Man killed in fire
.JPG)
Celebs come out for TV's '24'
.JPG)
Stars turn out for film gala
Chick Ludwig covers the Cincinnati Bengals. He also writes about his other passions: college football, basketball and golf.Home > Blogs > Chick Ludwig At Large > Archives > 2008 > December > 03 > Entry
‘The team you cover stinks’
MAJOR UPHEAVAL ON HORIZON
FOR BENGALS’ OFFENSIVE LINE
PAUL ALEXANDER’S UNIT
NOT GETTING IT DONE
In my opinion, the biggest disappointment this season is the No. 32-ranked offense in general and the offensive line in particular.
The offense is ranked 32nd — dead last at 232.4 yards a game — and, to me, solely responsible for the team’s 1-10-1 record.
Even before left tackle Levi Jones (back) and left guard Andrew Whitworth (ankle-Injured Reserve) exited with injuries, the unit had drastically underachieved.
The line is not void of talent. However, without right tackle Willie Anderson — the 13-year veteran and four-time Pro Bowler signed with the Ravens after being released Aug. 30 as a salary-cap casualty — it lacks leadership, direction, confidence and, most of all, success.
Major upheaval is on the horizon for 2009.
Right tackle Stacy Andrews, who is not dominating like a franchise-tagged player should ($7.455 million), will likely leave in free agency.
Center Eric Ghiaciuc is an UFA (unrestricted free agent) who probably won’t be invited back.
And Jones’ future is in doubt because of his injury history.
Aside from Whitworth, who signed on long-term in the offseason, and rookie left tackle Anthony Collins, who shows plenty of promise, everyone’s job is in jeopardy across the offensive front.
Getting quarterback Carson Palmer (right elbow) healthy and keeping him well-protected will be the No. 1 priority of the offseason.
BALTIMORE WRITER: ‘THE TEAM YOU COVER STINKS’
After Sunday’s game, a 34-3 Ravens’ victory, a Baltimore writer approached me in the press box and said: “The team you cover stinks! That’s some bad junk out there.”
He said that during film study, the Ravens noticed that 6-foot-2 quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick was taking three-step drops and getting rid of the football in quick-rhythm fashion.
“Because he’s right-handed, the defensive linemen said they were going to raise their left hands and bat the ball down,” he said.
Fitzpatrick was 12 of 31 passing for 124 yards. He fumbled twice, got sacked three times, had five passes swatted at the line of scrimmage and had two passes slip out of his hands.
‘TOUCHDOWN TIM’ IN MIDDLETOWN
“Hey, Chick: Sunday was my first game I attended this season, and most likely my last. I will eat the Redskins and Chiefs tickets. I could give them to a children’s organization, but I wouldn’t do that to those kids. They have been through enough.
“I have had season tickets since 1982. Unless my kids want the tickets, I am done.
“Marvin, Mike and anyone else who collects a check from this team has lost all credibility in my eyes. They should be kicked out of the NFL.
“Go Fenwick!”
ANGRY CHAD IN DAYTON
“Here is a fan’s perspective (mine) on the recent Mike Brown interview.
“Thanks for all of your coverage of the Bengals during this horrible season.
“I am so disgusted by Mike Brown’s comments in his interview. I question why I am a Bengals fan. I love my team. But why do I continue to support this guy.
There are several things that bothered me.
• He said he was counting on our LB crew being Rivers, Pollack and Thurman. Really? He must have been the only person in the world expecting Pollack to be there playing this year. In fact, I’m guessing if we were counting on Pollack and Thurman to be here playing this year, we probably would not have drafted Rivers or spent a 1st round pick on a LB. But apparently we are all stupid enough to believe Mike Brown on this one.
• When asked about a general manager he replied the fans are just talking ‘themes’. Really? I believe as fans we have been begging and asking for a GM since Mike took over for his dad. The only year we weren’t begging for a GM was the only year in the past 15 when we were having a winning season. So apparently the one constant thought we’ve been having since 1989 has only been a theme and not the truth. I guess we’re stupid.
