WhoDeyRevolution

Strategery - 4th Down Edition

As I settle down on my couch, with laptop comfortably resting on my lap, preparing to launch yet another scathing, profanity laced critique of the Bengals, I sometimes wonder to myself, "Why do I, who has never played more than a few downs of JV football in my life (and miserably at that), think I have the right to judge those in charge of the Bengals?  Do I actually believe I could run the organization better myself?" 

And, in weaker moments, when I am sometimes about to give in and admit that, "Okay, maybe lil' ol' me, armed only with years of passive observation of the sport and some data the interwebs has provided me, is in fact outmatched by the cumulative lifetimes of hands-on experience of the Brown Family and Bengals' Staff"...I see a stat like this and all doubts are sent fleeing to the farthest recesses of my mind.

In 2007, the Bengals were ranked 27th in the league in attempts to convert on 4th down, with 12 total attempts to convert on 4th down all season - 2 more than the lowest total in the NFL.

Message to Front Office: *&%*!$! Sign Rivers

Now that Sedrick Ellis has agreed to a five year deal with the New Orleans Saints, the Bengals are one of two remaining teams who drafted in the top 15 that have not signed their 1st round pick.  Given that the Bengals have a history of "waiting and seeing" both on draft day and in getting their first round picks signed, WDR wonders how long our first round and 9th overall pick, Keith Rivers, will remain unsigned and not participate in training camp. 

There have been obstacles to reaching agreement.  Who knows what Rivers is insisting on?  Perhaps it is unreasonable.  2010 is currently an uncapped year, which throws a wrench into negotiations.  Also, the other outstanding pick is 8th round selection, Derrick Harvey of the Jacksonville Jaguars.  Without this pick, Rivers isn't slotted by having a contract ceiling created by the 8th overall pick and a floor created by the 10th overall pick.  However, while the Chickster has a good message for Rivers (which is probably somewhat accurate), WDR has a message for the Bengals' front office.  13 other teams in the top 15 have gotten their pick signed!  13 out of 15 teams have overcome these obstacles.  Last year, our linebacker corps was HORRIBLE, maybe the worst in NFL history.  We had Chinedum Ndukwe, a 7th round pick and safety, playing linebacker for a good part of a game last year.  We took a stud young defensive end (Robert Geathers) off his course in his development so he could fill the gap and play linebacker for part of the season.  We need our first round linebacker in camp as soon as possible to lead the defense and provide stability to this unit.   Must we wait for Jacksonville to come to terms?  Are we really fine with letting everyone else in the NFL figure their salaries out and getting their players into camp on time while ours are not?  Is that what it's come to? Get it done already!

Training Camp Preview - Part III

Previously, on Who Dey Revolution (Part I - Part II)

August 6th

Jerry Jones calls Mike Brown to offer him three first-round picks (2009, 2010, and 2012) for Chad Johnson.  Mike Brown doesn’t believe that Jerry Jones bought the Cowboys from Bum Bright in 1989; in fact, he’s never even heard of Jerry Jones and thus doesn’t take the deal seriously. 

Carson Palmer, fearing that the team is going to cut brother Jordan, switches jerseys with his bro to try to save him.  “New Jordan ” Palmer destroys the first-team defense.  People start to wonder what’s up with “Regular Carson” Palmer, who has an off day at practice.

Dr. Nick Riviera is Mike Brown's kind of doctor

Over the last couple of years, there has been a disturbing trend where Bengals go down with seemingly not-that-bad injuries and don't return for extended periods of time. This trend didn't take long to cast a shadow over 2008 now that Antwan Odom has experienced an "ankle sprain". Will he be back in a week or two? Or will he be hobbling around on crutches for the next couple/several months? I think it's clear which one is more likely.

Here is a brief list of the Bengal Medical Staff's resume.

Ahmad Brooks - Hurt his groin early in the 2007 season. Our medical staff said it would not sideline him for long. The same medical staff, apparently headed by Dr. Nick Riviera, could not get him back on the field last year. It might not have been their fault, but who's kidding, it was. Either they misdiagnosed the seriousness of the injury or they took the wrong route in rehabbing him. Probably a strong concentration of both. Also, several other linebackers last year were injured. Dhani Jones only avoided missing time because he dabbles in medicine and kept himself healthy.

