You would think working for NFL.com would require some level of intelligence with regard to the league and the sport of football, but Gil Brandt has proved that's not true.
Brandt said he thinks the Cincinnati Bungles (err, I mean Bengals) will finish ahead of the Baltimore Ravens in 2009. He also made it seem as though Pittsburgh winning the division again was a foregone conclusion.
I'm speechless. Even if the Ravens have a ton of injuries and/or fall off some after last year's surprising finish, I still can't see them finishing worse than the Bengals.
Yes, Carson Palmer should be better now that his elbow is healed and the defense has gotten better through the NFL Draft, but this is a team that still has a lot of problems.
Chad Ocho Cinco is still a major distraction and quietly seems to be on the downside of his career. It also won't help that he no longer has T.J. Houshmandzedah to open things up for him. Chris Henry could get suspended any day for doing whatever stupid idea popped into his head, and Andre Caldwell isn't bringing back memories of Chris Collinsworth.
Cedric Benson as the starting running back? The guy showed a spark late last season, but let's not start doing the Icky shuffle just yet. He has shown a propensity to get into trouble with the law and has failed to put together one full, solid season.
The offensive line is pretty bad and I don't see anything that would change that in 2009. As a whole, I think the offense could be almost as bad as last year, with Palmer's return being just enough to outweigh the loss of Housh.
The defense is arguably better if some of the team's higher picks in this year's draft pan out, but they still are just rookies and their impact will likely be quite limited. I just don't see them stopping anyone. I can't get that hapless effort their defense threw together at home against the Ravens out of my mind. Just pathetic.
Obviously injuries could change everything, but looking at the two teams before the start of the season, there is no way the Ravens finish worse than the Bengals if key players stay healthy.
Comments
De: used to indicate privation, removal, and separation... Your name DeClue, is cursedly acurate in that you first off do not know what you are talking about, and secondly you base your argument on opinionated conjecture. The Bengals are going to make you eat your words.
Opinionated conjecture? The evidence the author points out is right before your eyes on the playing field. If the author doesn't know what he is talking about, show us that you do and present your argument as to why you think the Bengals will be better than the Ravens this year.
The Bengals I think will be much improved this season. They had a good draft and of course they're getting Carson Palmer back. They should win more games than last season but if history has shown us anything, the bengals have had one winning season with Palmer at the helm I believe. The Ravens have a winning season at least 2 out of every 3 years. If I'm a gambling man I'm betting on the Ravens, but this is the NFL and anything can happen. Also games are won in the trenches, we all know who's lines are much better.
You forgot to mention their big upgrade at RT is probably going to hold out and miss part of training camp. If they can't protect Palmer, this team will suck just like last year. Chad looks to be in better shape but he will be double teamed at all times now that Houshmandilly is gone and Carson won't have enough time to check down to his 2nd, 3rd, and 4th options. They won't be the worst team in Ohio though, the Browns are really going to suck this year.
You also failed to mention the addition of Laveranues Coles.
"Opinionated conjecture? The evidence the author points out is right before your eyes on the playing field. If the author doesn't know what he is talking about, show us that you do and present your argument as to why you think the Bengals will be better than the Ravens this year."
Whos eyes? He didnt go to the Bengals camp. He pulling stuff out of his butt. OchoCinco on the downside of his career? Here is input from someone who went to camp and studied the Bengals. go to ESPN and read what Clayton has to say. I would paste it but no links allowed on here.
I really like it though. I think they are going so fly under the radar and make guys like declue really look like homer reporters. Stick to de small time rag declue. There is a reason you arent working at NFL.com or ESPN
There must be a bit of concern in Ravens land. Why does it matter what others think about the Bengals.........unless your suppressing fear. The Ratbirds (er Ravens) should have nothing to worry about this year right..........right????
Time will tell. I have a gut feeling like I never have before that many will be VERY surprised. With a defense MUCH improved and an offense that will be much better than last year - provided no major injuries, the outcome and the Bengal's record may shock the crap out of everyone. I think Marvin has finally got the group of guys around him to get the job done. A lot of guys out there have much to prove and will be playing with a chip on their shoulders. I think the maturity is there. The weapons and talent is there to even compete with the likes of the smashmouth Ravens and Steelers. I believe people may be underestimating 85, Coles, Henry and even Caldwell. Every single one of them has the talent and something to prove and have so far said and done the right things to show they in the right place. I'm not taking anything away from the Ravens - but, I do think this year you may be in for a big surprise. I've eaten my words before, but you can mark them anyway.
