coup000 Posted September 28, 2012 Report Share Posted September 28, 2012 [quote name='HairOnFire' timestamp='1348852245' post='1163930'] There it is. Right now the only thing preventing this offense from reaching it's full potential is the odd failure to convert at even an average level on 3rd down. [/quote] Wow, I didn't realize we were so bad at 3rd downs. We are 28th in the league at 30.6%, that's a full 26% behind the league leader....Pittsburgh. Just going off memory it seems like we have been out smarting ourselves on 3rd down, trying to run specialty plays as opposed to just running normal plays that are working fine on 1st and 2nd down. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jamie_B Posted September 28, 2012 Report Share Posted September 28, 2012 3rd down and the run D seem to always be an issue almost every year Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coup000 Posted September 28, 2012 Report Share Posted September 28, 2012 [quote name='Jamie_B' timestamp='1348853311' post='1163935'] 3rd down and the run D seem to always be an issue almost every year [/quote] Last time we were really bad at 3rd down conversions was 2008, we are mostly in the middle of the pack (18, 17, 13). We need to do some work to get there this year. We have been in the top 10 for YPC against 3 of the last 4 years. We aren't going to get ther this year, that I am sure of. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bengals1181 Posted September 28, 2012 Author Report Share Posted September 28, 2012 [b] Bengals: Jaguars OC Bob Bratkowski presents challenge[/b] By Paul Dehner Jr. | CBSSports.com September 28, 2012 11:47 am ET [color=#333333][font=arial, helvetica, sans-serif][size=3]For nine years Bob Bratkowski served as the [url="http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/teams/page/CIN/cincinnati-bengals"]Cincinnati Bengals[/url] offensive coordinator. He rose to toast of the town in 2005 before descending to Public Enemy No. 1 by the time he was fired following the 2010 year. No coach drew more public ire and frustration in recent Bengals history than Bratkowski. The man responsible for the most prolific offensive season in the last two decades -- scoring 421 points with Cincinnati in '05 -- left the victim of a stale environment. This week, the philosophy and offensive strategy Marvin Lewis worked alongside every day of his first eight years on the job lines up on the opposite side of the field as Bratkowski, now offensive coordinator of the Jaguars, faces his former team for the first time. When two sides know each other so well, who holds the advantage? Hard to tell at this point, but defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer acknowledges it enters his thought process. “You understand protections and you do worry a little bit about, 'Well, OK, he knows all of our blitzes and I know all of his checks, things like that, but you know, it's the guys out on the field that do it,” Zimmer said. The Bengals DC sees a number of similarities between the Jags offense and the one Bratkowski installed in Cincinnati. A mix of many minds and the Jaguars unique personnel created this hybrid of the Bengals model in[url="http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/teams/page/JAC/jacksonville-jaguars"]Jacksonville[/url]. Yes, it's different. Not that different. “It's his offense,” Zimmer said. “They've got a good scheme.” [url="http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/players/playerpage/1630777/blaine-gabbert"]Blaine Gabbert[/url] won't be [url="http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/players/playerpage/396173/carson-palmer"]Carson Palmer[/url]. [url="http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/players/playerpage/1630860/justin-blackmon"]Justin Blackmon[/url] won't be [url="http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/players/playerpage/235086/tj-houshmandzadeh"]T.J. Houshmandzadeh[/url]. Searching for predictability in plays could only lead to predictably poor results. “You try to remember, but when we were going against each other I never said he always does this or we are going to do that,” Zimmer said. “I don't think he's going to do the same thing.” Lewis balked at breaking down the details of Bratkowski's dismissal. Does no good for either side in his mind. Plus, too much respect exists. “It's a difficult decision ever to have to change a coach,” Lewis said. “Bob and I were friends for a long, long time, dating back into the 80s. More than anything, that's the hardest part, of Bob and his kids and his wife and you've known somebody for such a long time, back when we both got started in coaching. It's very, very difficult, Bob's an excellent coach. Things have gone very, very well for him. I guess it's something we all are subject to.” [i]Follow Paul Dehner Jr. for Bengals updates on [url="http://www.twitter.com/CBSBengals"]Twitter at @CBSBengals[/url].