Bengals: All Bengals had to do was win ...

Sunday, December 31, 2006

All Bengals had to do was win ...

San Francisco defeated Denver 26-23 in overtime late today, and the Broncos miss the chance to go to the playoffs. Kansas City and the Jets are the two AFC wildcard teams.

The Chiefs defeated Jacksonville in an early game.

The 49ers victory, if the Bengals had won, would have sent the Bengals to the playoffs if they had won against the Steelers.

The Bengals lost 23-17 in overtime to Pittsburgh.

20 Comments:

at 12/31/2006 8:22 PM

Dill's Mom said...

I feel so bad for the team as people. It was a thrilling game and sometimes the breaks don't go your way. But just remember how much better players got this year. How much the new guys learned and this will all help next year. If football were so easy everyone would do it. It is not as easy as those drinking a beer in their seats seem to think it is. Today's game was the best and most fun I have ever had at Paul Brown Stadium. I just wish it would have gone their way.

at 12/31/2006 9:19 PM

Anonymous said...

Dill's Mom is the typical Bengal fan. Suffered so much during the long drought that she is just thankful that the Bengals are finally competitive. Is scared to death that clueless ML may get a job somewhere else and knows that the Brown family cannot be trusted to hire an suitable replacement.

Reason why the Steelers are the Steelers and the Bengals are the Bungles--the Steelers are just tougher, both mentally and physically. And when your coach makes Cowher look smart, you have a huge problem.

at 12/31/2006 9:48 PM

Anonymous said...

Dill's Mom should take off her rose colored glasses and throw away her kool aide.
This team definitely has issues and it starts with the Coach ML.
I get tired of hearing "that we are growing" BS.
His time management skills and gameplans are suspect and his coaches are equally suffering the same illness.
As for the players, good luck to those who stay. Good riddence to those who are asked to leave.
Another weakness for ML is player selection...He needs some help...

at 12/31/2006 10:01 PM

Dill's Mom said...

I don't have on rose colored glasses and I don't even drink Kool aide. I am a human being who has empathy for other human beings. I'm sure this team like all other NFL teams do have "issues," but none of you on this blog are qualified to figure them out, otherwise you'd be coaching, not blogging.

at 12/31/2006 10:09 PM

Dill's Mom said...

I don't wear rose colored glasses, nor do I drink Kool Aide. I simply have empathy for other human beings, regardless of their paycheck size. It was difficult to not feel bad for Shane Graham today. Did you not feel that way? I obviously know that the team, like all NFL teams have "issues." However, no one on this blog is "qualified,' to figure out the solutions, otherwise they'd be coaching in the NFL, not blogging on New Years Eve. If the team had won last week on the botched field goal, or today on the missed field goal, none of this conversation would even be taking place. You'd be praising ML and the team for their stellar comebacks. It all a matter of 2 field goals. Can't we ever give anyone a break?

at 12/31/2006 10:47 PM

Anonymous said...

I'm a huge Bengals fan, now living in South Carolina, and watched the game with 20 other Bengal fans at a local sportsbar. On the other side were the Steeler fans. It sure was not fun walking past them after that tough game. Even harder, was watching San Fran win.
The Bengals had alot of hard breaks this year, but are still a young, talented team, that needs to get through their problems. Life goes on, even without the playoffs, and I'm still optimistic for next year.

In the mean time, there's still the bowl games...

Go Bucks!!

It does hurt a little that a former Buckeye got the winning score...thanks Santonio.

at 12/31/2006 11:10 PM

Anonymous said...

I really didn't think that 8-8 was in the cards this year, but here we are, crushed again, knowing how agonizingly close we were to seeing a rematch in Indy.

When I see 4 agonizing losses (OT, 2 by 1 point, 1 by 2 points) and others by less than a TD, I am simultaneously exasperated and hopeful. I believe that this team is like San Diego last year--just missed the playoffs but primed for a breakout year. This year, the Bengals had the worst kharma of any team I've ever followed, and today's Denver defeat is probably the worst blow of all (you know that if Graham's FG had not mysteriously hooked right Nedney's would have and we'd still be on the outside).

