Cincinnati Bengals

By Jeff Gentil Anyway, I have mixed emotions about this.  First, I like Rudi, but I think he lost it last year.  Can he get it back?  Sure, but I’m not positive he will.  He’s missed all of training camp with a bad hammy.  He’s supposed to play Thursday, but has Chris Perry already passed Rudi on the depth chart?

By Chris Maier ProFootballTalk via Rotoworld via ESPN’s Chris Mortenson reports the Bengals may be shopping Rudi Johnson in an effort to finding a veteran wide receiver. While it makes some sense, I doubt any team would take Rudi unless they were trading a similar veteran WR (i.e. cap casualty) whom t...

By Jeff Gentil I was so depressed last night after that game.  Don’t tell me it’s just preseason.  The offensive line was still intact and they got Carson killed.  Just wait until Ray Lewis smells the blood.  I know Chad, TJ, and Rudi make a difference, but if Carson can’t step into his throws, what’s the use of...

By Chris Maier It is hard to get excited about the season when the starting offense has scored 1 TD through three games. In a game that was supposed to be a dress rehearsal for the regular season, it looked more like a rehearsal dinner with Carson Palmer as the main course.   I don’t know the last time I saw Cars...

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By Jeff Gentil Notes: After their dismal performance Sunday night against Detroit, let’s all hope the Bengals come out a little more focused in this one.Preseason game #3 is always the “dress rehearsal” for the regular season, so we’ll likely see the first string play into the second half in this one. It...

By Chris Maier The team also waived special team specialist Ethan Kilmer.  While it is sad to see the special team demon go, but the team could not afford to hold a spot for a player who has not been able to get on the field for two straight camps. The hits keep coming for the Bengals wide receiving corp as #3 rece...

By Chris Maier 1. Favorite Bengal (present): 2. Favorite Bengal Memory: 5. Do you expect Rudi Johnson to return to form this season? 6. Breakout Bengal player for 2008: 7. Did the Bengals make enough moves this off-season? 9. Can the Bengals compete for the AFC North title this season? Prediction?

By Jeff Gentil I can’t believe it’s gone downhill so quickly after the LONE playoff year in 2005.  Everyone was actually picking the Bengals, YES THE BENGALS, as a Super Bowl contender.  A SUPER BOWL CONTENDER?!?!?!  Now…it doesn’t look too good, does it? 

By Chris Maier Reminder: If Henry was so good, don’t you think another team would have signed him already? Chad dings up his shoulder while TJ sits on the sidelines with another of his many hamstring injuries and the Bengals appear to be moving quickly to bolster the wide receiver position as ESPN.com’...

By Chris Maier Speaking of Chris Henry the fans sitting around me (including a Northern Ky sheriff) were unanimous in saying a Henry return would scream desperation. Brandon Johnson sounds a lot like Landon Johnson and it makes it even worse that both wear (or have worn) #59.

By Jeff Gentil Notes: Since this is late, I’m going to keep this short.Rudi Johnson will make his first preseason start this year.  Rudi has been nursing a sore hamstring the last few weeks.  He needs to get some game time to prove he’s healthy enough to handle the job again. Look for first round pick Keith Riv...

By Chris Maier The selection of Keith Rivers with the #9 overall pick was Marvin Lewis’ strongest statement yet to find an impact linebacker.  When the Bengals chose not to trade up for DT Sedrick Ellis it was almost as if the team knew it was comfortable taking Rivers.   Adding Rivers was almost as much abo...

By Jeff Gentil Just wanted to say a quick “hello” to everyone who visits Bengals Blitz here on MVN.com.  My name is Jeff Gentil and I’ve been invited by Chris to be a contributor, which obviously I have accepted.  Later this weekend you’ll find out a little more about me in a feature by Chris.

By Chris Maier ESPN.com’s James Walker writes today that Bengals receiver Chris Henry is interested in returning to Cincinnati as his agent Marvin Frazier said “We have interest in several teams, including Cincinnati,”.   Frazier goes on to say the Bengals may have interest in Henry (”preliminary”)....

By Chris Maier The Bengals offense early in the 3rd quarter looked like the team was trying to milk the clock.  At least when Jeff Rowe came in they let him throw the ball downfield a little.  Even then it took them until Rowe’s 2nd drive to throw a pass to a wide receiver .

By Chris Maier Brandon Johnson is looking a lot like Landon Johnson in the old #59 including a couple of tackles 10 yards downfield (just like Landon used to do) The Bengal defense is playing better but rookie QB Brian Brohm is making it easy for them to do so.

By Chris Maier Rare is a time when a team can lose its best player at a position yet enter the following season brimming with optimism.   That is exactly what is transpiring in Cincinnati after Madieu Williams signed for big bucks in Minnesota.  Even after losing Williams and spending nothing more than a 6...

