest of the defense plays terrible - Big John plays great. There were numerous plays where Thornton stuffed running back Shaun Alexander at the line of scrimmage. Myers showed some good quickness for a 30+ 300-pounder. He is a big upgrade over Sam ‘Fatty’ Adams.
QB Carson Palmer
Palmer completed 27 of 43 passes for 342 yards and threw a touchdown. However, Palmer was picked off twice.
I don’t blame Palmer on the turnovers. His first INT was intended for T.J. Houshmandzadeh, who was wide open the whole play. Palmer waited for Housh to finish his route and safety Deon Grant made a great play. The second was a bomb to Chad Johnson, you can’t blame Palmer for trying to make a play. Somehow, Palmer converted third down after third down when Seattle knew that it only had to cover two players. He is an amazing QB and without him, Cincy would have lost badly.
WRs T.J. Houshmandzadeh and Chad Johnson
Housh caught 12 passes for 141 yards. Johnson caught nine passes for 138 yards.
Housh makes those short catches and is a fierce competitor. Ocho Cinco complains when he can’t make the play - even when he should’ve made the play. I’m happy that doesn’t hurt Palmer’s confidence - I don’t think other young QBs could handle that. Chad, all Bengal fans love you, but you annoy us sometimes.
RB Kenny Watson
Watson (left) rushed for 60 yards on nine carries and scored a rushing touchdown.
Watson didn’t really play till past the halfway point of the fourth quarter. However, he was a key factor on both of the Bengals’ fourth-quarter scoring drives. Sure, he was fresh and Rudi Johnson was wore down, but Watson was really successful running the ball while Rudi looked as if he was running in a swimming pool. I bet we see more of Watson on Monday night.
Thumbs Down:
Rudi Johnson
Rudi finished with nine yards on 17 carries. His longest run of the day was five yards.
A Seattle reporter said earlier in the week that the Seahawks’ weakness is stopping the power back, and he went on to say that Rudi was going to have huge game. I believed him and we were both so wrong. Rudi was terrible, players like cornerback Marcus Trufant came up and tackled Rudi behind the line. Those were the types of players that Rudi had run over previously in his career. Rudi says he doesn’t eat junk food, but somebody buy him a cheeseburger. Watson should play more next week and hopefully Chris Perry will be 100% when he gets off the PUP in a couple of weeks.
Glenn Holt
Holt didn’t have a catch and fumbled the Bengals’ last chance for a win.
Holt was becoming a fan favorite after his gutty performance against Cleveland. After being crushed on a helmet-to-helmet hit by safety Brodney Pool, Holt came back and finished with five catches for 52 yards and scored a touchdown. Cincinnati put WR Skyler Green into the game as the team’s third receiver limiting Holt’s chances, but it sure would be nice to get Chris Henry (below) back.
Shayne Graham
Graham successfully made two field goals, but kicked it out of bounds in a crucial situation.
If you read Bengal Stripes on a regular basis, you know that I’m extremely hard on Graham. Honestly, I was going to give him a thumbs up after making two field goals without crying. I was even going to pretend that his weak diving attempt for a tackle on the opening kickoff - didn’t happen. After the Bengals took a 21-17 lead with 2:42 left in the game - Graham kicked it out of bounds. The ball was placed at the 40 and the Seahawks were able to score. Sure, the Bengals’ special teams might have allowed the return to go past the 40, but the momentium had changed and kicking it out of bounds just takes all that away. Graham couldn’t tie his shoe in a critical situation.
DEs Justin Smith and Robert Geathers
Smith finished with one tackle, while Geathers had two.
Everyone complains that the Bengals don’t have a playmaker on the defensive side of the ball. Well, these two are supposed to be those playmakers. Geathers won defensive player of the week after the Ravens game, but has been silent ever since. Smith had a bunch of tackles in the Cleveland game, but didn’t put any pressure on Derek Anderson. Oh yeah, Smith was going up against a rookie tackle in that game. These two need to wake up.
CB Johnathan Joseph
Joseph was burned on a 42-yard touchdown to end the first half by Deion Branch.
Joseph has looked terrible the last two games. He looks slow and everyone is starting to call it a sophomore slump. I think, or I hope that his struggles stem from his minicamp injury. On June 2nd, during the Bengals mandatory minicamp, cornerback Johnathan Joseph fractured a bone in his left foot. The injury caused Joseph to miss almost all of Cincinnati’s training camp. Hopefully, he can get back to ‘06 form where he excelled as a rookie late in the season.
