2010: Run Marvin, Run vs. Pass Marvin, Pass.
Okay, so they’re not quite the ’70s Chargers, ’80s Dolphins or even the ’05 Bengals yet, but Whodey Nation’s gotta be at least a little jazzed, because Terrell Owens is still the real deal, and rookies Jermaine Gresham and Jordan Shipley are making this passing game better. A lot better. So what now?
Our Cincinnati Football Bengals (3-2) last night concluded the 2010 NFL Knee-Season with a 30-28 trouncing of our next-door-neighbor Indy Colt. So what now?
Of the pressing questions surrounding this 2010 Bengals team, none were more important than the status of Carson & Company. Is Carson Palmer done with? Who’s the No. 1 WR? Is there a No. 1 WR? Can Gresham be a factor? Will Shipley contribute in the slot? The list goes on and on.
After the Can’ton Calapse, Cincinnati’s offense did show life in most of the following Knee-Season games – and most notably, providing a peek at Palmer 2.0. After an atrocious start in the HOF Game, Palmer’s 2010 Knee-Season stats turned out just fine – 42 of 59 (71%) for 415 yard and couple TDs. And Owens rocked, Gresham shined – and Shipley didn’t disappoint.
Okay, so what now?
Because it doesn’t take a rocket surgeon to know head coach Marvin Lewis really, really likes running the football – nor does it require brain scientists to know this team can really, really throw the ball. So which Marvin wins out? Honestly, I have no clue.
My powerful Jedi instincts say Lewis is slightly intrigued by the apparent re-emergence of the Bengals passing game, with the Owens, Gresham and Shipley additions giving strong call-backs to that bad-ass ’05 air attack (yeah, yeah, yeah, I know they haven’t gone up against the live ammo of real NFL first-team defenses in a regular-season game – but trust me, these guys can play).
But is it enough to squeeze out Lewis’ frakken Baltimore Ravens defensive coordinator mentality? Will 2010 basically be 2009 with a few meaningless, stat-padding passes thrown in? Which Marvin Lewis game face do we see in ’10? Is it Marvin with the runs, again … or Lewis with balls in the air?
{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }
Lewis will go into the NE game with a running game plan. If the pass starts working he might after a few weeks let Palmer throw a little more than than last year.
I can’t see Lewis letting it fly this year. He’s in love with the run so Benson will be the offense again this year. Sucks.
Guys, I’m just getting nervous that all this passing game potential is going to be wasted on Lewis’ 2010 Ravens philosophy (hand it off a lot, and play good D). Any high-octane passing game needs to throw it a lot in order to get that timing down. I just fear Lewis won’t throw it a lot.
HOPE I’M WRONG!!
If the passing game clicks even Lewis will have to break down and throw it. Let’s hope Carson gets off to a fast start and not give Lewis any reason to run it 100 times a game.