Subscribe to the Cincinnati Bengals Blog FeedIt’s time. Time for the select few to battle out for the most coveted prize in the NFL: the Lombardi Trophy. The playoffs begin today with the Wildcard round. I’m so excited I can’t even finish this introduction! Let’s just get right to these games, shall we?
Continue reading "Joe's 2012 Gameday Preview: Wildcard Saturday"
Posted by Joe Anello | No comments yet
The 2011 NFL regular season ended with a bang with some great finishes and superb drama on Sunday. Records were set by a back-up QB, a team captain was benched for “quitting” and a fat-handed QB lost missed out on the post-season. The Final Drive must begin!
Posted by Joe Anello | No comments yet
I’ll bet you thought week 17 in the NFL was meaningless! Well I call shenanigans on that premise entirely, as I’m ready to touch on ELEVEN games going on New Year’s Day. How’s THAT for an Opening Drive?
Posted by Joe Anello | No comments yet
Heart attacks were felt across the nation on Sunday (especially by me), leading to plenty of hospitalizations. While you’re incapacitated, why not get the full scoop on week 14’s heart-stopping action?
Posted by Joe Anello | No comments yet
The weeks are rushing by in the NFL with the playoff picture beginning to take shape. Two 11-game streaks could push their way to 12 and an NFC contender tries to get by without one of their biggest stars.
Posted by Joe Anello | No comments yet
Thursday Night Football is back! And they’ve got an AFC West match-up on tap for us tonight. It could be sloppy, but it should be more than entertaining as the Raiders make the short trip to take on the Chargers with first place in the division on the line. Welcome back Thursday Night Football… we missed you.
Posted by Joe Anello | No comments yet
It’s the mid-way point of the NFL season this week, which of course means plenty of pontificating and meaningless award giving. I want in on the fun so here are the 2011 Midseason Musings!
Posted by Joe Anello | No comments yet
I originally mean to write this as a recap of the trade deadline deals, but since the only other Tuesday deal was just revoked because of Jerome Harrison’s brain tumor (how crazy was that), I can focus up on the big news of the day. Tuesday the Cincinnati Bengals finally traded disgruntled quarterback Carson Palmer. The deal? Palmer goes to Oakland, who sends back a first round draft pick in 2012 and a conditional second round pick in 2013 that could turn into a first rounder if the Raiders make it to the AFC title game in the next two years. A king’s ransom for an aging quarterback? Or a crafty move to save a season? Let’s break down this deal!
Posted by Joe Anello | No comments yet
Likely the roughest division in the NFL, the AFC North has long been the stomping ground for Big Ben and the Steelers. Last season the Ravens fell short of dethroning the eventual AFC Champs and are looking to finally make it over that yellow and black speed-bump. Cincinnati has overhauled key positions and look to rebuild while the Browns are slowly regaining traction in the division. The AFC North takes center stage!
Continue reading "Joe's 2011 NFL Season Preview: The AFC North"
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It’s about time we stop thinking of Bill Belichick as boring. We have to get out of our heads that the Patriots head coach is as bland as the gray hooded sweatshirt he’s famous for. Just because he’s monotonous and personality-free during press conferences doesn’t mean Belichick doesn’t have an edgy side.
Posted by Randolph Charlotin | No comments yet
Okay, now that we’ve had some time to digest the draft and some of the immediate ramifications, let’s delve into some of the teams I thought best took advantage of their selections. (Not winners and losers per se, since we can’t actually grade these drafts until three years or so elapse.) Still, what’s the NFL without some premature judging?
Continue reading "The Best and Worst Classes of the 2011 NFL Draft"
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Day two of the NFL Draft is all tuckered out and ready for bed, just like my sister. Amidst Chris Berman idiocies and countless Jon Gruden “that guy’s,” I’m ready for a recap of rounds two and three. Here we go!
Posted by Joe Anello | No comments yet
It’s the final week of the 2010 regular season and there are division match-ups everywhere you look! Who needs to win and who looks prime for a loss? Let’s get the Opening Drive going!
Posted by Joe Anello | No comments yet
With the NFL regular season on its last legs, the playoff picture is coming into focus. Who stepped up in week 16 action and who fell flat? Let's start the Final Drive!
(7-8) St. Louis Rams 25Posted by Joe Anello | No comments yet
Thanksgiving. It’s a day of relaxing, stuffing your face and watching football. For me, it’s another Sunday during the NFL season, only with more people around. Before you chow down, I’m here to prepare you for the turkey day action… which might be the worst match-up’s I’ve ever seen on Thanksgiving, thanks to Dallas’ inadequacy.