Four AFC teams made the playoffs last year and missed this year. That doesn't really make me feel better, but at least it gives some perspective about how tough the conference is. I still won't be able to watch any playoff game involving the Jets, Giants, or Chiefs--there should be a rule that you can't get to the playoffs at 8-8 or if you lost to the Browns.

Kurk Dorsey
Newmarket NH

at 12/31/2006 11:23 PM

Anonymous said...

Until the bengals have a rough and nasty defense, they will still be bullied by other teams like the pittsburgh "let's injure your QB" steelers. Look at Indy. Their offensive heroics for 5 years have gotten them nothing but disapointment. Dill's mom is right, if that field goal would have sailed straight, all of us would have forgotten about how horrible our run D was and be focused on next week's playoff game. Its the breaks, but until you can dictate with your defense in this league, you will struggle. We need an upgrade and some real impact players on D. The Defense should be the focus of the free agency and the draft. Corner, OLB, and a mean pass rusher.

at 1/01/2007 9:01 AM

Anonymous said...

Yesterday if you'd have stuck a fork in me I'd have swore I was done. Now I'm just bummed out that I have to wait for next year(again). Sure was a perfect ending to a perfect schizo-Bengal season. I'm kinda missing the Bengals of the 90's. At least I knew what to expect every season. On the other hand the "New & Improved" Bengals seem to be a lot more creative in the ways they implode. How many times can a single team shoot themselves in the foot and not run out of ammo?
Did anyone else know that field goal was going to miss? That we would not win the toss and they Steelers would blow through our defense? That with a win we would be playoff bound? I took no joy in my Nostrodamus like moments! At those points I knew these things were inevitable just as sure as the sun would come up this morning! Ahh the sheer joy of saying "next year".

at 1/01/2007 9:16 AM

Anonymous said...

I feel bad for we Bengals fans who live in Findlay, Ohio. You have no clue how hard it is to live among hybrid/pseudo Steeler fans who like the Steelers because Findlay is the hometown of the QB. This is simply more salt in the wound after last year's Kimo-caused playoff result.

But this team lost to some plainly inferior teams as well such as Tampa
and Atlanta. After 4 years, I don't see Marvin as the answer that I thought he was when he took over. The defense has been inept for 4 years and something must change

at 1/01/2007 9:25 AM

Anonymous said...

My post today is aimed squarely at Mark Curnette. Mark, you do a great job! I visit the blog DAILY. I thought some of the writing you did during your mother's illness was incredibly moving. I posted a comment to tell you that. Your obviously a gifted reporter.

But...here goes:

NAME, NAMES! Do what a strong, independent, free press DO! Name, names. Who is selfish? Who is Willie referring to and why? Is it Chad and/or TJ as Daugherty writes? What, specifically, makes them "selfish"? Is it Rudi? Henry? What do they do? Miss meetings? Are they physically unable to perform? What does "selfish" mean and how does it translate to poor play on the field in real world tersm?

As fans, we think Chad & TJ are brilliant because they catch big balls and as an astute, educated, observer of football, I don't see a hint of selfishness from these guys. Is it just personality? What happens at practice, in meetings, behind-the-scenes to make these guys "selfish?"

Most importantly, name names! This isn't a national security issue, it's sports for entertainment and part of the entertainment of sports is the soap opera that exists amont the personalities. Name, names.

There is very obviously some very bad blood in that locker room. GET TO THE BOTTOM OF IT. If Bob Woodward can get people to be candid and talk about a WAR, certainly a little pushing and prodding by the media can out these players that Willie (and even Marvin) believe are selfish. Name, names!!!!

Just my 2 cents...enjoy your off-season and keep up the GREAT work.

at 1/01/2007 9:26 AM

Anonymous said...

I have no problem with mother Dill. My problem rest in watching the Bengals defense ! oh, and the coaching !! It seems we are constantly being outcoached. Dear Marvin, please don't waste a timeout "icing" a kicker.. we could have used it during the last confusing minute as we we're driving in for the winning field goal. PS. I'm not a Bengal basher, I'm no fun to be around after Bengal losses.

at 1/01/2007 11:51 AM

Anonymous said...

