membengal Posted October 31, 2011 Report Share Posted October 31, 2011 Because an un-examined opinion is a boring (and often boorish) opinion. In looking back at my views on this past off-season and what I expected from this team, I was off in at least the following respects: 1.[b] I thought the Bengals front office was going to be uniquely ill-prepared for the accelerated free agency period following the end of the lockout. That view was based on how damn deliberate MB is at all times.[/b] Reality check: They lost Joseph, but apparently had a contingency plan in place that has proved to be more than just adequate. Nate Clements has been a revelation opposite Leon, and, if fact (and I am a Leon Hall fan), has been better than Leon. In addition, getting Thomas Howard was huge, Lawson has filled a hole, and re-signing Fanene was a big deal, in hindsight. Same with getting Brandon Johnson back. As was bringing in an experienced back-up like Gradkowski. Fact is, the Bengals' front office fuckin' owned the free agency process, filling needs with capable (and in some cases more than capable) players while keeping a pool of money available to extend other players. All in all, it was a virtuoso performance for any front office, much less this one. 2.[b] I thought the Carson Palmer situation would devolve into a castrofuck of epic proportions with him eventually reporting to mess up whatever chemistry they had been developing. And that was with me in the "let him rot" camp (or at least wait to deal him until next spring).[/b] Reality check: Well hell. That went pretty damn awesome. No distraction to speak of, and dealt for a bevy of picks at the deadline. Huh. 3. [b]I thought bringing back ML a mistake and that this team needed a fresh start at head coach.[/b] Nope. Apparently the fresh start it needed was ML having some sort of rejuvenation as a coach. Whether it was finally getting rid of Chad, or being done with Carson (who appeared done with ML), or getting more say, or Viagra, or whatever the hell it is, keeping ML around to have at least one steady hand coming out of the lockout was clearly the right move. 4.[b] I liked the Dalton pick, and was behind him starting at qb, but thought it was going to be an extremely rough year because of it, with him struggling early before settling in late.[/b] Kinda not. He's settled in so much quicker than I expected, and I am still marveling at his command and calm on the field. Everything for me this year with him is delicious candy at this point, knowing that his arrow is headed up once he gets an actual off-season to work with his receivers and work further into Gruden's system. 5. [b]I had serious reservations as to what the upside of the defense could be.[/b] Reservations for nothing, it appears. That was based on how uneven they were last year, replacing 2/3 of the LB'ing core while Mauluga moved to a new spot, and having to replace JJ on the fly. But jeebus that d-line actually built on its promise, and the newcomers have been good. 6. [b]I had them for 6 wins this year, and felt like if they could get there it was going to be a successful season given all the adversity heading into Game 1.[/b] I may have undershot this. Thrilled to be perhaps be wrong. Regardless, no way did I see them winning games at Jax, or at Seattle, or in general being the more physical and better prepared team game in and game out. Where it goes from here, I have no clue, but am glad to be along for the ride. And appreciative to the front office, the coaches, and the players for what has been a rather unexpected gift to this point. Meaningful football games in November of 2011? Not in a million years did I see that coming. So that's a (partial) list of places where views I had have been off. To the board...discuss these further? What about your own views on where you expected things to be as opposed to where they are? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sois Posted October 31, 2011 Report Share Posted October 31, 2011 Everything. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
|Elflocko| Posted October 31, 2011 Report Share Posted October 31, 2011 [quote name='sois' timestamp='1320098433' post='1054338'] Everything. [/quote] Yeah, me too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sois Posted October 31, 2011 Report Share Posted October 31, 2011 I've decided to fold my hand, I don't know shit about football I guess, no matter how much I study. Nothing makes sense. I'll take it though, watching the Bengals win has been very fun as opposed to last years SMH-fest, so far my favorite was the Buffalo game cause I watch that with my friend who is a Bills die hard. Good times. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
USN Bengal Posted October 31, 2011 Report Share Posted October 31, 2011 Excellent post and re-examining opinions/projections...etc is an exercise in learning. Best part about it is when you're wrong and LOVE admitting it... I think very few could look back and say that they had many things right this year, at least so far. I absofuckinglutely LOVE being wrong about our Bengals this year. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JBandJoeyV Posted October 31, 2011 Report Share Posted October 31, 2011 Honestly, I'm usually wrong more often then right but this year I have been pretty acurate. Not just team record but also certain units and individual players. The thing I was most worried about was the oline and I still think they are a work in progress. I thought the d would be a lot closer to 09 then 10 which they have been and also thought the offense would be average but not make a ton of mistakes and lose games. The one thing I think most of us were wrong about was the value we would get for cp. I thought no way we would get a first and didn't think we would trade him during the year either. I was also wrong about manny and Rey. While neither have been bad by any means I thought both would have been more of playmakers then they've been so far. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JBandJoeyV Posted October 31, 2011 Report Share Posted October 31, 2011 I was also wrong about the run game...I thought ced was gonna put up some pretty big numbers and Bernie was gonna break some long runs. Hasn't happened yet. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oldcat Posted October 31, 2011 Report Share Posted October 31, 2011 [quote name='JBandJoeyV' timestamp='1320099784' post='1054344'] I was also wrong about the run game...I thought ced was gonna put up some pretty big numbers and Bernie was gonna break some long runs. Hasn't happened yet. [/quote] No need to worry about the run game as long as teams aren't playing the nickel every down and still shutting us down. It isn't dominant, but it does its job. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phatcat Posted October 31, 2011 Report Share Posted October 31, 2011 [quote name='membengal' timestamp='1320097658' post='1054336'] Because an un-examined opinion is a boring (and often boorish) opinion. In looking back at my views on this past off-season and what I expected from this team, I was off in at least the following respects: ........ [/quote] I already gave you a +1 for this post, and would add another 100 or so if I could. Me personally, I totally checked out in the offseason with the lockout plus all the drama with the team that preceded it... carson, marvin, et.al..... Not that I was not fan. Been loyal and diehard forever. I just needed a break, not so much from the team. But the fans and all the negative shit. I knew I would be back win or lose once the season started. I had no predictions. I had no expectations. Maybe why I am enjoying the fuck out of this season more than I can remember since 1988. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oldcat Posted October 31, 2011 Report Share Posted October 31, 2011 [quote name='Phatcat' timestamp='1320100477' post='1054347'] I already gave you a +1 for this post, and would add another 100 or so if I could. Me personally, I totally checked out in the offseason with the lockout plus all the drama with the team that preceded it... carson, marvin, et.al..... Not that I was not fan. Been loyal and diehard forever. I just needed a break, not so much from the team. But the fans and all the negative shit. I knew I would be back win or lose once the season started. I had no predictions. I had no expectations. Maybe why I am enjoying the fuck out of this season more than I can remember since 1988. [/quote] I didn't see any reason why we couldn't compete, as we did so well running and playing D in 2009. The reversion to passing and failing in 2010 drove me nuts, and I was hopeful that the new OC and QB would go back to a more balanced attack. Not so coincidentally, this offense also gives a young QB the best shot at success (see Roth, Ben, 2004 as an example). But like Phat, this year is like one long preseason to me - as long as we learn, and grow, the future will come to us. So I am having fun just watching it play out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jamie_B Posted October 31, 2011 Report Share Posted October 31, 2011 I'll revisit this thread in 2 to 3 weeks and give you some stuff. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
membengal Posted October 31, 2011 Author Report Share Posted October 31, 2011 [quote name='Jamie_B' timestamp='1320103235' post='1054353'] I'll revisit this thread in 2 to 3 weeks and give you some stuff. [/quote] Way to the move the goalposts! Like nothing that has happened to this point counts? Bullshit. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CarsonCity Posted October 31, 2011 Report Share Posted October 31, 2011 I definitely picked the Bengals to go 4-12 this year, and wasn't sure if that was overshooting it. Yet, here we are after Week 8, and the Bengals could lose out and still beat my preseason prediction. My hat's off to the players and coaching staff. Remarkable job they've done thus far. Now if you'll excuse me, could someone please pass the ketchup... [img]http://farm1.static.flickr.com/126/383562932_4d28d5fbc5.jpg[/img] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CarsonCity Posted October 31, 2011 Report Share Posted October 31, 2011 [quote name='membengal' timestamp='1320103306' post='1054355'] Way to the move the goalposts! Like nothing that has happened to this point counts? Bullshit. [/quote] You didn't think he was actually going to admit to being wrong, did you? You could re-name this the bizarro Jamie thread. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