Posted by Joe Anello | No comments yet
We saw drama in Tennessee, a slaughter in Minnesota and a near-comeback in New England. Oh NFL week eleven, how I heart you. It's Final Drive time mutha-trucka!
(2-8) Buffalo Bills 49
Posted by Joe Anello | No comments yet
It's that time football fans! After nine weeks of the 2010 season, the picture has become slightly clearer, but in the current NFL, no one team has stood out as head and shoulders above the rest. Here are my grades for all 32 NFL teams, based on a few different criteria, not merely their win/loss record. Meeting, surpassing, or falling short of expectations, staying competitive and showing improvement over the course of the season is all taken into account, specific to that team. (So don't go comparing grades for one team to another, they're graded on their own.) Everyone loves getting graded, right? Here are my breakdowns, including some cheerleader shots to spice it up.
Posted by Joe Anello | No comments yet
Somber was the way to describe Big Daddy’s workplace Monday morning. The Saints’ disheartening display in the desert produced a lot of frowns and slumped heads in the break room, all pondering what’s wrong with their Black ’n’ Gold idols. Job duties were pushed to the back burner as co-workers threw out theories trying to decipher how New Orleans went from a “We’re gonna kick your ass!” mentality last season to the “It’s hard to win in this league,” excuse we keep hearing this year. Supersticious colleagues believe the Madden Curse is affecting the Saints because of Drew Brees is on the cover of Madden 11. In recent years Dante Culpepper, Michael Vick, Troy Palomalo, and Shaun Alexander dealt with a myriad of problems after having the honor bestowed on them. Big Daddy hopes that won’t be the case for Drew. In this edition of the
Posted by Les Leonard | No comments yet
Can anyone figure out this NFL season yet? The league's last undefeated team gets their biggest test, a winless team is is favored and the Jets' drama is actually overshadowed by their opponents'. NFL week four is on!
Posted by Joe Anello | No comments yet
Following a slew of off-performances and odd endings in week one, teams will start to establish their identity in week two, whether it be good or bad. Here are the games story-lines you should keep an eye on as the NFL kicks off! (1-0) Pittsburgh Steelers atPosted by Joe Anello | No comments yet
Great news for Sam “Bam” Cunningham. Not only was he inducted into the Patriots Hall of Fame this past summer, but now the Patriots can retire his number!
The opportunity for the “39” made famous by Cunningham to never be worn again comes from Tuesday’s trade of RB Laurence Maroney. The former 2006 first round pick was sent to Denver, packed with a sixth round pick, in exchange for a fourth round pick.
Posted by Randolph Charlotin | No comments yet
After an offseason of hold-outs, firings and signings, the NFL season is back in full force and so is my Opening Drive! Here are the games to watch for during this first weekend of football. (I'm not bothering to put their records down. They're all 0-0.)
Posted by Joe Anello | No comments yet
It was a big deal when head coach Bill Belichick had the pictures of past Patriots teams removed from the walls. All the photos of players and moments from the past decade, including anything related to the three championships, gone. All memories purged from the hallways and rooms, as if those were bad memories.
Posted by Randolph Charlotin | No comments yet
What happens in preseason games doesn’t matter.
That’s garbage. Try telling that to a head coach after a piss-poor performance by his team as his hair goes gray during the post game press conference.
Posted by Randolph Charlotin | No comments yet
No division in football may be as physical as the AFC North. Even though the Steelers have the rings to back them up, QB woes leave the division in doubt. Can Baltimore claim the throne or Cincinnati repeat? Here's my take on each team's chances:
Posted by Joe Anello | No comments yet
When CB Terrence Wheatley walked off the Gillette Stadium field last Thursday with a couple of trainers, it crossed my mind it would be for the last time as a Patriot for Wheatley. But his chance of sticking around went up with CB Leigh Bodden going down.
Posted by Randolph Charlotin | No comments yet
Genreally, horse racing fans make good NFL fans. Not only because NFL fantasy involves Math, which is the horse racing fan's forte, but also because both involve conditioning.
A look at 2010 NFL, and what looks to happen. I'll give some predictions, but fans know that close games, injuries, blown coverages, and psycological brekdowns occur any time.
Continue reading "NFL 2010 TO THE 2011 SPER BOWL ANALYSIS ..."
Posted by Johnny Matheis | No comments yet
Alright, so Football season is right around the corner. July always seems to drag on, as we are on the cusp of training camps starting in just 2 weeks. Football season is so close you can almost taste it, but it still only is July 14th, with the regular season being almost 2 months away. Nevertheless, Cincinnati vs. Dallas happens 3 weeks from Sunday, so there's hope. That being said, let's talk some preliminary Bengals stuff:
Posted by Dan Salyers | No comments yet
Friends and Countrymen,
I know that you have missed me so much over the last month or so and I want to apologize for my extended absence. I have several ready made excuses for why I haven’t been actively blogging and I am sure that you will accept all of them at face value. For one thing, there hasn’t been anything going on in the world of sports. I mean other than the NBA playoffs, the NHL playoffs, the start of the MLB season, the return of Tiger Woods, the transgressions and subsequent suspension of Ben Roethlisberger (I did it! I spelled the damn thing), etc.
Posted by Amari Harris | No comments yet
It wasn't exactly how he'd like it to happen, but Jets Head Coach Rex Ryan will sure take it. The New York Jets suppressed the home team Cincinnati Bengals Saturday in a 24-14 victory, despite giving up 171 yards on the ground.
Posted by Joe Anello | No comments yet
Playoffs? Yep, they're here! After another 17 week regular season, the Wild-Card round begins this afternoon with the rematch between NY Jets and Cincinnati Bengals, followed by what could be the game of the weekend. Philadelphia travels to Dallas for the third meeting this season between these NFC East rivals. Time for analysis and predictions! It's the Opening Drive of Wild-Card Saturday!
Posted by Joe Anello | No comments yet
Though it means nothing, I am required by football law to point out I was 7-0 in my Opening Drive predictions for week 17. Woot. Multiple teams lost because they did not keep their starters in while one NFC East leader got railed on. Now, onto the last week of the regular season with this edition of the Final Drive!
Posted by Joe Anello | No comments yet
The New York Jets defeated the Indianapolis Colts 29-15 Sunday night at Lucas Oil Stadium to incredibly regain control of their own playoff fate.
Many critics have placed an asterisk next to the Jets (8-7) upset victory because Colts (14-1) Head Coach Jim Caldwell removed quarterback Peyton Manning from the game with approximately six minutes remaining in the third quarter.
Posted by Colin Linneweber | No comments yet
After another dramatic Colts win, the still-undefeated Saints try their luck against the Cowboys on Saturday night while the second seed in the AFC is on the line on Sunday. Let's start the Opening Drive of week 15 in the NFL!
Posted by Joe Anello | No comments yet
On behalf of the NFL Network, I would like to express my deepest sympathies to the friends, families, and fans of Chris Henry. He will truly be missed. Chris Henry, wide receiver of the Cincinnati Begals passed away Thursday morning December 17, 2009.
Posted by The NFL Network | No comments yet
It was a crazy week 14 in the NFL, book-ended by division upsets on Thursday and Monday night. While the playoff picture is coming into focus, we still have loads of drama in the NFC East and two undefeated teams with their eyes set on the Lombardi Trophy. The Final Drive starts now!
Posted by Joe Anello | No comments yet
After the Patriots’ loss to the Indianapolis Colts, the first thing I did when I started my car was turn off the radio. I almost didn’t turn on my t.v. When I did, I absolutely didn’t tune in to ESPN or NFL Network. This lasted through the next day until the Monday night football game. I didn’t read the newspapers for almost two days.
Posted by Randolph Charlotin | No comments yet
With all of the surprise upsets, there’s no way I can take the time to properly address them all. I’ll hit the best and worst of week 10 in this edition of the Final Drive!
(3-6) Tennessee Titans 41
Posted by Joe Anello | No comments yet
The last two undefeated teams carried on their winning ways, the last winless team won, the Giants gave one away by kicking a field goal and the Broncos could not hang with the Super Bowl Champs. Let’s wrap up week nine with the Final Drive!
Posted by Joe Anello | No comments yet
The last two undefeated teams carried on their winning ways, the last winless team won, the Giants gave one away by kicking a field goal and the Broncos could not hang with the Super Bowl Champs. Let’s wrap up week nine with the Final Drive!
Posted by Joe Anello | No comments yet
I won’t punish you by going over every thing the Bears did wrong on Sunday. I don’t have that much time to write and I already punished myself by watching the game off my DVR after having heard the slaughter on the radio Sunday. Instead, let me explain what you can learn from their 45-10 beatdown at the hands of Carson Palmer, Cedric "holding a grudge" Benson and the Bengals.