Dan says the reason they lost is simple, Why play hard and get rewarded by another week of practice. After all, there are parties to attend on News Year Eve. Some guys on this team did not want to win, they already have enough money. Same for Denver.

at 1/01/2007 3:10 PM

Professorx06 said...

You all need to quit your whining! I am a die hard Steelers fan, and the biggest difference between my team and your "organization" is you stupid fair-weather fans. We had tough times, but we're REAL FANS so we stick by our team through everything. Stop blaming your coach, we would gladly welcome him to the STEEL CITY and really punish you all. It's about time you all realize YOUR TEAM IS SOFT, YOUR CITY IS SOFT, AND YOU ALL AS FANS, ARE SOFT!

Losers make excuses, winners make it happen.

at 1/01/2007 9:56 PM

Anonymous said...

Monday, January 01, 2007
Bengals Woeful Season Mercifully Comes To An End

Winning Field Goal vs Steelers Sails Wide Right; however many factors expose "also ran" team.

So many things went so poorly for so many that the promise of this season started fading away at about the mid-season point. Please refer back to my archival posts of October and November when I said this team exhibits few of the "true grit" qualities of a championship, or even playoff team for that matter. With playoffs on the horizon the team seemed only mildly focused at times needing to win but 1 of the last 3 games for the team to be in there. There was little "fire in the belly" and while no one likes to be called a choker; they choked. Let's call a duck a duck. When the big play or big game was needed the team did not deliver; period. The teams performance was simply inexcusable and unacceptable.

I truly believe there is plenty of blame for all to take their share and that all players and coaches are deserving of a healthy dose of criticism along with their next paycheck.

Let's look at things from this perspective: Only a few years ago we got owner Mike Brown off the field and up in his owners box where he belongs. That has made a huge difference in this team as it is being developed, however another year like this one and old Mikey boy might be making his way back down on the field and that would be a true disaster. Give that some thought during the off-season.

Later,
Brownie

at 1/02/2007 8:49 AM

Anonymous said...

Long-time reader, first-time blogger.

This was a painful season to endure as a Bengals fan. Up and down, up and down. Remember, we were 3-0, then we were 4-5, then we were 8-5, then we were 8-8. Reminds me a lot of Marvin's first two seasons here. Very streaky.

Marvin has taken the team from being the laughingstock of the NFL to being respectable.

I think we need someone else to take us to the next level.

But who can we get? Who in the organization has the imagination to puruse the right person?

at 1/02/2007 2:16 PM

Anonymous said...

I hear Bill Cowher is looking for a new challenge......

at 1/02/2007 5:15 PM

Anonymous said...

I don't think anyone should be surprised that we missed the playoffs. Disappointed, sure, but we haven't looked like a playoff team for the past four or five games. Maybe the blame does lie on Marvin, or on Chuck Bresnahan, or on Palmer's rotten playing of late, or on "selfishness" among the team. It's probably a combination of a lot of factors. It's Marvin's job to figure those out and fix them in the offseason. (I'd also like to see him be tougher on the rich, spoiled, immature brats who fancy themselves "bad boys", like Chris Henry.) But it's our job as fans to either stick it out and support our team, or shut up and sit down. Enough with the Monday morning quarterbacking here.

at 1/03/2007 4:02 PM

Anonymous said...

aargh!

at 1/04/2007 12:53 PM

Anonymous said...

"And when your coach makes Cowher look smart, you have a huge problem. "

Steelers regular season record since 'dumb Cowher' took over in 1992-- W-149 L-90

Bengals regular season record since 1992--W-87 L-153

Which team has been a consistent winner over the years ? Which team has made more playoff and Superbowl appearances over the years ?

Which team basically dominated the Bengals, Colts, and the Broncos during the playoffs at home during their unmatched post season run last season ?

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Sunday, December 31, 2006

All Bengals had to do was win ...

20 Comments: