Time to take the Bengals seriously

**leachisabeast** · 12-24-2012, 10:03 AM

This has been thoroughly debated through the past two seasons, and I now believe that the debate has credit to it. The Bengals got the monkey off their back by beating the Steelers, and getting into the play offs for the second consecutive season. The Steelers have missed out, and it's time to consider the Bengals as contenders in not only the AFCN but the AFC in general into the future.

Good young QB who can win a lot of games. Good receiving core, one of the better Olines in the game, and a solid young defense. They may not be loaded in talent like the Ravens and Steelers have over the years, but with questions surrounding our own roster, and the Steelers looking to be in cap hell in the offseason, I seriously think the Bengals have leap frogged the Steelers.

Maybe the rivalry between the Ravens and the Steelers won't be as intense or have as many implications as it has done through the last few years, and maybe the Ravens vs Bengals will be the new big rivalry game in the AFCN. Who knows whats going to happen with the Browns, they have a good core of young players that needs more players to even think about competing in this division.

I've been hearing reports that the Steelers may be up to -28 million against the cap, sounds very exaggerated to me, but it's no secret that the Steelers have constantly restructured deals/contracts year after year, and it looks like it's going to come back to haunt them. I would not be surprised to see James Harrison, Troy, Larry Foote, Ike Taylor, Brett Kiesel, and Casey Hampton all to be gone next season. That's before players like Mike Wallace and Keenan Lewis hitting FA, players that the Steelers will likely not be able to resign.

**RavenScallywag** · 12-24-2012, 10:20 AM

Bengals are definitley the up and comers. Young core coming together there, and they STILL may be reaping benefits from the Palmer trade!

We and the Steelers will be pressed against the cap and need to make some big moves to keep afloat. I think that Haley/BR combination worked out about as I expected: terrible. Arians is getting the last laugh as the Colts make the playoffs while the Steelers work out tee times.

**pslholder96** · 12-24-2012, 10:22 AM

There's some truth to what you posted. I think we should see what happens in the off season and more importantly see how the Bengals start next season, maybe they come out smoking or falling flat on their face. I think the halfway mark will determine whether the bengals are ready to seize the division. Until then it will still come down to the Steelers and Ravens and yes the Steelers remain one of the top dogs because we as ravens fans should learn never to count them out.

**LukeDaniel** · 12-24-2012, 10:23 AM

The Bengals had a masterful draft this past year and has added a boatload of talent over the past two years.

2012

Dre Kirkpatrick (hasn't even really made an impact yet)
Kevin Zeitler (started every game, playing at an above average level already)
Devon Still (limited playing time so far, but was a solid value at pick #53)"
Mohamed Sanu (was really starting to contribute before season-ending injury. Had 4 TDs in a span of 6 games)
Brandon Thompson (jury still out)
Orson Charles (good depth guy behind Gresham. 8 catches-101 yards. Good reputation as a blocker)
Marvin Jones (took over as the #3 guy once Sanu went down. Probably will occupy that role for a while depending on what long-term decision they make on Andrew Hawkins)
George Iloka (was a great in the late 5th round. Special team guy right now, but projects an eventual starter)
Dan Herron (was on practice squad for most of the year, but has recently made some bigtime special teams plays for them)
Burfict (undrafted, leading Bengals tackler)

2011-Not a good draft in terms of depth (4 of their 8 picks have played 1 NFL game or fewer), but hit two home runs with the first two picks.

AJ Green- Hall of Fame type talent
Andy Dalton- led team to playoffs each of first two years. 46 TDs passing and 5 rushing TDs in first 31 games as a pro)

2010

Jermaine Gresham- has averaged 57-604-5 over first 3 seasons.
Carlos Dunlap- 19 career sacks in 37 games.
Geno Atkins- 23.5 career sacks, including 13 this year. Having an All-Pro type season on their interior line. I consider him a top 50 player in the NFL right now.

2009

Maulaluga (still only 25 years old)
Michael Johnson (9.5 sacks this year. Re-signing him in the offseason is going to be a huge factor in future success).

I think the balance of power is surely shifting in the AFCN right now. The Bengals and Browns are heading upward, Ravens slightly downward, and the Steelers bigtime downward.

I wouldn't be surprised if CLE, CIN, and BAL are 3 of the 7 best teams in the NFL next year, along with NE/DEN/HOU/INDY.

**leachisabeast** · 12-24-2012, 10:24 AM

Originally Posted by RavenScallywag

Bengals are definitley the up and comers. Young core coming together there, and they STILL may be reaping benefits from the Palmer trade!

