Forget About the Reds; Let's Talk Bengals' Playoffs

I enjoyed talking about things other than Reds baseball so much last week that I decided to try it again! This won't become the focus of the blog, but during the down time of offseason, why not?

First off, my obligatory thoughts on the Reds. For whatever reason, I'm not excited about this season, yet. Normally, I'm pumped and ready for baseball season right now. Usually that's because the Bengals are irrelevant. So maybe that's the difference. But last year was such a let down, there's just something missing. Maybe it's because I can see the window of opportunity closing quickly on this team, and I don't want to be caught when the window slams. I just see BP not having a contract extension, and knowing that Votto will be leaving in 2 years, and that two of my favorite players, Arroyo and Rolen, are probably on their last legs...it's kinda depressing. Sue me if I sound negative, but is Cueto, Latos, and Leake better than Greinke, Gallardo, and Marcum? Or Carpenter, Wainwright, and Garcia? I see the Reds having to slug their way to a division title/playoff appearance. I don't like the idea of that. Mainly because pitching wins. And the depth we all thought the Reds had in their pitching, it's not there. Just sayin'.

Someone get an APB out on Kenny Frease. Where
has the senior gone?//The Enquirer

As for basketball, really, really disappointed in my Xavier Musketeers. It borders on disgust, actually. I'm tired of seeing the blank expressions on Tu Holloway's face. Where's this team's toughness? They left it on the court after the fight apparently, because they never knew what toughness was in the first place. I liked the attitude that this team had in that it was willing to start a fight. But they took that literally. Maybe a cupcake schedule in the A10 will get this team back in gear. UC's easy schedule certainly helped them. I still think the Muskies can make a deep NCAA run. I liken this team to the days of Chalmers, Sato, and Myles, the team that took Duke to the wire in the Elite 8. They lost to Ball State, Iowa State, Duquesne (twice), Richmond, George Washington, and Dayton. Then they thumped an undefeated and #1 St. Joe's by 20. They beat Louisville, and a Mississippi St. team (whom they lost to by 12 earlier in the year) by 15. And Texas by 8. They lost to Duke in a classic by 3. That team put it together on the strength of their guards and their senior big man, after being 2-5 at one point in the A10. Guard play wins in the tournament. It can again for Xavier. It starts tonight against La Salle, where I think XU makes a statement: Xavier 87, La Salle 60.

Mick Cronin might be the Big East Coach of
the Year when all is said and done.//
USPRESSWIRE/Charles LeClaire

Now, before any UC fan jumps on me, the Cats beat Wright State (8-8), Radford (3-13), Arkansas Pine-Bluff (1-13), and Chicago State (0-14). Not impressive. They beat an Oklahoma team that was 9-1 at the time, and came back from down 12 in the second half to do it. But Oklahoma has beaten who? Arkansas? Washington St.? They lost to the A10's St. Louis by 20 and a good Mizzou team by 38. Yes, the Sooners are an excellent rebounding team. They're not a tournament team. UC shot 27.9% for the game. So they won with, heart? Heart and team chemistry are important, obviously, considering that's something Xavier doesn't have. But, there's a certain amount of talent involved too. OU isn't a talented team. The Cats won't beat another team shooting 27.9%. My doubts about this team, however, changed when they went into Pitt and beat the ranked Panthers. Nonetheless, this is a Pitt team that has already lost 4 games, and 3 straight. They aren't Jamie Dixon's normal tough team. Remember, Long Beach State and Wagner also beat Pittsburgh on their home court. How much stock do we place in the win? I get that a win is a win. But you can understand my skepticism. If the Cats beat Notre Dame tonight, in front of what I'm hearing will be a sold out or near sold out 5/3rd, then I'll be a little more inclined to think this team is for real. I won't dismiss what they've done, though. It's impressive how they rallied. I need to see more though. And I think it starts tonight: Cincinnati 67, Notre Dame 66.

Gotta love sight of a sold out PBS.//The Enquirer/Jeff Swinger

Tough home loss for the Bengals against Baltimore, in a game that ended up not mattering. Both teams played tight, which meant big plays would win the game. And all three big plays broke the Ravens' way. Ray Rice's two long runs and Jermaine Gresham's fumble. Some will say the Bengals looked like they were playing not to lose. I disagree. This was an offense, being run by a rookie quarterback, with a rookie receiver as his top target, and a rookie coordinator, that was trying to feel its way through a big game. These Bengals haven't played in a game like this in a while. If Carson Palmer is under center, and Bob Bratkowski is calling plays (God forgive me for bringing up bad memories), the Bengals take risks. They knew the Ravens. These Bengals don't, especially these Ravens, you know, the ones with something big to play for. I also wonder whether or not the Jets' loss earlier in the day had any affect on this team. It meant they were already halfway home to the playoffs. Did they let off the gas? I doubt it - at least I hope they didn't.

I think that game was entirely the case of an entire team that wasn't ready for this stage. It was a good measure of this team, especially heading to Houston this week. I think they'll play much better, simply because they're facing an inferior opponent, starting either a rookie quarterback, or a turnover machine at quarterback. But Sunday, there was a lot going on. Forget the penalties and bad calls by the refs. I actually loved Gruden's game plan. It was simple, manage the game for Dalton, protect him, and give him easy throws.  It also meant pounding the run with a combo of Scott and Benson, while getting the ball to Gresham. Throw in Shipley for next year and I think we will see much of the same. A little surprised the Bengals didn't take some shots, but I think the wind, AJ's bum shoulder, and the Ravens sliding a safety over top of him probably explains that. The fourth quarter really showed me something. The Bengals wear teams down. They did it to Baltimore earlier in the year, and to Pittsburgh. They just didn't win, because they haven't quite learned how. They sure can come back though. The Ravens' defense was gassed in the fourth quarter.

