Bengals Passing The Ravens

[lowrider]

There has been a lot of talk around the NFL of the Bengals surprising a lot of people. The last three articles I read about the Bengals said their defense was getting better, Palmer and Ochocinco are back, and they are going to be better than the Ravens. Now before you all write this off, the experts have points.

Palmer, when healthy, is one of the best qbs in the league. Chad was putting up 1400 yards and 8 tds every year until last year. Their defense is really young and they had a pretty good draft. But they lost TJ Hosyourmama who i think is a better reciever than Chad (it's so weird i keep wanting to call him chad johnson).

Now traditionally we struggled against high powered offenses because we couldnt score that much. But this year is different. There are just as many articles talking about how much Flacco has improved as there is with articles of the Bengals improving. Last year for the ravens, there were a lot of questions on offense. This year there is only a few. Flacco improving is the main one being answered. We are going to be able to keep up with high powered offenses and if our defense plays like they normally do, then the Bengals will not beat us.

The Ravens aren't a flashy team, which is why i think sometimes people undervalue us, but this year might be flashyer(if thats a word, flashier?, you get my point). If the Ravens total offense was ranked 11th last year and our passing offense was ranked 28th. Hypothetically where would our total offense be ranked if our passing offense was ranked 15th? Flacco doesn't even need to be great for us to be a ridiculously good team.

[ravensfan160]

I've been just as frustrated with all the hype Cincy has been getting lately. To me there is one clear reason for this. All the sportswriters have seen the recent trend of big swings in records from one year to the next and they are desperately trying to predict the next one.

While there is some validity to what they are saying (Palmer is back and he's given us fits, Bengals D is much improved, solid draft) they continue to forget one major piece of evidence. THESE ARE THE BUNGLES! They aren't the Ravens or Dolphins who know how to win and just had a rough year. A winning season from the Bengles is the accident not the other way around.

[ZIBBY28]

possible? yes.. likely? no.. i think they had a great draft, but players take time to develop and the Ravens are a pretty darn good football team

[neepo13]

I am honestly sick of hearing all the hype surrounding the Bengals as well. Correct me if I am wrong but the Bengals started the season 0-4 WITH Carson Palmer. Its not like they started the season with a winning record and then they lost him and everything just spirraled out of control. No, they sucked even when he was healthy.

I think all the hype surrounding the Bengals has a lot to do with the fact that they had a sexy draft. They drafted a lot of big name players and they brought in some big name guys during FA. So, the names look good on paper but I cant remember the last time a game was played on paper.

IMO, the Bengals are nothing more then a .500 team at best. I honestly dont think their record will be that much better then it was this year, maybe 1 or 2 wins better. I do believe they will be better than the Browns but thats about it.

[Ravensfan23]

[quote name='ZIBBY28' date='24 June 2009 - 02:19 PM' timestamp='1245867546' post='203315']
possible? yes.. likely? no.. i think they had a great draft, but players take time to develop and the Ravens are a pretty darn good football team
[/quote]

I think the Bengals will be an improved team from last season, but only because that can't get much worse.

To say they have passed the Ravens simply because of this (2009)draft would be to discredit everything the draft is used for. The draft is used to restock your teams with talent that will delevop over time. It is not generally used to turn a team from bad to great in one season.

Yes the Bengals had a great draft on paper. However the Ravens have had some pretty good drafts over the last 3-5 years that has produced onfield talent to back that up. Flacco, Rice, Gaither, Grubbs, Ngata, Landry, McClain and thats not to mention guys that have shown flashes like Gooden Jameel, Barnes, Zibby and Nakamura. Plus we all know about the pro bowl caliber player we have here like Gregg, Pryce, Suggs, Ray, Ed, and Mason. Then you have guys who have proven to be good in the league and lookin to have bounce back years, like Fabin, Heap, LJ Smith, McGahee, Yanda and Rolle. Plus you have the guys that we drafted this year as well as potential undrafted guys like Oher, Kurger, Webb, Gano, Drew, KJ, and Ellerbe. Finally you have guys that were brought in as FAs and young guys who look to step up like Foxworth, Carr, Marcus Smith, Oneil Cousins, Hale, Edgar Jones, Prescott Burgress and Derrick Martin.