The most horrible piece of write I have ever uead....De-get-a-clue....You obviously have an axe to grind against the Bengals but when you are going into journalisim you need to be un-biased. Offer fair insight. With that said how many practices did you attend in the off season? Did you actually talk to the players? Did you actually do any homework or reporting in regards to this trash that you wrote? I obviously am a Bengals fan but I unlike you can be unbiased and say I agree just with one thing that you wrote...I think at this point the Raturds are the better team....I do hope however if the bengals prove you wrong you come on this same hack website and write an article stating how you were wrong. I then hope you will go to the ESPN messege board and post the same article just like you have done so far. Pretty lamme that you post your article on ESPN, I guess youn lack some confidence...Hang in there little fella you will get better.
What are you guys thinking? The Ravens are a MUCH, MUCH better team than the bengals. First, all the Bengals fans seem to think their offense will be amazing this year. They all think Chad, Coles and all their other recievers are the best in the league. But they forget the offseason additions the Ravens made to their secondary. Dominique Foxworth, Chris Carr, and they resigned Samari Rolle. Fabian Washington and Foxworth should be the starters and Rolle in the nickel. The Ravens finished first in pass defense last year, and with all the additions, they should be the best again. One more thing, they are getting Kelly Gregg back!!!! This should help their reun defense, which by the way hasnt allowed a 100 yard rusher in 36 games!!!!!!!!!! So good luck Carson Palmer and the rest of the Bengals.
"You would think working for NFL.com would require some level of intelligence with regard to the league and the sport of football, but Gil Brandt has proved that's not true."
What, are you 12? Mr. Brandt was only the architect of some the greatest teams in NFL history.
Oh I like how you talk about the Ravens beating the Bengals and how you speak of Gil Brandt of NFL.Com stating it was in your words "a foregone conclusion" that the stealers were going to win the divisions. But you fell to mention that the Ravens lost to the Colts 31-3 and the Giants 30-10 oh and the best one losing to the steelers ummmmmmm 3 times last season.....That mean man gil brandt stating the stealers would win the division the nerve of him...God dude you need to contact Ronco School of Journalisim and hairstyling and get your money back....
Jeff, I don't think anyone's saying the Bengal offense is going to be AMAZING, but vastly improved. Improved enough to score on the formidable Raven's defense? Possibly and perhaps likely - for the very fact that everyone is discounting them. Chad Ochocinco is actually in shape this year, he's made it to some voluntaries and every one of the receivers is healthy and will be in Training Camp. That didn't happen last year. The chemistry is 100% improved and I believe will make a vast improvement in production. If the offense is improved then it will give the defense a chance to rest. A 2008 defensive 12th place finish could look disturbingly close to a Raven or Steeler caliber defense. The big question and concern will be how well will the new O-line - which can't be considered bad since it is newly structured and not proven or dispoven yet - protect Carson and create some running lanes? As I said, time will tell.
Hold up Badgerlock, you obviously dont know your team. The Bengals defense as good as the Ravens or steelers? Let me enlighten you. Do you remember the second game the Ravens and Bengals played eachother? I believe your corners got beat on a consistand basis. That one guy Hall got burned by a 35 YEAR OLD RECIEVER(Derrick Mason), then again by Mark Clayton. Thats the differense between the Ravens defense and the Bengals defense, you have absolutly no talent at the corner position. You may have good linebackers but they ae young and inexperianced. To go along with that the Bengals have little depth at the defensive tackle position. Here is a great example of what I am talking about. My friend plays DT for a highschool team. They played a team in week 5 and held them to -89 yards rushing. Yes their run defense was amazing and yes they have 4 division one prospects at the defensive line and linebacker positions. But they lost in thestate championship because of their corners.
Jeff said: "Yes their run defense was amazing and yes they have 4 division one prospects at the defensive line and linebacker positions. But they lost in the state championship because of their corners."
I believe the reverse could be true. Could not the secondary be affected by the play of rush defense? The Bengals weren't stopping the run consistently, nor were they rushing the passer. That leaves the secondary out there running around a lot more. Hall and Joseph are very talented and haved lacked perhaps a bit of experience against the talented receivers. But, the Bengals Receiving Defense still finished 11th last year. I remind that a majority of the games were lost in the second half. Ineffective offense means tired out defense. All I'm saying is that's changed -I think enough to make a big difference. I very well could be wrong, but what I've seen, read and heard about this preseason and the changes they've made indicate that the Bengals have the potential to be contenders.