The league should get used to seeing a lot of big plays from
this guy. //The Enquirer/Cara Owsley

16 points won't win you a ton of games. It does Sunday if the Bengals' defense holds up their end of the bargain a little better. Hold Baltimore to field goals on those drives, or nothing at all, by stopping Rice, and the game looks different. Also consider the Bengals and refs gave the Ravens 25 yards on penalties on that 80 yard drive at the end of the first half. There isn't a whole lot separating these two teams right now, nor is there a lot of difference between Dalton and Flacco. Pittsburgh and Baltimore fans will wake up in a year or two and see Dalton and the Bengals ahead in the division. And they will wonder what happened. Paul Daugherty has described them as ships passing in the night, and I couldn't agree more. Think about it. This team was supposed to win 2-5 games. They won 9. And that was with a retooling offense that hasn't tapped its potential, and a retooling defense. Let's face it, the Bengals are still missing another running back, receiver, one or two offensive lineman, Keith Rivers, Leon Hall, another corner, and two safeties. That's a lot. That defensive backfield is terrible. And they're going to the playoffs. Appreciate this team. They nearly beat Baltimore twice and Pittsburgh once with a team that is rebuilding. They are rebuilding and winning at the same time. That's unique.

The one man Bengals fans hate more than Mike Brown will
make his return to Cincinnati next fall.//AP

And for those who say the Bengals won't be good next year, simply because they played a weak schedule this year, think again. Cincinnati, with a good draft and a smart offseason, will win at least 9 games again next year. Plus, their schedule isn't exactly a back breaker. Here's their home games: Pittsburgh, Baltimore, Cleveland, New York Giants, Dallas, Oakland, San Diego, and Miami. Road: Pittsburgh, Baltimore, Cleveland, Washington, Philadelphia, Kansas City, Denver, and Jacksonville. Is that really so difficult? I can see 10 wins in there. We know they can beat Cleveland and Jacksonville. They will play tough against Baltimore and Pittsburgh, maybe splitting. The rest? New York, Dallas, Oakland, San Diego, Miami, Washington, Kansas City, and Denver are all winnable games. Philly is the toughest of them, considering they should be more focused next year, though that isn't a guarantee. I don't see Cincinnati folding next year. A second good year under their belt, and the Bengals could be ready for the tough first place schedule Pittsburgh and Baltimore face year in and year out.

Speaking of the schedule, how many prime time games do the Bengals get next year? I'm thinking three. A pair of Sunday nighters - at Baltimore and at Philadelphia. And I think they get a Monday night game in Cincinnati. That one is obvious. You know ESPN will want to have the game when Carson Palmer makes his return to Cincinnati. Book it. That's going to be an unbelievable night in this city.

Houston, we have a rematch. //The Enquirer/Jeff Swinger

And, in my opinion, the Bengals just became a dangerous team in the playoffs. Here's why: they have a capable quarterback, a big time play maker at receiver, and a solid defense. They are the most complete team in the playoffs, in the sense of being able to make plays with their passing and running game, while playing good defense. Granted, it doesn't mean Super Bowl for this team, but think about it: New England, Green Bay, and New Orleans can't play defense. Pittsburgh and Baltimore now struggle on offense. Bengals are dangerous, but they have to throw the ball. Part of me believes they will continue the 'control the clock and game' offense, but I think there is a good chance that the Bengals toss that out and let everything hang loose. That makes them dangerous. Also, consider that Andy Dalton had a better passer rating against Cleveland, Baltimore, and Pittsburgh when he faced them a second time. Zimmer will find a way to shut down that running game and make TJ Yates beat them. Bengals 20, Texans 17.

It's time to trust Dalton to do what he does best: win.//The
Enquirer/Jeff Swinger

I know that sets up a game in New England. If the Bengals throw the ball, instead of dedicating their time to the run, you think they've got a shot? I do. I don't know if they can win, but if they do, it sets up a likely rematch with Pittsburgh or Baltimore. I never count on a team being able to beat a team 3 times in a season. It's difficult to do. Could we really see the Bengals in the Super Bowl? No, probably not. But it's fun to think about. And it's fun to think about, because the Bengals have nothing to prove. They aren't supposed to be here. They can go out and have fun on Saturday and beyond. All those other teams feel pressure to win. Cincinnati doesn't. That alone makes them dangerous. They are happy to be in the playoffs, and everything else is gravy. So it's time to unleash Dalton, Green, and Simpson. Put your faith in the right arm of Dalton, and see if the Bengals can find a little magic from their second #14.

The Ravens are going to need more than a pedestrian effort
out of Flacco to win a Super Bowl.//The Enquirer/Michael E.
Keating

Meanwhile, what did Sunday's game say about Baltimore's faith in Joe Flacco? I understand the weather, but the Bengals still threw the ball 44 times. Would you rather have Flacco or Dalton, right now? Give me Andy. He has a better number one receiver and a better tight end, but Flacco has everything else - better offensive line, more depth at wide out and tight end, better running game, and defense. They put up almost identical numbers this season. Dalton is a rookie. Flacco is in his fourth year. The Ravens asked Flacco to manage the game Sunday not because of the weather, but because they didn't trust him to win the big game. Terrell Suggs said that was Ravens' football, running the ball and playing good defense. News flash: when you run into Pittsburgh, New England, and New Orleans/Green Bay in the playoffs, you better trust Flacco to throw the ball. You're going to have to. If they can't trust him to beat an inexperienced and young Bengals team, how can they trust him to win the Super Bowl? Answer: they can't.