Chiefs Game Steel Cage Questions
Friday, October 12, 2007
A new segment to Whodeyfans begins. We will be talking to an opposing fan-site each week, trading questions, thoughts and predictions. This week, we talk with www.arrowheadpride.com. Check out their site, especially their preview of the Bengal’s game. http://www.arrowheadpride.com/story/2007/10/11/03
What scares you about the Bengals?
ArrowheadPride: Quite frankly, a big pass play for a touchdown. I see Carson Palmer, Chad Johnson and T.J. Houshmandzadeh and think big play. When you're a fan of one of the lowest scoring teams in the National Football League, having any lead is great but having that lead dashed by a 75 yard touchdown pass is absolutely crushing. The Chiefs do not have the offense to make a large comeback in the second half. A couple big plays from the Bengals could quite easily shut the Chiefs down for the entire game.
What scares us about the Chiefs?
Comer Kai: The best way to beat Cincinnati is to keep Carson Palmer off the field. Larry Johnson going against our beat-up linebacking core could do just that. Against the Patriots we had so many injuries, a rookie drafted in the 7th round as a safety was playing middle linebacker. Sammy Morris ate us up. If they didn’t get healthy through the bye week, Larry Johnson has the potential to run for 200 yards and keep Carson on the sidelines.
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What match-up makes you feel confident in the Chiefs?
ArrowheadPride: I'm going to use “confidently,” pretty loosely here. The Bengals currently rank 29th in rushing defense. One year ago, I would have said that's a recipe for Larry Johnson putting up 150 yards and three touchdowns. This year, as I'm sure you've heard throughout the fantasy football world, Larry's numbers are down. Offensive line issues among others plague the Chiefs' running game. I'm hoping that this week LJ can finally get some sort of rhythm going with the running game because we haven't seen it all year. The Chiefs passing game has been its lone bright spot. Well, a glimmer really.
Another general matchup I like is the Chiefs defensive line v. the Bengals offensive line. Judging by some stats I just looked up right now, Cincy's o-line doesn't look they can handle a good defense. Our defensive line is fantastic. I'd call it a mismatch.
What match-up makes us feel confident in the Bengals?
Comer Kai: The Chiefs have great rushing ends but they are a little light up front. The Bengal’s O-line is massive and healthy (Minus Big Willie). They should be able to pound the ball. Kenny Watson running the ball in place of Rudy could be a benefit as he can cut more to the holes that will open up on the edge as the defensive ends go for the sack and slip out of position.
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Who is the best (current) Chief's player, Bengal's fans have never heard of?
ArrowheadPride: Probably our 3rd year linebacker out of Texas Derrick Johnson. He's been having a great year so far (30 tackles, 1 INT, 1 forced fumble) but I'm sure he's overshadowed by the likes of Jared Allen and Donnie Edwards in the national media. Johnson is coming into his own this year. Expect to hear and see his name a lot. He's fast, smart and learning everyday from the veterans Donnie Edwards and Napoleon Harris.
Who is the best (current) Bengal's player, Chief's fans have never heard of?
Comer Kai: Madieu Williams is a third year safety with some big play ability. He’s a hard hitter, but fast enough to play corner and will play nickel versus the Chiefs. Word on the street is that Larry Johnson plays a little soft when it is his turn to block. Watch for a big hit on the quarterback when Madieu comes in on a blitz.
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Who wins the game and what's the score?
ArrowheadPride: You realize I have to pick the Chiefs, right? It will be low scoring because thats the only the style the Chiefs can play. 13 to 10. The Bengals' offense turns over the ball four times and the Chiefs pull it out late.
Comer Kai: A strong running game pulls the DBs too close and Chad and TJ burn up the sidelines. Our limping defense will lead to Larry Johnson finally finding the end zone, but a balanced offense keeps putting points up on the board at a pace KC can’t match.
28. 21- Bengals win.
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If there was a steel cage match instead of a football game featuring one current
player, who do you nominate?
ArrowheadPride: Damn. Great question. I may have to add that to my repertoire of questions. If we're going by submission to win, I'll probably go with DE Tamba Hali. He's young (24), incredibly fast and is trained in Gracie Jiu Jitsu, which I think has something to do with Ultimate Fighting. If were going by escaping the cage to win, I'll go with fan favorite FB Boomer Grigsby. The guy strikes me as a dude who would do anything, anything it took to get out of that cage. He's crazy. Plus, he was a national champion in trampoline jumping. That has to factor in somewhere.