Things don’t look good for Cincinnati, as the team’s record sunk to 1-2 after its 21-24 loss to Seattle, and things don’t appear to be getting any better anytime soon.
Up next are the New England Patriots, who come to town for a Monday night slate right before the Bengals’ bye week.
The ‘cheaters’ have beat up on their first three opponents by the score of 114-35.
While the Pats have cruised to their victories, the Bengals’ games have all been emotional wrecks.
After a 27-20 win over Baltimore, Cincinnati had its fan base believing in great things.
All that jubilation came to a screeching halt when the Bengals dropped a 45-51 shootout against the lowly Cleveland Browns.
Now it seems like the Bengals can lose to anyone, but can they beat anyone?
Currently, the Patriots lead the NFL in total offense. The Bengals, on the other hand, are one of the NFL’s best at giving up offense. Their defense currently ranks 29th, while the Patriots’ defense is the NFL’s best.
Through three games, New England is averaging 441 yards of total offense and allowing only 207 on defense.
The latest loss
The Bengals got off to a horrible start. Rookie Josh Wilson returned the opening kickoff 72 yards all the way to the Cincinnati 24.
Then on third down, Seattle quarterback Matt Hasselbeck threw an 18-yard touchdown pass to Bobby Engram, who ran by rookie cornerback Leon Hall.
The Bengals marched down the field on a 14-play touchdown drive where they converted four third downs. The drive ended on a 35-yard pass to wide receiver T.J. Houshmandzadeh (left) from QB Carson Palmer.
After a Seattle punt, Houshmandzadeh fumbled and the Seahawks took over inside Cincinnati’s 40.
Then Hasselbeck’s pass was tipped and Hall got his first NFL interception. The Bengals would get a field goal, making the score 10-7.
After a couple of punts, safety Deon Grant just got his feet in bounds and picked off Palmer. That led to a 42-yard touchdown pass from Hasselbeck to WR Deion Branch. Branch blew by CB Johnthan Joseph on the play, making the score 10-14.
-HALFTIME-
Then on the Seahawks’ first drive, Lemar Marshall sacked Hasselbeck in the end zone. The Bengals got the ball inside the 50, but Palmer was intercepted in the end zone by Brian Russell. Palmer over threw Chad Johnson on the play.
After a few punts, Hasselbeck was intercepted again, this time by safety Madieu Williams. That led to another Shayne Graham field goal, giving the Bengals a 15-14 lead.
Seattle drove down the field and settled for a short field goal. One play before the field goal, WR Nate Burleson almost had a touchdown, but couldn’t hang on. Bengals trail 15-17.
A couple of Palmer to C. Johnson plays later, running back Kenny Watson dove into the end zone on an eight-yard run. After a failed two-point try, the Bengals led 21-17.
Graham kicked it out of bounds on the kickoff, giving Seattle the ball at the 40 with 2:42 left in the game. RB Shaun Alexander (right) gained 14 yards on a fourth-and-one on Cincinnati’s 36. On the next play, Hasselbeck found Burleson for a 22-yard touchdown. Bengals trail again 21-24 with exactly a minute to play.
Glenn Holt fumbles the kickoff and the Seahawks run out the clock.
I will break down the positives and the many negatives to this game and preview the next game later this week
Before the Bengals season-opening game on Monday night, Chad Johnson talked about his future touchdown celebration as if it were going to be the greatest thing in the world.
Last week, Johnson told everyone midweek that he was going to jump in the Dawg Pound and he did (right).
This week, Johnson has said nothing about what he is going to do in Seattle.
The national media’s focus this week has been Terrell Owens touchdown celebration (video - below) in Miami - the question - is why did Owens get fined? While Johnson wasn’t for his Hall of Fame jacket.
Is all that Ocho Cinco talk subsided because of the T.O. incident?
Hard to tell, Johnson is talking to the Seattle media - “I’m still thinking of something that can entertain the fans in Seattle,” Johnson told The Seattle Times. “Something exciting, something that they can get involved in.”
While all the media’s focus is on Chad Johnson - Seattle needs to get ready to stop Rudi Johnson.
