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Y! MyWebHoushmandzadeh: 'We can't run. We can't throw.'
A punchless offense paired with a defense that gave up big plays results in an ugly season-opening loss.
COMMENT: How can the Bengals fix their offensive problems?
Monday, September 08, 2008
BALTIMORE — The Cincinnati Bengals moved in slow motion. Tortoise slow.
The Baltimore Ravens? Fast forward — as in lightning.
Thanks to two long touchdown runs and a swarming defense that resembled a stone wall, the Ravens buried the Bengals 17-10 in the season opener in front of 70,978 spectators at M&T Bank Stadium on Sunday, Sept. 7.
Cincinnati's streak of three straight opening triumphs ended because it couldn't execute offensively and yielded too many explosive plays defensively.
Wide receiver Mark Clayton scored on a 42-yard double reverse in the first quarter and rookie quarterback Joe Flacco rumbled 38 yards down the right sideline for what proved to be the game winner at 0:15 of the third quarter.
The Bengals' only TD came on cornerback Jonathan Joseph's 65-yard fumble return with 10:15 remaining.
Cincinnati failed to convert on fourth-and-1 — Chris Perry got stuffed for a 1-yard loss by defensive end Haloti Ngata — then the Ravens burned the final 7:15 off the clock with a relentless ground attack.
"We got beat. We got outplayed. It was just an ugly game offensively," Bengals quarterback Carson Palmer said. "It's a sick feeling, and it's going to be even sicker when we watch the film."
Turning point
On third-and-4 at Baltimore's 17-yard line at 5:29 in a scoreless first quarter, Palmer's pass bounced off T.J. Houshmandzadeh's shoulder pads at the 6 and cornerback Chris McAlister made the interception.
Clayton's TD came eight plays later and the Ravens never looked back.
Star of the game
Ravens fullback Le'Ron McClain rushed 19 times for 86 yards (4.5), gaining three first downs on a 13-play, 62-yard drive that chewed up the final 7:15 of the clock.
Goat of the game
Cincinnati's offensive line couldn't adjust to the Ravens' pressure. Palmer was sacked twice and hit on nearly every play, and tailback Chris Perry (18 rushes, 37 yards) couldn't find much daylight.
Quote machine
"We just suck on offense right now. That's terrible. We can't move the ball. We can't get a first down. We can't run. We can't throw. The defense played great, and we just didn't play good on offense, bottom line." — Bengals wide receiver T.J. Houshmandzadeh.
Next game
Who: Tennessee Titans (1-0) at Cincinnati Bengals (0-1)
When: 1 p.m., Sunday, Sept. 14
TV: WHIO (CBS, Ch. 7)
Radio: WTUE-FM (104.7)
Comments
By face
September 14, 2008 3:13 PM | Link to this
Ocho Sinco is a cancer and a coach killer. See you in the unemployment line Marvin. Just throw it to Houshmanzadeh. He should just tell his buddy to shut up for the better of the team.
By face
September 14, 2008 3:12 PM | Link to this
Ocho Sinco is a cancer and a coach killer. See you in the unempolyment line Marvin. Just throw it to Houshmanzadeh. He should just tell his buddy to shut up for the better of the team.
By Ray
September 9, 2008 11:26 PM | Link to this
Cinny fans are now Cleveland fans. If not, Cinny fans need to start wearing the brown bags over their heads like the Aints days.
By Ray
September 9, 2008 11:26 PM | Link to this
Cinny fans are now Cleveland fans. If not, Cinny fans need to start wearing the brown bags over their heads like the Aints days.
By Rick H.
September 9, 2008 11:12 PM | Link to this
Get rid of the law breakers and quit making excuses for them. Next, do something with Ocho Stinko. I used to be a fan. Not long ago I bought 2 Bengal jerseys not cheap. One player is off the team and another keeps getting into trouble. Everything has a limit and I’ve reached mine with the Bengals. I think the Bengals have a bad morale problem with all the sideshows going on. Damn, can you stay out of jail? Hey Stinko, how about being a member of the team.
By Choate930
September 9, 2008 9:38 PM | Link to this
By kevin a
September 9, 2008 5:29 PM | Link to this
You can’t run if your O-Line has quit in them. They gave up on Sunday. Perry needs more touches to the outside if the O-Line can’t block. Palmer is a good QB but even the best QB’s will fail with an O-Line as soft as they are. Give them one more week against the Titans, if they get blown out again, some heads will roll. Chris Perry needs a big game, and Palmer just needs to go deep to get his receivers some confidence.
By jeff
September 9, 2008 4:27 PM | Link to this
It could be worse. At least your team doesn’t suck nearly as bad as the Lions!