Comer Kai: Since they’re bringing a defensive end, we’ll match up with an o-lineman. Stacy Andrews. At 6-7 342 pounds, this guy is massive and yet still is one of the best athletes on the team. He never even played football until 2002. He basically played one year of College Ball and now is a player in the NFL. How do you even start fighting this guy? Plus, if this steel cage is like the Thunder Dome, you better hope there isn’t a hammer on the side. Dude can throw one 201' 7," an Ole Miss track and field record. Two men enter. One Gargantuan leaves.
VS
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What scares you about the Bengals?
ArrowheadPride: Quite frankly, a big pass play for a touchdown. I see Carson Palmer, Chad Johnson and T.J. Houshmandzadeh and think big play. When you're a fan of one of the lowest scoring teams in the National Football League, having any lead is great but having that lead dashed by a 75 yard touchdown pass is absolutely crushing. The Chiefs do not have the offense to make a large comeback in the second half. A couple big plays from the Bengals could quite easily shut the Chiefs down for the entire game.
What scares us about the Chiefs?
Comer Kai: The best way to beat Cincinnati is to keep Carson Palmer off the field. Larry Johnson going against our beat-up linebacking core could do just that. Against the Patriots we had so many injuries, a rookie drafted in the 7th round as a safety was playing middle linebacker. Sammy Morris ate us up. If they didn’t get healthy through the bye week, Larry Johnson has the potential to run for 200 yards and keep Carson on the sidelines.
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What match-up makes you feel confident in the Chiefs?
ArrowheadPride: I'm going to use “confidently,” pretty loosely here. The Bengals currently rank 29th in rushing defense. One year ago, I would have said that's a recipe for Larry Johnson putting up 150 yards and three touchdowns. This year, as I'm sure you've heard throughout the fantasy football world, Larry's numbers are down. Offensive line issues among others plague the Chiefs' running game. I'm hoping that this week LJ can finally get some sort of rhythm going with the running game because we haven't seen it all year. The Chiefs passing game has been its lone bright spot. Well, a glimmer really.
Another general matchup I like is the Chiefs defensive line v. the Bengals offensive line. Judging by some stats I just looked up right now, Cincy's o-line doesn't look they can handle a good defense. Our defensive line is fantastic. I'd call it a mismatch.
What match-up makes us feel confident in the Bengals?
Comer Kai: The Chiefs have great rushing ends but they are a little light up front. The Bengal’s O-line is massive and healthy (Minus Big Willie). They should be able to pound the ball. Kenny Watson running the ball in place of Rudy could be a benefit as he can cut more to the holes that will open up on the edge as the defensive ends go for the sack and slip out of position.
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Who is the best (current) Chief's player, Bengal's fans have never heard of?
ArrowheadPride: Probably our 3rd year linebacker out of Texas Derrick Johnson. He's been having a great year so far (30 tackles, 1 INT, 1 forced fumble) but I'm sure he's overshadowed by the likes of Jared Allen and Donnie Edwards in the national media. Johnson is coming into his own this year. Expect to hear and see his name a lot. He's fast, smart and learning everyday from the veterans Donnie Edwards and Napoleon Harris.Who is the best (current) Bengal's player, Chief's fans have never heard of?
Comer Kai: Madieu Williams is a third year safety with some big play ability. He’s a hard hitter, but fast enough to play corner and will play nickel versus the Chiefs. Word on the street is that Larry Johnson plays a little soft when it is his turn to block. Watch for a big hit on the quarterback when Madieu comes in on a blitz.---
Who wins the game and what's the score?
ArrowheadPride: You realize I have to pick the Chiefs, right? It will be low scoring because thats the only the style the Chiefs can play. 13 to 10. The Bengals' offense turns over the ball four times and the Chiefs pull it out late.
Comer Kai: A strong running game pulls the DBs too close and Chad and TJ burn up the sidelines. Our limping defense will lead to Larry Johnson finally finding the end zone, but a balanced offense keeps putting points up on the board at a pace KC can’t match.