By Chris Maier It was good having Chris Perry back on the field.  While his comeback has earned raved reviews thus far, the statistics show a merely average performance 9 carries 33 yards (less than 4 per carry) and 3 receptions for 17 yards.  The best stat line for Perry was his absence from the post-game...

By Chris Maier A long last training camp is upon us as Bengals players report to Georgetown today.  After an off-season marred by the Chad Johnson fiasco and the departures of troublsome WR Chris Henry and LB Odell Thurman, we can finally focus on football.   In the coming weeks we will breakdown the posit...

By Chris Maier Aside from Chad Johnson’s gradual mood adjustment (Happy???), the Bengals actually held a mini-camp this past weekend.   Partially due to the Chad Johnson sideshow (or lack there of), the non-Ocho news was a little on the light side.  Below are some observations including one key change...

By Chris Maier Ever since the Bengals passed on trading Chad Johnson on draft day, Bengals fans and the media have had June 12th circled on the calender as Decision Day.  Here we are on June 12th and nothing happened.  Or almost nothing.  No Chad Johnson sound bites.  No Marvin laying down the law.  No Chad prac...

By Chris Maier Overall, I had read a lot of articles about the quantity of linebackers on the roster but the quality appears lacking esp after the starters.  After the departure of Odell (a move the team wouldn’t have made if they trusted him), the depth is short on experience and the upside is questionabl...

By Chris Maier In a move more surprising by its timing than its reality, the Cincinnati Bengals released MLB Odell Thurman today.   Re-instated a month ago after a two year suspension, Thurman energized a Bengal faithful still enamored with his tremendous rookie season.   Early rumors say the Bengals...

By Chris Maier Overall, I give the Bengals draft a B.  Not bad, not spectacular and definately not aggressive but there is some definate talent at positions of need.   Below are breakdowns of the individual day two selections. 7a. DE Angelo Craig, Cincinnati - An undersized defensive end with a nose for the...

By Chris Maier On day two the Bengals have 8 selections and at least 1 will be a defensive tackle (hopefully their 1st 3rd rounder).  A couple of  names to keep an eye on in round 3 are DT Pat Sims, DT Dre Moore, S DaJuan Morgan and RB Kevin Smith.  Also remember, the Bengals under Marvin Lewis have traditional...

By Chris Maier Check out Inside Linebacker Rankings Next to the defensive line, linebacker is the team’s biggest need. Injuries racked the unit in 2007 the departure of Landon Johnson, Caleb Miller and Lemar Marshall leaves the group in search of an identity.  Ahmad Brooks is a talented enigma who has...

By Chris Maier Ok, the headline sounds like tabloid journalism, yet a story about Marvin Lewis becoming the head coach of the Baltimore Ravens actually made it into the Baltimore Sun this past week so it deserves mentioning.   Trading a coach within the division is unprecedented but I’d be willing to be...

By Chris Maier In this week’s MMQB, Peter King stated the Bengals would consider trading Chad Johnson for a 3rd round pick.   It just gives further proof of how much King dislikes/disrespects the Bengals front office.  Randy Moss’ performance this season will raise the price for someone of Chad’s servi...

By Chris Maier Key To the Game: Can Cincinnati come out motivated to play.  There are no gimme’s for this inconsistent Bengals team. Bengals Running Game vs. Dolphins Run Defense: Advantage Bengals Bengals Passsing Game vs. Dolphins Pass Defense: Advantage Bengals Bengals Defense vs. Dolphins Offense

By Chris Maier By the way, thank you to the Cleveland Browns for the early Christmas present.  Have two interceptions at the end of a half ever felt more like a gift.   In the process, the Bengals even managed to give presents to the Steelers and Titans.  

By Chris Maier Offensively, Carson Palmer was telegraphing his passes again leading to inconsistency.  Chad Johnson shook his head numerous times wondering why he didn’t catch the ball (hint: finishing your routes and being willing to take a hit helps).   A surprisingly astute Deion Sanders (I don’t...

By Chris Maier Bengals Defense vs. Rams Offense  Bengals Pass Defense vs. Rams Pass Offense: Advantage Bengals (assuming Bulger doesn’t play) Bengals Offense vs. Rams Defense Bengals Run Offense vs. Rams Run Defense: Advantage Rams Bengals Pass Offense vs. Rams Pass Defense: Advantage Bengals

By Chris Maier On the final two drives of the game, Carson Palmer rarely even looked to Chad Johnson’s side of the field.  Even more telling TJ wasn’t on the field for these drives.  If that isn’t proof of a rift between Carson and Chad I don’t know what is.

By Chris Maier The key for the Bengals offense will be their ability to sustain drives.  To accomplish this the Bengals have to not only provide Palmer time to throw the ball but they also have to find their missing running game.  Kenny Watson (436 yards) has had his moments but Rudi Johnson has been runn...