By Steve
September 9, 2008 3:50 PM | Link to this
The offensive coordinator, Bratkowski, is the whole problem. I am not a coach and can tell you if your QB is getting 2 seconds and your O-line is getting manhandled, you use your 2 new weapons, Utech and Perry, send them outside on a screen and let them pick up 4 or 5 at a time. Then you leave yourself short 2nd and 3rd downs and an opportunity to stretch the field when the Raven DBs start going outside to stuff the screen, we can get a little more time to do other things - Time for Brat to go!
By Big D
September 9, 2008 12:47 PM | Link to this
i have been a Bengals fan for 20 years and the problem isn’t the coaches, it’s the personnel. the o-line is worthless, the d line with exception of geathers is horrible. linebackers are horrible runningbacks are horrible. take away palmer johnson tj the corners and shayne graham and you have the cincinnati reds. sign roosevelt colvin and shaun alexander and booger mcfarland and then we will win some games.
By Kellie
September 8, 2008 11:47 PM | Link to this
Perry is good running to the outside but up the middle he has no power. Why did we get rid of Rudi? 4. Get rid of Chris Henry. He is taking up a valuable spot on the roster and lets face it, he will never learn. It’s only a matter of time before he’s in trouble again. Lastly, we need to remember we are a TEAM! No one man can win or loose the game. Personal differences need to be set aside when we step on the field and there needs to be a ZERO tolerance policy for bad mouthing a teammate.
By Kellie
September 8, 2008 11:41 PM | Link to this
I love the Bengals but I’m extremely frustrated. 1. Marvin has to go. This is football! Yell, cuss, scream, get on their a*s! 2. Players have to be accountable and stop playing the blame game. Palmer you played a lousy game. You can’t win games when you only complete 5 passes to your top 2 wide receivers. Sure maybe you were being rushed but that’s what happens. You have to make adjustments and not make excusses. 3. We need a tank in the backfield.
By Coach Lewis
September 8, 2008 10:48 PM | Link to this
They won’t fire me, I landscape and do laundry for Mike Brown on my off days. I thought we played well except for a lack of points. The guys really played hard so I will let them off from practice today to show my appreciation for their efforts yesterday.
grooooowwwwwllll…….p***y cat pride
By Steve
September 8, 2008 6:38 PM | Link to this
Mike Brown is the problem, period. There has to be someway to make him sell out. They did it to Marge but that wasn’t the NFL. We all want to be Bengal fans but it gets harder every year.
By wow
September 8, 2008 6:03 PM | Link to this
Dayton Daily News, can you understand that it makes little to no sense to display the most recept postings on this message board first? Do you understand that doing it that way, we’ll be reading postings that are in answer to, or in reference to postings that we HAVE NOT YET READ? My god, you’re almost as incompetent as the Bengals. Get your act together and post from oldest to newest working from the end of the article downward!!! Sheesh!!
By Josh
September 8, 2008 5:39 PM | Link to this
Who Dey Who Dey Who’s gonna beat those BenGALS: Ravens, Titans, Eagles, Steelers, Giants, Cowboys, Jets, Jags, Texans, Redskins, Chiefs. Sadly the fans of the BenGALS would still trash these organzations after getting their butts handed to them. Hey aleast let your team make the playoffs before you go dogging Ohio St. or aleast try drafting some of their players or wait please don’t.
By bengalz4life
September 8, 2008 4:20 PM | Link to this
p.s. To all you fans of the most over rated college football team ever. And yes I mean the Buckeyes. They only thing they are good at is proving they cant beat a real team when it’s actually an important game! They don’t choke when the big game happens, they just plain out are talentless!
By big ken
September 8, 2008 4:15 PM | Link to this
LET ME TELL YOU ALL SOMETHING!! you all complain and moan and groan about Marvin and Mike and the other coaches! but when the bengals when the next 8 games they will be the best DARN coaches in the land!! GUESS WHAT NOBODY IS PERFECT the BENGALS are a strong team they try to do there best!NOBODY IS PERFECT! I have been a BENGALS fan for 30 years and bringing in that NO GOOD WASHED UP COACH BILL COWER is not the anwser
By Hat4er
September 8, 2008 3:22 PM | Link to this
With Brady hurting and Colts stinking, I think this NFL season is going to be very interesting. I feel any team can take it. I think we are too quick to criticize on the Bengals after only 1 game. Housh and Chad haven’t really played so obviously they are little rusty. Wait 3 more games and We will know what our season will be. I think the biggest problem we need to change is that Ugly Halloween Orange Uniform. I’ve been saying this for years and I cant stand it. The uniform is a curse.