[/i][/size][/font][/color] Tags: [url="http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/blog/nfl-rapidreports/tag/1630777/Blaine%20Gabbert"]Blaine Gabbert[/url], [url="http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/blog/nfl-rapidreports/tag/396173/Carson%20Palmer"]Carson Palmer[/url], [url="http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/blog/nfl-rapidreports/tag/1630860/Justin%20Blackmon"]Justin Blackmon[/url], [url="http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/blog/nfl-rapidreports/tag/235086/TJ%20Houshmandzadeh"]T.J. Houshmandzadeh[/url], [url="http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/blog/nfl-rapidreports/tag/410/Cincinnati%20Bengals"]Cincinnati Bengals[/url], [url="http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/blog/nfl-rapidreports/tag/416/Jacksonville%20Jaguars"]Jacksonville Jaguars[/url], [url="http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/blog/nfl-rapidreports/tag/59/NFL"]NFL[/url] [url="http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/blog/nfl-rapidreports/20395078/bengals-jaguars-oc-bob-bratkowski-presents-challenge-"]http://www.cbssports...ents-challenge-[/url] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bengals1181 Posted September 28, 2012 Author Report Share Posted September 28, 2012 [color=#333333][font=Arial, sans-serif][background=rgb(245, 245, 245)] [url="https://twitter.com/CBSBengals"][b]Bengals RapidReports[/b] [size=3][s]@[/s][b]CBSBengals[/b][/size][/url][/background][/font][/color][color=#333333][font=Arial, sans-serif][background=rgb(245, 245, 245)] Marvin Lewis attempting to contain the panic re: banged up secondary. "We're not in a pinch. We'll be all right. We'll be just fine."[/background][/font][/color] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bengals1181 Posted September 28, 2012 Author Report Share Posted September 28, 2012 [color=#333333][font=Arial, sans-serif][background=rgb(245, 245, 245)] [url="https://twitter.com/CBSBengals"][b]Bengals RapidReports[/b] [size=3][s]@[/s][b]CBSBengals[/b][/size][/url][/background][/font][/color][color=#333333][font=Arial, sans-serif][background=rgb(245, 245, 245)] Injury report: Out: Kirkpatrick. Doubtful: Allen, Clements. Questionable: Hall, Muckelroy, Faine, Scott.[/background][/font][/color] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bengals1181 Posted September 28, 2012 Author Report Share Posted September 28, 2012 [color=#333333][font=Arial, sans-serif][background=rgb(245, 245, 245)] [url="https://twitter.com/CBSBengals"][b]Bengals RapidReports[/b] [size=3][s]@[/s][b]CBSBengals[/b][/size][/url][/background][/font][/color][color=#333333][font=Arial, sans-serif][background=rgb(245, 245, 245)] If Hall's unable to go Sunday and doubtfuls also are shelved, that would leave only two CBs (AJones/Newman).[/background][/font][/color] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jamie_B Posted September 28, 2012 Report Share Posted September 28, 2012 [quote name='Bengals1181' timestamp='1348857321' post='1163949'] [color=#333333][font=Arial, sans-serif][background=rgb(245, 245, 245)][url="https://twitter.com/CBSBengals"][b]Bengals RapidReports[/b] [size=3][s]@[/s][b]CBSBengals[/b][/size][/url][/background][/font][/color] [color=#333333][font=Arial, sans-serif][background=rgb(245, 245, 245)]If Hall's unable to go Sunday and doubtfuls also are shelved, that would leave only two CBs (AJones/Newman).[/background][/font][/color] [/quote] Thank God we're going through the soft part of our schedule right now, we need to get all these guys back before week 7. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sea Ray Posted September 28, 2012 Report Share Posted September 28, 2012 What's wrong with Muckelroy? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bengals1181 Posted September 28, 2012 Author Report Share Posted September 28, 2012 [b]BENGALS[/b][color=#333333][font=verdana, helvetica, arial, sans-serif][size=3] [/size][/font][/color] [b]OUT[/b][color=#333333][font=verdana, helvetica, arial, sans-serif][size=3]: CB Dre Kirkpatrick (knee). [/size][/font][/color][b]DOUBTFUL[/b][color=#333333][font=verdana, helvetica, arial, sans-serif][size=3]: CB Nate Clements (calf), CB Jason Allen (thigh). [/size][/font][/color][b]QUESTIONABLE[/b][color=#333333][font=verdana, helvetica, arial, sans-serif][size=3]: C Jeff Faine (hamstring), CB Leon Hall (hamstring), LB Roddrick Muckelroy (illness) and RB Bernard Scott (ankle). [/size][/font][/color][b]PROBABLE[/b][color=#333333][font=verdana, helvetica, arial, sans-serif][size=3]: DE Carlos Dunlap (knee), DE Michael Johnson (foot), FS Reggie Nelson (shoulder), OT Andrew Whitworth (knee). [/size][/font][/color] [b]JAGUARS[/b][color=#333333][font=verdana, helvetica, arial, sans-serif][size=3] [/size][/font][/color] [b]OUT[/b][color=#333333][font=verdana, helvetica, arial, sans-serif][size=3]: LB Daryl Smith (groin), DE George Selvie (knee). [/size][/font][/color][b]PROBABLE[/b][color=#333333][font=verdana, helvetica, arial, sans-serif][size=3]: DT Tyson Alualu (not injury related), OL Eben Britton (ankle), RB Rashad Jennings (knee), DE Austen Lane (foot), C Brad Meester (not injury related), RB Montell Owens (concussion), WR Laurent Robinson (concusion), CB Kevin Rutland (concussion).[/size][/font][/color] [url="http://espn.go.com/blog/afcnorth/post/_/id/55687/bengals-jaguars-injury-report"]http://espn.go.com/blog/afcnorth/post/_/id/55687/bengals-jaguars-injury-report[/url] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tigris Posted September 28, 2012 Report Share Posted September 28, 2012 Hopefully MJ and Dunlap tear shit up because having two corners is pretty scary. I guess if you're going short at corner for a week, you may as well be playing Jacksonville. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Le Tigre Posted September 28, 2012 Report Share Posted September 28, 2012 [quote name='Bengals1181' timestamp='1348857321' post='1163949'] [color=#333333][font=Arial, sans-serif][background=rgb(245, 245, 245)] [url="https://twitter.com/CBSBengals"][b]Bengals RapidReports[/b] ‏[size=3][s]@[/s][b]CBSBengals[/b][/size][/url][/background][/font][/color][color=#333333][font=Arial, sans-serif][background=rgb(245, 245, 245)] If Hall's unable to go Sunday and doubtfuls also are shelved, that would leave only two CBs (AJones/Newman).[/background][/font][/color] [/quote] Two CB's...for the whole game? Is there anyone else...at all? Didn't Crocker also play CB at sometime IIRC? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bengals1181 Posted September 28, 2012 Author Report Share Posted September 28, 2012 [quote name='Le Tigre' timestamp='1348869128' post='1163981'] Two CB's...for the whole game? Is there anyone else...at all? Didn't Crocker also play CB at sometime IIRC? [/quote] I'd imagine crocker and miles would see some time at corner. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lewdog Posted September 29, 2012 Report Share Posted September 29, 2012 [quote name='Dautcom08' timestamp='1348768516' post='1163704'] Jesus this injury list is starting to get ridiculous. [/quote] Maybe that's the reason the Bengals aren't undefeated, Jesus has been injured and not able to suit up on gameday. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CTBengalsFan Posted September 29, 2012 Report Share Posted September 29, 2012 [quote name='Le Tigre' timestamp='1348869128' post='1163981'] Two CB's...for the whole game? Is there anyone else...at all? Didn't Crocker also play CB at sometime IIRC? [/quote] It's a good thing we're playing the Jags... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldschooler Posted September 29, 2012 Report Share Posted September 29, 2012 [b] [size=6]Bengals-Jaguars Preview[/size][/b] Posted 19 hours ago Geoff Hobson Editor Bengals.com [b]TIME:[/b] 4:05 p.m. Sunday [b]PLACE:[/b] EverBank Field (Grass) [b]LOCAL RADIO:[/b] Play-by-play Dan Hoard and analyst Dave Lapham led by 1530-AM ESPN and 102.7-FM WEBN on the [url="http://www.bengals.com/multimedia/on-the-air.html"]25-station Bengals radio network[/url]. [b]NATIONAL RADIO:[/b] Dial Global Sports play-by-by Chuck Cooperstein and analyst Tony Boselli. [b]TV:[/b] CBS broadcast team of Marv Albert play-by-play and Rich Gannon analyst. Channel 12 in Cincinnati, Channel 7 in Dayton, Ohio, Channel 27 in Lexington, Ky. [b]INJURIES [/b] [b]CIN:[/b] CB [b][url="http://www.bengals.com/team/roster/dre-kirkpatrick/3f89d93d-6289-497f-a912-0459ae1ab95e/"]Dre Kirkpatrick[img]http://www.bengals.com/assets/nflimg/icon-article-link.gif[/img][/url][/b] (knee) out. Since looking like he was going to play last week, starting CB [b][url="http://www.bengals.com/team/roster/leon-hall/0f379744-8ae4-4952-8f53-75c2f38f43ec/"]Leon Hall[img]http://www.bengals.com/assets/nflimg/icon-article-link.gif[/img][/url][/b] (hamstring) has been scratched from the game, had his diagnosis change, and didn't practice all week. CB [b][url="http://www.bengals.com/team/roster/nate-clements/bbbf8d1c-75d6-4c45-ab56-60768094134e/"]Nate Clements[img]http://www.bengals.com/assets/nflimg/icon-article-link.gif[/img][/url][/b] (calf) made his first start at safety, got hurt early and gutted out 96 percent of the plays, but he didn't practice all week. CB [b][url="http://www.bengals.com/team/roster/jason-allen/ecbe6bdc-b8a6-4dd8-9713-06458d0391c5/"]Jason Allen[img]http://www.bengals.com/assets/nflimg/icon-article-link.gif[/img][/url][/b] (thigh), who didn't play in a game all year until last week, apparently got reinjured, was limited Wednesday and didn't practice Thursday and Friday. RE [b][url="http://www.bengals.com/team/roster/michael-johnson/b56aa7d9-808e-4cf2-a28c-ba03f25ef902/"]Michael Johnson[img]http://www.bengals.com/assets/nflimg/icon-article-link.gif[/img][/url][/b] (foot) surfaced on the injury report as limited Thursday but was back on the field Friday. C [b][url="http://www.bengals.com/team/roster/jeff-faine/9298bec7-883d-4510-856c-eb2d9dc8a7f7/"]Jeff Faine[img]http://www.bengals.com/assets/nflimg/icon-article-link.gif[/img][/url][/b] (hamstring) was limited Wednesday and didn't go Thursday but was out there Friday. LT [b][url="http://www.bengals.com/team/roster/andrew-whitworth/3a81696e-e6b3-4abd-8dd0-85e8748fa086/"]Andrew Whitworth[img]http://www.bengals.com/assets/nflimg/icon-article-link.gif[/img][/url][/b] (knee) and RB [b][url="http://www.bengals.com/team/roster/bernard-scott/4743d5f6-4661-44c1-a6da-d2970031e393/"]Bernard Scott[img]http://www.bengals.com/assets/nflimg/icon-article-link.gif[/img][/url][/b] (ankle) returned from the sidelines Thursday to go limited and were out there Friday. S [b][url="http://www.bengals.com/team/roster/reggie-nelson/ac1267ca-ed4d-4887-ac69-09636c1f60ee/"]Reggie Nelson[img]http://www.bengals.com/assets/nflimg/icon-article-link.gif[/img][/url][/b] (shoulder) was full go Thursday. [b]JAC:[/b] The Jaguars are getting some people back this week. The only two starters that didn't work Wednesday and Thursday and are iffy are OLB [b]Daryl Smith[/b] (groin) and WR [b]Laurent Robinson[/b] (concussion). After missing the