Last week, Seattle’s small, but fast defense couldn’t stop Arizona running back Edgerrin James. James rushed for 128 yards on 24 carries and scored a touchdown. It was James’ best performance as a Cardinal.
I expect Rudi to have a big game and if he does maybe he could keep the defense off the field.
- Back to Chad Johnson-
Remember that hit?
Well, Brian Russell is now on the Seahawks.
Maybe he can incorporate Russell in his touchdown celebration.
Knock his helmet off or something.
Although Ocho Cinco will be miles away from Cincinnati. Last year, at this time he was doing the chicken dance (below) in Zinzinnati.
Is he going to repeat the chicken dance for his fans back home?
Johnson did say that he wanted to entertain the fans of Seattle.
So he could squirm like a fish.
Make it rain like Pacman Jones. (can’t use props - even though he got away with it during Week One)
Maybe play a little air guitar.
Whatever he does decides to do, I bet the Seahawks’ secondary and its fans are sleepless.
Quarterback: The Bengals clearly have the advantage at the quarterback position. However, the scary thing is that the Seahawks have the best QB that Cincinnati has faced so far this season in Matt Hasselbeck. It is scary, because the Bengals made Derek Anderson look like Joe Montana last weekend. Unlike Cincinnati, Seattle has solid depth behind its No.1 starter - Seneca Wallace and Charlie Frye are the backups. – ADVANTAGE BENGALS
Running Back: Seattle has one of best running back/fullback duos in the NFL. RB Shaun Alexander (right) had a record-breaking season in 2005, when he rushed for 1,880 yards and had 27 rushing touchdowns. FB Mack Strong is well respected among players and the fans. He could be the league’s best FB, but you have to figure that his name makes him overrated. I like Rudi Johnson, but Alexander is a bigger playmaker. Since ‘01, Alexander has broken 59 runs for 20 or more yards, while Rudi has only done that only 23 times. Backup Kenny Watson is a smart player and fullback Jeremi Johnson is one of the best in the AFC. Seattle’s backup RB Maurice Morris, who isn’t expected to play, rushed for 604 yards while Alexander was injured last season. - ADVANTAGE SEAHAWKS
Wide Receivers: Chad Johnson and T.J. Houshmandzadeh are both in their primes and currently make up one of the best wide-receiver duos in the NFL. Glenn Holt emerged as a solid option as the No.3 receiver. Tab Perry won’t play, but Antonio Chatman should play for the first time this season. Seattle’s best receiver is Deion Branch. Fellow starter D.J. Hackett will not play due to an ankle injury. Backups include Nate Burleson, Bobby Engram and Ben Obomanu. The Seahawks ’secret weapon’ could be Seneca Wallace, who has coach Mike Holmgren calling him his “ace in the hole”. – ADVANTAGE BENGALS
Offensive Line: Willie Anderson’s foot injury should almost be fully healed. Levi Jones isn’t even on the injury report, but that doesn’t mean he will start over Andrew Whitworth. Jones is playing the year with braces on both knees. Cincinnati should have starting center Eric Ghiaciuc back, which can only help. Due to all these injuries, the Bengals have developed great depth on the o-line. Seattle has one of the game’s best in offensive tackle Walter Jones. Offensive guard Rob Sims and C Chris Spencer are very young and unproven. OG Chris Gray is way past his prime. OT Sean Locklear is emerging into a solid tackle, but is currently battling injuries. Floyd ‘Pork Chop’ Womack is the top backup. Cincinnati has the better starting line and the better depth. – ADVANTAGE BENGALS
Defensive Line: This offseason, Seattle went out and helped out one of the team’s weakest spots, which was at defensive end. The Seahawks got DE Patrick Kerney, who already has two sacks this season, and right as the season was starting Seattle traded for DE Jason Babin. DE Darryl Tapp has the potential to be a great pass-rushing end. DTs Chuck Darby, Rocky Bernard and Craig Terrill are solid. I’m still a firm believer in DE Robert Geathers, who disappeared in the Cleveland game. Also, DE Justin Smith is due for a huge game. DTs Domata Peko, John Thornton and Michael Myers have played well. I know RB Jamal Lewis ran all over Cincy, but I believe most of the blame of that should be on the linebackers and the secondary. We could get our first look at DE Frostee Rucker for the first time during the regular season, but he probably won’t see the field unless someone gets injured. – EVEN