Now i can't speak to the depth of the Bengals team, but when u look at the fact that the Ravens advantaced to the AFC Champions game and only lost to the eventual SB Champs by a combined score of 16 points in 3 games(each came down to one play);h a team as young as our, should only get better with time. I would say the Ravens are in a good position to be better then last season. Who really cares about the regular season record just as long as the team is good enough to get pass that AFC Championship game and Win the next one.

IMO Cin wasn't a better TEAM then us in the past few years, it was just our terrible offense holding us back, now that that doesn't seem to be a problem or a big one, i can't see them being better then use. Even with Plamer and Chad having all that success the best the Bengals has ever been able to do is 10-6 and 8-8 seasons. They have to prove on the field they are better then the Ravens, not on paper.

[lowrider]

[quote name='neepo13' date='24 June 2009 - 02:44 PM' timestamp='1245869093' post='203323']
I am honestly sick of hearing all the hype surrounding the Bengals as well. Correct me if I am wrong but the Bengals started the season 0-4 WITH Carson Palmer. Its not like they started the season with a winning record and then they lost him and everything just spirraled out of control. No, they sucked even when he was healthy.
[/quote]
In all fairness, Palmer was hurt even during those games. He just kept putting off the elbow surgery. But other than that i completely agree with you.

[Ed_Reed20]

The Broncos have probably improved but I don't see them passing the Ravens. Andre Smith and Maualuga were great additions but they still have many other problems. Is Cedric Benson really the answer at QB? Can Chad Johnson make plays without a good receiver opposite him?

[neepo13]

[quote name='lowrider' date='24 June 2009 - 02:50 PM' timestamp='1245869420' post='203327']
In all fairness, Palmer was hurt even during those games. He just kept putting off the elbow surgery. But other than that i completely agree with you.
[/quote]

I am not sure when he hurt his elbow, so maybe you are right about that but just in general I think Carson Palmer is overrated. The media acts like Palmer coming back automatically makes them a playoff contender when nothing in his NFL career shows that he has that type of an impact. Sure, he puts up nice numbers but he's not a guy who consistantly wins for his return to all of sudden push them past a team coming off a deep playoff run. I mean they sucked in 2007 with him at QB and the only reason it wasnt more obvious how bad they were is because we were worse. In 06 with Palmer at QB they choked down the stretch and missed the playoffs, after they had a pretty good record the year before. Infact, every year since they made the playoffs in 2005 they've managed to lose at least 3 more games then they did the year before, all with the exception of last year with Palmer at the helm for all or most of the season. I am just not buying that the Bengals were as bad as they were last year because he wasnt around. I truely believe they would have been that bad with him.

[JEEPercreepermd]

I'm not worried about the Bengals PASSING the Ravens. I'll give them their credit where it's due. They HAVE made some moves in the offseason to make their team better. However, I think our offense will be alot better than it was last year as well. However, the only team that has beaten a HEALTHY Ravens defense with their passing game alone has been Indy. I just don't think the Bengals have a good enough running game to be able to be in the divisional race late in the season. Will they be a little tougher than they were last season? probably. will they be better than the Ravens? probably not.
Here's what their schedule looks like:

week 1- Den@Cin W
week 2- Cin@GB L
week3- Pit@Cin L
week 4-Cin @ Cle W
week 5-Cin @ Bal L
week 6-Hou@ Cin L
Week 7- Chi @ Cin W
week 8-BYE
week9-Cin@Bal L
week 10-Cin @Pit L
week 11-Cin @ Oak W
week 12-Cle @Cin W
week 13 Det@Cin W
week 14-Cin @ Min L
week 15 Cin @ SD L
week 16-KC @ Cin W
week 17 Cin@NYJ L
I have them going 7-9 or possible 8-8

[Alexir]

I honestly see the Bengals being tougher to beat than the Steelers. I just feel the Steelers didnt address their O Line that much in the draft/off season and I see either or both Big Ben and Fumblin' Willie Parker going down early in the year.

[flynismo]

[quote name='lowrider' date='24 June 2009 - 02:08 PM' timestamp='1245866903' post='203312']
There has been a lot of talk around the NFL of the Bengals surprising a lot of people. The last three articles I read about the Bengals said their defense was getting better, Palmer and Ochocinco are back, and they are going to be better than the Ravens. Now before you all write this off, the experts have points.

Palmer, when healthy, is one of the best qbs in the league. Chad was putting up 1400 yards and 8 tds every year until last year. Their defense is really young and they had a pretty good draft. But they lost TJ Hosyourmama who i think is a better reciever than Chad (it's so weird i keep wanting to call him chad johnson).