last two games, RT [b]Cam Bradfield[/b] (ankle) and LG [b]Eben Britton[/b] (ankle) went full go Thursday. Jacksonville's starting corners didn't start the first two games with various ailments, but [b]Rashean Mathis[/b] and [b]Derek Cox[/b] appear to be starting for the second straight week. » [url="http://www.bengals.com/team/injuryreport.html"]Complete Injury Report[/url] [b]THE SERIES[/b] Jaguars lead, 11-7, 7-2 at home [b]NOTEWORTHY[/b] » The Bengals won their first game in Jacksonville in 16 years last season on nearly the same weekend (Oct. 9) when second-year defensive tackle [b][url="http://www.bengals.com/team/roster/geno-atkins/cce83be5-6849-488f-b8ed-cc876b47ca32/"]Geno Atkins[img]http://www.bengals.com/assets/nflimg/icon-article-link.gif[/img][/url][/b] began his run to the Pro Bowl with a 10-yard fumble return for a TD on the game's final play. » Sunday's game features the NFL's second-leading pass receiver in Bengals WR [b][url="http://www.bengals.com/team/roster/aj-green/d1e7b054-2722-4a10-9dad-687267489bd5/"]A.J. Green[img]http://www.bengals.com/assets/nflimg/icon-article-link.gif[/img][/url][/b] (311 yards) and the second-leading rusher in Jaguars running back [b]Maurice Jones-Drew[/b] (314). » After serving as the Bengals offensive coordinator from 2001-10, new Jaguars offensive coordinator [b]Bob Bratkowski[/b] faces Cincinnati for the first time following a stint as Falcons quarterbacks coach in 2011. » Bratkowski and Bengals defensive coordinator [b]Mike Zimmer[/b] served together as graduate assistants on the University of Missouri staff in the late 1970s. Bratkowski won the only NFL game in which they've faced each other as coordinators, a 26-3 verdict for the Bengals over the Cowboys on Nov. 7, 2004 at Paul Brown Stadium. » New Jacksonville head coach [b]Mike Mularkey[/b] delivered Bengals head coach [b]Marvin Lewis[/b] two of his toughest home defeats while coaching the Bills. In 2004 the Bengals had a 6-7 record going into the last three games and the 7-6 Bills knocked them off, 33-17. The next season with the Bengals already the AFC North champs and looking for a playoff bye with an 11-3 record, the 4-10 Bills played spoiler in a 37-27 victory. » Former Bengals defensive coordinator [b]Mark Duffner[/b] is the long-time Jaguars linebackers coach. Before Zimmer arrived, Duffner's 2001 unit that finished ninth in the NFL was the only Bengals defense that finished in the top 10 from 1989-2008. Zimmer has done it twice, in '09 and '11. » One of Duffner's main men on that '01 unit, MLB [b]Brian Simmons[/b], is an East Coast scout for Jags. » Bengals safety [b]Reggie Nelson[/b] is a 2007 first-round draft pick of the Jags. » Bengals safety [b][url="http://www.bengals.com/team/roster/chris-crocker/2772f783-b547-470c-b074-6229e7234ebd/"]Chris Crocker[img]http://www.bengals.com/assets/nflimg/icon-article-link.gif[/img][/url][/b], who signed Thursday, played his first of 46 games with the Bengals in a 21-19 victory over the Jags at PBS on Nov. 2, 2008 after he had also signed on a Thursday (Oct. 30). » With the release of tight end [b]Donald Lee[/b] on Thursday, 31-year-old center [b]Jeff Faine[/b] is the oldest player on the Bengals offense. [b]NFL RANKINGS [/b] [b]CIN:[/b] 8th in scoring, 8th in offense (15th rushing, 4th passing); tied for 30th in scoring defense, 29th in defense (31st rushing, tied for 22nd passing), tied for 24th in turnover margin at minus-3. [b]JAC:[/b] Tied for 29th in scoring, 30th in offense (10th in rushing, 31st passing); 17th in scoring defense, 28th in defense (30th rushing, 21st passing), tied for 14th in turnover margin at even. [b]COACHES[/b] [b]CIN: Marvin Lewis[/b] 71-75-1 regular season, 0-3 postseason in his 10th season; 2-1 vs. Jacksonville [b]JAC: Mike Mularkey[/b] 1-2 in his first season, 15-20 in his third season overall; 2-0 vs. Lewis and Bengals [b]WEATHER[/b] The National Weather Service in Wilmington, Ohio is calling for a 40 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms with a game-time temperature of 84 degrees and winds out of the east at four miles per hour. [b]INSIDE THE NUMBERS[/b] » [b]10[/b] - Pick Jaguars used on QB [b]Blaine Gabbert[/b] in first round of 2011 NFL Draft » [b]35[/b] - Pick Bengals used on QB [b][url="http://www.bengals.com/team/roster/andy-dalton/9378c4ed-938c-434c-929d-4d45fe252101/"]Andy Dalton[img]http://www.bengals.com/assets/nflimg/icon-article-link.gif[/img][/url][/b] in second round of 2011 NFL Draft » [b]16[/b] - Career TD passes by Gabbert » [b]26[/b] – Career TD passes by Dalton » [b]68.7[/b] - Gabbert's career passer rating » [b]84.2[/b] - Dalton's career passer rating » [b]4[/b] - Games Bengals have scored 30 points in Dalton's 19 starts » [b]4[/b] - Games Bengals scored 30 points in [b]Carson Palmer[/b]'s last 19 Bengals starts » [b]1[/b] - Times Bengals have generated back-to-back 30-point games in Dalton's 19 NFL starts » [b]4[/b] - Times Bengals generated back-to-back 30-point games in Palmer's 97 Bengals starts » [b]4[/b] - Wide receivers that have caught a Dalton TD pass in 2012 » [b]1[/b] - Wide receivers that have caught a Gabbert TD pass in 2012 » [b]3[/b] - Career-high sacks by Bengals RE [b]Michael Johnson[/b] last week » [b]2[/b] - Jaguars sacks in 2012 » [b]589[/b] - Bengals RB [b][url="http://www.bengals.com/team/roster/benjarvus-green-ellis/d809b273-f3c9-414d-b9b0-3fd185b8e017/"]BenJarvus