28. 21- Bengals win.
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If there was a steel cage match instead of a football game featuring one current
player, who do you nominate?ArrowheadPride: Damn. Great question. I may have to add that to my repertoire of questions. If we're going by submission to win, I'll probably go with DE Tamba Hali. He's young (24), incredibly fast and is trained in Gracie Jiu Jitsu, which I think has something to do with Ultimate Fighting. If were going by escaping the cage to win, I'll go with fan favorite FB Boomer Grigsby. The guy strikes me as a dude who would do anything, anything it took to get out of that cage. He's crazy. Plus, he was a national champion in trampoline jumping. That has to factor in somewhere.
Comer Kai: Since they’re bringing a defensive end, we’ll match up with an o-lineman. Stacy Andrews. At 6-7 342 pounds, this guy is massive and yet still is one of the best athletes on the team. He never even played football until 2002. He basically played one year of College Ball and now is a player in the NFL. How do you even start fighting this guy? Plus, if this steel cage is like the Thunder Dome, you better hope there isn’t a hammer on the side. Dude can throw one 201' 7," an Ole Miss track and field record. Two men enter. One Gargantuan leaves.
VS
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Thurman Suing for Reinstatement
Thursday, October 11, 2007
Odell Thurman is suing the NFL, claiming that their refusla to reinstate him is a violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act. His disabiliity is alcoholism, not a lack of common sense, as some of you may be thinking.
Can anyone make heads or tails of this?
No one in the article seems to be able to.
About the only thing that I can gather from this is that this really isn't going to help get Odell back on the field this year. And it's not going to help him as much as following the program and applying for reinstatement would.
So why's he doing this?
If you're trying to get your career back on track, would you keep your head down and do what is being asked, or complain that you're not getting a fair shake? I know that I'd do what was asked of me, but hey that's just me.
The good news from this article is that Odell has passed all of his drug and alcohol tests for over a year. If he'll ever play again for the Bengals, that's something that I have my doubts about.
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Keys To The Game
Wednesday, October 10, 2007
Week 6 – Chiefs
The Bengals did not get any help on the playoff front during the bye week. The main competition for the playoffs- Steelers, Titans, Jaguars, and Texans, all won over the weekend. Even the Ravens, who I think are in for a major collapse, won this weekend. What the Bengals want to happen each week is for the Colts, Pats, and Chargers to win, the Steelers to lose, and for AFC South teams to lose. That way the Bengals can take advantage of the Steelers in the division, or a weak group of possible wild card teams. The Bengals have a string of win-able games coming up that will make or break the season, starting with the Kansas City Chiefs. The Bengals are currently 3 point favorites.
When the Bengals have the ball: The Chiefs defense has some good young talent, but they also have aging talent. They are currently top 10 overall, but 24th against the run. These rankings are due mainly to the teams they have played so far. Of HOU, CHI, MIN, SD, and JAX, only Houston has something resembling a decent passing game. The Chiefs were lucky and played the Chargers before the Chargers woke up, but still, SD had 222 yards of offense and the lead at half time. The Chargers then gave the ball to LT only 5 times in second half while Phillip Rivers had 2 INTs and lost fumble returned for TD.
The main weakness of the Chiefs defense is their aging corners Ty Law-33 and Patrick Surtain-31. Last week, David Garrard an average QB with below average receivers, threw for 218 yards and a rating of 109.8. The key is that the Jags had success running the ball which took help away from Law and Surtain. The Chiefs play a similar style to the Pats in that they try to win with the front 7 and have the DBs play soft zones and keep everything in front of them. The difference is that the Chiefs front 7 is nowhere near the Pats front 7. If the Bengals can get the running game going, Carson, Chad and TJ should have a field day in the soft KC secondary. If not, the Bengals passing game still should have enough success to win given that the defense should be able to hold against the Brodie Croyle Bunch.
What you do want to see: Brodie Croyle play like someone who has 24 NFL pass attempts for his career.
What you don’t want to see: Larry Johnson realize that the Bengals gave up 334 yards combined to Jamal Lewis and Sammy Morris.
Matchup of mullets: TJ vs Dwayne Bowe
Darcy’s Greatest accomplishments: Becoming the woman I have always wanted to be by never compromising myself and working towards my goals.