Linebackers: Seattle kills Cincinnati at the linebacking spot. Leroy Hill, Lofa Tatupu (left) and Julian Peterson make up one of the most underrated bunch of backers in the NFL. Hill has been banged up this season. Tatupu leads the team in tackles with 20 and Peterson continues to be a playmaker. Peterson has 14 tackles and two sacks. The Bengals linebacking core is depleted due to injury and lack of talent. Outside linebacker Rashad Jeanty, who doubles his duty as a rush end, will miss his third straight game. Starting middle linebacker Ahmad Brooks and OLB Lemar Marshall, who has been filling in for Jeanty, are both questionable and might not play. If they do play, they won’t be 100%. Caleb Miller looked terrible in the Cleveland game, overall he is a solid player that has a bad game every once in a while. Backup Anthony Schlegel doesn’t have much NFL experience. On Wednesday, the Bengals signed LB Dhani Jones, who might be thrown in the fire due to the lack of depth at the position. The only healthy LB Landon Johnson is a solid player, who like Geathers had a great Week One and a uneventful Week Two. - ADVANTAGE SEAHAWKS
Secondary: Safety Dexter Jackson has a banged-up knee and is questionable. S Chinedum Nduke’s hamstring isn’t fully healed and he could miss this weekend’s game. S Ethan Kilmer will miss his third straight game. The secondary was terrible against Cleveland, especially Leon Hall. Hopefully he learned a lot from getting burned play after play. CBs Deltha O’Neal and Johnthan Joseph better be pumped up. Seattle’s secondary is much better, but they do face better receivers than Cincinnati has to face. CB Marcus Trufant is a good corner, but he can’t cover Ocho Cinco one-on-one. CB Kelly Jennings could have a tough time with T.J. Houshmandzadeh. Safeties Deon Grant and Brian Russell are good, but are way past their primes. Backup Jordan Babineaux can fill in at corner and at safety. Second-round pick Josh Wilson is waiting to take over Jennings’ job. – ADVANTAGE SEAHAWKS
Special Teams: Shayne Graham can’t kick it past the 20 on kickoffs and I wouldn’t trust him with a kick over 30 yards until he stops crying after every kick. KR Glenn Holt is good returner and I can’t wait for PR Skyler Green to make a huge play. Green definitely has the skills, I just hope that Marvin Lewis doesn’t put Antonio Chatman back there. Nate Burleson is a proven return man, who the Bengals should make look like Devin Hester. Kicker Josh Brown and punter Ryan Plackemeier are solid. - ADVANTAGE SEAHAWKS
OVERALL BREAKDOWN:
Despite the Seahawks having a great running game (which always kills the Bengals), a much better defense (who doesn’t) and special teams that can tackle - I think the Bengals are going to win.
On paper the Seahawks have the better team right now and the game is in Seattle. However, since it doesn’t make sense that Cincinnati would win is why I’m picking it.
It didn’t make sense that Cincinnati beat Baltimore, it didn’t make sense that Cleveland beat Cincy and it didn’t make sense that Seattle lost to Arizona last weekend. So, it makes sense that the Bengals will win this week - Wait - Now, I’m completely confused.
I know Seattle lost a heartbreaker to Arizona last weekend, but the Bengals loss to the Brownies could be a season changer - what some might call a ‘wake up game’.
Cincinnati better wake up soon - or they will be 1-3 and at the bottom of the AFC North standings heading into the bye week.
FINAL SCORE: BENGALS 31, SEAHAWKS 28 A gimpy Shayne Graham limps onto a field to make a last-second field goal - and the Bengals win the game. The event will cause a traditional crowbar beat down on Graham’s kicking leg prior to every game. Teammates will be under the impression that Graham can only make game-winning field goals when he is injured.
WR Glenn Holt- He finished with five catches for 52 yards and scored a touchdown. Holt also had a solid kick return.
Holt played great. Tab Perry was injured, then Holt came in and performed much better than Perry ever has. Also, he showed a lot of heart when he continued to play after getting rattled on a helmet-to-helmet hit by safety Brodney Pool.
WR Chad Johnson (above)- He had 11 catches for 209 yards and two touchdowns.