membengal Posted October 31, 2011 Author Report Share Posted October 31, 2011 [quote name='CarsonCity' timestamp='1320103557' post='1054360'] You didn't think he was actually going to admit to being wrong, did you? You could re-name this the bizarro Jamie thread. [/quote] Honest to god, I am just looking for some quality discussion. I would think it is beyond dispute that this team has ALREADY busted past a lot of expectations for what this season might be, whether they win a game over the Steelers or Ravens or not. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jamie_B Posted October 31, 2011 Report Share Posted October 31, 2011 [quote name='membengal' timestamp='1320103306' post='1054355'] Way to the move the goalposts! Like nothing that has happened to this point counts? Bullshit. [/quote] I have consistently maintained thatthe measuring stick for me is the teams in the division. I'm not going to be premature and give an opinion that is inconsistent with that. You want something more than that that I'm not willing to give. You'll get a sincere answer in two to three weeks, patience is a virtue. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JBandJoeyV Posted October 31, 2011 Report Share Posted October 31, 2011 He predicted us to win 4-6 games and apparently if we win 7 or 8 but dont beat the stealers or ravens that he is still right?[quote name='Jamie_B' timestamp='1320103931' post='1054367'] I have consistently maintained thatthe measuring stick for me is the teams in the division. I'm not going to be premature and give an opinion that is inconsistent with that. You want something more than that that I'm not willing to give. You'll get a sincere answer in two to three weeks, patience is a virtue. [/quote] You are talking about the measuring stick of us being a playoff team, but not about your prediction or what you thought the team would do. This team doesnt have to beat Pitt or bal for YOU to be wrong...they do probably need to beat them to be a playoff team. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
membengal Posted October 31, 2011 Author Report Share Posted October 31, 2011 [quote name='JBandJoeyV' timestamp='1320104061' post='1054368'] He predicted us to win 4-6 games and apparently if we win 7 or 8 but dont beat the stealers or ravens that he is still right? You are talking about the measuring stick of us being a playoff team, but not about your prediction or what you thought the team would do. This team doesnt have to beat Pitt or bal for YOU to be wrong...they do probably need to beat them to be a playoff team. [/quote] That would appear to be where this is headed, yes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sois Posted October 31, 2011 Report Share Posted October 31, 2011 Quality discussion: I didn't expect much, but I don't know why. I already liked a lot of the players. I didn't think AJ would be lighting it up like this. He is already a badass special player. I knew the DL was good, but not this good. I didn't think Megadeth Dalton would be so good. I am liking the OL too. Cook and Livings have been playing non-shitty. That's more than I expected. So pretty much I think the DL, AJ Green and the OL are carrying the team. Dalton isn't hurting the team either, he is actually a good player. Flockoe told me something awesome about him how he memorized the whole playbook in like a week in the offseason. That's awesome. Smart QB's = FTW. Keep it up, Who Deys. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jamie_B Posted October 31, 2011 Report Share Posted October 31, 2011 Not really because we could beat both in two to three weeks and then split with both afterwards and end up out of it. I'm not thinking playoffs yet. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MichaelWeston Posted November 1, 2011 Report Share Posted November 1, 2011 [quote name='membengal' timestamp='1320097658' post='1054336'] Because an un-examined opinion is a boring (and often boorish) opinion. In looking back at my views on this past off-season and what I expected from this team, I was off in at least the following respects: 1.[b] I thought the Bengals front office was going to be uniquely ill-prepared for the accelerated free agency period following the end of the lockout. That view was based on how damn deliberate MB is at all times.[/b] Reality check: They lost Joseph, but apparently had a contingency plan in place that has proved to be more than just adequate. Nate Clements has been a revelation opposite Leon, and, if fact (and I am a Leon Hall fan), has been better than Leon. In addition, getting Thomas Howard was huge, Lawson has filled a hole, and re-signing Fanene was a big deal, in hindsight. Same with getting Brandon Johnson back. As was bringing in an experienced back-up like Gradkowski. Fact is, the Bengals' front office fuckin' owned the free agency process, filling needs with capable (and in some cases more than capable) players while keeping a pool of money available to extend other players. All in all, it was a virtuoso performance for any front office, much less this one. 2.[b] I thought the Carson Palmer situation would devolve into a castrofuck of epic proportions with him eventually reporting to mess up whatever chemistry they had been developing. And that was with me in the "let him rot" camp (or at least wait to deal him until next spring).[/b] Reality check: Well hell. That went pretty damn awesome. No distraction to speak of, and dealt for a bevy of picks at the deadline. Huh. 3. [b]I thought bringing back ML a mistake and that this team needed a fresh start at head coach.[/b] Nope. Apparently the fresh start it needed was ML having some sort of rejuvenation as a coach. Whether it was finally getting rid of Chad, or being done with Carson (who appeared done with ML), or getting more say, or Viagra, or whatever the hell it is, keeping ML around to have at least one steady hand coming out of the lockout was clearly the right move. 4.[b] I liked the Dalton pick, and was behind him starting at qb, but thought it was going to be an extremely rough year because of it, with him struggling early before settling in late.[/b] Kinda not. He's settled in so much quicker than I expected, and I am still marveling at his command and calm on the field. Everything for me this year with him is delicious candy at this point, knowing that his arrow is headed up once he gets an actual off-season to work with his receivers and work further into Gruden's system. 5. [b]I had serious reservations as to what the upside of the defense could be.