Visions from '08. This OL is better, but not good enough.
Let us bow our heads and give thanks. We’re three games into this meat grinder called NFL Preseason, and so far just one player lost for the year. Just one. So far. But as Nuff tells us – close your eyes and hold your breath.
In the Friday Night Lights against the dangerous Philadelphia Eagles at PB Stadium, the Boys In Stripes gave us just enough to satisfy the hunger. Just enough to quench the thirst. Just enough to feel “okay” after Meat Grinder Game 3.
I mean, is anyone wagering their house (providing you still have one) the Bengals win the 2010 Super Bowl? Umm, not quite yet. But I have to say, it’s been a weird preseason, because I’ve seen exactly the same number of events that both excite and concern me. For today’s post, I’ll share my Five Biggest Concerns.
Way Less Than Stellar, But Better Than Totally Suckin’ OL Play. Make no mistake, Carson Palmer and this team is only as good as the offensive line. My pornographic – ooops, I mean photographic – memory vividly recalls in ’05 Palmer nesting in large, comfortable pockets for 3, 4 even 5 seconds.
While some are comparing the 2010 Bengals to the Super Bowl teams of ’82 and ’89, I say no way. Both those teams had Top 3 OLs (in my opinion the ’89 OL ranks as one of the NFL’s all-time greatest). There’s not one current Bengals OL’er that could start on those teams – and very few if any could even make the roster. While it’s not 2008 and visions of a bloody Palmer leaving the field, this 2010 OL is a MAJOR concern.
Key Bengals foes in '10 - Baltimore, Pittsburgh and Little Yellow Hankys.
Footin’ The Pill. Jeez I hate talkin’ about frakkin place kickers. I wish the NFL could find a way to entirely eliminate field goals from the game (but I digress). This auditioning new kickers thing has me worried. I was barely a Shane Graham fan, but as the season approaches I’m gettin’ icky mental images of one 35-yard field goal after another being missed – resulting in a stream of 1- and 3-point losses. Not good.
Endless, Mindless, Careless, Brainless, Excuseless Penalties. My poor typing fingers are drained. Wiped out. They have nothing left in the tank. Marvin Lewis-coached teams for whatever reason are simply incapable of eliminating endless, mindless, careless, brainless, excuseless penalties. It’s just a fact of life. So, I’m done ranting on this issue.
If you date Lindsay Lohan, you get a slutty girlfriend who can drink and drug you under the table. If you’re a Bengals fan, you get endless, mindless, careless, brainless, excuseless penalties every game. Goes with the territory, I guess.
Week In, Week Out Pass Rush. Don’t get me wrong, I’m big-time digging The Michael Johnson Experiment, and what Geno Atkins is showing. But can anyone with utmost confidence say this team has made dramatic steps forward in the pass rush? Look, no NFL team can have a sustained pass rush without at least one solid, pass-harrassing DE. And I remain unconvinced that either Robert Geathers or Antwan Odom is that DE. Are you?
BFFs Batman & Robin. Has anyone else noticed, every time the cameras pan to newcomer Terrell Owens and Chad Johnson on the sideline, the two are alone, off and away from other teammates? It’s great they’re super-duper BFFs and all, but I fear they either already have, or will, distance themselves from the rest of the team. Hope I’m wrong.
That’s my Five Biggest Concerns. What’s Yours?
{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }
The offensive line is the biggest issue going into the season. Yes the DEs are a big question, but the Oline is the make or break issue.
I’m OK with the offensive lines ability to run block. But not pass protect. I agree, this team will only be as good as the play of the OL.
With their eyes closed, the Bengals can rank as a Top 10 rushing team. Barring injuries, Benson will gain between 1,300 – 1,600 yards … Scott between 500 – 750. Leonard around 200 – 300. They got the ground game covered. But can they pass protect Palmer, or will he be forced out of a collasping the pocket on every throw? That’s the difference between a possible an 8-8/9-7 year, and a 12-4/13-3 year.
No I’m not sold on Geathers or Odom.