Green-Ellis[img]http://www.bengals.com/assets/nflimg/icon-article-link.gif[/img][/url][/b]'s NFL-record consecutive touches without a fumble to start a career » [b]1[/b] - Career fumbles for BJGE » [b]67[/b] - 2012 touches for Jags running back [b]Maurice Jones-Drew[/b] » [b]2[/b] - Fumbles by MJD in 2012 http://www.bengals.com/news/article-1/Bengals-Jaguars-Preview-/e34ab540-9532-4cb1-9ef8-43c3e2bf2494 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldschooler Posted September 29, 2012 Report Share Posted September 29, 2012 [size=6][b]Bengals, Jaguars counting on more from defense[/b][/size] By MARK LONG The Associated Press JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Jacksonville Jaguars defensive coordinator Mel Tucker roamed the practice field with a hockey stick Thursday. Yes, a hockey stick. Tucker refers to any attempt to strip or punch the football out as a "shot on goal," so he figured carrying a hockey stick would reinforce the need to create more turnovers. "You get what you emphasize, right?" Tucker said. The Jaguars (1-2) are willing to try anything to improve their defense. Heading into Sunday's game against Cincinnati (2-1), Jacksonville is allowing 412 yards a game — a significant drop-off from last season — and has just two sacks and two turnovers. The Bengals haven't been much better. Although they have 11 sacks, they are giving up nearly 417 yards a game and have surrendered 102 points. Both teams would like better results beginning Sunday. "Not where we want to be," said Bengals defensive end Michael Johnson, who had three sacks last week against Washington. "We've got a long way to go. We're just going to keep on working, keep on grinding and try to improve every day." Cincinnati ranked seventh in the league in total defense last season, providing a nice complement to a surprising offense that featured two impressive rookies, quarterback Andy Dalton and receiver A.J. Green. But the Bengals defense hasn't quite picked up where it left off. Cincinnati has been gashed on the ground, giving up 465 yards and five touchdowns, and now has to face Maurice Jones-Drew. MJD ranks second in the NFL with 314 yards rushing. "Every year is a new year," Bengals coach Marvin Lewis said. "We're three weeks into the season. Frankly, three weeks into the year last year we weren't real good, either. It's how you play week in and week out that really matters. We've got a lot of football ahead of us, and we just have to keep playing better. "Every time I look out there, there's five or six new guys in spots, and we're playing like it at some points." Lewis' defense could look even more different against Jacksonville. Starting cornerbacks Nate Clements (calf) and Leon Hall (hamstring) missed practice Wednesday and Thursday, and backups Jason Allen (thigh) and Dre Kirkpatrick (knee) also were sidelined. So a secondary that has been shredded at times this season could be decimated, or at the very least banged up, against the Jaguars. Potentially making matters worse for the Bengals, Johnson (foot) and fellow defensive end Carlos Dunlap (knee) were limited. "I have a picture in my mind, that I know our defense can look like, how we can play," linebacker Rey Maualuga said. "And I know we can. There's still a lot of football left. As a unit, we've got to get some things fixed." The Jaguars have played without five defensive starters early in the season, but they seem to be getting close to fully healthy. Cornerback Derek Cox (hamstring) and Rashean Mathis (knee) are penciled in to start their second consecutive game, and defensive Austen Lane (foot) is expected to play for the first time since early in the preseason. Linebackers Daryl Smith (groin) and Clint Session (concussion) remain sidelined, but Jacksonville feels as good about its defense as it has all season. "You're always better off when you have your best players on the field," linebacker Russell Allen said. "Having Derek and Rashean back helped us tremendously. They're talented and they're experienced. They've been together here for several years now and have played at a high level." Jacksonville struggled to tackle at times in its first two games, but performed much better in last week's 22-17 win at Indianapolis. The next step is to generate more pressure on quarterbacks. The Jaguars had two sacks in the opener, but have failed to get to the quarterback the last two weeks. Lane's return should help since veteran Jeremy Mincey and rookie Andre Branch have been on the field nearly every play without a breather. "We haven't gotten to the quarterback the way we wanted to," defensive tackle Terrance Knighton said. "It's the beginning of the season, and we're just trying to gel again. We have a few young guys getting a lot of time. We're just trying to keep it simple right now and execute. "But we've got to get sacks. We just can't keep leaving our DBs out there to dry and trying to cover for five or six seconds. That doesn't work in this league." Maybe the hockey stick will, though. "We always say we want to take what we do in practice into the game on Sunday," Jaguars linebacker Paul Posluszny said. "We have to create more turnovers. Our goal is always two or more (in a game). That's the next progression. We've got to start making the big plays to change games — turnovers, quarterback sacks. We still need to be more active in making big plays." http://www.daytondailynews.com/ap/ap/ohio/bengals-jaguars-counting-on-more-from-defense/nSPg3/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldschooler Posted September 30, 2012 Report Share Posted September 30, 2012 [size=6][b]Bengals seek Jag-ged edge[/b][/size] Posted 23 hours ago Geoff Hobson Editor Bengals.com This is one of those games that back in that primary season when the schedule came out it was rock-solid orange and black for the Bengals in the win column. But a raft of injuries in the secondary and a surprising struggle to stop the run have made Sunday's game in Jacksonville (4:05 p.m.