Plus, I said "disturbingly close" - not "as good as". I am worried about the secondary only in as much as at the corner position the Bengals' do lack depth. If Hall or Joseph gets hurt there aren't experienced options.
Yeah but as I said they dont have depth at the defensive line. I know they got a rookie defensive end but he is a rookie. So if the Bengals dont have any elete players upfront, then how is the secondary going to be effected by the front line if they dont have any good pass rushers up front. Thats the thing, the Begals got Rivers and Malaluga af their leading tacklers. Although they are good LB's, none of them are elete pass rushers. So if they cant get after the QB, the secondary will suffer.
this dude who is on nfl is dumb as s*** the bengals have inproved but look even when carson was healthy the ravens were still beter thier secondary is getting beter but they suck their got burned by father time(derrick mason) chad. lets take a look at the deffense and compare do the bengals have safty that compares to ed reed? roy williams No do they have talented but unexperianced linebackes yes. do any of them compare to the future hall of famer linbacker ray lewis or the the probowler ray lewis no. do they have corners like fabian washington and domonique foxworth? no some might say look at the stats fabian was a very good pickup for the ravens and led the team in deflected passes domonique only had one pick but did not allow one touchdowm for the last have of the season. do they have a dt who who can stop the run like ngata no. now the offense is a liitle diffrent carson is a pro bowler and so is chad but what about the runnig game can they compare to mgahee rice or mcclain no
I believe Tank Johnson is a defensive line threat, along with Antwon Odom who was hurt most of last year. Robert Geathers played out of position because of the decimated line and when moved back to end will continue doing what he did in previous years. I don't think you need big flashy names at these spots, just people who are going to get the job done. The end of last season proved the job was getting done. As far as safety positions, Roy Williams is a great addition and Chris Crocker really rocked in the defense. Look him up and see some of the shots he gave. Came up with some interceptions too if I'm not mistaken. I think most would agree, including the coaches and players of the Ravens and Steelers, don't ignore the Bengals. The record may indicate "the Bungles" but I've seen the transformations behind the headlines, and this year may just be a lot different than last year.
I think I'm finished. As I said, there's only one way to find out. It's been fun. Thanks.
The Bengals are the new Cowboys, they sign superstars with huge egos and they dont click as a team. They all want to be "the guy" and no progress is made what so ever. The bengals should change their name to the Cincinati Convicts and sign Mike Vick.
That is SO hilarious! I've NEVER heard that one before. You should seriously consider being a comedian.
Mark my words.....RAVENS win the AFC North!!!!
I honestly have no idea how anyone here can honestly believe the Bungles have a shot at the division. They are turrible.
Nonetheless, it's great to have Bengals fans get so fired up and to have some lively dialogue here. Keep it going, this is good stuff.
Thanks for the sarcasm Badgerlock.
Defending a team against what Gil Brandt writes is like defending your dad against what a 3rd grader says. You'll have to have a thicker skin than that if you want to emotionally survive the Ratturds 2009 season.
I swallow lots of semen everyday since my job as examiner makes me nothing
The reason the Bengals had the 11th ranked passing defense is because you could run all over them and thats what teams do in the second half when they have the lead. The Bengals have too many questions unanswered and Marvin Lewis has coached them to a winning record only one time I believe. They could be around .500 but they won't be any better than the Ravens or Steelers and their defense CERTAINLY won't be on par with either of those teams.
I know the Ravens are far superior than the Bungles, but you cant blame me for trying. Im still just upset I live in Cincinnati, ugh.
Hey Baltimore Justin.....
Get your info straight. Try the #12 overall ranked defense. lets see how Your offense looks against them this year with the new additions. Feathers will fly all over the place this year!
Good Luck Ravens fans! Cite what evidence you will - the Ravens are apt to follow up a good year with a lousy one, as they have done in the past.
You all seem to forget how recently the Bengals pretty much owned your butts - regardless of overall record. The Ravens could positively surprise, but predicting some Baltimore backsliding this season seems very defensible to me.
Even as a Steeler fan I have to agree that the Bengals will not surpass the Ravens in the division race. Looks like the Steelers and Ravens will slug it out again for the AFC North crown.
Rudyard is clearly an intelligent football fan, unlike the rest of the Bengals homers who think their team is going somewhere this year.
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