Continue reading "What I learned from Chicago’s blowout ..."
Posted by Joe Anello | No comments yet
At 3-2, my Chicago Bears are in better shape than I would have predicted going into the season. That being said, I’ll still be upset if they lose in Cincinnati Sunday afternoon. Despite holding a lead in the AFC North, the Bengals are a beatable team. Let’s get right down to it in my Gameday Preview!
Continue reading "Joe’s Gameday Preview: Bears at Bengals"
Posted by Joe Anello | No comments yet
In a crazy week six in the NFL, we saw both New York teams fall, one squad completely give up, and three teams continue their undefeated ways. The Final Drive of week six starts right now!
Posted by Joe Anello | No comments yet
Any Cowboys fan who watched Sunday’s game had to be ready to throw themselves out of a 3rd story window when they saw that the Cowboys were getting beaten by the Chiefs nearly the entire game. I, myself, wasn’t able to watch the game but I constantly monitored the score which may be even more maddening.
Posted by Amari Harris | No comments yet
Still love me some NFL. Josh McDaniels kicked Bill Belichick’s Patriots right out of Denver while Matt Ryan picked apart a supposedly stout San Francisco defense. Oh, and Peyton Manning is still awesome. I wrap up week five in the NFL in the Final Drive!
Posted by Joe Anello | No comments yet
With some downright horrendous match-ups this weekend, this edition of the Opening Drive is shorter than usual. Just writing about Cleveland versus Buffalo would put me to sleep. Let’s get things going with the most anticipated games of week four!
Posted by Joe Anello | No comments yet
Tuesday evening hangover…
Here are some of my astute observations from the Cowboys’ Monday night victory against the Panthers:
1. The Cowboys played a very gritty game.
Posted by Amari Harris | No comments yet
Week two had its fair share of upsets and surprises. (Not the least of which were my Bears!) Let’s take a look at the week that was in my Week 2 edition of the Final Drive!
(2-0) Atlanta Falcons 28
Posted by Joe Anello | No comments yet
Week one of the 2009 NFL season is in the books. Filled with injuries, blowouts and a dramatic ending out in Cincinnati, let’s take a look around the league in this first edition of the Final Drive!
Posted by Joe Anello | No comments yet
We know that football, or should I say American football, has been growing for years. It's just that the mainstream media does not cover American style football as much as, say, the NCAA or NFL.
Posted by Chris Johnson | No comments yet
We'll get back to horse racing soon. This is a lull in the season. Now, even the horse players are focused on the NFL. Who will be better? Who will be worse.
In this analysis, I simply take what the teams had, what they lost and gained, and weigh all the potentials. For example, 3 first and second round draft pick linebackers in their third year would translate into at least 2 successes.
Posted by Johnny Matheis | No comments yet
It's that time of year again folks. Time to start predicting the unpredictable. Will any of the Denver Broncos running backs get enough carries to warrant a spot on your roster? Can Michael Turner replicate last season's performance and warrant the second overall pick in your draft? What will Terrell Owens's numbers look like now that he is in Buffalo? And how does that impact Trent Edwards value as the Bills' QB? Who am I taking if I get the first pick? What if I get stuck at the end of the first round? Do I snatch up two running backs? Or should I go one running back and also nab a top tier receiver?
Posted by Danny Noblitt | No comments yet
Last year was the Bengal's worst year since Marvin Lewis has been the coach. What do you think went wrong? What needs to be done for this season to be a success? Who do the Bengal's need as far as players? So far things are looking pretty good, as 10 of 11 Bengal's rookies from the draft have been signed. I
Posted by Jacob Ratliff | No comments yet
I am going to do things a little differently. I am going to post each game on our schedule and talk about each team on, and I will then provide my odds in that game. First of all, I am going to give my thoughts on the Cincinnatti Bengals this year. The Cincinnati Bengals had a decent D last year, a great young LB corps which improved with our 2nd round selection Ray Maualuga. In additon, the Bengals offence will be much improved which will keep the defence off the field more. Despite losing TJ Houshmanzadeh, this group will put up a lot more points than last season. Carson Palmer returns, and Laveranues Coles arrives in Cincinnati. Not too mention the addition of 6th overall pick Andre Smith to strengthen a very weak O-line. The 2009-2010 Bengals are much improved from last year's edition. Now I will take a look at our schedule and analyze our opponents.
Continue reading "My prediction on record the Cincinnati ..."