Ocho Cinco was great. However both of Carson Palmer’s INTs were headed his way - it is impossible to know if it was Palmer’s or Chad’s fault.
QB Carson Palmer- Threw for 401 yards and had a team-record six touchdown passes.
Palmer continues to keep the Bengals in the game no matter how bad the defense plays.
Getting your kids into the Bengals at an early age
The dad is Ryan Parker, who has many Bengal songs- you can see them on our Bengals Video link or at Ryan Parker Songs
Thumbs Down:
CB Leon Hall He gave up touchdown after touchdown - he showed off his lazy tackling skills on a particular kick return.
Hall was known for being a solid corner, but for getting burned in college by big-time programs. He was terrible this Sunday. He needs to get better quickly if the Bengals are going to contend this season.
CB Johnathan Joseph Got hurt, but looked terrible when he was in there.
I was expecting a pro-bowl season from Joseph, but he looks slow. He missed much of the spring because of a foot injury and it is starting to show.
LB Caleb Miller You could throw the whole defense out there - where was the pressure?
Miller played like he was in quick sand, dropped a key interception and seemed to fall down before the play got to him.
Cocky Browns Fans
Browns’ fans think that we are all fair-weather fans. Don’t blame Bengal fans for being excited about a good team and upset when they play poorly. Cleveland would be lucky to go 3-13 this season. I went to Cleveland last season for the Bengals game and over half the crowd was wearing Bengal jerseys. Also, Brownie fans seem to forget that a week ago, they were booing their team midway through the first quarter of Week One (fair-weather fans give up on their team and they could broken a record for being the quickest fan base to give up in the history of the NFL). Now, they think a Super Bowl run is on the horizon. Sorry, that you live in Cleveland. Honestly, I felt sorry for you guys up until you reminded me how cocky and stupid Browns’ fans actually are-
After the Bengals 27-20 win over the Ravens on Monday night, the city was buzzing about an imminent playoff run.
Now a playoff run seems unlikely, after making what everyone thought to be the worst franchise in all of professional sports look like an offensive juggernaut.
On Tuesday, the Browns traded away their opening-day starting quarterback Charlie Frye and named Derek Anderson, who had a career rating of under 65 prior to game, the starter. On Sunday, Anderson threw for 328 yards and five touchdowns against a defense that knocked up Steve McNair the previous week. Anderson finished the game with a rating of 121 and completed 20 of 33 of his passes.
Even though making Anderson look a pro-bowl quarterback is an impressive feat, the defense’s biggest accomplishment had to be letting Jamal Lewis look like a pro-bowl speed back. Lewis rushed for 218 yards, which included runs of 66 and 47 yards. Lewis’ 218 yards was his second highest total in his career, which was supposed to be a career that was winding down.
Wide receiver Braylon Edwards and tight end Kellen Winslow had the best games of their NFL careers. Edwards caught eight passes for 146 yards and had two touchdowns. Winslow finished with six catches, one for a touchdown, and had his first career 100-yard game.
So, what can you say?
The Ravens were banged up and the Brownies played the game of their lives?
Maybe you got to sleep by saying, the Bengals are going to be pissed off and will take it out on Seattle next week. However, Seattle lost a heartbreaker to the Arizona Cardinals, 23-20. So, you would have to think that they will be angry as well?
-Ok, the defense was terrible-
At least the Bengals’ offensive was almost good enough to get a comeback win.
Quarterback Carson Palmer threw for a team-record six touchdowns. Palmer finished with 401 yards, completing 33 of 50 passes and had two interceptions.
Running back Rudi Johnson rushed for 118 yards on 23 carries. Rudi also caught four passes for 33 yards and scored a touchdown. However, Rudi fumbled for the second week in a row.
Wide receivers Chad Johnson and T.J. Houshmandzadeh each had two touchdowns. Houshmandzadeh finished with eight catches for 69 yards, but had a few drops. Ocho Cinco was spectacular yet again, he caught 11 passes for 209 yards. On Chad Johnson’s first touchdown reception, he broke the club’s all-time receiving-yardage record. On CJ’s second touchdown he jumped into the Dawg Pound.