Now traditionally we struggled against high powered offenses because we couldnt score that much. But this year is different. There are just as many articles talking about how much Flacco has improved as there is with articles of the Bengals improving. Last year for the ravens, there were a lot of questions on offense. This year there is only a few. Flacco improving is the main one being answered. We are going to be able to keep up with high powered offenses and if our defense plays like they normally do, then the Bengals will not beat us.

The Ravens aren't a flashy team, which is why i think sometimes people undervalue us, but this year might be flashyer(if thats a word, flashier?, you get my point). If the Ravens total offense was ranked 11th last year and our passing offense was ranked 28th. [b] Hypothetically where would our total offense be ranked if our passing offense was ranked 15th? Flacco doesn't even need to be great for us to be a ridiculously good team.[/b]
[/quote]


Excellent point. Our pass attack has always been our weakness, but as you said, it would only need to be average to take our team over the top. Simply, we just need to be able to make plays through the air when needed, we don't need to be a team that throws 40+ times a game.

[wayne]

[quote name='neepo13' date='24 June 2009 - 02:24 PM' timestamp='1245871454' post='203343']
I am not sure when he hurt his elbow, so maybe you are right about that but just in general [b]I think Carson Palmer is overrated.[/b] The media acts like Palmer coming back automatically makes them a playoff contender when nothing in his NFL career shows that he has that type of an impact. Sure, he puts up nice numbers but he's not a guy who consistantly wins for his return to all of sudden push them past a team coming off a deep playoff run. I mean they sucked in 2007 with him at QB and the only reason it wasnt more obvious how bad they were is because we were worse. In 06 with Palmer at QB they choked down the stretch and missed the playoffs, after they had a pretty good record the year before. Infact, every year since they made the playoffs in 2005 they've managed to lose at least 3 more games then they did the year before, all with the exception of last year with Palmer at the helm for all or most of the season. I am just not buying that the Bengals were as bad as they were last year because he wasnt around. I truely believe they would have been that bad with him.
[/quote]

I agree with that statement. Has Palmer won a playoff game? Who are two of the WR's thats been with Palmer mostly from the beginning?

Mobility is what kills Palmer in my eyes. You have to be able to move just a little in the pocket to bye time some times and he fails in that area!

Also, I have a picture that I want to put in my avatar but it's to big to go in there, how do I shrink the file down to fit in an avatar?

[EdReedFTW]

I dont know about yall but I hope everyone keeps saying we're gonna have a bad season. We always play better during a season when people say we shouldnt succeed and unfortunately do poorly when everyone starts hyping us up.

[Marc2k6]

Yes, the Bengal's are passing us by! The Bengal's are the BEST team in the NFL at talking about being a good high powered team. Right now as we sit in the pre-season I have the Bengal's winning the Pre-season superbowl over the Vikings! That 1 winning season out of the last 8 season's has put the Bengal's in position as the best talking team in the NFL. August 31, 2009 I propose we give them the Pre-season superbowl trophy and have a parade!

[Alexir]

If they drafted a Shonn Green or Beanie Wells I might be worried, but like I said I think their offense will be much better than Pitt's. They just need some numbers from Scott and Benson.

[cursona pirate]

well we will find out eventually simple as that

[jfc13]

I think the Ravens get "rated" low because there are some questions that need to be answered during the season. Like "How will the loss of Ryan and Scott affect the defense?" and "How will Flacco progress?" Most Ravens fans look on the positive side for their answers, but "outsiders" aren't ready to do that.

Personally, I think we'll do fine without Ryan [not a knock on Ryan, just that his theories are in place and it seems they will be the building blocks for this year adn we have the players to execute them], we'll miss Scott a bit, and I'm hopeful that Flacco will progress nicely and become the quarterback that Ravens fans have craved for years.

I also think the 'pundits' are putting a lot of faith in Palmer returning because he's proven to be a decent quarterback over the years. Flacco has one decent year under his belt, which really doesn't say a lot about the future [well, it says the potential is there, we just have to wait to see how it develops].

Anyway, that's why I think the prediction is for the Bengals to do better. But then, I'm a Ravens fan, so I obviously think the opposite.