[/b] Reservations for nothing, it appears. That was based on how uneven they were last year, replacing 2/3 of the LB'ing core while Mauluga moved to a new spot, and having to replace JJ on the fly. But jeebus that d-line actually built on its promise, and the newcomers have been good. 6. [b]I had them for 6 wins this year, and felt like if they could get there it was going to be a successful season given all the adversity heading into Game 1.[/b] I may have undershot this. Thrilled to be perhaps be wrong. Regardless, no way did I see them winning games at Jax, or at Seattle, or in general being the more physical and better prepared team game in and game out. Where it goes from here, I have no clue, but am glad to be along for the ride. And appreciative to the front office, the coaches, and the players for what has been a rather unexpected gift to this point. Meaningful football games in November of 2011? Not in a million years did I see that coming. So that's a (partial) list of places where views I had have been off. To the board...discuss these further? What about your own views on where you expected things to be as opposed to where they are? [/quote] I think you nailed it here. I wrote this in another thread but it bears repeating...They got rid of their franchise QB, BEST CB, top 2 WRs, had a shortened offseason, installed a new offense with a new offensive coordinator, start a rookie QB who was drafted in the 2nd round game one, a rookie WR, did not improve a horrific line and were coming off a 4-12 season. It's not rational to think they would be that great. I am on board with the logic of the schedule. That was the reason that I thought it was so important to have Carson back and why the bring back Bratkowski arguments made some sense, but the revisionist history of trying to say that it was rational to think this team might be good really belittles how amazing it is that they are actually pretty good. It is the quickest re-imaging of a franchise I have ever seen. Can you name one I am not thinking of. Complete 180 from a team that was a headache to root for to one that is easy to root for by getting rid of some really good players. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JBandJoeyV Posted November 1, 2011 Report Share Posted November 1, 2011 [quote name='Jamie_B' timestamp='1320104253' post='1054375'] Not really because we could beat both in two to three weeks and then split with both afterwards and end up out of it. I'm not thinking playoffs yet. [/quote] That wasnt my point...my point was this thread is saying what were you wrong about. But you wont say you were wrong about anything yet. But at the end of the day, we dont have to beat pittsburgh or baltimore for you to be wrong, but yet you are making it sound like we do. All we have to do is win a total of 7 games for you to be wrong, but unless one of those 7 is against baltimore or pittsburgh im guessing you wont admit you were wrong. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jason Posted November 1, 2011 Report Share Posted November 1, 2011 I thought we would run the ball better. I did not think Andy would be this good. I thought Carson would still be sitting on his couch. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mullichicken25 Posted November 1, 2011 Report Share Posted November 1, 2011 I was 100% convinced we were going to have to decide whether or not to move forward with dalton or go QB with our top 10 pick Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Squirrlnutz Posted November 1, 2011 Report Share Posted November 1, 2011 The biggest thing that I was wrong about (and frankly every media pundit in the world) was thinking that it would be damn near impossible for teams to install a new offense in the shortened offseason. That every team with new OC's, new playbooks, new terminology, new QBs would be just straight up worthless. Turns out that teams (well particularly ours but you can see it Carolina too) with new offensive regimes had to install from everything from the ground up, and were able to keep everyone together in just executing the basics. The OCs were forced to dumb everything down and by default end up getting more people on the same page and low and behold the offenses are competing. Now as they install more every continues to learn at the same pace. I was/am totally blown away by this and for the better. I thought Benson would be leading the league in carries and in the top 5 in yards at this point. I'm disappointed in the execution of our run game so far, but as has been pointed out, it still serves a purpose in keeping defenses honest and we've used it effectively at times this year. I thought Dunlap would have huge sack numbers. Consequently I never thought we would see the production we've seen out of Fanene and Rucker and all the other part time guys. I thought AJ green was the wrong pick...mostly because I thought we would be near last in the league in offense in general. I thought he would end up with 20-30 catches because we would be so poor throwing the ball. I thought we "DESPERATELY" needed DL help...wow. I predicted 7-9, 9-7 with some awesome breaks. I think 9-7 is reasonable and 11-5 with some awesome breaks. When the super bowl has been played and all the talk is about the draft I will consider this season a success based soley off what they've already accomplished. I'll be upset if they sputter out but I think there is tons to build on and a full offseason with this offense plus 2 first rounders is money in the bag for a playoff run next year!!!! Who-Dey I love being wrong! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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