• The coaches are doing an outstanding job. Really? Bratkowski cannot move the ball. He runs the same stagnant offense that every team figured out back when he worked for the Seahawks. Our DBs cannot make a play on the ball in the air, our D-line gets no penetration and our O-line cannot finish their blocks. Even Cedric Benson commented yesterday that guys aren’t finishing their blocks. But the coaches have done outstanding and we’re stupid.
• Ocho Stinko will honor his contract. Why? We don’t want him. The coaches don’t want him. Carson doesn’t want him. He doesn’t want us. It will be typical Mike Brown to keep Chad and let T.J. walk. Amazing! Mike believes that Chad puts butts in the seats and not winning football games. Of course we’re not football people so we must be stupid.
• Miscellaneous: Carson Palmer will help the team rebound when he returns and the training staff is fine. What? Carson will spend more time on his back with this O-line than he will in the pocket. And if the training staff is so good, why do all the Bengals players go somewhere else to get treated and examined? I guess we’re stupid. Someone should tell Mike Brown the truth. He’s not fooling anyone. We know who here is at fault and his own comments demonstrate his own stupidity when it comes to his team, his coaches and his fans.
Permalink | Comments (17) | Post your comment | Categories: Bengals
Comments
By Robert Young
December 3, 2008 11:24 AM | Link to this
TD Tim I’m w/ you. Except my 17 yr old son has already said no to the tickets. Told him yesterday to consider UC tickets over the next several weeks, he replied he has already been thinking about that. And he has always been the one to say Dad let’s give the Bengals one more year. Now granted I do not have to make a decision until Feb 28th when the deposit is due but except for some unforseen major front office change I just do not see another year at PBS. FYI the last non strike/non preseason game I missed was 11/25/84. If the team is loosing fans like myself imagine what is happening to the casual fan?By Doco
December 3, 2008 11:34 AM | Link to this
Angry Chad forgot Mikey’s best comment. “Our players still try hard. He has them out there trying to the best of their ability.” If that’s true then their ability is not good. Mike selects these players with poor ability. He just verbalized that he’s the problem but is too dumb to hear his own words. We should send Mike a DVD of “The Rock”. “Losers always whine about their best. Winners go home and ** the prom queen.”By Jay
December 3, 2008 12:56 PM | Link to this
TD Tim. If you are unable to pawn those tickets off on family, I would gladly take them off your hands. My 8-year-old son has never been to a game and he’s still naive enough to think the Bengals have a chance to win. And against KC, maybe they do. Anyway, we wouldn’t do anything to jeopardize your tickets and I promise we won’t put any money in Mike Brown’s pocket. We’ll bring our own snacks and avoid the concession stand the way Mikey boy avoids logic and the commitment to win. Feel free to email me at Sundayss@aol.com if you’re just going to eat those tickets.By Brian
December 3, 2008 1:06 PM | Link to this
Don’t make us have to call the child abuse hotline Jay.By Brian
December 3, 2008 2:23 PM | Link to this
On a more serious note, I think next year’s offensive line is destined to make this year’s look flat-out dominant if Mikey (being Mikey…) drafts a QB instead of a left tackle with their first round pick. It will be reminiscent of the ‘glory’ days of Rod Jones and Melvin Tuten. Carson should just preemptively retire before they wreck the rest of his body.By Jim M.
December 3, 2008 2:37 PM | Link to this
TD Tim, You are not alone.. The sad part is Canutte and Hobson either are not allowed to ask tougher questions, or are bought off!.. I listened to Hobson this morniing saying Mikey-Boy is having trouble sleeping some nights.. im like WHATEVER!! if that was true, he would have finally woke up and appologized for being a idiot for 18 years!! and blew this mess up.. NOPE his comments he made in that dumb interview, proved he has lost his mind..and Robert, please write a long letter to the idiot and tell him your not coming back because he has no clue on how to win because his 1-17 winning season is proof enough, not to mention being a redeemer!! whats next? Plaxios Burris and Michael Vick will be invited here?? GEESHBy Jim M.