Riiiight. Let’s take a second to ponder that.
Darcy wins because trashy is just who she is as a person without compromising herself. It’s a way of life. CHIEFS WIN
Little known Chiefs fact: Chiefs defensive end, #69 Jared Allen has had 3 DUIs in a 4 year span. His first arrest was in college in 2002, 18 months before he was drafted in the 4th round by the Chiefs. The second and third came in May and September of 2006. His punishment? A 2 game suspension this season. His trouble started even earlier than that. He had a football scholarship to the University of Washington that was dropped after Allen was kicked out of High School for stealing. He then took a full ride to Idaho State. His trouble continued at Idaho State, quoting from a news story on the Idaho State website:
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The Bengals did not get any help on the playoff front during the bye week. The main competition for the playoffs- Steelers, Titans, Jaguars, and Texans, all won over the weekend. Even the Ravens, who I think are in for a major collapse, won this weekend. What the Bengals want to happen each week is for the Colts, Pats, and Chargers to win, the Steelers to lose, and for AFC South teams to lose. That way the Bengals can take advantage of the Steelers in the division, or a weak group of possible wild card teams. The Bengals have a string of win-able games coming up that will make or break the season, starting with the Kansas City Chiefs. The Bengals are currently 3 point favorites.
Keys to the Game.
On paper, the Chiefs look like a weak team offensively, but a strong team defensively. In reality, they probably aren’t very good at either. The Chiefs offense is averaging an NFL low 12.6 points per game, which puts them at 63 points after 5 games. The Bengals were over 63 points after 2 games. The Chiefs defense is currently ranked 10th in the NFL. However, the teams they have played, HOU, CHI, MIN, SD, and JAX, have not been playing very good offense all season. These teams also have been utilizing very conservative game plans knowing they can win against the Chiefs decayed offense. The Chiefs are probably the worst team the Bengals will face so far this season, and if the Bengals show up to play they should control the game. The Bengals have the talent to turn this game into a blowout, but with the way this team loses focus, anything can happen.
When the Chiefs have the ball: The Chiefs offense is reeling so far this season, and for good reason….they suck. After 5 games they have 0 rushing TDs and 5 passing TDs. When the Bengals played Cleveland, the Bengals had 0 rushing TDs and 6 passing TDs. A few years ago, the Chiefs had 2 Hall of Fame offensive linemen, a Hall of Fame tight end, and a pro bowl quarterback. Now their weakness is their line, and they do not really have a strength to point to. Larry Johnson is a tough back to tackle when running behind an all star line. But following 750 carries over 2 seasons and a lengthy contract hold out this season, he has yet to get going. I am sure the Bengals defense will help him in that regard. Not helping LJ is the Chiefs putrid passing attack. Journeyman backup Damon Huard started the season, but has been playing like he hasn’t started a game in 6 years (Which was true last season when he took over after not starting since 2000). Huard was knocked from the game last week due to the Chiefs terrible line, so the Bengals will get Brodie Croyle in his first NFL start with his career total of NFL passes at 24. Knowing the Bengals luck, Croyle will come out like another Alabama grad, Joe Namath, and torch the Bengals. For most defenses, a weak line, a QB in his first start and no real receiving threats would indicate a huge day. There are 2 possibilities for Sunday, one, Croyle throws for 5 TDs like Derek Anderson, or two, like last year, Justin Smith will have 3 sacks and everyone will say he is turning into a real pass rusher. I think the Bengals will come to play, Smith will have his 3 sacks, and Smith will end the season with 4.5 sacks.
On paper, the Chiefs look like a weak team offensively, but a strong team defensively. In reality, they probably aren’t very good at either. The Chiefs offense is averaging an NFL low 12.6 points per game, which puts them at 63 points after 5 games. The Bengals were over 63 points after 2 games. The Chiefs defense is currently ranked 10th in the NFL. However, the teams they have played, HOU, CHI, MIN, SD, and JAX, have not been playing very good offense all season. These teams also have been utilizing very conservative game plans knowing they can win against the Chiefs decayed offense. The Chiefs are probably the worst team the Bengals will face so far this season, and if the Bengals show up to play they should control the game. The Bengals have the talent to turn this game into a blowout, but with the way this team loses focus, anything can happen.