Carson Palmer - Made a miraculous comeback from the worst knee injury in the history of knee injuries. Would be a bright spot for the staff except that Palmer wisely chose to go outside the Bengal's organization for the surgery and rehab.

Kenny Irons - Official Dr. Nick Riviera diagnosis: Tore something in one of his legs. Career possibly over after Riviera tried to replace the torn something with heavy duty rubber bands.

Chris Perry - His legs were apparently made in China, so I'm not blaming the medical staff for this one.

David Pollack - Everyone knows spine and neck injuries are the easiest injuries to heal. The staff definitely dropped the ball on this one.

Levi Jones - Staff told him he could play on healing knee only to have him hurt it even worse and sideline him for more time.

Peter Warrick - Came back from injury to help the Bengal's beat the undefeated Chief's in Marvin's first year. Too bad he never played a meaningful snap again after his heroics.

Tab Perry and Ethan Kilmer - Both missed entire seasons due to injuries.

Odom Injured

The Bengals season started off with a bang this morning, as free-agent defensive end Antwan Odom went down with an ankle injury in the first practice of training camp.  Many observers, Bengals.com Geoff Hobson included, said the injury looked 'major'. 

Here at WDR, we hope the Bengals (and Bengals fans) do not use the Odom injury as an excuse.  EVERY team goes through injuries, and while Odom is the highest paid free agent in club history...if the Bengals were counting on him alone to take this team from 7-9 to a Super Bowl...we are in trouble.

It's time for other players to step up.  If the injury is serious, Mr. Frostee Rucker, come on down.  Jonathan Fanene and Eric Henderson could see time at end as well.  Last year in the playoffs, the Chargers lost both their starting quarterback, and starting running back...on the road in Indy...and still found a way to win.  That's what the Bengals need to do, find a way. 

2008 vs. 2007 - Personnel Comparison: Defensive Tackles

WDR brings home the 2008 vs. 2007 personnel comparison in analyzing the defensive line.  Because there is much to say about the unit, we'll break the articles up between defensive tackles and defensive ends.  A solid defensive line can make an entire defensive unit excel.  Exhibit A: The Super Bowl champion New York Football Giants.  While the Giants had adequate linebackers, they were by no means dominant.  They also had a young secondary that was fairly shaky throughout the year.  But the Giants' defensive line, led by Michael Strahan, Osi Umenyiora and Justin Tuck, led the league in sacks, stuffed the run and consistently pressured and downright punished opposing quarterbacks.  The strong play from the D-line takes pressure off the rest of the defense and makes their jobs easier.  The linebackers have cleaner shots at running backs and cleaner lanes to get to the quarterback when the D-line takes up blockers.  The secondary and linebackers also don't have to cover as long when the D-line doesn't give the quarterback tons of time to throw.  And a solid D-line can force poor throws from the best of them (even Tom Brady as seen in the Super Bowl). 

Unfortunately, the Bengals haven't had a solid defensive line in quite some time.  Last year, the Bengals ranked dead last in the NFL in sacks with a paltry 22 (this compared with the NY Giants 53 sacks).  The previous year, they tied for 15th with 35 and in 2005, we tied for 28th with 28 sacks.  While a D-line shouldn't just be measured by sacks, it's not like we've been regularly stuffing the run (rush defense ranked 21st, 15th and 20th the last three years) or getting in the QB's face enough to disrupt the opponents' passing attack (Pass defense ranked 26th, tied for last and 26th the last three years).  Given the importance of a solid defensive line and what it can do to the other team's offense, our ability to improve at defensive tackle and defensive end will be crucial to our 2008 success.

Chad Johnson: A Summary of His Value as a Bengal in 2008 (UPDATED)

On June 3rd, WDR noted that there were likely two potential versions of Chad Johnson that would take the field this year.  In summary, these versions were:

1. A Chad who is no longer as committed to the Bengals who sandbags his effort this year and is a distraction in general.

2. A Chad who is still committed to performance on the field (won't sabotage his future earnings potential) and is a distraction in general.

In recent interviews and chats, Chad has said the offseason stunts were all business and that he loves his fans and Cincinnati and is ready to put on a show again this year.

