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Around SBN: NFL Week One: Previews and Predictions for all 15 games

Questions about the Bengals?

Hey fellas. The name is Josh Kirkendall, and I'm the feature writer for Cincy Jungle -- the Battle Red Blog equivalent representing the Cincinnati Bengals. The Bengals are special in one way; we're the only 0-7 team in the NFL heading into our matchup this weekend.

If you have any questions about my totally awesome team, write them up and I'll respond -- and encourage my readers to come over to give more perspectives.

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Bye week fiasco

How pissed were you about the whole changing of the game date after the hurricane?

Yay, sports.

by MDC on Oct 22, 2008 12:12 PM CDT reply actions  

Well

Probably not as pissed as I was sitting in the dark & heat for 14 days.

So you're saying that now I have to think of some witty Sig that will be applicable across all the SBN sites? Go TexanHornStros!

by Shake on Oct 22, 2008 12:18 PM CDT up reply actions  

Would you rather

sit in the dark and heat for a fortnight or live in Dallas with power and A/C for a year?

Yay, sports.

by MDC on Oct 22, 2008 12:24 PM CDT up reply actions  

...

Not that it’s anywhere close to the same thing, but Cincinnati got hit hard by the storm, mostly knocking out power to nearly 600,000 in the area alone. We just got the wind, and it reportedly killed power to nearly 2 million in the state of Ohio. Nuts.

Blogger at CincyJungle.com -- SB Nation Cincinnati Bengals blog.

by Josh Kirkendall on Oct 22, 2008 12:30 PM CDT up reply actions  

Re: the bye

So, seeing how the storm affected you, were you guys a little more understanding about moving the game date?

Yay, sports.

by MDC on Oct 22, 2008 12:31 PM CDT up reply actions  

RE:

Yea. No one cared; players, coaches, media or fans. It was like six weeks away anyway, so it didn’t matter.

Blogger at CincyJungle.com -- SB Nation Cincinnati Bengals blog.

by Josh Kirkendall on Oct 22, 2008 2:28 PM CDT up reply actions  

I'd rather

Live almost anywhere else but Dallas, regardless of whether or not I have power.

by tehGrindCrusher on Oct 22, 2008 12:53 PM CDT up reply actions  

Agreed

Not even a decision to be made with this question

So you're saying that now I have to think of some witty Sig that will be applicable across all the SBN sites? Go TexanHornStros!

by Shake on Oct 22, 2008 4:10 PM CDT up reply actions  

85

How come it still says “C. Johnson” on the back of his jersey? I for one was a fan of the legal name change just to F with the league.

So you're saying that now I have to think of some witty Sig that will be applicable across all the SBN sites? Go TexanHornStros!

by Shake on Oct 22, 2008 12:17 PM CDT reply actions  

RE:

That’s still an issue with Reebok. In order for him to have name changed on the back of his jersey, Johnson was required to buy out the remaining stock of unsold C.Johnson jersey’s. Reportedly Johnson would owe Reebok nearly $4 million to purchase the remaining stock, at which time, he’d be allowed to switch it over. The NFL supports Reebok on this one, being the official jersey and all.

Johnson also — again, reportedly — said he was going to change his name back after the year, more or less making this a quick rich scheme for him. And the league doesn’t want to allow that precedence. Long story short, Reebok and the NFL is making it hard for him to change his name on his jersey.

Since we’re really not sure what to call him anymore, we just say “Chad”.

Blogger at CincyJungle.com -- SB Nation Cincinnati Bengals blog.

by Josh Kirkendall on Oct 22, 2008 12:24 PM CDT up reply actions  

Tell us a little

About your defense. I think we’re all pretty aware of the weapons you guys have on the offensive side of the ball, but I for one don’t know too much about your d.

Also, I understand your O-line is a bit porous. How worried are you about Mario Williams?

by tehGrindCrusher on Oct 22, 2008 12:58 PM CDT reply actions  

RE: Defense.

For the most part, our defense had actually done well (despite the stats and points allowed and all that). Two things have factored into the perception that they’re a bad defense; (1) our offense leads the league with some 50+ three and outs (so our defense is worn out quickly) and (2) we’re still giving up big plays that deflate the team as a whole.

Our bookends pass rushers were designed to be chaotic. Instead, they’ve been more than pedestrian. In fact, they’ve been awful — that’s over $60 million invested into Antwan Odom and Robert Geathers and they haven’t even three sacks between them. And Odom is terrible on the edge during running plays. Rookie defensive tackle Pat Sims has done nicely in two games played, and Domata Peko is decent when the flow goes away from him — double team him and he’s likely driven 10 yards backwards.

Dhani Jones is our middle linebacker and led the NFL with most tackles much of the season (second now to D.J. Williams who recorded 16 tackles against the Patriots last week). Brandon Johnson will replace Keith Rivers at WILL, who is a massive downgrade, but serviceable.

Our secondary is young, impressionable and talented. But where they make tremendous plays, they’ve also forgotten about over-the-top coverage. When a guy like Nate Washington gets burns our secondary, you know there’s flaws. Also watch for additional blitzes with Dexter Jackson back.

I suppose like most teams, when our defense is on, we can be one hellva impressive unit. However, we give up too many big plays that sucks the life of them.

Blogger at CincyJungle.com -- SB Nation Cincinnati Bengals blog.

by Josh Kirkendall on Oct 22, 2008 2:40 PM CDT up reply actions  

RE: Mario Williams

Last week, against the Steelers, the Bengals gave up seven sacks. However, most of them were from blitzing linebackers and only one of them came off a guy that our offensive line was blocking; the others were from bad blocks from our running back (4 on Kenny Watson) and tight end.

I’m not sure if Mario lines up strictly at right defensive end, or if they move him around. But if he’s on Levi Jones, then Mario could have a big game. Jones gets fat injected into his knees every week to help build the cartridge — no, I don’t know how that works, but us minions are like, “oooohhhh, that can’t be good… at all.” Once, he was among the league leaders in sacks allowed; now he’s a shell.

On the other hand, we played the Giants and Cowboys and shutout Justin Tuck and gave up a late fourth-quarter sack to Ware when the game really didn’t matter. Now the question of the supporting cast sacking Fitzpatrick (who tends to move around alot), really increases.

Blogger at CincyJungle.com -- SB Nation Cincinnati Bengals blog.

by Josh Kirkendall on Oct 22, 2008 2:48 PM CDT up reply actions  

Thanks

FWIW Mario is known to move around the line a little. He got two sacks against Peyton from RDE (iirc) but at least one of his sacks against Miami was from another position (think it was LDE).

Other than him, though, our pass rush is a bit inconsistent.

by tehGrindCrusher on Oct 22, 2008 3:21 PM CDT up reply actions  

Tackles

Just for your info, as written above, our left tackle is Levi Jones

Our right tackle is the “franchise” Stacy Andrews — who’s much stronger as a run blocker.

Blogger at CincyJungle.com -- SB Nation Cincinnati Bengals blog.

by Josh Kirkendall on Oct 22, 2008 6:01 PM CDT up reply actions  

Fat injected into his knees?

Don’t be surprised to see Travis Johnson gnawing on one of his kneecaps.

by Nashmeister on Oct 22, 2008 5:31 PM CDT up reply actions  

Mine!

#1: Does the Houston Police Department need a substantially larger presence while the team is in town? Or should we just call the National Guard for assistance?

#2: Hines Ward vs. Rodney Harrison: Who’s the bigger *hole?

by bigfatdrunk on Oct 22, 2008 1:49 PM CDT reply actions  

RE:

1) Chris Henry will be in town, so preparation is never a bad thing. However, be assured that Reggie McNeal is still playing in the CFL.

2) Hines Ward. Hines Ward. Hines Ward.

Blogger at CincyJungle.com -- SB Nation Cincinnati Bengals blog.

by Josh Kirkendall on Oct 22, 2008 2:29 PM CDT up reply actions  

and as a follow-up to BTBD's original follow-up to my actual question...

I’ve been impressed with Rivers from what I’ve seen. I think he could’ve been that game-changer this year.

I’d still go with Harrison, though. He seems like the type of player who bite the nearest nut-sack in a pile-up.

by bigfatdrunk on Oct 22, 2008 10:08 PM CDT up reply actions  

Related to bfd's #2 question...

Actually how big is the Rivers loss? Was he a key player in your defense (like DeMeco to the Texans) or just a guy who barely won the spot out of training camp? Will it be tough to fill the hole left by him? How can the Texans take advantage of this?

by BigTexBD on Oct 22, 2008 2:14 PM CDT reply actions  

Re:

Rivers was solid. He had great speed going from sideline to sideline, though he left his feet a lot. But he was a tackler, for sure. He wasn’t a play-maker or a game-changer… at least not yet. He has seven career games at this point, so the loss, I believe will be minimal in that he wasn’t making plays, sacking the quarterback or causing turnovers. Just making tackles after 3-4 yard gains; not in the backfield much.

His replacement, on the other hand, isn’t even close to Rivers’ level. Brandon Johnson had a chance to level Hines Ward after Ward broke Rivers’ jaw. Instead of laying him out, he sidestepped him because the pass he was thrown went wide and incomplete. No doubt, it would have been a personal foul if he laid Ward out, but see, that’s the problem with the Bengals. We don’t have those killer instinct type of defenders. Offenses tend to walk over us.

We have guys in place that could be starters anywhere else. It’s the other guys that makes the defense so horrible at times.

Blogger at CincyJungle.com -- SB Nation Cincinnati Bengals blog.

by Josh Kirkendall on Oct 22, 2008 2:54 PM CDT up reply actions  

Keep the Questions coming.

By the way, this is sort of a rivalry game for me. I was born in Texas (El Paso, actually), but most of my family was raised around Houston; some moved on to San Antonio and Austin. So I’m really pumped for a win this weekend so my family can stop feeling sorry for me. :)

Blogger at CincyJungle.com -- SB Nation Cincinnati Bengals blog.

by Josh Kirkendall on Oct 22, 2008 3:01 PM CDT reply actions  

Don't take it the wrong way

But I hope that your family will keep feeling sorry for you for one more week. =)

Although it’s hard to imagine Houstonians feeling sorry for any other team’s fans, all things considered. Unless your fmaily is Cowboys fans, in which case, they suck (no offense)>

by tehGrindCrusher on Oct 22, 2008 3:23 PM CDT up reply actions   1 recs

RE:

LOL. No, they’ve Houston lifers… big time Oilers fans.

How has Houston warmed to the Texans? I mean other than the obvious NFL team type of acceptance. Is it anything like the days of the Oilers?

Blogger at CincyJungle.com -- SB Nation Cincinnati Bengals blog.

by Josh Kirkendall on Oct 22, 2008 6:00 PM CDT up reply actions  

Texans v. Oilers

The town definitely hasn’t embraced the Texans like the Oilers were loved in the good ol’ days. It’ll come, though. Step One: Win more than you lose. We’re still working on that part.

Looking forward to a day when being a Texans fan doesn't mean that April is the highlight of my season...

by Tim on Oct 22, 2008 9:57 PM CDT up reply actions  

Actually, yes, I am.

You know him?

Blogger at CincyJungle.com -- SB Nation Cincinnati Bengals blog.

by Josh Kirkendall on Oct 23, 2008 8:02 AM CDT up reply actions  

Nope.

Just know of him through the blog. He’s linked to mine a couple times and we’ve exchanged a few emails. I just noticed the name and wondered.
-
Back to football: When the Titans let Odom go, I thought they were making a mistake because he really seemed to play well for them last year. Why do you think he’s struggled with you guys? Is he just one of those guys who needs a dominant DT beside him to free him up?

Yay, sports.

by MDC on Oct 23, 2008 8:49 AM CDT up reply actions  

RE:

There hasn’t been many situations where our defensive ends can pin their ears back, and go all out against the pass. In many cases, during third down situations — where the league records most of the sacks — the Bengals are typically left with a third-and-two, or third-and-five to defend, which keeps the defense still thinking run.

However, when we’re pass rushing, guys like Robert Geathers and Odom are being matched up, unable to shed the block, or use their speed to get around tackles. Plus the Bengals defense isn’t real good at masking their blitzes, or creating favorable match ups.

Blogger at CincyJungle.com -- SB Nation Cincinnati Bengals blog.

by Josh Kirkendall on Oct 23, 2008 9:01 AM CDT up reply actions  

Ryan Fitzpatrick

How well does he respond to pressure? In the Steeler game last week it looked like he wilted quite a bit when Harrison and Woodley were tag teaming him, but they did that to the Texans as well.

What do you guys think about how Kevin Walter has blossomed since coming to Houston?

by b0ng on Oct 23, 2008 6:24 PM CDT reply actions  

Fitzpatrick

Personally, I’m not all that impressed. Typically, he takes his drop backs, looks for one (maybe two tops) receiver and bails. I’ve never much cared for quarterbacks that run, simply because they leave the pocket and defenders are easily crowding around them. But that’s just a personal thing.

On the other hand, the line hasn’t been great this year, and supporting pass protectors (TE, RB) have been awful. So Fitz is forced to leave the pocket quickly. So defenders get generous sack totals against Fitz because he’s looking to run the ball.

All in all, our deeper passing patterns fail to develop because the time to release the ball is shortened. It also potentially leads to picks.

And when he runs, he stops looking down field for a receiver.

Then again, we’re super-spoiled with Carson Palmer.

Blogger at CincyJungle.com -- SB Nation Cincinnati Bengals blog.

by Josh Kirkendall on Oct 24, 2008 10:31 AM CDT up reply actions  

Kevin Walter

Walter was always a fan favorite and we were sad to see him go. He wasn’t so much a receiver as he was a special teams ace, leading the team with special teams tackles in ‘05. I am glad he’s succeeding elsewhere. He’s a good player, and a good person.

Blogger at CincyJungle.com -- SB Nation Cincinnati Bengals blog.

by Josh Kirkendall on Oct 24, 2008 10:32 AM CDT up reply actions  

Re: Walter's special teams tackles leader

I didn’t know that before, but it certainly fits him.

Got Texans? Visit BattleRedBlog.com for the latest on your Houston Texans!

by SOLIS on Oct 24, 2008 12:24 PM CDT up reply actions  

He is good

I like him alot. He has the hands and the agility.

by TexanFanFromTheStart on Oct 23, 2008 8:18 PM CDT reply actions  

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