When the Chiefs have the ball: The Chiefs offense is reeling so far this season, and for good reason….they suck. After 5 games they have 0 rushing TDs and 5 passing TDs. When the Bengals played Cleveland, the Bengals had 0 rushing TDs and 6 passing TDs. A few years ago, the Chiefs had 2 Hall of Fame offensive linemen, a Hall of Fame tight end, and a pro bowl quarterback. Now their weakness is their line, and they do not really have a strength to point to. Larry Johnson is a tough back to tackle when running behind an all star line. But following 750 carries over 2 seasons and a lengthy contract hold out this season, he has yet to get going. I am sure the Bengals defense will help him in that regard. Not helping LJ is the Chiefs putrid passing attack. Journeyman backup Damon Huard started the season, but has been playing like he hasn’t started a game in 6 years (Which was true last season when he took over after not starting since 2000). Huard was knocked from the game last week due to the Chiefs terrible line, so the Bengals will get Brodie Croyle in his first NFL start with his career total of NFL passes at 24. Knowing the Bengals luck, Croyle will come out like another Alabama grad, Joe Namath, and torch the Bengals. For most defenses, a weak line, a QB in his first start and no real receiving threats would indicate a huge day. There are 2 possibilities for Sunday, one, Croyle throws for 5 TDs like Derek Anderson, or two, like last year, Justin Smith will have 3 sacks and everyone will say he is turning into a real pass rusher. I think the Bengals will come to play, Smith will have his 3 sacks, and Smith will end the season with 4.5 sacks.
UPDATE: The Chiefs announced today that despite a shoulder injury, Damon Huard will start on Sunday. The Chiefs must have really lost confidence in Brodie Croyle. He was drafted to be the eventual starter, and was listed as the starter in training camp. However, his performance in the preseason cost him his starting job, and the team seems desperate not to give it back.
When the Bengals have the ball: The Chiefs defense has some good young talent, but they also have aging talent. They are currently top 10 overall, but 24th against the run. These rankings are due mainly to the teams they have played so far. Of HOU, CHI, MIN, SD, and JAX, only Houston has something resembling a decent passing game. The Chiefs were lucky and played the Chargers before the Chargers woke up, but still, SD had 222 yards of offense and the lead at half time. The Chargers then gave the ball to LT only 5 times in second half while Phillip Rivers had 2 INTs and lost fumble returned for TD.
The main weakness of the Chiefs defense is their aging corners Ty Law-33 and Patrick Surtain-31. Last week, David Garrard an average QB with below average receivers, threw for 218 yards and a rating of 109.8. The key is that the Jags had success running the ball which took help away from Law and Surtain. The Chiefs play a similar style to the Pats in that they try to win with the front 7 and have the DBs play soft zones and keep everything in front of them. The difference is that the Chiefs front 7 is nowhere near the Pats front 7. If the Bengals can get the running game going, Carson, Chad and TJ should have a field day in the soft KC secondary. If not, the Bengals passing game still should have enough success to win given that the defense should be able to hold against the Brodie Croyle Bunch.
What you do want to see: Brodie Croyle play like someone who has 24 NFL pass attempts for his career.
What you don’t want to see: Larry Johnson realize that the Bengals gave up 334 yards combined to Jamal Lewis and Sammy Morris.