Posted by Don Michael Vickers | No comments yet
As OTA's and minicamps progress while training camp begin to roll over the horizon, America's favorite sport nears its regular season. While nobody knows how well teams will do in a season with the randomness of injuries and several other factors, it's always interesting to look ahead at the schedule and prognosticate. Unlike most people, I'm not going to give just a win or loss for each game, rather I'm going to predict how many times the Steelers would win if they played a team 10 times. For instance if the Steelers were playing a very crappy team, I would say 9/10 or 10/10. At the end i will add up the wins and divide by 10, giving us how many wins they will have this season.
Posted by Rob Preston | No comments yet
With voluntary camp just around the corner, the usual question of “will Chad show up?” is on a lot of peoples minds, except Carson Palmer. Carson seems to be very happy with the fact that Chris Henry will most likely fill in for Chad if he elects to forgo showing up once again this year. Carson has always been on the side of Henry even through his legal troubles and sees tremendous potential in Henry’s receiving ability. Stating, "He has a great attitude. I'm just really proud of the guy. I'm happy for him. He's at a good place in his life, a good place for his family. He's showed up to work here and he will all year long. There's not a doubt about that."
Posted by Justin Bahr | No comments yet
With the release of Levi Jones came an addition to the already newer look defense of the Bengals. Roy Williams is set to sign today what is believed to be a short term contract. “Agent Jordan Woy confirmed a short-term deal with the Bengals that includes incentives, which could indicate they gave Williams a one-year deal and a manageable bonus if it doesn't work and enticing enough escalators for him if it does.”
Posted by Justin Bahr | No comments yet
With the release of Edgerrin James by the Arizona Cardinals, the Bengal’s may have a shot at picking up a veteran back that can backup Cedric Benson. Will they pull the trigger on this deal?... probably not. After the draft and release of Chris Perry, I highly doubt the Bengal’s will chase after a potentially washed out running back, yet I would applaud him being a Bengal.
Posted by Justin Bahr | No comments yet
Chris Perry along with 5 other players were cut yesterday in order to make room for the players drafted this past weekend. While I was never a huge Perry fan, we did waste a 1st round pick on him and I always wished eh would succeed and become a franchise back if not a 3rd down option…yet that never came to be. With his release his fate as an NFL rusher is pretty much sealed.
Posted by Justin Bahr | No comments yet
It’s been a while since my last post (6 months and 1 day to be specific), yet hear I am, back on the Bengal’s bandwagon. Last year was absolutely terrible, and about 3/4ths the way through the season I had enough and hung up the jersey for the season. Well now that the draft is done, I’m back and in full Bengal-Faith mode…
Posted by Justin Bahr | No comments yet
So last year Chad Ocho Cinco demanded a trade by appearing on every talk show under the sun and explicitly demanding a trade from the Cincinnati Bengals. This year Ocho Cinco is going about it in a different manner — he is ignoring the Bengals all together.
Posted by Blake Haley | No comments yet
Hello and good day to you. Hope this blog finds you in a good time and place.
First, I'd like to briefly introduce myself. My name is Deven Wilson of Louisville, KY, and I LOVE the NFL! I also have plenty of thoughts and opinions on the NFL. I'm unfortunately also a Cincinnati Bengals fan, and have been since the glory days of a certain David Klingler. All these ingredients thrown into the same stirring pot, and you come up with this blog. Hopefully you'll find it just as enjoying to read as it is for me to write.
Posted by Deven Wilson | No comments yet
One of the great things about sports is that every week fans are provided with a plethora of new topics to think about and discuss. Along with my other posts, starting today, and continuing every Sunday for the foreseeable future, I am going to supply my readership with an opportunity to peer inside my oversized cranium and take a peek at what I’m mulling over.
Posted by Christian Mielcarek | No comments yet
Well, Pittsburgh won the Super Bowl again. Santonio Holmes won the MVP, which makes me happy as we are fellow Buckeyes from the same years. After the Super Bowl, I always get excited for the Draft (no, I don't care about the Pro Bowl). This year, however, I started gearing up for the Draft in about the first week of January. I don't know where the new focus came from, but I have been checking big boards/ espn.com/ watching a lot of College Football Live to get a glimpse about who will go where. I of course am a Bengals fan, so I've been looking to see who they would draft. I really think that OT is the best bet, despite what many people on bengals.com have been suggesting (RB, WR, DE). I can understand taking a DE if some of the OTs are off the board, but it simply won't help, as the O-Line was putrid last year. Stacy Andrews is worthless, overpaid, and very injured, thus I feel he won't be back. Levi Jones is best suited as a backup, as his age is starting to show. Anthony Collins and Nate Livings played well in fill-in spots, but they're untested.