By fdlka
September 8, 2008 3:01 PM | Link to this
Problem #1: Mike Brown, enough said. Problem #2: Offensive line. Look at our offense in 2005. We had an offensive line that could stop any defense, and it showed with us being, I believe, ranked 6th on offense. Now look at us. Good job destroying our offensive line Mike Brown. Problem #3: Not blitzing a rookie QB…. why? Just hurrying him consistently would have lead to at least an interception or two. But no, we give him a good 5-8 seconds to look for an open receiver. Problem #4: Continually running up the middle when it didn’t work the previous twelve times, and not trying to get around that with a screen pass or a quick play-action. Problem #5: Mike Brown. Sell your team to somebody who cares about their team and their fans.
By Bob
September 8, 2008 2:42 PM | Link to this
Why were we not blitzing? We should’ve been all over Flacco like a cheap suit! A rookie QB making his 1st start and we are not all over him???? We had zero sacks! Zero! None! 0! Everytime I saw Marvin he looked like “Ok, come on, let’s pick it up.” When he should’ve been in some faces and chewing donkeys! I agree with several comments, we need Cowher. Unfortunately, Cowher would fail too. Why? Mike Brown and next to no scouts to find great players. Cowher had a great organization around him.
By Bob
September 8, 2008 2:29 PM | Link to this
1a. Mike Brown ~ :Enter all reasons here: 1b. Marvin Lewis ~ This team is not ready, and that is totally Marvin’s fault. 2. Bratkowski ~ Has he never heard of the screen pass or safety valve to burn an agressive defense? 3. The O-Line ~ That was the worst performance I think I have ever seen. 4. Defense played good and had to be exhausted, but they still over persue and get out of position on reverses. Flacco ran for a 38 yd TD???? He’s not exactly Hester!
By P
September 8, 2008 2:05 PM | Link to this
Mike Brown needs to go. Marvin should be fired. Bring in a real coach like Cower. Let the city organize to buy the team - that has worked well for Green Bay. It is clear Marvin is not the one in power especially when the owner overrides the coach’s decision and brings back a pathetic thug on society to the team. Now tell me the players can respect the coach and want to play for him. How can he motivate anyone now? He can’t and it showed Sunday.
By Fat Reed
September 8, 2008 2:04 PM | Link to this
It is about money. Chad could not be traded without it costing over 8million dollars this year. Remember this is one of two teams that voted against the new bargaining agreement. Being cheap is a state of mind of ownership, but it would help if more people would buy the Bengals stuff. That only happens when you win so you are damned if you do and damned if you don’t
By Terry Davis
September 8, 2008 2:01 PM | Link to this
Ocho Cinco?? Mucho Stinko!!!
By Jason
September 8, 2008 1:52 PM | Link to this
I will agree with two things that have already been posted. Brown hire a great coach not a good defensive coach with a great personality. But we all know that you are a controll freek and a great coach will not let you run his name threw the mud. The second is that we are not in Cleveland so calm down. It was only one game. I do agree that things need to change but until something falls on Browns head and knocks some sense into him we are going to be pissed. We will always love our Bengals.
By ohiowhodey
September 8, 2008 1:38 PM | Link to this
All you have to do is look at the two offensive lines. Cincinnati’s O-line was getting pushed into the backfield while Baltimore’s O-line was holding their own. Carson is not a scrambler and he needs more time to throw. How can you get rid of Big Willie if this is what the Bengal’s have? I’d like to at least have something to look forward to, but once Mike Brown blames everything on Marvin and fires him, Mike Brown will just hire someone else he can push around. Just look at the coaches.
By chimp
September 8, 2008 12:59 PM | Link to this
Carson was fine. No quarterback does well when he has 2 seconds to throw the ball. When he did have time, he completed passes —- oh wait, everybody’s beloved tj doucheman missed one inside the red zone that was right in his hands. It got picked, and Carson gets blamed. For as bad as they played, the Bengals still should have won.
By preacher,franklin ohio
September 8, 2008 12:51 PM | Link to this
i praythings get better geter done for jesus god bless you all love in chirst preacher.
By Nick
September 8, 2008 12:50 PM | Link to this
How to fix the offense? Sit Carson Palmer and give the ball to Ryan Fitzpatrick. This team needs a motivational leader on the field who make things happen. Carson has not been a good QB since his injury - he is gun shy and playing scared. Fitz played with the exact same offense and found ways to score in the preseason.