Matchup of mullets: TJ vs Dwayne Bowe
Here is more proof to my new theory that mullets make you fast. Bowe is having a pretty good rookie campaign being on pace for 70 catches, 1,000 yards and 9 TDs. Too bad those are the best receiving stats on the team edging out Tony Gonzalez and way ahead of any other WR. He also has a great nickname in Debo. He is still no TJ. BENGALS WIN
Matchup of Moustaches: Kenny Watson vs Herm Edwards
Herm Edwards has a classic moustache that should win him a Super Bowl one day. So far he hasn’t had too much playoff success as an NFL coach. His main strength is working RBs into the ground with overuse. Maybe the preppy yet stellar part in his hair is the problem. CHIEFS WIN
Duel of the uglies: QB Jeff Rowe vs. Punt Snapper Jean-Philippe Darche
That’s right, the Chiefs have a dirty French Canadian from Montreal, Quebec on their roster. This makes me absolutely sick and makes me wonder if the Chiefs actually want to be part of America. You are either with us or against us. I, for one, am very proud to be an American. I need a plate of Freedom Fries. BENGALS WIN
Battle of old men: DE Bryan Robinson(33) vs WR Eddie Kennison(34)
Eddie Kennison?!?!?! Are you kidding me?!?!? How is that guy the oldest player involved in this game? A first round draft pick, bounced through 5 teams, and a career best season of 68 catches(Averages 44). So far this season he has started 2 games and has exactly 0 catches. He’s like the Scott Hatteberg of football while looking like a gay pirate from an 80s Sinbad movie. BENGALS WIN
Biggest loser fan: Stormtrooper vs This Couple
How romantic, he wrote “Will U Marry Me?” on posterboard at a Chiefs game. I hope the camera panned to him and not the sign held up by the guy next to him that said, “Al Davis, eat shit and die” or the other guy’s, “I got something to stick in your Black Hole.” And it looks like she actually said yes, where is the sea-fence when you need him to stop something?
Let’s just hope she got him to sign a prenup where he gets to keep his collection of sleeveless coed naked tshirts, vhs copy of the ESPN movie "3", his favorite pair of jorts, his frozen jar of George Brett tobacco spit, and all future romantic ideas, and she gets the Chiefs tickets. CHIEFS WIN
Trashiest looking cheerbabe: Rhonee vs Darcy
Let’s just hope she got him to sign a prenup where he gets to keep his collection of sleeveless coed naked tshirts, vhs copy of the ESPN movie "3", his favorite pair of jorts, his frozen jar of George Brett tobacco spit, and all future romantic ideas, and she gets the Chiefs tickets. CHIEFS WIN
Trashiest looking cheerbabe: Rhonee vs Darcy
Darcy’s Greatest accomplishments: Becoming the woman I have always wanted to be by never compromising myself and working towards my goals.
Riiiight. Let’s take a second to ponder that.
Darcy wins because trashy is just who she is as a person without compromising herself. It’s a way of life. CHIEFS WIN
Little known Chiefs fact: Chiefs defensive end, #69 Jared Allen has had 3 DUIs in a 4 year span. His first arrest was in college in 2002, 18 months before he was drafted in the 4th round by the Chiefs. The second and third came in May and September of 2006. His punishment? A 2 game suspension this season. His trouble started even earlier than that. He had a football scholarship to the University of Washington that was dropped after Allen was kicked out of High School for stealing. He then took a full ride to Idaho State. His trouble continued at Idaho State, quoting from a news story on the Idaho State website:
"He likes to have fun. He likes to make people laugh. But at the same time, he just thought fighting was a lot of fun and, plus, he wasn't afraid of nothing." It didn't take long before he got arrested after a bar fight. He says he rumbled almost every weekend. The poor schleps who stepped up to him ended up on their backs or in the hospital. He ended up in cuffs. Once for assault. Another time for DUI. Now, Allen knows he should be polite to police officers. But then... "I lived by a slightly different rule," he says, sheepishly, aware of what an idiot he used to be. "If you were under arrest, talk as much (stuff) as possible." The last straw was his junior year. He got in a fight and, depending on whom you believe, Allen may or may not have assaulted a cop. When it was all done, he was charged with several lesser counts. He also violated his probation, the biggest problem.
Allen sounds like everything Roger Goodell is trying to clean up in the NFL, the repeat offender. Allen also sounds a lot like another NFL player, Odell Thurman. Somehow Odell Thurman has basically been tossed from the league assuming he will not be able return after his 2 season suspension. Allen has only missed 2 paychecks. Doesn’t look like Roger Goodell is very even with his justice, could it be that Bengals players receive stiffer penalties due to the league’s dislike of Mike Brown? Could individual Bengals players be receiving unfair excess punishment due to the Bengals overall rap sheet? Could race be a possible factor in the sizeable difference in punishment? Goodell needs to do a much better job in justifying his punishment so as not to open the door to questions he does not want to answer.
After writing the above, I read about Jonathan Joseph being suspended one game for his marijuana possession. Hmmm let’s see, Joseph, sitting in the passenger seat of a car driven by a sober driver while the car is pulled over. Some supercop decides to search the car and finds bag of pot in a backpack along with a playstation. That gets you one game. Multiple arrests for fighting, probation violation, assaulting a police officer, and 3 DUIs in 4 years gets you 2 games. It all makes sense.