Interview with Chad Johnson after the game on Chad’s Corner
has yet to have a better game in the NFL than he had in the 38-13 win over the Bengals last season. Maroney (right) rushed for 125 yards on 15 carries and scored two touchdowns. This year he has yet to score a touchdown, so you have to think he is looking forward to playing the Bengals. Free agent addition Sammy Morris has played well and has two rushing touchdowns this year. As of right now, Rudi Johnson is out. Despite his slow start to the 2007 season, Rudi has been a consistent force in the Bengals’ rushing attack. Kenny Watson will start if Rudi can’t go and looked good last week against Seattle. The Bengals signed DeDe Dorsey earlier this week. Cincinnati fans would get pumped up real quick if Dorsey, who was a fan favorite during the 2006 preseason, would have breakout game like Maroney did last year, but as of right now the Patriots have the better backfield. Also, third-down back Kevin Faulk is another solid weapon. - ADVANTAGE PATS
Woods are other backups that could be able to start for Cincinnati right now. Mike Vrabel, Tedy Bruschi (left), Adalius Thomas and Rosevelt Colvin all wouldn’t just be fan favorites if they played for Cincinnati, they would be Bengal legends. The Bengals could be getting starting middle linebacker Ahmad Brooks back this week. Funny how all the fans questioned Brooks readiness to be a starter in the NFL and now they think he is Cincinnati’s most important defender. Caleb Miller will likely miss this game due to an injury. Lemar Marshall and Landon Johnson should start and are solid. Dhani Jones should see some time. Bad news for Bengal fans, the Patriots have seven linebackers that are better than any single Bengal LB. Where is Odell? - ADVANTAGE PATS
You can make an argument that the Patriots have better receivers or a better o-line than the Bengals. If you win that argument than Cincinnati doesn’t have a single advantage over New England.
This week, the Bengals signed running back DeDe Dorsey (left) and cut Clifton Dawson after Rudi Johnson was stuffed for nine yards on 17 carries to a Seattle Seahawks team that normally struggles against the run.
RB Kenny Watson
Things don’t look good for Cincinnati, as the team’s record sunk to 1-2 after its 21-24 loss to Seattle, and things don’t appear to be getting any better anytime soon.
The Bengals marched down the field on a 14-play touchdown drive where they converted four third downs. The drive ended on a 35-yard pass to wide receiver T.J. Houshmandzadeh (left) from QB Carson Palmer.
A couple of Palmer to C. Johnson plays later, running back Kenny Watson dove into the end zone on an eight-yard run. After a failed two-point try, the Bengals led 21-17.
Last week, Johnson told everyone midweek that he was going to jump in the Dawg Pound and he did (right).
RB Shaun Alexander (right) had a record-breaking season in 2005, when he rushed for 1,880 yards and had 27 rushing touchdowns. FB Mack Strong is well respected among players and the fans. He could be the league’s best FB, but you have to figure that his name makes him overrated. I like Rudi Johnson, but Alexander is a bigger playmaker. Since ‘01, Alexander has broken 59 runs for 20 or more yards, while Rudi has only done that only 23 times. Backup Kenny Watson is a smart player and fullback Jeremi Johnson is one of the best in the AFC. Seattle’s backup RB Maurice Morris, who isn’t expected to play, rushed for 604 yards while Alexander was injured last season. - ADVANTAGE SEAHAWKS
Leroy Hill, Lofa Tatupu (left) and Julian Peterson make up one of the most underrated bunch of backers in the NFL. Hill has been banged up this season. Tatupu leads the team in tackles with 20 and Peterson continues to be a playmaker. Peterson has 14 tackles and two sacks. The Bengals linebacking core is depleted due to injury and lack of talent. Outside linebacker Rashad Jeanty, who doubles his duty as a rush end, will miss his third straight game. Starting middle linebacker Ahmad Brooks and OLB Lemar Marshall, who has been filling in for Jeanty, are both questionable and might not play. If they do play, they won’t be 100%. Caleb Miller looked terrible in the Cleveland game, overall he is a solid player that has a bad game every once in a while. Backup Anthony Schlegel doesn’t have much NFL experience. On Wednesday, the Bengals signed LB Dhani Jones, who might be thrown in the fire due to the lack of depth at the position. The only healthy LB Landon Johnson is a solid player, who like Geathers had a great Week One and a uneventful Week Two. - ADVANTAGE SEAHAWKS
- he showed off his lazy tackling skills on a particular kick return.