By Mindy
September 8, 2008 12:38 PM | Link to this
we had one good season, so everyone would buy season tickets for life, and when they have the money start sucking again.
its okay though, i’m not going to complain. I love my city and the team! The Bengals have a crap season and everyone still loves them. If you didn’t you wouldn’t be complaining about their lose.
By jb
September 8, 2008 12:03 PM | Link to this
The “weak” mindset is still there and always will be under this ownership. A team is the reflextion of its coach, but the organization is a reflextion of its owner. The “problems” with the Bengals stem from the organization/ownership. We’ve all seen this team before, under: Dave Shula, B.C., and D.L. Same team same mindset.
By chad
September 8, 2008 11:57 AM | Link to this
chad ocho cinco had 1 catch for 22 yards housh had 4 for 40 something, chad had one catch and got half of wat tj got, our offensive line is terrible, when our defense plays well, our offence needs to play well too, they tried running the ball to much, just 5 catches between 2 pro bowl recievers is just ridiculous.
By kelly in da ville
September 8, 2008 11:56 AM | Link to this
What is the one constant is all of our years of Bengal suffering?
Blame anyone you want…this is Mike Brown’s football team and will continue to suck as long as he is around. Whatever made him think he could run a football team? I guarantee if his father was still around even he would fire him.
Please, Mike, haven’t we suffered enough? Hire a general manager and go away. Please-please-please!
By kelly in da ville
September 8, 2008 11:55 AM | Link to this
What is the one constant is all of our years of Bengal suffering?
Blame anyone you want…this is Mike Brown’s football team and will continue to suck as long as he is around. Whatever made him think he could run a football team? I guarantee if his father was still around even he would fire him.
Please, Mike, haven’t we suffered enough? Hire a general manager and go away. Please-please-please!
By P David
September 8, 2008 11:48 AM | Link to this
Hey Carson…..Your over-rated and a week team leader.How many completions did the BUCKEYE’s have?
By Greg L
September 8, 2008 11:48 AM | Link to this
How do you not blitz a rookie QB on every single down???? The Bengals didn’t blitz at all.
Why are we handing off the ball on 4th and 2 when we haven’t been able to run the ball all day? That play only works if you have a Jerome Bettis type runner… Chris Perry is not.
Can some hire Boomer for the day to show Carson what a play action fake is????
FIRE MARVIN AND BRING IN BILL COWHER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1
By Cale
September 8, 2008 11:47 AM | Link to this
The Bengals have many problems. The biggest problem? That would have to be management. Reports have hinted that the Bengals could have gotten a first and a fourth round draft pick for Chad Ocho Cinco this past off-season. First round picks are HUGE. I do concede that Ocho is also HUGE, almost as huge as the headache he causes every off-season. My advice……Trade Chad, Cut Chris Henry, use your next 3 draft picks on offensive lineman, use the 3 draft picks after that on oppensive lineman
By Cale
September 8, 2008 11:46 AM | Link to this
The Bengals have many problems. The biggest problem? That would have to be management. Reports have hinted that the Bengals could have gotten a first and a fourth round draft pick for Chad Ocho Cinco this past off-season. First round picks are HUGE. I do concede that Ocho is also HUGE, almost as huge as the headache he causes every off-season. My advice……Trade Chad, Cut Chris Henry, use your next 3 draft picks on offensive lineman, use the 3 draft picks after that on oppensive lineman
By Ohiofan
September 8, 2008 11:42 AM | Link to this
This season is a write-off already. Ocho-stinko should have been “allowed” to leave. HOUSH is the franchise receiver, not 85! Having the worst record in the NFL this year though, and with a new head coach next year, the Bengals should do very well in the draft. Their first five additions should be five offensive linemen. Then a quarterback. Finally, some defensive backs that can actually cover. That’d be fresh.
By CM the GM
September 8, 2008 11:42 AM | Link to this
Hey Bengals fans tone it down. This is not Cleveland!
By Chimp
September 8, 2008 11:26 AM | Link to this
You all can’t figure out that Marvin Lewis (as well as Dusty Baker) was brought to Cincinnati to heal the city. Now prove we’re racists. Meanwhile, let’s employ a ghetto punk crackhead as a WR and go 2-14. Go Bengals!