Posted by Dan Salyers | No comments yet
In anticipation of Super Bowl XLIII between the favored Pittsburgh Steelers (14-4) and the upstart Arizona Cardinals (12-7) this Sunday at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, I ranked the best NFL championship games I have seen over the past 20 years.
Posted by Colin Linneweber | 8 comments
Let it be said before I begin this blog: I am from Dayton, Ohio, and I love the Cincinnati Bengals. Wow, I feel so much better. Now I’m ready to face the other 11 steps…
Posted by Andy Goldstein | No comments yet
So after watching the Steelers/ Ravens game, I have noticed one thing about Pittsburgh... they are a dirty team. Ryan Clark hit Willis McGahee helmet-to-helmet in the closing minutes of the Fourth Quarter to force a fumble, which was recovered by the Steelers. Unfortunately for the NFL and for fans of the game, the referees did not call the hit illegal. A very similar hit was called illegal (and a fine was given) earlier this season on Anquan Boldin, which knocked him out for several games. These hits are very dangerous and can cause paralysis. The league needs to be more uniform in the hits they call. There are less calls made against offensive players making helmet to helmet blocks (see video of Hines Ward breaking Keith Rivers' jaw in a game against Cincinnati). Also less frequent are helmet-to-helmet hits on running backs from defenders. It's like the league feels that defensive players deserve to get hit this way, and since running backs are naturally taking the most hits, they deserve it in a way. Receivers and quarterbacks are too fragile to allow these hits to be put on them, so the league fines players for hits on these guys. Come on! The reason some are called illegal is "to prevent injury". All of these hits, regardless of position, can injure the guy. (Did you see McGahee carted off the field on a stretcher, or Keith Rivers get his jaw broken?) Bottom line, both of these hits referenced were by Pittsburgh Steelers players, and neither were fined or even called as penalties. I feel like the NFL gives Pittsburgh a free pass because they have a reputation as a physical, hard-hitting football team. The league needs to get their act together and fix this very baised system.
Posted by Dan Salyers | No comments yet
I'm a Bengals fan, which means I take little joy in the game I love the most. I still watch I still wear my tiger-adorned clothing (inside the house more often than not). However, the sounds of the game are muted by the sounds of my voice as it utters, in anguish, words of disbelief and shocking profanity.
Posted by David | No comments yet
When I heard that LB Jerod Mayo received 49 of 50 votes for Defensive Player of the Year, I asked two questions: 1. Who got the one vote, then later, 2. Who the hell voted for Keith Rivers?
I won't argue Rivers won't be a good player down the road. In limited playing time, he had 37 tackles with an interception. But to compare a player that only played seven games versus someone who started 16 is illogical. Even if Rivers' number were projected to 16 games he's far behind Mayo's production. Sorry Rivers that you got your jaw broke by Pittsburgh Steelers WR Hines Ward, but that's football.
Posted by Randolph Charlotin | No comments yet
Cincy 14, Cleveland 0.
Well, we got to see the Browns lose to the Eagles on Monday night and Cincy today. Both games were pathetic. Some of our players looked like they packed it in. And once again, our play calling was predictable. On the other hand, some of our defenders showed up today. Even Bruce Gradkowski made an appearance in the 4th quarter against the Bengals, but that didn't help either. Maybe he should have made an appearance to start the second half. I couldn't even watch every play; my fantasy football team was more exciting to watch.
Posted by Edward Stefanyak | No comments yet
Cincy 14, Cleveland 0.
Well, we got to see the Browns lose to the Eagles on Monday night and Cincy today. Both games were pathetic. Some of our players looked like they packed it in. And once again, our play calling was predictable. On the other hand, some of our defenders showed up today. Even Bruce Gradkowski made an appearance in the 4th quarter against the Bengals, but that didn't help either. Maybe he should have made an appearance to start the second half. I couldn't even watch every play; my fantasy football team was more exciting to watch.