This confirms that we are probably dealing with version number 2 of Chad.  Not the worst thing in the world, but not what we had in the past, sadly.  However, it's important to elaborate even further with a few more possible outcomes.

Mike Brown gets semi-served by C. Trent Rosecrans & Gildenstern

My boy C. Trent recently took the wood to Mikey Brown in a question and answer session. Towards the end of the interview, C. Trent and Mikey were discussing the Collective Bargaining Agreement, at which point Brown started to use a bunch of cliches and generic phrases like "There's lots of ways to skin a cat" and "...we have cut the cloth accordingly."
 
Basically Brown alluded to the point that the CBA makes all teams competitive in this league. That is where C Trent's genius steps in with this statement:

"Some would argue you have not been successful in that time."

Not knowing what to say, Brown basically brushed it off and said,"We've been at the midpoint and we want to get over the hump and do better than that." 

"We want to do better than that?"  How about, "We want to win a Super Bowl!"  Is better than the midpoint (9-7) all we are really shooting for????  If you had any doubt that the goal of the Bengals is just enough above mediocrity to avoid upsetting the masses,  here is your proof otherwise.   If you're expectations are like mine, than you are part of WhoDeyRevolution.

Mike Brown to Fans: I Refuse to Change

Perhaps I'm reading between the lines too much here, but considering Mike Brown makes one public appearance per year, I'm left with little material from which to psychoanalyze our stoic, shell of an owner.  Since Bengals.com provided us with a series of roughly five outtakes from the wayward son, I will do my best to respond to each and try to expound upon what the hermit-like Brown truly meant to say.  The following excerpts are taken from Bengals.com, available here.

On the potential for an uncapped season in 2010:

"It depends on how it's structured. We've been able to fend here," Brown said at the annual training camp media luncheon. "We don't have the revenues other teams have and we have cut the cloth accordingly and we do. And yet I think we can make it work doing it the way we're doing it. We can be competitive."

Yes, Mike, you have "cut the cloth accordingly."  By which, I take it, you mean that you bilked Bengals fans, Hamilton County taxpayers, and the city of Cincinnati out of millions upon millions of dollars for your own personal financial gain without the slightest regard for putting together the semblence of a professional team.  Bravo, Scrooge McDuck.

And as for 'competitive,' last I checked, we have the longest streak WITHOUT a playoff win in the NFL.  So if by competitive, you mean "worst in the league," then yes, we are competitive.  Jackass.

Getting our Priorities in Order (notwithstanding the previous post)

Dear Ohio State fans Angered by Carson Palmer's comments:

Are you really that angered by our quarterback's comments?  Is it really that surprising?  Get over yourself.  You guys are the most obnoxius sports fans known to man so much that over half of Cincinnati chooses not to root for you.  Multiple times throughout my life, I have attempted to root for you but just couldn't because of one underlying reason...you are just too annoying.  Anyone who is not a Buckeye fan is annoyed by OSU fans.  You of all people should realize that considering your pride and related lack of tolerance for....everyone.  Given the vulgarities and harsh treatment of opposing fans in the horse shoe and around Columbus generally, if anyone should understand the pride that comes along with being an alumni of a university, it is you.  But instead, with a lack of thought of how you would answer the questions posed to Carson Palmer (from a California based radio station), you have chosen to play the role of toddler with poopy pants and cry, call radio stations and insist that you won't wear Palmer's jersey on Sundays.  Boo freaking hoo.  "The quarterback of the professional team an hour and a half south of our university who grew up in California and played college football there isn't a fan of our football team!  That's bull sh*t!"  What kind of a response is that? (A stupid one).  Do you think A.J. Hawk suddenly pulls for Wisconsin?  Do you think Eddie George became a University of Tenessee fan?  And more importantly, don't you have anything better to do than get offended, e-mail Geoff Hobson and call radio stations about a USC graduate's predictable comments? 

I really do give cheering for Ohio State a shot every year but it always falls apart at some point in the college football season.  This year, it was before the season even began.  On September 13th...Go Trojans.  Go USC.  Only one thing could ever get me to say that...your annoyance.

Sincerely,

One of Many in Cincinnati

P.S.  Sorry Klingered...had to get QB 1's back.