By Jarod
September 8, 2008 11:04 AM | Link to this
I said it three years ago and I am saying it now, “Marvin Lewis’es timid style of football along w/the ownerships tight clutch on monies were going to be the death of this team” Prediction: Marvin Lewis will be gone prior to season’s end AND Shaun Alexander will step in and breath some life into the offense…
By Jarod
September 8, 2008 11:03 AM | Link to this
I said it three years ago and I am saying it now, “Marvin Lewis’es timid style of football along w/the ownerships tight clutch on monies were going to be the death of this team” Prediction: Marvin Lewis will be gone prior to season’s end AND Shaun Alexander will step in and breath some life into the offense…
By Gary
September 8, 2008 10:50 AM | Link to this
Remember Tom Coughlin interviewed for the Bengal job and was told he wanted too wanted too much control to be considered a viable Bengal Coaching candidate! Instead we get Marvin Lewis, who had interviewed with other NFL teams about their Head Coaching jobs, and was not hired. Simply put, The Bengals Ownership, as usual, put in a Head Coach they are comfortable with. One that they control 100%!
By Gary
September 8, 2008 10:49 AM | Link to this
Remember Tom Coughlin interviewed for the Bengal job and was told he wanted too he wanted too much control to be considered a viable Bengal Coaching candidate! Instead we get Marvin Lewis, who had interviewed with other NFL teams about their Head Coaching jos, and was not hired. Simply put, The Bengals Ownership, as usual, put in a Head Coach they are comfortable with. One that they control 100%!
By JMo
September 8, 2008 10:46 AM | Link to this
The one and only good thing that I will say about the loss is that Marvin did not abandon the run. They steadfastly kept the game plan balanced and Perry racked up 18 solid carries. Now he only avg. 2.1 yds per carry but still balance was nice. This team offensively stunk like 2001 yesterday. They need to get off their highhorse admit they got the snot kicked out of them and realized hard work and execution are the only things that are going to turn this season around.
By pacman
September 8, 2008 10:42 AM | Link to this
Good job coaching staff, your running game is so much better without Rudi and your line is awesome without Anderson! Cut a few more pro-bowlers and you guys can win it all!!!! Worse coaching and ownership besides the Raiders.
By don
September 8, 2008 10:03 AM | Link to this
Why run the ball up the middle, especially on 4th down?? I am just a fan and I know not to run up the middle on Baltimore. Play calling is just terrible…very frustrating being a Bengal fan
By Tom
September 8, 2008 10:01 AM | Link to this
Same bad defense; offense line is even worse than last year. Carson better quit bragging about USC and learn how to scramble; a broken nose may be the least of his injuries this year.
By Sandy
September 8, 2008 9:44 AM | Link to this
Feel real bad for the good offensive players on the team, like Housh. No wonder they want out of Cincinnati. First, Bratkowski has to go. Should have been gone years ago. Second, someone close to Mike Brown should urge him to sell the team to someone who wants to win. In other words, to someone who is willing to spend some money on decent players. Too bad it’s going to be another disappointing season for us Bengal fans.
By Greg Tampa Fl.
September 8, 2008 9:35 AM | Link to this
well where do i start,first and foremost that big offensive line got pushed around like a rag doll.second the timing is obviously off in the passing game.third to many dropped balls and fumbles.fourth some of the worst takling they just dont get it you got to wrap up not headbut terrible to watch.guys cmon!!!!!!!!!!!!!
By Chick L.
September 8, 2008 9:10 AM | Link to this
Actually I predicted the Bengals would finish 9-7. Clearly I have a vast knowledge of pro football. I’d like to forget the problems of my favorite team so please give me a day to write up another article bashing the Browns. BTW Buckeye fans, USC is going to crush OSU next week (finally a prediction that makes sense!)
By Doug
September 8, 2008 8:49 AM | Link to this
watch OSU, I assume you missed that game Sat, what a laugh bring on basketball
By Sam
September 8, 2008 8:46 AM | Link to this
When are they gonna bring pro sports to Cincinnati or even Ohio?
By Buckeye
September 8, 2008 8:44 AM | Link to this
Thank God for the OSU. At least we get to watch some real football, regardless what Carson says. I wouldn’t pay a nickel to go to a Bengals game. Over priced, over pumped, under perform, year after year. Here we go again! It’s going to be a long season for the faithful. I suggest you watch the OHIO STATE BUCKEYES!
By bill
September 8, 2008 8:42 AM | Link to this
Didn’t Chick Ludwig predict this team to win 10 games and make the playoffs? That shows you how much he knows about football.
By Ray Lewis
September 8, 2008 8:39 AM | Link to this
The Bengals offense is a bunch of powder puffs! LOL
By joe
September 8, 2008 8:37 AM | Link to this
The only way to fix this offense is to start over from scratch. Of course I told all of ya five years ago that Marvin Lewis should be fired but no one would listen to me!
By Tom
September 8, 2008 8:37 AM | Link to this
Leave Cincinnati so we don’t have to worry about it anymore.
By John
September 8, 2008 8:36 AM | Link to this
Get a coaching staff that imparts discipline and doesn’t coddle players.