I think it is safe to say that head coach Marvin Lewis will be out at the conclusion of this season. After hearing from countless Bengal fans, most also want offensive coordinator Bob Bratkowski to be fired as well. Over the years and years of watching Bengals games, I have noticed a few things about the Bengals offense. The Bengals are at their best when they are pounding the ball with running back Cedric Benson and airing it out deep. During the Bratkowski years, some play-calls are just mind-boggling to me. In long-down situations, the Bengals will get a call of a draw play or a screen pass which is clearly not their game. It is essentially a waste of a down, leading to a lot of punts and sometimes desperation throws leading to interceptions. What Cincinnati needs to do is discover their identity and stick with it. They need to stop trying to make Bernard Scott into LeSean McCoy. That isn't what the team is all about. The Bengals have a traditional offense: an immobile quarterback, bruising running back, and sure-handed receivers. They cannot be turned into an offense like the Philadelphia Eagles. They need to run more like the Atlanta Falcons.
The play-calling is not the only problem. The defense has suffered quite a few injuries in the backfield including Roy Williams, Chris Crocker, Adam Jones, and more. They have gotten burned at the safety position all year. I think, however, with a high draft pick and some new faces on the sideline, the Bengals can return to playoff form.
Predictions
RT @Bradley_W_Parks: B+ Sports Picks: Pats, Jets, Ravens, Chiefs, 49ers, Lions, Jags, Bengals, Texans, Colts, Packers, Bucs, Eagles, Saints
Between last week's picks and the week before, my record was 18-11, pushing my season record to 118-82. Here is what I have for this week's games:
Falcons, Steelers, Lions, Chiefs, Patriots, Saints, Jets, Ravens, Chargers, Packers, Colts, Eagles, 49ers, Giants, Texans, Rams
p.s. For more senseless babble, follow me on Twitter @Bradley_W_Parks.
No comments:
Post a Comment