Posted by Edward Stefanyak | No comments yet
Posted by Steve | No comments yet
1. The development of Joe Flacco:
This was one of those games where the stats speak for themselves. 19 of 29 (65.5%) for 280 yards (14.7 yards/completion, 9.6 yards/attempt) and 2 TDs, with no interceptions. (Though there was a botched snap.) Better yet, he returned to the form he'd shown against Cleveland and Houston, spreading the ball to all his receivers. Derrick Mason caught 6 balls, but Mark Clayton caught 5 and Todd Heap and Ray Rice both caught 4. And despite their injuries along the D-Line, the Bengals brought a respectable amount of pressure --- maybe they're still a softer defense than the Giants or the Eagles, but Flacco rarely had all day to survey the field and pick and choose his targets. The pressure is only going to increase over the next month, and if Flacco can keep finding guys in addition to Derrick Mason, the Ravens are going to have a much better chance of winning. Especially considering the running game has been less than dominant the past three games. (Against the Giants, they ran 26 times for 121 yards, but 57 of those yards came from Flacco's scrambling; against the Eagles they rushed 40 times for 110 yards, or 2.8 yards/carry; against the Bengals, they were better, but they still only managed 3.4 yards/carry against the 24th ranked run defense.)
Posted by Brent Englar | No comments yet
The 2008 NFL is one of the better ones in my memory. Certainly better than last year, and probably the best since 2001. The stories of bad teams rising to the occasion, a star quarterback coming back to play and another one missing the year, a backup who hasn't started since high school on his way to making millions via free agency, coaches being fired at a record pace, and a couple quarterbacks on their way to 5000 yards passing are just some of the stories to the NFL season. There seems to be another story that could be in the making when the season comes to a close. Currently there are 5 NFL teams with 2 wins or fewer and with just 5 games left in the season there is the possibility that a 5 teams could finish 2-14 or worse. The reason for the futility is a lot of things, bad play, injuries, or just plain bad. Here are the 5 best of the worst in the NFL and what the last part of the season could hold.
Posted by Paul | No comments yet
Hey there and a Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours from me and mine. Just a little list I threw together to celebrate the holiday...I had more time on my hands today than Kerry Collins did against Detroit. And that's saying something.
Posted by Robert Evans | No comments yet
Posted by Vet059 | 2 comments
The Coach Gary Kubiak watch is officially on in Houston. Sure, the Houston Texans lost a hard fought battle to the perennially good Indianapolis Colts. The problem, however sad it is, is not that they lost; but the way that Houston is going about their special brand of losing.
Continue reading "Houston Texans vs. Indianapolis Colts-Gary ..."
Posted by John Barfield | No comments yet
I was at 2-2 for the week. My upset specail lost by three so in my book if Vegas you owe me one.....lol. The Patriots should of, could of, but in the end chocked. I was happy with the Jags chocking in the end to win me another suicide pool. Since my Bears had the win and Jags lost I won the right to be suicide king again. Now time for the Monday night Specail.
Posted by Vet059 | 1 comment
Posted by Tex787 | No comments yet
The Houston Texans win in obvious fashion in their week 8 contest against the Cincinnati Bengals puts them right where they were last year when they had their first non losing season in team history.
Posted by Will Korff | No comments yet
As an avid football fan, allow me to say that I truly do appreciate the theatrical aspects of the game. Who can forget the Icky Shuffle? Who doesn't enjoy watching a Lambeau Leap? However, Chad Johnson, who recently legally changed his name to Chad Ocho Cinco, has put himself in a put up or shut up situation in 2008.
Continue reading "Put Up or Shut Up for Big Mouth OchoCinco"
Posted by Frederick Barry | No comments yet
A big thanks to everyone who participated in the "Inbound Link Contest". We have a winner! A big congratulations go out to Marija. Thank you for all your hard work on this. While we had a lot of people participate, Marija was able to win with only 4 links! So it wouldn't have taken a lot to win this contest! We'll be having another contest soon so stay tuned.
Posted by Earn Money Blogging | No comments yet
The Cincinnati Bengals need a new owner. They just can't go on with Mike Brown. How can you have a team as loaded as the Bengals, and miss the playoffs for two straight seasons? How can you have a coach as good as Marvin Lewis, and not give him the proper help on defense that he needs? How can you still have the smallest scouting department in pro football (check Michael Silver's best/worst owner article on Yahoo Sports)? How can you have alienated the best wide-out in pro football? (Chad Johnson)
Posted by Greg Simms Jr. | No comments yet
To try and motivate our bloggers to get inbound links we're going to have a contest to see which blogger can get the most inbound links to their blog. The contest begins now and ends July 31st, 2008. To be entered in to the contest all you have to do is go out and get as many websites to link to your blog as you can and at the end of the month send us an email listing all those links. All links must be active from August 1st through August 7th when we'll be judging the entries - a winner will be announced on August 7th. All entry emails must be received by Midnight on July 31st, 2008. You can email them to sportsfan@nbabasketballonline.com
Posted by Earn Money Blogging | No comments yet
Jeff Christensen believes the quarterback position is broken.