By Chris Maier If the Bengals can have success with the pass early, it could open things up for the running game.  While Kenny Watson has been the better back thus far, Rudi Johnson is the better matchup against the Ravens defense.  His power style is more likely to grind out yards on the interior and wea...

By Chris Maier If the Bengals offense can avoid mistakes, they should be able to move the football.  Whether those yards can be converted into touchdowns instead of field goals will determine the team’s success. Pass Game: Advantage Bengals Bengals Defense vs. Bills Offense

By Chris Maier Offensively the Bengals moved the ball well against the league’s number one defense.  Kenny Watson ran for 88 yards, the offensive line provided good protection and Carson didn’t force passes.  Unfortunately, due to gutless calls, key drops (Chad use your hands not your body) and a cost...

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By Chris Maier Bengals Offense vs. Steelers Defense Advantage Run Game: Steelers Advantage Pass Game: Bengals Bengals Defense vs. Steeler Offense Advantage Run Game: Steelers Advantage Pass Game: Steelers Advantage: Steelers due to the return game

By Chris Maier The key to the comeback was the ground assault led by Kenny Watson.  For the game, Watson ran for a career high 130 yards and 3 touchdowns.  In the second half alone the Bengals ran the ball 26 times.   The effort proved once again the importance of balance to the Bengal attack.   Another key con...

By Chris Maier The Cincinnati Bengals (1-4)  and New York Jets (1-5) each came into the 2007 season with high expectations.  Both team’s have not only struggled but have also failed to provide hope for a turnaround.   The Bengals have been done in by a horrific defense and a potent yet inconsistent offen...

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By Chris Maier During the 4 game slide, attention has shifted to his outbursts.  Cincinnati talk radio has turned Chad-bashing into a sport.   There have been sideline altercations and a rumor of Chad flying off the handle at halftime of the Patriots game. Not to mention five of Carson Palmer’s eight in...

By Chris Maier If all you saw of Sunday’s game between Kansas City was the stat sheet and the final score one could make an argument that it was a tough loss.  The game tape tells a very different story.  After watching the Bengals lose 27-20, the only happy Bengal fans who struggled to watch the team on Sunday...

By Chris Maier Despite the week off, the Bengal offense will be without the services of T Willie Anderson resulting in yet another shuffle along the offensive line as Stacy Andrews moves to right tackle.  RB Rudi Johnson also remains questionable coming off his injured hamstring. Advantage: Bengals

By Chris Maier As much as I wrote about maintaining balance on offense in the running offense above, it is hard to believe the Bengals will beat New England without their potent passing attack.   Chad Johnson is on pace for 2,000 yards, TJ Houshmandzadeh leads the league in reception and Carson is 2nd in t...

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By Chris Maier After his poorest game as a Bengal, RB Rudi Johnson has been thrown to the dogs by many of the fans.  How quickly people forget his three consecutive 1,300 yard+ seasons.  While Rudi has never had the speed to run outside, he has proven himself to be a durable runner between the tackles.  (Of cou...

By Chris Maier Bengals Run Offense vs. Seahawks Run Defense Advantage: Bengals (if they stick with the ground game) Bengals Pass Offense vs. Seahawks Pass Defense Advantage: Bengals Bengals Run Defense vs. Seahawks Run Offense Bengals Pass Defense vs. Seahawks Pass Offense

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By Chris Maier Bengals Run Offense vs. Browns Run Defense Advantage: Bengals Bengals Pass Offense vs. Browns Pass Defense Advantage: Bengals (but not by as much as you’d think) Bengals Run Defense vs. Browns Run Offense Bengals Pass Defense vs. Browns Pass Offense Advantage: Bengals

By Chris Maier Keys to the Game: Can the Bengals maintain a balanced offense?Will the Ravens disrupt the Bengals passing attack with heavy pressure?Can the Bengals run defense force the Ravens to win through the air? Advantage: Bengals Bengals Run Defense vs. Ravens Rushing Offense

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By Chris Maier During his four years as Head Coach, Marvin Lewis has accomplished much of what he was asked to do.  He has brought a winning and professional attitude to a once lost franchise.  Lewis has also returned the team to the playoffs and never had a losing season.   All of the above items are great acc...

By Chris Maier For the past four years the Bengals’ biggest strength has been its potent offense.  Few teams can match the skill position talent of Carson Palmer, Rudi Johnson, Chad Johnson and TJ Houshmandzadeh.  The free agent departure of QB Anthony Wright, the injury of RB Kenny Irons and the suspens...

By Chris Maier In 2006 LT Levi Jones and C Rich Braham missed a bulk of the season.   The line shuffling and uncertain depth led to three disturbing stats: Rudi Johnson averaged less than 3.8 ypc, Carson Palmer was the league’s 2nd most hit QB and the offensive ranked in the bottom 10 in the league in 3rd down c...