After writing the above, I read about Jonathan Joseph being suspended one game for his marijuana possession. Hmmm let’s see, Joseph, sitting in the passenger seat of a car driven by a sober driver while the car is pulled over. Some supercop decides to search the car and finds bag of pot in a backpack along with a playstation. That gets you one game. Multiple arrests for fighting, probation violation, assaulting a police officer, and 3 DUIs in 4 years gets you 2 games. It all makes sense.
Labels: DUIs, Gay Pirate, Posterboard
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The trouble is...
So Jonathan Joseph is suspended for a game. I have read and heard both sides of the issue:
- he got what he deserved, he broke the law and he must pay the fine.
- Goodell is out to get the Bengals and he is not fair.
My thoughts? There is some truth to both of these scenarios.
The 9 (or whatever number we are up to) Bengals players that have been arrested have all deserved some sort of punishment. While I don't think ole Rodg is out to get the Bengals, I do think when he hears or reads about us he has a certain feeling. It is the same feeling we as Bengal fans have when we read about or hear that another Bengal was arrested. "Not Again".
It should come as no surprise that the Bengals are the talk of the NFL because of the amount of arrests we have endured. That said, how would you attempt to curb this sort of behavior. Me personally, I would impose harsher punishments, shorter leashes and stricter fines.
I think we should stop pointing the finger at the commissioner and start pointing at the law breakers.
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- he got what he deserved, he broke the law and he must pay the fine.
- Goodell is out to get the Bengals and he is not fair.
My thoughts? There is some truth to both of these scenarios.
The 9 (or whatever number we are up to) Bengals players that have been arrested have all deserved some sort of punishment. While I don't think ole Rodg is out to get the Bengals, I do think when he hears or reads about us he has a certain feeling. It is the same feeling we as Bengal fans have when we read about or hear that another Bengal was arrested. "Not Again".
It should come as no surprise that the Bengals are the talk of the NFL because of the amount of arrests we have endured. That said, how would you attempt to curb this sort of behavior. Me personally, I would impose harsher punishments, shorter leashes and stricter fines.
I think we should stop pointing the finger at the commissioner and start pointing at the law breakers.
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A General Question
Tuesday, October 9, 2007
Is it possible that Marvin simply has too much on his plate? He’s expected to coach the team, build a coaching staff, police the players, get the team ready for each game, remain an active member of the community etc. At what point is he supposed to be immersing himself in scout’s analysis of college players or looking over the free agent market? Maybe it’s time for someone who focuses on building the teams so Marvin can stick to running the team.
Over the years, the guys scouting for the Bengals have proven that they know football and often times get it right. Look at the 2001 draft, probably the best in the NFL that year: J Smith, Chad, Rudi and TJ. It would have been nice to have taken Ladainian Tomlinson who was the pick right after J Smith, but we had Dillon then. Plus, Rudi was the last pro-bowler taken that year and it was a smart time to grab a back up running back.
But then, we followed that up in 2002 with the absolute worst draft—ever. In fact, the only player on the team worth taking was Levi Jones. Wonder what ever happened to Lamont Thompson, Travis Dorsch, Marquand Manuel and Joey Evans. Also, this is the year we traded up in the draft to score Matt Schobel in the third round.
Marvin’s draft era has been descent. They get it right on occasion with guys like Joseph, Whitworth and Peko (Carson was a no-brainer). But they get it very wrong on occasion too… See “steals of the draft”: Kelly Washington, Langston Moore, Frostee Rucker, Odell Thurman and Chris Henry. Plenty of talent, but bad attitudes and judgment, which led to none of them on the field helping us, win.
It’s time to get consistent. We need someone who knows the scouting reports inside and out. Someone who, by the time draft time nears is focused on who he’s going to draft in round seven because he already knows the first six picks. If Marvin had someone at his side that understood the team he was building and was able to go out and get people to fit the system, then Marvin could simply run the team. We would have someone who knew the ability of guys outside Marvin’s comfort zone of ex Redskins and Ravens. We could realize sooner when to let some guys go, and which free agents to go after. Having someone solely focused on building the team in tandem with someone focused on running it, makes too much sense. Look at the teams of Bill Belichick/ Scott Pioli and Ted Sundquist/Mike Shanahan. Consistent winning teams that are built upon strong drafts and consistently solid free agent pick-ups. These are guys who choose players to fit the system, and always seem to have guys waiting in the wings as veteran players age.