[Ravensfan23]

[quote name='Marc2k6' date='24 June 2009 - 08:20 PM' timestamp='1245889236' post='203405']
Yes, the Bengal's are passing us by! The Bengal's are the BEST team in the NFL at talking about being a good high powered team. Right now as we sit in the pre-season I have the Bengal's winning the Pre-season superbowl over the Vikings! That 1 winning season out of the last 8 season's has put the Bengal's in position as the best talking team in the NFL. August 31, 2009 I propose we give them the Pre-season superbowl trophy and have a parade!
[/quote]

You mean somebody actually beat out the Redskins in the preseason?

There's no talk this year about Cleveland returning to their glory days?

You mean there's no talk about Favre making some team an instant SuperBowl winner? no wait we do have that.

You are telling me that the Bengals have actually beaten out the Dallas Cowboys for the preseason SuperBowl.

Well there you have it Ravens fans, even before it starts its all over. Pack up your bags and head home. Lets look towards the draft, i guess this year we'll have a head start because the college season hasn't even started yet.

I sure hope we have a fighting chance this year. I don't know what we will ever do without Rex leading us to ten striaght years of defensive dominance. Oh wait he's only been the DC since 05'. I don't know how we are gonna handling losing one of the greatest LBs to ever play the game. oh wait we still have that guy, so who did we lose? And someone please tell me how will we ever survive without the great jim leonhart, who started the year as a backup and only saw playing time because of injury. Sure wish we could find the guy that started the year at safety. You know the one that all the coaches were raving about in camp and was projected to have his best season. Who was that guy?

[lowrider]

[quote name='Ravensfan23' date='25 June 2009 - 12:05 PM' timestamp='1245945952' post='203540']

I sure hope we have a fighting chance this year. I don't know what we will ever do without Rex leading us to ten striaght years of defensive dominance. Oh wait he's only been the DC since 05'. I don't know how we are gonna handling losing one of the greatest LBs to ever play the game. oh wait we still have that guy, so who did we lose? And someone please tell me how will we ever survive without the great jim leonhart, who started the year as a backup and only saw playing time because of injury. Sure wish we could find the guy that started the year at safety. You know the one that all the coaches were raving about in camp and was projected to have his best season. Who was that guy?
[/quote]
Thats a good point. It's different for Peyton Manning and the colts who have had the same offense coordinator for forever and he left. But we have had defensive coordinators before that left, i'm not worried about this.

Flacco is supposed to be better and our offensive line is supposed to be better. What has been the biggest problem for the Ravens? The offense. What has been the bengals biggest problem? Everything.

[Beal]

It is my thought that the Bengals will implode as soon as the Ocho Cinco goes otta syncho with Palmer that ship sinks rapidly.

I am not a Raven fan but when one looks at the defense of the Bengals with their 17 sacks last year and giving up nearly 23 points per game they will not compete in the long run.

[JEEPercreepermd]

just look at their schedule. they have TWO trips to the west coast (oak,SD) they have to play the Ravens and Steelers back to back then they have back to back away games against Min and San diego. They get alot of attention for signing a few very average defensive players lol..now they are condenders i guess? If the Ravens can pressure Palmer alot then they will have no problem with them

[darklight1216]

[quote name='JEEPercreepermd' date='25 June 2009 - 02:43 PM' timestamp='1245955433' post='203589']
just look at their schedule. they have TWO trips to the west coast (oak,SD) they have to play the Ravens and Steelers back to back then they have back to back away games against Min and San diego. They get alot of attention for signing a few very average defensive players lol..now they are condenders i guess? If the Ravens can pressure Palmer alot then they will have no problem with them
[/quote]
Wow, that is a nasty schedule.

[darklight1216]

[quote name='flynismo' date='24 June 2009 - 07:50 PM' timestamp='1245887430' post='203400']
Excellent point. Our pass attack has always been our weakness, but as you said, it would only need to be average to take our team over the top. Simply, we just need to be able to make plays through the air when needed, we don't need to be a team that throws 40+ times a game.
[/quote]
Here's an interesting fact: the last quarterback to lead the league [i]and[/i] win a Championship was Johnny Unitas back in 1959. (or perhaps '57)

[quote name='Marc2k6' date='24 June 2009 - 08:20 PM' timestamp='1245889236' post='203405']
Yes, the Bengal's are passing us by! The Bengal's are the BEST team in the NFL at talking about being a good high powered team. Right now as we sit in the pre-season I have the Bengal's winning the Pre-season superbowl over the Vikings! [b]That 1 winning season out of the last 8 season's[/b] has put the Bengal's in position as the best talking team in the NFL. August 31, 2009 I propose we give them the Pre-season superbowl trophy and have a parade!
[/quote]
Wasn't it 18 years?