And he’s just the guy to fix it.
“Kids today,” says the founder of Throw It Deep Passing Academy, “and when I say kids I mean 19, 20, 21 years old. They think because they throw a pretty spiral they’ve done something. It’s mind-boggling.”
Posted by Jon Kerr | No comments yet
Normally, I am not one to be easily swayed by conspiracy theories, but after delving into Eliot Asinof's Eight Men Out, I am convinced that anything is possible (in a much more troubling and somber manner than KG's interpretation of the phrase after winning the title) in the world of sports and the NBA could easily be fixing games and forcing action. In case you didn't know,Asinof's book chronicles the fixing of the 1919 World Series, in which several of the Chicago White Sox' best players conspired with notorious gamblers and bettors to intentionally lose the World Series to the less talented Cincinnati Reds.
Posted by David Trageser | 2 comments
A few select knuckleheads are in the sporting headlines today. The prospect of taking a few cheap shots at them is much too rich for me to pass up, as any loyal readers of this blog know, and I don't want to disappoint anyone. So, without further delay, and since Game 4 of the NBA Finals is approaching quickly, here are the three objects of my scorn and ridicule.
Continue reading "This sports trio not the hat trick you want"
Posted by Bill Koch | 1 comment
The Patriots aren't have a great off-season. After losing Super Bowl XLII, running back Kevin Faulk is found with a little bit of pot in his car. Reserve safety Willie Andrews trumps Faulk by being arrested with a bunch of weed and wads of cash.
Posted by Randolph Charlotin | No comments yet
Posted by Jordan Kelman | No comments yet
Will someone please tell me which sports broadcaster is responsible for this infectious strain that has spread rapidly throughout the world of dumbed down sports-talk.
"Well, the Bengals have really scuffled this season."
Posted by Kevin Witte | No comments yet
Posted by Randolph Charlotin | No comments yet
There's a lot of talk going on, starting with the Miami Dolphins talking contract with Jake Long and Vernon Gholston. And the talk that died down between Dallas and Tennessee has sparked back up.
Posted by Randolph Charlotin | 1 comment
http://wizbangsports.com/2008/04/wr_chris_henry_charged_with_as.
Once again a Cincinnati Bengal is in trouble with the law.
Bengals wide receiver Chris Henry has been accused of punching an 18-year-old man in the face and breaking his car window with a beer bottle, according to court documents filed Wednesday. Henry, 24, was charged with misdemeanor assault and criminal damaging in the Monday incident in Cincinnati. A warrant for his arrest was issued in Hamilton County Municipal Court.
Posted by Brent Blaze | No comments yet
As many of you might be aware I find NFL mock drafts to be somewhat of a waste of time (scroll down for earlier post) but I can't claim to even be a respectable football blogger without posting a mock of my own. So, without further ado, here's how I see the NFL Draft going down in t-minus 25 days...
Posted by Mike Dussault | No comments yet
What better day to release a mock draft than on April Fools Day? No one takes these seriously anyway. Even funnier, people do this as if it has any reliability. Yet every year fans and experts can't resist to make an attempt at predicting who goes where in the first round. It's crazy, really.
Posted by Randolph Charlotin | 1 comment
Posted by Trampus Adams | No comments yet
On Sunday, the Cleveland Browns won their tenth game of the season against a San Francisco team in disarray. A season that started off so poorly in Week 1 resulted in expectations being surpassed for Browns’ fans.
Posted by Michael Langston Moore | No comments yet
It took me a couple of weeks to digest this development. Chuck Bresnahan became the first casualty of Carson Palmer's ire, being relieved of his duties as Defensive Coordinator not long after Palmer opined the Bengals couldn't win with the current coaching staff.
Posted by Greg Stephens | No comments yet
Shaun Smith, former defensive end for the Cincinnati Bengals and current Cleveland Brown, had some harsh words for a certain former teammate of his following the Browns loss to his former club. Surprisingly, he didn't call out Coach Marvin Lewis for letting him go, or Chad Johnson for his antics. Smith called out the Bengals' kicker. That's right...the kicker, Shayne Graham.
Posted by Greg Stephens | No comments yet