We and the Steelers will be pressed against the cap and need to make some big moves to keep afloat. I think that Haley/BR combination worked out about as I expected: terrible. Arians is getting the last laugh as the Colts make the playoffs while the Steelers work out tee times.

Our cap situation is far from perfect, but no where near as bad as the Steelers. I just read that they are around 24 million against the cap.

**leachisabeast** · 12-24-2012, 10:26 AM

Mualuaga is awful, that wasn't a good pick IMO. He's like our Terrence Cody at ILB.

**Uli2001** · 12-24-2012, 11:28 AM

Color me a bit skeptical. I have heard this talk before, more precisely, in 2005. The Bengals had more talent back then (just compare the rosters) and that did not go anywhere. Sometimes it's the organization that needs to change, not the players on the field.

**Flipping Birdie** · 12-24-2012, 11:35 AM

Originally Posted by LukeDaniel

I wouldn't be surprised if CLE, CIN, and BAL are 3 of the 7 best teams in the NFL next year, along with NE/DEN/HOU/INDY.

LOL are you expecting the NFC to disband? Agreed with a lot of what you wrote before that, though.

**GOTA** · 12-24-2012, 11:39 AM

Honestly it sure looks like the Ravens do take the Bengals seriously. These are usually very tough and close games.

**DkBlue** · 12-24-2012, 11:45 AM

Originally Posted by GOTA

Honestly it sure looks like the Ravens do take the Bengals seriously. These are usually very tough and close games.

The Bengals have obviously taken a huge step. Going into Pittsburgh and winning that game was a bid deal. Crippled or not, the Steelers were favored.

**Shambla** · 12-24-2012, 11:56 AM

I think their defense is one of, if not the best in the league right now. I've watched their past two games and the offense is kinda blah.

Dalton Week 15:
13-27 (48%) 127 yds, 6 sacks, 2 fumbles 1 passing TD, 1 rushing TD

Dalton Week 16:
24-41 (59%) 278 yds, 6 sacks, 2 ints 0 TDs (only 12 yards of team rushing)

I still think they're up and coming but not on the level of the big boys yet. They'll have a high 2nd round pick thanks to Al Davis so they'll be improving again this offseason.

**Irish Raven** · 12-24-2012, 11:56 AM

Two excellent coordinators

Zimmer and Gruden

Credit due to both

I don't know enough about Bengals special teams to comment on that

**Ravenswintitle** · 12-24-2012, 12:30 PM

They have a ton of talent on defense and can really get after the QB. They have some great receivers and a very good TE and QB. Yes they have a lot of talent and good coordinators. Somehow the Ravens have found ways to beat them so far

**PGCountyRaven85** · 12-24-2012, 12:48 PM

They really have AJ Green, Gresham, BJGE and a bunch of "guys" on offense. I'm not afraid of Marvin Jones, Hawkins, or Sanu (on IR I believe).

**HKusp** · 12-24-2012, 12:52 PM

I think the Ravens do take them seriously. They (the Bengals) better hope the team that played last night doesn't show up against them next week.

**JustaslowZ06** · 12-24-2012, 01:07 PM

They had Palmer(lightyears better than Dalton, so far), OchoCinko meh a wash with AJ Green, Whosyourmama(better than their current #2 whomever they decide that to be) and a much better RB, 2 pro bowl corners on their squad at one point and a good front 7 at the same time and STILL couldn't put it together.

Sorry but the bengals of a few years ago were far more talented than they are now. Now they just have better coaches. But with that I'll say yes they have leap frogged the Squeelers as our biggest competition in the AFCN.

**RavenScallywag** · 12-24-2012, 01:11 PM

what kind've chaps my ass...How often do we lose coordinators? Mainly DC, but we've had two DCs in the last 5 years get HC gigs...

Zimmer was an up and coming coach for awhile, and Jay Gruden's name keeps getting mentioned.

When the hell are they going to get tabbed for a job???? Tired of us losing all the coaches....

**GOTA** · 12-24-2012, 01:12 PM

AJ Green is far better than Chad Johnson ever was. Green makes spectacular plays look ordinary. He's really a great player.

**Tyrian** · 12-24-2012, 01:32 PM

Marvin's said no resting of players. We see how it'll turn out on that front, but should be a good game.

**Paintballguy** · 12-24-2012, 01:53 PM

Originally Posted by RavenScallywag

what kind've chaps my ass...How often do we lose coordinators? Mainly DC, but we've had two DCs in the last 5 years get HC gigs...

Zimmer was an up and coming coach for awhile, and Jay Gruden's name keeps getting mentioned.

When the hell are they going to get tabbed for a job???? Tired of us losing all the coaches....

You may get your wish. Zimmers name is getting thrown around for a hc job

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