December 3, 2008 2:38 PM | Link to this
TD Tim, You are not alone.. The sad part is Canutte and Hobson either are not allowed to ask tougher questions, or are bought off!.. I listened to Hobson this morniing saying Mikey-Boy is having trouble sleeping some nights.. im like WHATEVER!! if that was true, he would have finally woke up and appologized for being a idiot for 18 years!! and blew this mess up.. NOPE his comments he made in that dumb interview, proved he has lost his mind..and Robert, please write a long letter to the idiot and tell him your not coming back because he has no clue on how to win because his 1-17 winning season is proof enough, not to mention being a redeemer!! whats next? Plaxios Burris and Michael Vick will be invited here?? GEESHBy Jim M.
December 3, 2008 2:40 PM | Link to this
TD Tim, You are not alone.. The sad part is Canutte and Hobson either are not allowed to ask tougher questions, or are bought off!.. I listened to Hobson this morniing saying Mikey-Boy is having trouble sleeping some nights.. im like WHATEVER!! if that was true, he would have finally woke up and appologized for being a idiot for 18 years!! and blew this mess up.. NOPE his comments he made in that dumb interview, proved he has lost his mind..and Robert, please write a long letter to the idiot and tell him your not coming back because he has no clue on how to win because his 1-17 winning season is proof enough, not to mention being a redeemer!! whats next? Plaxios Burris and Michael Vick will be invited here?? GEESHBy Sid F
December 3, 2008 7:37 PM | Link to this
At least they are not the Lions. They had to deal with their own version of Mike Brown for just as long, it seemed.By Sid F
December 3, 2008 7:38 PM | Link to this
At least they are not the Lions. They had to deal with their own version of Mike Brown for just as long, it seemed.By Derrick
December 3, 2008 9:17 PM | Link to this
I heard something on ESPNM radio today where they said the Raiders were the worst run organization in all of pro sports. How could Oakland beat out Cincinnati for this honor? Somebody is getting payola.By Jeff
December 4, 2008 4:56 AM | Link to this
Bengals fans are all suckers. I used to be one, but after the 2000 season I canceled my season tickets and haven’t given them a dollar since. If more fans would take that approach, things might change.By andrew
December 4, 2008 9:34 AM | Link to this
i’ve been sending postcards to MB on a regular basis over the season. it always expresses my deep displeasure with his performance. i figure if i send enough of them, his secretary might end up giving them to him, and at least i’ll get in a cheap insult. it’s the best i’ve got.By andrew
December 4, 2008 9:39 AM | Link to this
i’ve been sending postcards to MB on a regular basis over the season. it always expresses my deep displeasure with his performance. i figure if i send enough of them, his secretary might end up giving them to him, and at least i’ll get in a cheap insult. it’s the best i’ve got.By joemama
December 4, 2008 10:03 AM | Link to this
Hey Angry Chad, you have one thing right. You are stupid…for expecting a winning team under Mike Brown. I have followed the Bengals since their beginning, and one thing I know is that they will never consistantly win under Mike Brown. He’s not in the game to win. He is the only constant during almost 20 years of losing. As long as Mike Brown is running the Bengals, they will not win. No matter who is coaching. Revel in their losing ways, ‘cause it ain’t gonna change anytime soon.By Johnny
December 4, 2008 11:04 AM | Link to this
he he Chick wrote Paul Alexander’s unit.By Captain John
December 4, 2008 2:42 PM | Link to this
Angry Chad in Dayton is so dead on in his comments I can’t believe it. I said exactly the same thing to myself, but he put it in writing. I do wish “Lap” would ask those questions of MB!