It’s good to hear that Marvin is asking for a GM. Marvin already steered the team out of the basement, now he just needs someone to help him accelerate to the Super Bowl.
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Over the years, the guys scouting for the Bengals have proven that they know football and often times get it right. Look at the 2001 draft, probably the best in the NFL that year: J Smith, Chad, Rudi and TJ. It would have been nice to have taken Ladainian Tomlinson who was the pick right after J Smith, but we had Dillon then. Plus, Rudi was the last pro-bowler taken that year and it was a smart time to grab a back up running back.But then, we followed that up in 2002 with the absolute worst draft—ever. In fact, the only player on the team worth taking was Levi Jones. Wonder what ever happened to Lamont Thompson, Travis Dorsch, Marquand Manuel and Joey Evans. Also, this is the year we traded up in the draft to score Matt Schobel in the third round.
Marvin’s draft era has been descent. They get it right on occasion with guys like Joseph, Whitworth and Peko (Carson was a no-brainer). But they get it very wrong on occasion too… See “steals of the draft”: Kelly Washington, Langston Moore, Frostee Rucker, Odell Thurman and Chris Henry. Plenty of talent, but bad attitudes and judgment, which led to none of them on the field helping us, win.
It’s time to get consistent. We need someone who knows the scouting reports inside and out. Someone who, by the time draft time nears is focused on who he’s going to draft in round seven because he already knows the first six picks. If Marvin had someone at his side that understood the team he was building and was able to go out and get people to fit the system, then Marvin could simply run the team. We would have someone who knew the ability of guys outside Marvin’s comfort zone of ex Redskins and Ravens. We could realize sooner when to let some guys go, and which free agents to go after. Having someone solely focused on building the team in tandem with someone focused on running it, makes too much sense. Look at the teams of Bill Belichick/ Scott Pioli and Ted Sundquist/Mike Shanahan. Consistent winning teams that are built upon strong drafts and consistently solid free agent pick-ups. These are guys who choose players to fit the system, and always seem to have guys waiting in the wings as veteran players age.
It’s good to hear that Marvin is asking for a GM. Marvin already steered the team out of the basement, now he just needs someone to help him accelerate to the Super Bowl.
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Internal Machinations
Monday, October 8, 2007
Here's an interesting tidbit from the Internet rumor mill, courtesy of ProFootballTalk.com.
When I saw this, my first thought was that we need a GM to allow our coaches more time to get our team ready. It didn't occur to me that we had no gems from lower rounds, other than character issue guys, because we didn't have a capable guy out there looking under the rocks.
If Marvin thinks we need it, I say let's get a GM. With the Bengals, we know it can be worse than it is now, but we also know it can be better.
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MARVIN WANTS A G.M.
Plagued for years by the inadequate devotion of resources to the personnel department, the Cincinnati Bengals have no G.M. and not enough scouts.
A league source now tells us that coach Marvin Lewis is lobbying internally for the hiring of a General Manager who would assume responsibility for shaping the team's personnel. Though we assume that Lewis would want to maintain final say over the 53-man roster, Lewis apparently realizes that not enough time, money, and/or effort has been devoted to ensuring that the right players are added to the team.
The Bengals have developed a reputation for drafting guys whom other teams take off of their boards. The problem, as it's been explained to us, is that when players like Frostee Rucker and Chris Henry and A.J. Nicholson are available in lower rounds than their talent might otherwise dictate, the Bengals go for the talent not because they don't care about bad character, but because they lack the confidence to identify the best of the players who haven't slid down the board.
When I saw this, my first thought was that we need a GM to allow our coaches more time to get our team ready. It didn't occur to me that we had no gems from lower rounds, other than character issue guys, because we didn't have a capable guy out there looking under the rocks.
If Marvin thinks we need it, I say let's get a GM. With the Bengals, we know it can be worse than it is now, but we also know it can be better.
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