-Cincinnati's Channel 12) as unpredictable as a swing state. The volatility can be seen in the Bengals.com media roundtable, which ranges from a big victory fashioned by red-hot quarterback Andy Dalton and his Bengals offense to a tight conquest decided by the brilliance of Jacksonville running back Maurice Jones-Drew and a mistake-free defense. Vito Stellino of the Florida Times-Union, who has had a long and distinguished career covering everything NFL from Pittsburgh's Steel Curtain to Jacksonville's tarp, believes the Jaguars have gotten healthy just in time to give quarterback Blaine Gabbert time against Cincinnati's decimated secondary. But Pete Prisco, the senior NFL voice for CBSSports.com and a former long-time Jags beat man, says it's a perfect storm for the Bengals because the week they are limping in the secondary matches the week they play one of the NFL's least effective passing games, and he continues to insist the Bengals are going on a winning streak that carries them into the Oct. 21 Sunday night home game against the Steelers. And yet Paul Kuharsky, the AFC South reporter for ESPN.com, has been saying since the preseason that there is an illusion surrounding the Jags that they are worse than they really are. He believes they've got a shot to go 8-8 if healthy and this is one where they have a chance. And, maybe more importantly, the Jags see it as a critical game that can make their season in staving off 1-3 and getting to 2-2. But then there is the Pro Football Hall of Fame scribe Len Pasquarelli and his take that there is no way getting around the gap in talent on the two rosters. Pasquarelli, of Fox TV in Atlanta, says the Jags can keep it close with MJD and a grinding defense, but it won't get them enough points to beat the Bengals. Let's go around the table: [b]STELLINO[/b] Gabbert is better coached than he was last year, but he is still very much a work in progress. He had something like 70 yards passing last week until he threw an 80-yarder in the last minute to beat the Colts. And their receivers are so young that they are going to struggle for a while until they get settled. Basically, Bob Bratkowski, the new Jaguars defensive coordinator, switched jobs with Dirk Koetter, the former Jags offensive coordinator now in Atlanta. The Jags were 5-11 last year and 1-2 now and the Falcons are 3-0 after going to the playoffs, so obviously you can only coach so much. But the Jaguars are getting back two of their starting offensive linemen after they missed the last two games (right tackle Cam Bradfield and left guard Eben Britton) and that should help give Gabbert more time because he's been getting a lot of pressure. The defense hasn't been playing as well at it did last year and they won't have one of their best players in outside linebacker Daryl Smith, but they'll have their starting corners for the second straight week and that will make a difference. [b]THE EDGE:[/b] Jags, 23-20. I think this one comes down to how well Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton plays against a defense that makes you drive it and if you make a mistake, fine, then they'll win. But if he plays well, the Bengals win. I just see this is as a homefield advantage game and Jones-Drew feasts on defenses that have trouble stopping the run. [b]PRISCO[/b] If there is one game where you don't have to have your secondary healthy and ready to go, this is it. The Jaguars just can't throw the ball and if they could, you wouldn't know it because they just don't let Gabbert do anything to win games. They're stuck in that run-first, run-second thing with MJD and they never make anything happen. And the receivers aren't giving them much at all. Justin Blackmon has a lot of talent, but he runs sloppy routes. Now if the Bengals can't stop the run, they're going to be in trouble but I just think their front seven matches up so well against Jacksonville. If the Jags don't get back their right tackle, Carlos Dunlap could have 14 sacks Sunday. And even with everyone healthy that's an edge for the Bengals, although I do see Jags left tackle Eugene Monroe handling Michael Johnson. Monroe is really good. Great feet. I think the Bengals can score on these guys. Their linebackers are slow and their best one, Daryl Smith, isn't going to play. The Bengals have a lot of receivers and they'll double A.J. Green, but the Bengals have other guys that can hurt them, and the Jaguars pass rush has been non-existent. [b]THE EDGE:[/b] Bengals, 27-17. You know I'm picking the Bengals to go a long way and I think they go on a bit of a run here. I'm surprised that the defense hasn't played well. The