[neepo13]

[quote name='Ravensfan23' date='25 June 2009 - 12:05 PM' timestamp='1245945952' post='203540']
You mean somebody actually beat out the Redskins in the preseason?

There's no talk this year about Cleveland returning to their glory days?

You mean there's no talk about Favre making some team an instant SuperBowl winner? no wait we do have that.

You are telling me that the Bengals have actually beaten out the Dallas Cowboys for the preseason SuperBowl.

Well there you have it Ravens fans, even before it starts its all over. Pack up your bags and head home. Lets look towards the draft, i guess this year we'll have a head start because the college season hasn't even started yet.

I sure hope we have a fighting chance this year. I don't know what we will ever do without Rex leading us to ten striaght years of defensive dominance. Oh wait he's only been the DC since 05'. I don't know how we are gonna handling losing one of the greatest LBs to ever play the game. oh wait we still have that guy, so who did we lose? And someone please tell me how will we ever survive without the great jim leonhart, who started the year as a backup and only saw playing time because of injury. Sure wish we could find the guy that started the year at safety. You know the one that all the coaches were raving about in camp and was projected to have his best season. Who was that guy?
[/quote]

I dont know how we will ever survive. I mean Chris McCalister is gone and despite him STILL not being able to pass a physical he was one of the best players on our defense last year.

We lost Corey Ivy. We all know thats really going to shake the D at the foundation.

Thats without even mentioning that Douglass is gone, he was one of our most dominate backups last year.

And to put the cherry on top we lost another LB coach. We are going to crash and burn. Lets face it this team doesnt even come close to resembling the team that went all the way to the AFC championship game. We should just clean house and start over.

[neepo13]

[quote name='darklight1216' date='25 June 2009 - 04:38 PM' timestamp='1245962338' post='203641']
Here's an interesting face: the last quarterback to lead the league [i]and[/i] win a Championship was Johnny Unitas back in 1959. (or perhaps '57)


[b]Wasn't it 18 years?[/b]
[/quote]

They havent won a playoff game in something like 20 years. The Ravens havent even been around for 20 years and we've already got more playoff appearances, wins, and championships then they do during that time span. Talk about an inept franchise.

[darklight1216]

[quote name='neepo13' date='25 June 2009 - 05:09 PM' timestamp='1245964162' post='203646']
They havent won a playoff game in something like 20 years. The Ravens havent even been around for 20 years and we've already got more playoff appearances, wins, and championships then they do during that time span. [b]Talk about an inept franchise.[/b]
[/quote]
Them and their little dawg too. The AFC North is truly a two-horse race.

[Chi_Town_Raven]

[quote name='darklight1216' date='25 June 2009 - 05:12 PM' timestamp='1245964326' post='203647']
Them and their little dawg too. [b]The AFC North is truly a two-horse race[/b].
[/quote]
Quoted for Truth

[kash96ravenstotalfan]

[quote name='cursona pirate' date='25 June 2009 - 11:11 AM' timestamp='1245942679' post='203526']
well we will find out eventually simple as that
[/quote]
Love your sig!

[mhead66]

[quote name='Alexir' date='24 June 2009 - 04:38 PM' timestamp='1245875914' post='203368']
I honestly see the Bengals being tougher to beat than the Steelers. I just feel the Steelers didnt address their O Line that much in the draft/off season and I see either or both Big Ben and Fumblin' Willie Parker going down early in the year.
[/quote]
Wow.

The Steelers beat the Ravens three times, and won the Super Bowl.

The Bengals were 4-11-1, and were #32 in Offensive scoring and Offensive yards...

The Steelers were #1 in Points Allowed and Yards Allowed.

The Bengals were #12 in Points Allowed and #19 in Yards Allowed.

Your statement reminds me of the Preseason pick last summer - everyone picked the Browns to win the AFC North, because they were 10-6 in 2007. As usual, the Ravens and the Steelers fought it out for the division, and the Ohio teams finished far behind.

I don't see any reason for that to change - barring a major injury to Flacco, Lewis and/or Reed... and to Roethlisberger.

Games aren't won on paper.

[Twoo]

The Bengals have a pretty decent team and the ability to be a wildcard, but the fact their QB is coming off a season ending injury and the fact they have a BRUTAL season stretch... I think they'll come out with a 7-9 record.