linebackers just haven't got off any blocks. But their defense is going to play better and on Sunday they're going to face a defense that will make them go 12 plays, 80 yards, and Dalton is a guy that doesn’t make many mistakes. [b]PASQUARELLI[/b] There's no question that Gabbert is better coached this year and he is more aware and making better decisions. But this is still MJD's team. And one of the great misnomers is that Mike Mularkey likes to throw the ball around. What he wants to establish is a power running game. He got the nickname "Inspector Gadget" when he was the offensive coordinator in Pittsburgh and a lot of that was because he could do so many things with wide receiver Antwaan Randle El. But everything was based off the run. Mike's a good coach, but this is going to take time. The receivers are very young and haven't been very productive. This is not a terrible week for a team to have a limping secondary. They're feeding the ball to MJD 25 times a game. Everyone is talking about it's a throwing league, but look at Houston and how they're able to use both and be very explosive in play-action. I think Jacksonville's defense is a little better than it was last year and I think a team always gets a little bit of a boost when there is a coaching change and you've got someone new in your ear. [b]THE EDGE:[/b] Bengals, 24-17. The Bengals have looked very good throwing the ball and I think that's going to be a problem for Jacksonville because they don't get much pressure on the passer. The way Jacksonville plays, they're not going to get blown out by anybody. They like to play ball control, keep games close, and hope they pull it out late. But in a game like that, it comes down to talent in the end and I just think the Bengals have more talent than they do. [b]KUHARSKY[/b] Take away a dreadful final 20 seconds in the season opener, and the Jaguars might be the talk of the league with two last-minute wins and a 2-1 record. But they are 1-2 and an afterthought. I know it's fashionable to consider them terrible, but they are not. It looks like both left guard Eben Britton and right tackle Cameron Bradfield will be back in the lineup and that should be a big boon. Tight end Marcedes Lewis has been blocking more than they'd like, so look for him to get involved in the passing game. The Jaguars need to be less reliant on Maurice Jones-Drew and ask more of Blaine Gabbert, a more confident and effective quarterback than he was as a rookie. He's matured and better coached, but it's still a process that takes time. I know the Bengals have given up a lot of yards and probably look at this as a chance to get on track against a middling, at best, offense. But the Jaguars surely see it as an opportunity to get that offense going. [b]THE EDGE:[/b] It's a huge game for the Jaguars. The difference between 2-2 and 1-3 is major and it's a chance to show growth. I said in the preseason if they were healthy they could challenge 8-8. Though they are still without perhaps their best defender in outside linebacker Daryl Smith, I still believe they can. To do so they have to win a game like this at home. I don't pick, but I certainly think they have a good opportunity here. [b]THE BOTTOM LINE[/b] As Bengaldom braces for an angst-strewn Sunday that could have as many as four cornerbacks on the inactive list (Leon Hall, Nate Clements, Jason Allen, Dre Kirkpatrick), now's a good time to give thanks that they tossed one-year deals the way of Terence Newman and Adam Jones, your starting cornerbacks. But as Newman said this week, they've already done it. They not only started last week with Clements moving to safety, they went all the way. Newman played all the snaps, Jones 96 percent, and they held up well on the outside against Robert Griffin III and the Redskins receivers, a more formidable passing game than what the Jags have. Before quarterback Gabbert unleashed an 80-yard TD pass to backup receiver Cecil Shorts III in the last minute last week against the Colts, he was averaging less than five yards per throw. After that throw it is 5.9, but Shorts is the only wide receiver that has a TD catch, and running back Maurice Jones-Drew and tight end Marcedes Lewis are the second- and third-leading receivers. Rookie wide receiver Justin Blackmon, the first receiver drafted, has been no A.J. Green with four catches and his longest for 13 yards. The fear, of course is that the Jags are going to be able to finally unleash their talent against the undermanned secondary. Heightening the Bengaldom angst is the visage of former long-time Bengals offensive coordinator Bob Bratkowski now moving chess pieces for a Jacksonville offense sensing mismatches against a secondary that may be forced to put safeties like Jeromy Miles, Reggie Nelson and Chris Crocker in the slot. The Jags have yet to show anybody that can exploit it, but the Bengals don't want to be the ones to find out. Crocker hasn't played a snap since the Wild Card Game and has practiced just twice all season, so who knows what he can offer? But what the Bengals do know about Crocker is that he can get people lined up and he's not going to let anybody get behind him, which is exactly how Gabbert and Shorts beat the Colts, unbelievably, in the last 45 seconds from their own 20 and trailing, 17-16. Gabbert made a great rifle throw inside the numbers to Shorts at about his 40 that was so quick that it caught the Indy DBs flat-footed, but why they were so bunched and shallow with a one-point lead to allow a catch-and-run TD is something the Bengals hope a guy like Crocker won't allow. No cheap TDs, and they should be OK. The Bengals are not looking for 10 tackles from Crocker. Just a cool head on passing downs so Gabbert doesn't stun them. So given the problems in the secondary and against the run, the obvious formula is for the Bengals offense to take over the game. The running back that has a run longer than his name may tilt this one with Cincinnati's BenJarvus Green-Ellis going against Jacksonville's Maurice Jones-Drew. Cincinnati's problems against the run have been well documented and MJD's 5.3 yards per rush isn't a good match for the Bengals' 5.8 against. That would make Gabbert's strong arm even more dangerous. Gabbert's big knock is his happy feet in the pocket and although the Jags O-line is back to normal after two weeks of injuries, the AFC-leading Bengals sackers could cause Gabbert big problems if they can get to him in the pocket. Jacksonville hasn't exactly been granite against the run. The Jags are giving up 4.4 yards per carry. They don't give up the big one, but as BJGE may like to note they've allowed five rushing touchdowns inside the 9. The numbers say Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton should have a good day. The Jags have just two sacks and one interception in their three games, and are allowing opposing QBs a passer rating of 86.9. But it will all get back to the run. The Jags are going to sit there and let Dalton dink and dunk under their deep coverages until they have to bring a safety down if the Bengals get the running game going. And if the Bengals can stop MJD with seven players, it's going to take heat off their undermanned beat-up DBs. When the dust clears, it's not Dalton vs. Gabbert, but BJGE vs. MJD in their battle of consonants. http://www.bengals.com/news/article-1/Bengals-seek-Jag-ged-edge/158bd54b-495a-4636-bf8d-029e02006a32 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldschooler Posted September 30, 2012 Report Share Posted September 30, 2012 [list] [*] [url="http://www.bengals.com/media-lounge/videos/NFL-Network-CIN-JAC-Playbook-92912/19b2b8b5-116a-4f75-8f3e-b6070d9e29e2"][img]http://prod.static.bengals.clubs.nfl.com/assets/images/imported/NFLVideo/2012/09-September/0ap2000000066876_video_player_cp--nfl_thumb_105_70.jpg[/img][/url] [b] [url="http://www.bengals.com/media-lounge/videos/NFL-Network-CIN-JAC-Playbook-92912/19b2b8b5-116a-4f75-8f3e-b6070d9e29e2"]NFL Network: CIN-JAC Playbook (9/29/12)[/url][/b] (3:14)Posted 23 hours ago Views: 891 [/list] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
akiliMVP Posted September 30, 2012 Report Share Posted September 30, 2012 Late games make me sad. Too long of a wait!!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
texbengal Posted September 30, 2012 Report Share Posted September 30, 2012 [quote name='akiliMVP' timestamp='1349010024' post='1164191'] Late games make me sad. Too long of a wait!!!! [/quote] Have some Jag-ermeister to take the Jag-ged edge off. And hey, I'm gonna call this game... a Jag-war! Sincerely, Hobs Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Le Tigre Posted September 30, 2012 Report Share Posted September 30, 2012 I have always hated games like this one. You should be confidently saying "we got this"...but you really can't. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tigris Posted September 30, 2012 Report Share Posted September 30, 2012 [quote name='Le Tigre' timestamp='1349011347' post='1164198'] I have always hated games like this one. You should be confidently saying "we got this"...but you really can't. [/quote] You just never know who's going to show up. Like Thursday, Cleveland gives Baltimore the win. Weeden with a pick 6 and then Little drops a TD. So far this season, we've usually been the team making plays. I just hope it continues today. Also, if we win today we'd be coming out of the first quarter of the schedule at 3-1 with two divisional games already played, a 2-1 conference record, and 3 of the 8 away games already played. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
texbengal Posted September 30, 2012 Report Share Posted September 30, 2012 [quote name='Tigris' timestamp='1349013358' post='1164202'] You just never know who's going to show up. Like Thursday, Cleveland gives Baltimore the win. Weeden with a pick 6 and then Little drops a TD. So far this season, we've usually been the team making plays. I just hope it continues today. Also, if we win today we'd be coming out of the first quarter of the schedule at 3-1 with two divisional games already played, a 2-1 conference record, and 3 of the 8 away games already played. [/quote] And they'll have 4/8 away games gone with just 6 games played. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldschooler Posted September 30, 2012 Report Share Posted September 30, 2012 [url="https://twitter.com/benmaller"][b]Ben Maller[/b] [s]@[/s][b]benmaller[/b] [/url] Jaguars QB Blaine Gabbert has yet to throw TD pass in first quarter in TWO seasons. Thats consistency. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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